Sammy
Profile
In addition to LOVE this dog has the following requirements:Entered Foster CareFenceKid FriendlyAnother DogCat Friendly03/31/2014 Optional Not tested RecommendedNot tested This is the most recent information available; however, it may change as we learn more about the dog.
Join me in welcoming sweet, sweet Sammy to the RAGOM clan.
Sammy is a two year old, neutered male, weighing about 60 pounds. He housebroken and is up to date on his vaccinations and will be micro-chipped when he visits the vet for a wellness check in the next week or so.
He was adopted in February of this year from a humane society by a loving family. The family had him for about a month and took really good care of him - working closely with their vet to address an ear infection and some intestinal issues (likely caused by his nervousness), and providing him with all of the "comforts" of home. Unfortunately - Sammy is a high anxiety boy - and the family did not have the resources to work with his special needs. So they surrendered him to RAGOM in the hopes that he might find a family with another dog that could help him overcome his fears.
Sammy has been with us for less than 24 hours - but here are some things I can share - with many more updates and photos to come. He is a bit camera shy. But like all my dogs - am sure he will get used to my following him around with the camera whenever we have a sunny afternoon.
He is a wonderfully mannered young boy that was well trained at some point. He knows sit, lie down, come, get on your bed, leave it. And he might even know "wipe your feet" . . . not sure but when he came in the house last night - I was standing at the door and told the dogs to wipe their feet. Sammy stopped in his tracks and sat immediately on the towel I had laid out in the mudroom.
Sammy slept on one of the dog beds in the bedroom last night - well to be fair - he mostly slept hanging off of the side of my resident dog's bed. She didn't really mind him cuddling with her - but think she was a bit startled by the morning face washing that she received. He smothers her with kisses whenever he hasn't been in the same room with her for at least 5 minutes.
Sammy is absolutely looking to go to a home with another dog - preferably one that will play with him and one that won't mind that he doesn't have much respect for personal dog space. He was a little stand-offish when he was picked up and transported. But when I let him into the yard and introduced him to my resident dog - his entire demeanor and body language changed. This shy boy wants to play.
He was nervous in his first evening in the house with us - which is to be expected. But this morning we went for our first walk and after the first block or so, I actually saw his tail come out from between his legs. He was holding it high in the air like a big boy!! There were some construction sounds - which he noticed - but he didn't overreact. Sammy is a bit of a drunken sailor on the leash, and he did the normal contortions to try to get the gentle leader off of his nose, but he was easy to walk and will absolutely improve with practice.
We went on an outing to the vet today (Sammy loves the car) - my resident dog had an appointment and thought it would be good for Sammy to tag along. I figured he would cower and have to be coaxed around. Nope. He jumped out of the car, walked into the vet's office, greeted a few dogs, greeted (shyly at first) a few humans, and eventually took treats from the vet tech's hand.
Sammy is anxious and afraid - we don't know why. His family told us that physical changes in the household or having new people in the house were very stressful for him. Also that he had a very negative reaction to loud noises. His anxiety is present and noticeable. But he is young and it appears that having a dog pal is already giving him some stability. He is following me around and loves to be petted and touched. I had a chuckle this morning. I was having coffee in one room and Sammy had followed me and was laying at my feet - but would not settle. He kept looking at me . . . I realized he wanted the resident dog to join us. Silly boy.
The worst things that I can say about this handsome visitor so far are that he has been literally under my feet (keeps stepping on the backs of my flip flops) and that he surprised me when he joined me in the shower this morning. Certainly not dull!
Contact your placement adviser if you would like to meet this high potential golden pup. And stay tuned . . .
