Dogs Available for Adoption
Adopted Dogs · Happy Endings · Rainbow Bridge Memorials
Gabriel #07-175
(Fostered in Minneapolis, MN)
Sponsored by: Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc.,
Pleasantville, New York
3/25/07: Gabriel is a North Dakota puppy mill dog that was transported in a truck with 80 plus other dogs from Bismarck to Hastings just yesterday. He is about 7, maybe a little younger, and weighs 73 pounds - just about right for him. He is probably the sire of many of the dogs transported yesterday (just doing his job!) and he's just an absolutely beautiful dog.
Out of all those dogs, how did we end up with Gabriel? The puppies were processed first and those of us taking adults had a chance to check out the adults in their crates. All the dogs were tired, hungry, a little dehydrated on what had to be the most terrifying day of their lives. I noticed that whenever anyone walked by one large plastic crate, there was a "thump thump" of a tail wagging against the crate. Instead of shying away, he rubbed his head against the gate to get his ears scratched. I decided that any dog that could be so friendly under such circumstances had to be a special boy - so he's here.
He's only been here for 12 hours but he's already made amazing progress. He had a chain collar that I had to cut off with a bolt cutter. We gave him a bath at 2am this morning (he was ripe! - fortunately he was easy to bathe) and he slept in a crate, still wagging his tail at us when we walked by. We don't have a fence so he went on his first ever leash walk at 2am and, while he's very tentative about new things - he's already better on a leash than our freight train of an Irish Setter.
He was fairly shy and tentative with us as well, at first reluctant to come out of his crate. But then we introduced him to our dogs and they have already taught him how to go up and down stairs, that the stainless steel water dish is really ok, and that the railroad tracks down the road are not barriers that can't be crossed (on a leash with a human of course). He's also met our 4 cats and everybody seems to get along just fine. Right now, he's out of his crate, sleeping with our dogs - if I even look at him, he wags his tail and walks over for an ear scratch. That is awesome for a puppy mill dog just off the truck.
He's only eaten a few pieces of kibble since his arrival - I'm guessing the dogs were fed by just having food thrown on the ground - Gabriel knocks his bowl over before eating anything. We are going to pick up some magical food that dogs can't resist - wieners!
Gabriel has a lot of adjusting left to do, and he needs to be examined by a vet, neutered (and maybe have his teeth cleaned while he is under the anesthetic), but he's making great progress and will make some lucky family a great dog.
UPDATES:
04/01/2007: 
Gabriel is doing great! He went in for his complete vet check on Wednesday - the vet confirmed he is about 7. He's in great health - heartworm negative, his weight is just right for him. This Wednesday, he goes in for neutering and a teeth cleaning.
So far - he seems to be instantly housebroken. He hasn't marked at all or had any accidents in the house - pretty amazing for a guy that lived in a 5' by 5' stall with four other dogs. He does not like his crate and complains LOUDLY when left alone there - we only used it for the first two nights, now he sleeps on the floor of the bedroom. We have several cats in our house and he pretty much ignores them, even when they try and bat his wagging tail. We have several baby gates (with cat sized holes) to keep the dogs away from the cat food, etc. and he respects those.
Our effort to start him on high quality dog food hit a bit of a roadblock. He wouldn't touch it. We added bits of cut up wieners - he picked them out. We stirred in some yogurt - he literally licked the yogurt off and left the kibble alone. So we caved in and bought a bag of the stuff they fed him at the puppy mill, cheap stuff full of dyes and preservatives but, of course, he eats it right up. We'll do a slow switch, adding a little more of the good stuff each day.
We walk him several times a day - just got back from a one hour walk along the Mississippi River. He's very well behaved on a leash. I think it's mainly because he's still insecure and the safest place for him is a little behind his human. He does move quicker though when he spies a squirrel or a rabbit. So far, he's been the perfect gentleman when introduced to new dogs and people.
Our resident dogs continue Gabriel's education. He loves toys and is learning about tennis balls - he doesn't quite get the retrieving part of the equation yet. Our Irish Setter has also taught Gabriel that UPS trucks are evil and should be woofed at when they drive by - a lesson we all need to learn sometime.
We will update again after his neutering.
Gabriel (right) with his RAGOM buddies
Gabriel at a coffee shop
Out for a walk
He loves his toys!
04/09/2007: Gabriel was neutered uneventfully on Wednesday and seems to be recovering well. He also had a dental exam and, unfortunately, required 5 extractions (we have been going to this vet for 25 years and always have a dental done when a dog is under sedation - this is the first time we have ever needed an extraction - even with other dogs upto 15 years old, Gabriel's teeth have been completely ignored forever). The good news is that (i) none of his "I'm cute" teeth had to go, his smile is unaffected; and (ii) he will be able to eat hard kibble without a problem. But, for the next week or so, he gets a pain pill (you'd want one too if you had 5 teeth pulled), soft food (yum, yum), antibiotics (to prevent infection) and no bath (yeah!).
None of this has affected his wonderful personality, which continues to shine through. He loves to walk with our resident dogs. He plays with the other neighborhood dogs and now gets that a tennis ball, while fun to chew in half, is still supposed to be returned when tossed. He's still a little shy around new people but warms up quickly if they scratch his ears which, for some reason, is everyone's natural reaction when they meet him.
He will need a little work on leash skills. When he first got here, he was insecure and would walk behind you. As he gets more confident, he ventures out in front and is very interested in rabbits (OK - what normal dog could resist?). Right now we're having fun with introducing him to a regular Golden world and will report back when he is done with his drug regimen.
04/11/2007: We have decided to adopt the Big Boy ourselves. He has ingratiated himself with our pack, and has become part of our household. As I speak, he's at my feet, wagging his tail whenever I say his name (which he now recognizes).
This means we are flunk out fosters (i.e. fosters that can't give up their furry friends). Something tells me this has happened to more than one RAGOM foster. If you have been following Gabriel's story - thanks, he's a wonderful dog. If you've been thinking of adopting, please keep looking - RAGOM has so many cool dogs. This is our first foster adoptee but our fourth RAGOM dog - all well loved. Good luck.