Adopted Dogs · Happy Endings · Rainbow Bridge Memorials
2/5/07: I am in heaven. How could a person not be happy surrounded by their own three Goldens, a Golden mix puppy and now an absolutely fantastic Golden senior!
Max was surrendered by his owners because of a divorce situation. He has been loved and well cared for his entire life and it shows. He is a happy boy who loves to be petted. My granddaughter's mother knew the previous owners and told me that my two-year old granddaughter loves Max. She hugs him and he is completely kid safe. He met all the dogs here and fit right in like he'd lived here forever. He is housetrained, doesn't bark other than one ruff to announce that someone is at the door, loves people, is safe with kids, gets along well with dogs and lived with a cat. Mr. Perfect. He is also playful. He will wander around the house until he finds a tennis ball or two, then come back with both of them in his mouth.
You'd also think he was closer to 5 years old than 11 (owner wasn't sure if he was 10 or 12, so we're going with 11). He runs up and down my stairs with no problem whatsoever. He doesn't jump up on you, he hasn't tried to get on the furniture and lies quietly next to the bed at night.
Max visited the vet today -- who of course were all new friends to meet. He has a hematoma in one earflap and will have surgery to insert a drain tube on Thursday. They originally thought that the hematoma was probably caused by shaking the head due to ear infections. However, his ears checked out clean with no infection. So, instead we are assuming he must have shook his head and hit his earflap on something which caused the blood in the earflap. I guess we'll never know for sure how he got it, but will get it fixed. His eyes also checked out clear with no cataracts. He weighed in at 92 pounds and could afford to lose a few. We had the vet run a senior chem panel and a fecal and will know the results in the next day or two. He is sporting a little fever which we believe may be from infection and he started some antibiotics today.
This sweet gent is move in ready, no issues and as easy as they come, plus affectionate and friendly. The epitome of the senior Golden Retriever. He could be in pictures lying on the rug by the fireplace at the cabin. If you are looking for a loving dog to share your home, look no further.
YAY, Max's senior blood work came back today and the vet said, "He is very healthy!" His blood work was in the normal range, thyroid in the normal range, fecal free of parasites. After yesterday's eyes good, ears good and now this report, plus he runs around like a puppy, I'm thrilled for him. He's such a nice dog--it's great to know that he's in fantastic physical shape for his age.
Max has been here for a week and I cannot think of one bad thing about this dog. I usually like to tell adopters about any problems so they know what to expect and are willing to work with any issues, but with Max, there literally are none. Of course, now that I've said that, maybe something will surface. It's not possible to be perfect, is it? So far, Max is proving to us that it is possible.
In typical Golden fashion, Max enjoys carrying around toys. Doesn't matter if it's a bone or a tennis ball or a stuffed toy, and sometimes he carries two. He really enjoyed playing with puppy Caruso (07-035), but now Caruso has moved to his new home, so Max lost his playmate. Hopefully, one of my dogs will step up to the plate. Max had surgery last Thursday for his ear hematoma and had a drainage tube implanted. He'll be wearing an Elizabethan collar for three weeks so that he can't scratch the tube out of his ear.
If you are looking for a loving, easy, "perfect" gentleman to share your home and life, come and meet Max.
We've had lots of company lately and everyone comments that Max's pictures don't do him justice. I'm been told that I have to get a picture of him smiling for all to see, so will do that soon. We watched Sweet Abby and her 4 pups for a week while her foster mom was out of town and Max was so gentle with them. He's loving the snow and trots around the backyard. It's so funny, cuz no matter how much snow we get, he still manages to find the tennis balls underneath. He sticks his nose down in the snow and next thing I know, he's got another tennis ball in his mouth. Max was use to having his food bowl available throughout the day so the idea of being fed twice a day and eating it all now, cuz if you don't the other dogs will, has been a little change for him. I don't think he's real crazy about dry kibble and is real pokey about eating that, so I add a few enticements (yogurt, canned food, leftover stew) and he gobbles it right up, in a very gentlemanly fashion. So, we're spoiling him a bit, but I figure he deserves it. He remains as wonderful as always, loves to be petted, but doesn't even ask to come up on the furniture or the bed. He'll follow me around the house and come up for his pets, but not full time. He's an absolute dream dog.
We have a bet going around here -- how many inches of snow need to fall before Max can no longer find tennis balls in the snow? He is amazing. We now have piles of snow and he still can go outside, stick his head down deep and come back up with a tennis ball in his mouth. Max will be greeting people at PetsMart on Saturday. He's looking forward to meeting all the adults, children and dogs.
My perfect dog has found his perfect home. He has been welcomed by adopted RAGOM dog, Boomer, to share his home. We will miss Max, he is such a wonderful dog, but know that he will have more fun in his new home.
| Max crossed the rainbow bridge today, Monday, April 26, 2010. He started having seizures in December but even with treatment they continued getting worse to the point that it became difficult for him to walk. He was such a sweet gentle boy! I know I will never find another Max. But the three years we spent together gave us both many memories that each of us can share with others as we move forward. |