Diver

Hi fans, Diver here again!

First off, I want to thank Smoozer for donating in my name.  I'm very thankful for all the support I have had in my time with RAGOM.

Since my last update, I went to another Meet & Greet in Edina. FD says I do great at the events. I charmed a few people and helped spread the word of all the nice dogs that can be adopted from RAGOM.

Last week my foster sister Belle 14-056, went to the groomer and the next day went to the vet. Belle is very sick with kidney failure and will be crossing the Rainbow Bridge very soon. Belle has always been a very good foster sister to me.  It's sad she has to leave us. FD gives her lots of special care and walks her separate from Joe and me because she walks so slow now.

In other brighter news, I've gone back to sleeping in bed with FD. I snuggle all night long. FD says I can be a bed hog sometimes. He says I snore and kick in my sleep, also.

As mentioned in my last update, I'm being adopted. My new Mom and Dad were on vacation but were very anxious to get back to adopt ME. That happened on 2/5/16. Chuck, Cheryl and Ginger came and got me. I was very happy to see them when they arrived. I hope they will let me have a computer to post "Happy Endings" updates.  Thank you RAGOM and all the supporters for helping me to my new life.

         

         

 Merry Christmas from Smoozer!

 

Hi, Diver here again,Since my last update, I went to the Meet & Greet in Shakopee. I had a great time. I met lots of people and dogs. There was a special person there named Cheryl that was interested in adopting me. I turned on the charm and won her heart.

Cheryl and her husband Chuck were approved to adopt on Monday. Chuck and their  dog  came to meet me at FD's house on Friday. I turned on the charm again and won both their hearts. The adoption will be finalized early in February. I'm so happy that I will soon have a family of my own. A added bonus is that I will be living on a lake!

I want to be sure to thank RAGOM and all of the RAGOM supporters for taking me in and helping me to my new home.   

Happy New Year! Diver here!

As you may have read, I moved to a different foster. I now have a foster dad or FD. I knew my new FD from staying at his house several times in the last year or so. That made the transition pretty easy for me. I get along just fine with resident dogs Belle 14-056 and Joe 15-216. No problems with house kitties Tigress and Sinbad either. I think I might chase the outside kitties, if given the chance and they would run. FD doesn't think I would hurt them.

 

I moved to my new foster home to get help with my excessive barking. For some reason, I don't bark excessively, very much, here. FD thinks the barking may be some type of anxiety or maybe just a cry for attention. Either way, we hope to get it sorted out so that I will be easier to adopt.

I get lots of exercise here. We walk 2 1/2 miles or more, every day unless the weather is bad. I got to meet the neighbor, Sarah and her dog Moe. She gives us treats and pets. Every time we walk by her house, I look for them, and maybe the treats. I also get to run a little in the fenced area when I go out for potty breaks.

FD says I am very well behaved in the house. FD is teaching me to "sit" before he lets me out and "sit" before I get fed. He says I am learning pretty quick. I like to lay on the chairs and love seat in the living room. I used to sleep in bed at night with FD but now I sleep on one of the many dog beds in the bedroom.

I wanted to be sure to thank my FM Darlene for taking such good care of me and helping me on the way to my new life. And thanks to Rusty 04-374 for being a great foster brother. I miss you both and will always remember the love you showed me.

I also want to thank Lisa B for sponsoring me. I guess I charmed you at the Meet & Greet in Edina in October.

Speaking of Meet & greets, I will be at the Meet & Greet in Shakopee on 1/8/2016. Noon-2pm There will be lots of RAGOM dogs and volunteers there. The address is: Chuck & Don's Pet food store 1270 Vierling Dr E, Shakopee, MN I hope to see you there.

Diver has a new foster and is now in Annandale. He is now closer to getting the training he needs for his barking, so he can find his forever home. Please watch for updates from his new foster.

First off I would like to thank Smoozer for the touching Christmas donation!

Diver is patiently waiting to find a foster in the cities so a trainer can work on his barking problem. Here is a picture of Diver waiting for his treat.

Diver can shake if asked before giving a treat, he also knows sit and is getting much better at recall. He will make someone a very loving companion.

