ADOPTED

 

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 8:12 PM
Subject: Update on Sam Wise f/k/a Shooter and Chip

 Brenda and I wanted to give you an update on our two boys that we adopted
 last year. We have had Sam for a year now and Chip for about 6 months.
 
 They are both doing great. Sam Wise is a couch potato and Chip is a Jock.
 They both have lots of energy and we must find ways to utilize this energy.
 First thing every morning we walk 2-3 miles in our neighborhood. Chip still
 pulls a little but we are working on this. Sam just loves to be outside,
 smell of everything and mark all important spots. We have to compromise a
 lot because Chip insists on moving fast down the sidewalk while Sam wants to
 check everything out. Since my EKG last spring showed that I have had a
 silent heart attack some time in the past it is very important that the boys
 make sure that I get adequate exercise. They do a great job of this.
 
 We took Sam Wise to Petsmart to enroll in training. They did an assessment
 of him and he skipped the beginner class because he ALREADY knew all verbal
 and hand commands. He has started in the Intermediate Class and of course,
 he is the star pupil that the instructor uses to teach the other dogs. He
 just doesn't like it when the instructor shows attention to the other dogs
 and Sam has to bark at her.
 
 Chip is becoming a very loving young boy. He is very athletic and needs to
 run, walk briskly and exercise however possible. When we first got him he
 would not let us hug him.He likes to lick you to show affection but that is
 all, no hugging. Now he comes and sits on our foot or just pushes his head
 beside our leg so we will pet him. Recently he has started a new tradition,
 when I let him out of the kennel in the morning he MUST go to our bedroom,
 jump on the bed, and give Mom morning dog sugar. If he gets excited and goes
 down stairs before going to see Mom, he will come running back upstairs
 dragging his lead to give her sugar before he goes for his walk. We give
 Chip and Sam the run of the house when we are at home and when we are gone
 and have never experienced any problems. I think the most important thing
 that we do every day, rain, sleet or cold is go for a long walk and get
 everyone tired so they rest when they get home. My wife and I are fortunate
 that we both work from our home office so we are not gone for a long period
 of time. We just have to work on the barking, when the German Sheppard
 across the street walks down the sidewalk.
 
 A year ago after my wife's 14 year old Golden Retriever passed away she did
 not want another dog because no dog could ever replace Tripper. She was
 right that no dog could be a replacement for Tripper but we are very happy
 to have the two wonderful dogs that are very loving and special in their
 unique way.
 
 
 Thanks to GRR for everything that you do.
 
 Paul and Brenda
 

 

C hip is a fun-loving, affectionate, goofy, long-legged boy looking for a home where he can play, rough-house and cuddle to his heart’s content!

At about 2 years old, Chip checks in at 74 pounds, but even at that weight, he may be a little bit on the skinny side for his height (only by a couple of pounds). He has a gorgeous honey-blonde coat that is a shorter, easier-to-maintain version of the typical Golden coat—though as he matures, his coat may well get longer and heavier. Chip is relatively good with cats, but he desperately wants to play with our cat, Sabian. He’s as polite about it as he possibly can be, though. He tiptoes around Sabian, and will lie down on his belly in front of him to try to trick the cat into thinking they are the same size. Sabian is not buying it, though—he knows that as soon as Chip is close enough, he’s going to get a very wet bath. Chip is definitely a licker, showering you with “kisses” anywhere he can plant them! He loves to “make out” with our other female Golden, Ginny. They get along great, running after each other, stealing each other’s toys, and generally just playing hard until they pass out. Chip knows when to calm down, though, lying at (or ON) your feet as he takes a nap. One of Chip’s favorite pastimes is watching fellow doggie stars on TV.

When Chip first came into GRR’s care (he was turned in by his owners to Town Lake), he had a pretty bad case of kennel cough. Since being treated for that, getting neutered, and being in our house for a week and a half, he has really blossomed. He has that happy Golden personality—he loves his people and is content as long as they are around. He still has a little separation anxiety, and if he is in his crate and you go into another room, he will quickly remind you where he is. He also barks some when we are leaving, but we don’t think he keeps it up for long (at any rate, our neighbors haven’t complained!). He goes nicely into his crate for the night, as long as you leave a tasty treat on his pillow.

