Adopted

 

 

 

Cisco was born on April 25, 2001.  His original owner purchased him from someone selling golden puppies at a flea market.  Cisco has lived his life in a pen in a back yard with only an open shed for shelter from the hot Texas summers and the cold winter nights.  In January 2001 Cisco's owner took him to the vet, he was diagnosed with demodex mange.  This type of mange is not contagious and there is treatment for demodex mange, however Cisco's owner did not treat him.  As you can see from the photos Cisco is missing large strips of fur and there are sections of his skin that are dark from exposure to the sun.

Cisco came to his GRR foster home on December 2, 2002, he was dirty and covered in fleas, they lovingly bathed him, and coated his raw itching skin
with cortisone cream.  Cisco is now discovering what it is like to live with
a family who loves him and takes care of him.  He will require several more treatments for the mange and all of his fur may never grow back, but does that really matter?  Cisco won't care if you've lost some of your hair, he will love you anyway.  Can you love him even if he never has a long flowing golden coat?  Look into his eyes and you will see a beautiful dog who has a lifetime of love to share with his forever family.  Will you be the family that is lucky enough to share the future with Cisco?

Would Doctor Phil be more popular if he had more hair?  We doubt it.  Then Cisco couldn't be a better young Golden boy, if he had more hair either. His non-contagious mange was left untreated for over a year until he came to Gold Ribbon, and the result was a loss of lots of his beautiful silky coat all along his back.  So what!  He's got character, and he is a character. It's a match!  And the coat may come back anyway.  Cisco's coat is silky soft and strawberry blonde.

We have fostered nearly two dozen Goldens in the last 26 months.  He is one of the top four dogs we've seen.  He's almost two, and sometimes acts like the two-year old he is.  Other times he's verging on being all grown up.  He plays, he "talks," he "snorts," and he cuddles.  Boy does he cuddle!  It's like he's trying to make up for a couple years of neglect in two weeks time. We love it.  And we love him.

Cisco is a kid.  He is goofy and playful.  He wants to turn everything into a toy or food, so we have to watch him pretty closely.  But it's fun because he is always doing something funny.  He started out being skittish and scared of everything in the house.  After all, he'd not been in a house.  He was kept outside in a run with only a lean-to for protection.  Now he has all the protection we can give him.  And he loves it.

He's never once messed or peed in the house.  And he has free run when we're home.  He stays peacefully in his crate when we have to leave, and is so happy and excited when we come home that we're even more glad to be here with him.  He gets along great with our Sam, although Sam's got an arthritic leg and lets Cisco know not to get too rough with him.  The two of them play in the yard like long-lost soul mates.  Cisco likes to nibble at shoes, feet, hands and that means Sam's too.  He also likes to chase cats.  Our three cats don't appreciate Cisco's exuberance.  All he wants to do is play, but they don't understand!  So we've had many stand-offs.

Cisco has never been truly socialized, so he doesn't know yet that he can't put his feet on the counter.  He likes to "snuffle" at the food on the kitchen table until we correct his manners, but he's no trouble.  He understands "no" and he understands "get down."  His understanding doesn't yet translate into not jumping up on people yet, but he's smart and will catch on quickly.  He now sleeps through the night on the floor of our bedroom without a problem.

He walks easily on a leash and doesn't pull too much.  In the back yard, he hasn't done any digging, and he doesn't like to be outside very long.  (We know why, don't we?) Chow hound?  You bet!  He loves his mixture of dry and canned food and has gained 5% more weight in the 10 days since he was rescued.  (From 66 to 69.5 lbs.)  Even at almost 70 pounds you can still see
his ribs.

Besides the mange, he has some heartworm activity.  And he will be neutered in mid-December.  So he's facing some medical treatments.  Once he's recovered, he'll be a wonderful family dog.  Actually, he'd be a great family dog right now.  We think he will do best with a family that already has a dog, or has had loved their family dogs before.  Cisco needs a family that understands his craving for affection and love.  It makes me smile to think of him cuddling up to someone who will keep him protected forever. Cisco deserves the best because he is one of the best and brightest.  He solved the puzzle of how to survive a terrible situation and keep a great smile and positive attitude.  He will be a key piece in a warm family puzzle soon.  Dr. Phil, watch out - here comes Cisco!  Hair or not, he'll be a special treat for someone.