Jake's “rap sheet” is a long and sad one. We think he is about 8 years old, but only he knows for sure. He came to us from someone who had him for less than a year. She got him from a friend of a friend, who got him from a shelter before that. So … we know he has lived with at least three families before coming to GRRMF.
His story is especially sad when you consider the shape he was in when turned over to GRRMF. He had skin allergies that the last owner couldn't manage. He came to us with bags full of meds from months gone by, so we can tell that the previous owner was not compliant with his treatments. He also was very thin, has some missing and worn teeth, and one ear is shorter than the other from past hematomas (collection of blood, usually from a hemorrhage, that clots and forms a knot). |
|
As he is getting better, we think he may be a “goldador” – a cross between a golden and a Labrador retriever. His fur is shorter than the average golden, but he is a beautiful gold color and his personality is 100% golden. His weight now is a solid 95 lbs, so he is a big boy. He has been in his foster home about 2 months now, and he just recently stopped expecting to have to stay outside at night. Foster mom Bert says: “We always take the dogs out for last potty call, and he would immediately curl up on the pool deck with a sad look, as if to say, “See you in the morning. It was heartbreaking to see him like that.” Now, about his personality – as we said, he is all golden at heart. Bert says, “He is the most gentle-natured dog I have ever met. There is not a disagreeable bone in his body. He is big and goofy and wants nothing more than to be with you.” Yep, sounds like a golden, all right! |
|
|
|
|
Jake gets along with everyone. Humans of all ages, other dogs, cats ... all are just fine with him. He enjoys playing with other dogs and will play tug as well as wrestle. He defers to the other dogs every time. He is very well-mannered inside the house and does not get on the furniture unless invited. One interesting “trick” we've discovered is that Jake knows how to pop the top on a trash can. He doesn't try to pull anything out of the can, but seems to enjoy watching the lid pop open. His foster folks keep the trash can behind closed doors, to eliminate temptation.
Jake has a pool in his foster home and likes to swim, although he cannot seem to master getting a toy and swimming at the same time, so he just paddles around. He is also crate trained but really doesn't need it.
He can be a little stiff in the hind end when he first gets up, and he is still not 100 percent cured from his skin/ear issues. He has improved greatly, but the ears are still a slow process as are some spots on the skin. With deep-seated infections, it just takes time. He's suffered a lifetime of neglect, and GRRMF has only had 2 months to fix it. Once he is clear of the infection, we don't expect he'll need any extra care out of the ordinary, other than regularly cleaning his ears and keeping him on a high-quality diet with supplements. We have him glucosamine for his joints, which GRRMF recommends for all goldens over the age of 7. It can be purchased anywhere vitamins are found and is not expensive. GRRMF is committed to helping Jake find his true forever home. He is a wonderful, happy and loving “honorary golden,” and he deserves better than what life has dished out to him. Read about GRRMF’s application process and download an application. |
 |
|
|
Donate today by clicking on the box below! We will send you a receipt for your donation. |