Chip very much wants to learn proper house manners, including rules about dog toys vs. bath towels, sitting and smiling to say ”hello” as opposed to jumping up and putting his paws on a person’s chest, etc. He clearly hasn’t had much time on a leash, as when he arrived here he was clueless about what to do once hooked up! He’d be hard for a child to manage on lead, as he tends to pull and lunge a lot. He’s not really trying to get away, he just wants to see and experience everything—and leash-walking is nothing that can’t be mastered with some loving training. We have not had any accidents in the house since getting him “fixed.”
Chip would do well in a home with other friendly dogs, or somewhere that he would only be left alone for short times (though he’ll probably settle down as he becomes more secure and confident that his family will return for him). Chip’s new family must be committed to taking Chip to obedience training, as he will be happiest knowing exactly what to do in any given situation. Chip should also do fine with dog-savvy cats or multiple cats who don’t mind having their “personal space” invaded every once in a while. And he should be fine with slightly older children—his size and energy level might be a bit too much for the smaller ones. Chip has so much love to give, and he is just waiting for that perfect forever home!

Update 1/30/06

After 6 weeks with us, Chip has really settled well into our home. He is much more confident and content, going into his crate (sometimes without being asked) and lying down when appropriate. He sleeps without barking through the night, though he is something of an early riser. We have discovered that Chip is on his very best behavior when he gets vigorous exercise (30 minutes minimum) at least once daily, plus a play session or two. He loves hiking, long walks, and play time outside. He is learning to retrieve, and he’ll even drop the ball at your feet for you to throw it again.

Chip is working very, very hard to learn how to walk on a leash, and he has done quite well with a prong collar and some heeling work. I can now walk him and our dog at the same time, which I couldn't do when he first arrived. Chip automatically sits without even being told when you come to a stop on your walks. He loves people, and showed very polite interest in a severely disabled wheelchair-bound child we met on one of our walks (no jumps—kissing only!). He barks occasionally, but mostly when he wants something (or someone). We have introduced clicker training and discovered he is a quick study. After learning what that strange clicking sound was, he learned SIT, DOWN, and SHAKE in just a couple of sessions. He responds VERY well to a meaty morsel (what Golden doesn't?), and while you sometimes have to remind him, "Gently," he is usually nice taking the treat from you.

Chip loves people, often preferring human companionship to canine, and he would love to curl up with you on the couch (if allowed) after a nice run through the neighborhood. In fact, he would be a great running companion, as he has long legs, a long body, and doesn't have to work very hard to keep up!

Considering that Chip has become more accustomed to being at home for longer periods, we feel he would probably do okay with a typical working adult's schedule (gone for 8 or 9 hours a day), but would love it if you could spend more time with him in the evenings and maybe go to some new and exciting places on the weekends. We think Chip would do fine as an only (4-legged!) child, and might even prefer it. But in the few times he’s been with children, he did well, virtually ignoring the tugging and hair pulling he had to endure. Chip also needs someone who has a few hours each week to spend training him, preferably in a formal environment. He learns fast! He is very a very active dog, but much calmer than most boys his age, and he’ll quickly accomplish what it could take some younger dogs a long time to learn. He is very alert and doesn't miss a thing. He loves to learn, and you’ll be surprised by what he learns just being with you in your home.

Chip has been crated when we are gone, but mostly because we have so many animals (two large dogs, one cat) running about a 1000-sqare-foot house that we are more comfortable crating him. Given ample exercise, appropriate chew toys, and clear direction, he’d probably would be fine not being in the crate all day. You may prefer to limit his access to just one part of the house, but he is not as "into everything" as we initially thought. He has learned how to behave in a home.

Do you want an excellent exercise companion, a companion for your children to grow up with, or a cozy couch potato to curl up with? If you do, then Chip is your man!



 

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