Shadow...Sweet,
sweet Shadow! What a testament to that remarkable Golden Retriever resiliency in
the face of difficult circumstances.
From what we know of her past, Shadow lived with one family from puppyhood to about age two; when they could no longer keep her, she moved to a new home out in the country. There she lived outdoors on a tie-out for the next 2 years, wearing a heavy leather horse-collar attached to a chain, since there wasn’t a fence to keep her safely on the property. When her new family planned a move into town, they asked us if we could take Shadow and find her a good home.
Of course, we had to wonder what effect living out in the elements at the end of a chain for all that time would have had on her personality. Dogs who are chained often do develop some undesirable traits—and understandably so.
From the very beginning, though, it was apparent that Shadow’s loving nature (and her memories of indoor living!) had remained intact. Here’s her foster mom’s note from day three of foster care:
“Here is what I know about Shadow after having her here going on day three: She certainly knows how comfortable furniture can be, she knows what a Kong is, and she knows how to hold the Kong to be get to the goodies inside. She also knows "sit" and “down” on verbal command. She knows how to signal, when in her crate, that it's time for a potty break; she is very comfortable in a crate and goes right in if a treat is in there. She is comfortable with the ceiling fan on above her and is comfortable with the usual household noises. She is comfortable with my other dogs from the other side of the baby gate and doesn't even take exception to our German Shepherd mix, Sam, when he puffs up at her to let her know he's the big man on campus. She is no stranger to riding in a car, loads right up and settles.”
So Shadow must have had a loving family who taught her basic commands, and it seems she must have once lived inside with young children and perhaps with another dog too. We know this because she is very good with children and with other dogs (although be warned—this gal loves to rough-house with her dog friends, so she’d do best with a similarly playful pal!). But cats? Not so much!!! Shadow apparently wasn’t socialized to cats, so a no-cat home will be best for her. She was good with smaller dogs in her previous family, though.
Shadow is a delightful girl with average energy. She doesn’t need entertainment all the time; she’s happy just to lie quietly at your feet and enjoy a stuffed sterile bone to chew. As we found out at the start, she is good in a crate—just toss a yummy treat inside and she goes right in.
Shadow is none the worse for wear, even after spending almost half her life on a tie-out. She’s delighted to be inside again and, I suspect, grateful for the life she has now. That’s a Golden for you!