Diver wishes to thank Lisa B for sponsoring him you made his day Lisa! He is actually doing better riding in a crate in the car. He doesn't seem to mind going in the crate at all. He loves people attention and getting out for walks. Diver is still waiting for a foster in the cities, so he can get to work on curbing his barking. He is such a good dog, doesn't counter surf, behaves on walks, gets along with cats, loves people, plays in water and is starting to really enjoy pets and attention.

Diver enjoyed his time at the sitter while I was away visiting my grandchildren. He got along with the other resident dog and cat. He even got to go to a Meet and Greet with Barry in the cities. I was told Diver behaved very well at the Meet and Greet and loved meeting people.

While at Barry's Diver tried to fit in a chair and good thing there was a foot stool to help out, sure it will give you a chuckle on how a large dog can fit in a chair and be comfortable as it did me.

Also a picture of Diver at the meet and greet, one how male dogs play follow the leader outside, and a few others. Enjoy and if you would like to see Diver, contact placement at RAGOM.

Diver has been doing better being crated in the vehicle but still barks occasionally. He just loves going for rides even if in the crate. It does keep him away from Rusty and seems to work better for him too.

Diver just enjoys being around people and being outside. He is even enjoyed eating tomatoes along with Rusty this year. He still barks at cattle next to my place and tractors in the field when he sees them. Diver likes to tease the sheep in my pasture (4 of them )once in a while too. His antics of rushing up to fence no longer scare them and they just stand there. He will then smell them through the fence or lick their faces and go check something else out.

Diver loves his food and treats and likes to take long naps with cat.

 

Diver will be in in Annandale at the sitter on Oct. 21 through Oct. 25th before returning to Olivia if anyone interested in seeing him, contact placement.

 

"Best wishes." -Anonymous

Diver wishes to thank anonymous for the donation given to him from Goldzilla 2015. He recently had an inquiry but is still waiting for his forever home.

To all the RAGOM “Fans” out there…

Goldzilla is almost here, September 13th, and we just want to let you know about something very special happening the day of the event.  There will be a large board (near the baseball backstop) with all the pictures of available dogs.  You can help by purchasing a foster paw print sticker in increments of $10, $25, $50, and $100.  Once purchased, you will place the paw sticker next to the picture of the dog you’d like to support.  You will also have the opportunity to write that particular dog a note, which will be posted on the dog’s page after the event.  This is a great way to show support for RAGOM and a particular dog that may be pulling at your heartstrings.  Please consider stopping to purchase a Foster Fan Board paw print while at Goldzilla. Diver won't be at Goldzilla as the other foster is in hospice and not doing real well.Diver is now learning to be kenneled in a crate while in vehicle, which seems to curb most of his barking so far. It also seems to help keep the other dog calm as he was starting to air snap at Diver with all the barking. Diver has been good with other dog if I leave the house now too. I can be gone up to 4-5 hours without problems. He is also learning to like tomatoes on of the other dogs favorites during this time of year. Tonight he enjoyed some popcorn along with everyone else. Diver is looking for a forever home with a middle age child that would love to be with him. He now loves to be petted at night and sometimes during the day. He likes to be near humans would also like a soft spot to go to when tired of standing or laying on a hard surface. He needs a fenced yard as would wander and cross busy streets without looking. He walks with harness well. No problem with taking items away from other dog, but will bark if other dog still has a chew and his is gone because he wants it too. He would love to entertain and be loved, so let placement now if you would like to adopt Diver.

Diver has been enjoying his pool and rides. He is a large dog but a real baby. He walks well on a leash in harness(because of some throat issues previous no leash on collar) and my cat adores him as you can see in attached photos.

He still has a problem when in the vehicle of barking constantly at people outside. If he is taken out of vehicle to meet people, he is fine, but the barking does scare people. He does not jump up on people and will whine or bark when he needs to go outside. Since being with me and on a eating schedule, he has never counter surfed or gotten into the garbage. Diver is a people dog and does not like to be left alone. He has been doing okay with another dog in house when I have been gone for up to 4 hours. Diver is alpha dog and wants to be the leader, so will take control if not made to mind his behaviors. He sleeps on the couch or In bed at night, preferably. He will sleep on a toddler mattress on floor. He has hip problems which show up when too active and that is why he prefers a soft area to sleep, otherwise he is up moving about constantly trying to find a good position to sleep.

