Boston

Profile

Boston came to us from a crowded shelter in Iowa, where he was at risk of being euthanized. But the staff there recognized that a terrific dog like this should be given every chance, so they contacted RAGOM and we snapped him up. Boston was turned in to the shelter by a family who did not have time for him anymore. He has lived his entire life outside, tied up to a kennel.

Those days are over now, and Boston seems to know it. He is happy, curious, affectionate, and appropriately deferential to me and my resident dog Chaz. Medium gold in color with a blond underbelly, Boston has a stocky build and a broad forehead with a shortish snout, giving him a perennial puppy look.

Don't let that silver on his face fool you. At seven years of age, Boston is full of life and spark. I usually take foster dogs on a walk immediately after they arrive at my house to establish a sense of leadership right away. We didn't get very far before I realized that this guy didn't want to walk—he wanted to RUN! (After spending his entire life in a kennel and the past few weeks in a shelter, who could blame him?) So I got my recumbent trike out of the garage and off we went. He ran—yes, RAN—next to the trike for a good few minutes before settling into an energetic trot. Head high, ears perked, it was as if he were saying, "So THIS is the rest of the world! Let's see what's out here!"

I was impressed not only by his energy, but also by his fearlessness. It took several outings with the trike before my dog Chaz was comfortable running alongside. Not Boston. The contraption didn't faze him at all. His intake papers say that he is also unafraid of storms, thunder and gunshots, and I can believe it, given what I've seen of him so far.

Most Goldens have good dispositions, but Boston is especially sweet. Even though he is still intact, he has shown no snarkiness with my resident male. He craves human attention and loves being petted and brushed. I discovered, however, that his underbelly is thick with mud-encrusted mats—too many for me to cut away. So he will need to be taken to a groomer for a belly shave. But that will probably feel pretty good to him this summer. He will also need to be neutered, which I will try to schedule for next week.

Boston clearly loves people, seeks out affection and bonds quickly. Although he has had no formal obedience training, he's a quick study. He has already learned by modeling my dog how to sit on command. Having been an outside dog all his life, Boston is not housetrained. However, I think he will learn this quickly as well. So far, he has not marked inside the house, and when taken outside, he readily does his business.

Boston will make some family a wonderful companion.  He's the perfect age—no longer a high-maintenance puppy but still lively enough to fit in with an active family. With his people-oriented, unflappable personality, he'd also be great as a therapy dog.

If you're interested in meeting the charming and competent Mr. B., come by the RAGOM booth at the Pride Festival between 2 and 6 on Sunday, June 29.

"So much to do! So much to see!"
 

Mr. Puppy Face
 

"May I come in now?"

Yes, Boston. Yes, you may.