Ranger

Profile

Sponsored by:

The H Family (in loving memory of Ada Mae)
Peggy Moriarity
Rhonda Von Mosch


With the new year quickly approaching, it is only fitting that Ranger should have a new web page!

To give you a quick update on Ranger's background: Ranger came to RAGOM in May, 2007. My original impression of him was "sweet, outgoing, loving, kissing, wanna play, good manners and I'll whine when I have to go out kinda guy" and that has not changed one bit! He is a terrific dog who is a joy to have around.

Ranger arrived with hip dysplasia and immediately had surgery on the right hip. It has since been determined by the veterinary clinic that surgery on the other hip is not needed at this time, and may never be needed (see below for input from an owner who had a dog with a similar problem). Ranger is doing absolutely GReat! No health problems - no mobility problems - he loves all people, children, dogs, and cats!

Plays and gets along with ALL dogs!
One at a time... two at a time... or in very large groups!

A cat can be his best friend!

Very intelligent... very focused... eager to learn... ready to please!
We should all be so lucky to have a friend like this in our house!

A note from one of Ranger's newest fans

A former RAGOM volunteer, the happy owner of three dogs, and as manager of a vet clinic has seen a lot of dogs come and go and all that befalls our 4-legged friends

In the course of other rescue business, I had the good fortune to get to meet Ranger last Saturday. I was surprised to learn how long he had been in foster care, still waiting for his forever home! If the words "hip dysplasia" are causing any potential homes to pass this boy by, they're missing out on a gem of a dog! Years ago I adopted a golden puppy who I named Ripley. At five months he was diagnosed with severe bilateral hip dysplasia and he had hip shelf arthroplasty on both hips at six months old. I never regretted it for a second, and he had a long, active, healthy, pain-free life until hemangiosarcoma (a catastrophic vascular cancer) took him from us at age 13, a year ago this week. Ripley completed his AKC Companion Dog title, served as a Therapy Dog for many years, and never missed a chance to go hiking or to the lake. Ranger can expect a long, active, wonderful life, too!

I understand RAGOM has already had surgery on one of his hips, and that the consensus is that he may never even NEED surgery on the other hip. He is very lean and active, keeping that muscle tone up and unnecessary weight off. He is sweet and playful and loving, and just about as much fun as a golden can be (and that's saying a LOT!). He played great with his young foster brother and a young guest dog, and was attentive yet respectful of the older resident dog.

I KNOW if someone is willing to take a chance on Ranger, they will never be disappointed. Keep him trim and in good shape, and put him on a high quality joint support supplement (which, if you have ANY golden, you should be doing anyway) and enjoy him! With our goldens, as much as we love them, we never know what their orthopedic future may hold. Sadly, that risk is part and parcel with the breed, along with other health conditions, such as the hemangiosarcoma that claimed my Ripley. But hip dysplasia wasn't a big issue in Ripley's life, and it doesn't have to be in Ranger's either! One hip is "overhauled" and ready to go, and the other may be fine forever with the right nutrition and exercise. But don't miss out on a great dog because you're concerned about what MIGHT happen someday!

Another testimonial!

From a temp foster mom and her two dogs

Mason, Zach and I had the pleasure of having Ranger as a houseguest for a long weekend. And it truly was a pleasure! First of all, he is absolutely adorable, just this tall, lanky, adolescent-looking, happy guy who loves to play with other dogs, toys, and fetch a ball, but is also incredibly well-behaved in the house! I know his foster mom has mentioned how well-behaved he is for a ONE YEAR OLD, but I'm here to tell you that she really means it!

I also have a 1 year old Ragom boy, Zach (06-487), and he and Ranger hit it off SO well, they are seriously like two peas in a pod. Except that Ranger doesn't chew rugs, shoes, towels, and other household items... (ahem), so I was hoping he would teach Zach a thing or two about "inside" behavior. Well, at least he kept him busy during the first couple of rainy days, so Zach didn't have time to get into trouble... and eventually they managed to tire each other out. Even my 3 yr old GR, Mason, loved Ranger, which is saying a lot. Mason can be discriminating with his doggie friends, and I'm happy to say that Ranger passed his test with flying colors.

Ranger brought me to the RAGOM Chuck and Don's event on Saturday and had a ball meeting and greeting both people and dogs. His only downfall with other dogs (which my 1 year old shares) is that he can come on a little strong at first. He is SO friendly and playful, and so sure that every other dog will love him and want to play with him, that he is sometimes a little too "in their face", and thus received a few growls on Saturday. Overall, he's a really well socialized young guy, so I think this is something he will learn as he matures, and realizes that not all dogs will love him right off the bat as much as he loves them.

I am really not sure why this handsome, GReat young guy is still in foster care. I know he's got hip dysplasia, and with it comes the potential for more problems down the road, but for now his right leg has recovered very well from the surgery, and he showed no evidence of limping or pain, even after several days of hard-core running, jumping and playing! I'd say this guy is a diamond in the rough, and the family who is willing to overlook his "imperfect" hips, will be very lucky indeed! I know I'd welcome Ranger back here anytime... the door is always open for you Mr. Ranger Rover!