He would love someone to adopt and work with him on barking and love them. So if interested, contact Ragom placement to meet him.

 

Diver has been losing his undercoat and decided to help by giving him a shower to stop some of the hair from itching. He went real easy this time on leash into shower with me, though a little crowded in shower with both of us. He stood real nice to get soaped and cleaned. Since his collar was dirty too, I took it off and really cleaned that too. I toweled him dry and finished off with a treat for doing so well for his cleaning.

Of course, the next time outside he rolled in the grass. He likes it outside and will stay by me when I work in the garden and lay on grass. If he wants into house he will start barking at me. If Diver gets warm or comes in garden he tends to dig a spot to cool off and lay down, so had to fence garden and he just lays in grass outside of fence and watches. Diver would really like a forever home to be a companion for someone. He is very mellow and doesn't jump up and is not real active due to weak back legs. He does like going for walks but not really active player. Diver only drawback is he wants to bark at people when in the car. If he is let out, he is just fine.

If you would like to adopt Diver contact placement at RAGOM.

Diver is doing well and likes being outside to play in the pool. He still enjoys car rides, but barks if left in the vehicle, but fine if taken with you outside. He walks nice with a harness as he had throat problems in the past. He is a very mellow dog and just likes to be near people . He does not jump up on people when meeting them. He will lay or sit outside when I work in the garden or yard.

My cat likes to cuddle with Diver when he naps and will even rub and caress with him. He no longer chases him when outside. He just needs to adjust to cats that are friendly.

He is on Heartworm and Frontline currently. Diver is also given fish oil and chondroitin due to weak back hips. I take him to vet for nail trims as he is not used to having feet handled.

Diver has returned to Olivia with his foster. He still loves hugs and checking things outside. He will still bark when excited or feeding time but if I keep ahead of him it seems to have quieted some. Usually, I say no and if he stops will give some pets. Now if I can remedy the barking in car, he will be such a good dog for someone as just a teddy bear. He gets along with house cats, but sometimes forgets and will put foot on cat not realizing his size and weight.

Diver has moved to Annandale MN for a vacation while his FM [foster mom] visits family in a warmer climate. Diver has stayed here a couple times previously and is well behaved and gets along with my pack including the 2 cats.

Diver seems a bit different this time. My young female foster dog moved and was adopted, so Diver must not feel the need to show off any dominance. Diver is a sweet gentle boy. I have no problems petting, rubbing or hugging him. Perhaps he just warms up to men faster? In Diver's previous visits, he slept on the bed with me at night. Now he is content to sleep on a dog bed in the bedroom. During the day he rotates from the dog beds to the chairs/recliners and love seat.

Diver does bark some when excited or if he hears a car or truck drive in. He seems to be easily re-directed to sit and shake hands[both hands]. Diver will bark some when I leave the house but quiets down pretty quickly. He has had no bad behavior while I'm home or away.

We have been walking 3 miles a day, most days. He does pull slightly using the "Easy Walk" harness. He doesn't seem to tire in the 3 miles but does take a long nap after we get home. We haven't really met the neighbor dogs yet, so I can't say how that will go. Diver did see the neighbor Husky mix [Pluto] and barked at him. Pluto is pretty shy and stayed away from us. Diver wasn't obsessed with meeting him.

On Diver's first night here, this time, he wouldn't eat his supper. No problems with eating since then. He takes his pills in his food without a problem.

I think Diver could fit in most families. Could that family be your's? Even though I am Diver's temp foster parent, I can do meetings and the adoption if it is a good match. Contact your placement adviser to set up a meeting.