Sammy
#14-086
At A Glance
- Age: 8 years, 9 months
- Breed: Golden Retriever
- Gender: Male
- Weight: 56.00 lbs
- Location: N/A
- Status: Deceased
Dog Updates
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Sammy was adopted on Tuesday (04/08/14) by a wonderful, kind, loving, patient family that will be able to help him through his awkward adolescent years and give him the security and guidance he needs to overcome his anxieties.He is THRILLED to have made the acquaintance of Hampton - his beautiful, English Creme, older brother. Hampton is a confident, secure boy and will be able to show Sammy the ropes and help him understand what a great life he has been given.Attached are two ph... Read more → Read less ↑
Sammy was adopted on Tuesday (04/08/14) by a wonderful, kind, loving, patient family that will be able to help him through his awkward adolescent years and give him the security and guidance he needs to overcome his anxieties.
He is THRILLED to have made the acquaintance of Hampton - his beautiful, English Creme, older brother. Hampton is a confident, secure boy and will be able to show Sammy the ropes and help him understand what a great life he has been given.
Attached are two photos of these new besties - one of their initial meeting (Sammy thought it was appropriate to try to eat Hampton's head to say hello) and one of them hanging together after Sammy went to his new home.
Thanks to the T family for seeing the potential in young Sammy and giving him a place in their hearts!!
Sammy and New Best Friend
Sammy and Hampton 04-814 -
Ok - it is only day 2 of fostering young Sammy, but he already has some admirers, so thinking it makes sense to try to tell you some more about him.This dear, sweet boy has definitely been through some sort of trauma. He is very nervous and startles at most sounds and quick movements. There has been lots of heavy breathing from him in these first few days. Sammy is calmest when he is at my feet AND laying within inches of the resident dog.The good news is, that I am alrea... Read more → Read less ↑
Ok - it is only day 2 of fostering young Sammy, but he already has some admirers, so thinking it makes sense to try to tell you some more about him.
This dear, sweet boy has definitely been through some sort of trauma. He is very nervous and startles at most sounds and quick movements. There has been lots of heavy breathing from him in these first few days. Sammy is calmest when he is at my feet AND laying within inches of the resident dog.
The good news is, that I am already seeing him overcome his fears a bit. There has been some casual exploring, some healthy curiosity, and he has boldly taken a few toys from the toy basket and given them a chewing (he seems to have a love/kill relationship with the stuffies - sometimes holding them under his head and cuddling and at other times trying to rip off noses and ears).
We had another good walk this morning. He was very excited to get out and walked really well alongside the resident dog. Sammy created some new yoga poses trying to get the gentle leader off his nose - but he'd forget about it for 3 or 4 minutes at a time and then walked like a pro.
There has been some definite tail wagging today. And I even got him to play a version of fetch with a tennis ball. After he recovered from the shock of my tossing the ball "at" him - he sneaked over and picked it up and almost pranced around he was so proud of himself. He came running to me for reassurance and I was able to take the ball out of his mouth and throw it. Sammy just looked at me - like - why did you throw my ball away? But after a few times of my going with him to get it - he was venturing into the yard on his own to retrieve.
Sammy also laid in the kitchen this morning while I unloaded the dishwasher. Pretty impressive - all that clinking and banging didn't drive him from the room. In general - even when things are startling him - he may move off a few feet (or into the other room) but he is coming right back and looking at me for reassurance. Taking lots of ques from the resident dog - watching to see what she does in these "scary" situations.
He didn't even pretend last night that he was sleeping on his own bed in the bedroom. As soon as my resident laid down - he ran over to her and curled up on her bed with her. She just sighed and stuck her head under the dresser. She is an old pro at breaking in the fosters.
Sammy is eating well (maybe a little too fast - like he is worried the food is going somewhere) and I haven't seen any food issues. Have been feeding the dogs about 10 ft. apart for now - but within sight of one another. He also takes treats nicely from my hand and sits next to the other dog while they wait. Haven't introduced any bones into the mix yet.
He is housebroken - but does not really seem to have an "ask" to go outside. So keeping him on a schedule and also taking him out when he can't seem to settle (this may be his ask). He's had a bit of a nervous stomach - but we have got him on a high quality food and are using some probiotic additives to see if that helps him.
Sammy is going to need lots of patience and some help from his forever family to overcome his anxieties, but underneath this tail tucked, ears pinned exterior is the heart of a young male that wants to love and run and play and wrestle with a dog friend.