ADOPTED

04/08/06:

Dear GRR,

It has been awhile since we adopted Fernando, last July 4th. It has been exciting times with this young man. We now call him Trooper because of a special dog we knew at one time. It seemed appropriate since Fernando had been found on HWY 71 one night. He was on patrol!

Trooper has been a busy boy since we adopted him. We felt higher learning was the plan for him so he is now taking his third class with the help of Cheryl Croft. First was Pre Agility where he made a GRAND entrance. I am sure the rest of the class will never forget "rowdyboy" from that day. Luckily through CGC and now Rally we have had the best instructor and classmates who all know and understand young male goldenboys. Trooper is now calm and attentive in class and is doing fabulously. All this "higher learning" has seeped into his homelife, too. He is fantastic with the grandkids and has learned somewhat to curb his enthusiasm when visitors come.
His walks around Lakeway are wonderful now. He pays attention to us and just enjoys the neighborhood. He is such a handsome boy.

Guarding our backyard from pesky black and white predators is also in his resume. We now scope out the scenery with a flashlight before he patrols so we won't have to do midnight baths in the gardens of Lakeway! I swear he likes that skunk smell.

Trooper is such a loverboy. He is so affectionate and goofy at the same time. He has a way of putting his front paws in your lap and sitting back and giving you his real Scooby Doo look. We have a big bench with cushion that I especially made for our last golden that Trooper sleeps on. Of course as soon as the sun rises we have a stealth golden on the middle of the bed. Sometimes he even ventures up and puts his head on the pillow. The nerve.

He has assisted us with the fosters and makes sure the standards of GRR are upheld.
He loves our girl fosters that we have had and shows them the ropes. He knows to back off if they are a little stressed. Playtime can wait.

Hysterical is a word I would use to describe Trooper playing biteyface with Maggie the Pug. They can really get rowdy and Maggie usually starts it. Trooper lies on his side so he can be at her level. They are so funny. He and Speedo the cat have finally made peace. Everyone can watch TV now without a chase scene in the middle.

As you know we have adopted our latest foster Holly Golightly. Trooper and her are best buds and get all kissyface sometimes. She has gained 12 lbs and is great.
We think she is the sweetest girl and couldn't let her go. She has had a few setbacks but nothing ever gets this dog down. She is our eternal optimist. I am hoping as the weather gets like summer we can get her in the pool to exercise. Even when she isn't feeling good she insists on a walk around the block. She is ALWAYS the first one out the door. What an angeldog.

So THANKYOU GRR.
Life is good when goldens are around.
Cindy and Marty Berdan
 

Fernando... Hello everyone!  My name is Fernando and I am a handsome one-year-old blonde. A month or so ago I found myself all alone at night on Highway 71. I guess somebody didn’t want me anymore and just left me behind. I was really pretty scared—not to mention tired, hungry, and thirsty!—and wondering what I was going to do, but luckily for me, a nice man stopped his truck when he saw me looking lost, and I jumped right in. From there, I went to the Town Lake Animal Shelter, and then GRR picked me up and took me to my foster home. My foster parents have been fattening me up a bit, since I lost some weight out on the road.

Being out on my own was tough for a lover like me. Now I have a lot of catching up to do. In fact, I am so cuddly, my foster Dad has nicknamed me “Fernando, the Latin Lover.” I just love attention and affection – the more, the better!

In my previous life, I did not get much training. Don’t let that fool you, though! I am very smart and I learn very quickly. It would be good to find a new family who would spend some time training me, because as I say, I learn fast—and when I do my commands, I get lots of praise, and I just love that! It really helps my confidence.

My foster parents have two other Goldens, and I like to play with them—so I know I would do well in a home with other dogs. I also would do great as an only dog, as long as you have time to spend with me. There’s also a cat around here. I thought she was pretty interesting at first, but over time I got bored with her—ho, hum! I just ignore her most of the time, now. My foster Mom & Dad tell me they think I would be great around kids, but they don’t know that for sure, since I have not yet had the chance to be around them. Mom and Dad are also working on crate-training me. I don’t really like going into that crate, but once I’m inside, I do OK.

What is most important to me is finding my forever home. I have already explored the world ... well, at least part of the Hill Country, and that was enough for me. I am ready to settle down! If you want a dog who is smart, affectionate, and an all-around good pal, I am your guy.

 

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