Diver has no longer had any screaming episodes since seeing the vet in the cities. He is not on medications any longer, just fish oil and Chondroitin, MSM. He still barks a lot but enjoys the outdoors. He is a loner and alpha male dog that weighs in at 74 pounds. He gets along with cat but does step on him occasionally because he doesn't realize he is so big. He enjoys car but barks at people and cars when in parking lot and thus smears up windows pretty good. He does droll a little as indicated in the picture below. My foster Rusty has taught him that snow tastes pretty good and a picture to show them both.

I took Diver to vet for a nail trimming as he would not let me trim the nails and I have no one to hold him. He put up a lot of fight with them also. I don't think anyone played with his feet before or gave him many pets. I am finally able to pet him at night and he lets out little groans and moves for more if I stop, so he is progressing. He will use a Kong toy, rubber throw toy, ball, Nylabone with peanut butter and cheese on it, and get large biscuits out of open laced ball.

When I go out, Diver has a harness or gentle leader instead of collar because of throat problems with collar.

Diver and I will be taking a vacation from the middle of Feb. through all of March. I will be flying to sunny Florida and Tennessee to visit my sisters. Diver will be staying with a nice foster in Annandale while I am gone. He has sat for Diver and Rusty before for me. This gives Diver a chance to be around other dogs, cats and people too.

Keep checking for more updates on Diver!

Diver was having a pain issue and saw the vet as thinking was his leg and was on medicine for pain. After seeing the vet, his medicine was taken away and he has not been crying in pain, whatever she did seemed to help what was causing it. He does have some breathing issues and snores. He also likes to bark at people while in vehicle when riding. He also barks for food, go outside, tell you he's hungry or just plain bark. Diver would thank Wind Foot Farms- Cynthia Erickson for the donation for him. Happy Holidays everyone.

They have not yet determined exactly what is going on with Diver. He will probably make another trip to see Dr. R in the near future to check out his raspy breathing, which was noticed by a previous vet. This could be what is causing problems with Diver and we will wait to see what happens. He is also being taken off one of his medications as it was not helping, and will be putting on fish oil and glucosamine.

Please keep watching as Diver will still need a forever home in the future.

Diver has some not-so-good news lately. He was limping on his front leg and when the vet examined him, she thought he had Lyme disease. Unfortunately, the medicine given didn't help the pain he was having, so we went to another vet for X-rays and did the test for Lyme. Good news: he tested negative for Lyme. The not-so-good news is that he has a tear in the ACL in back left leg that is causing a lot of pain and Diver will need surgery in the near future. This is also the cause of limping in the front leg as he put more pressure on it so he could compensate for the pain in the back leg. The front leg has developed arthritis in the lower leg from all the pressure on the front leg and causing the limping. He is now on pain medicine which is helping to keep the pain under control.

Once Diver has surgery, he will need rehab probably for 6 weeks, but we are waiting for the surgeon to view all data and X-rays before going further.

Please watch for more news and pray Diver will be able to live a life without pain. I will keep everyone posted who is interested in Diver for he will in the future be looking for a forever home.

Remember donations to RAGOM help with dogs like Diver get the help they so desperately need. You can give this November 13th, Give to the Max Day, and funds will be matched which would double your donation.

Go Diver from Wind Foot Farms!! -Cynthia Erickson

First, Diver would like to thank his sponsor from Goldzilla this year, Cynthia Erickson at Wing Foot Farms.

Diver is enjoying life and putting on some weight and having fun in the pool. I have included a picture. He is learning to walk with a Gentle Leader and has been doing well. He will play fetch with a ball or throw a Kong for a while before getting bored with it. Diver likes car rides and will bark when left in car, but settles down and lays on the seat. He has some separation anxiety when you leave him. Diver doesn't need another dog to play with as he is used to being the only one. He takes naps on the couch and in the lounge chair. In the house, he likes his Kong and roll dog treat toy, and snacks on the Nylabone (peanut butter and cheese). At night, he sleeps on the bed, so will need lots of room. My sister stayed one night and he actually laid on top of her and slept, so sometimes he thinks he is still a puppy and wants attention. He does not counter surf, may chew on toys (just needs redirection), will wander if there is no fence, and we found out he will chase cars. Diver knows his name and will come back when called. Diver likes to go to the bathroom away from the yard he plays in, so walks outside would be good. Keep watching for more updates.