Success Story: Riggs (#1570), now Rusty

Adopted May 12th, 2007

Say hi to our beautiful, smart, cuddly (and Daisy says "sexy") new boy! We drove from Poulsbo, Washington to Oregon to meet Riggs (who went to "Rusty-Riggs" and is now simply our "Rusty"). We can't imagine life without him.

Just prior to leaving the hotel in Oregon, we went through a bit of territorial tuff-stuff from little miss Daisy Mae, but they finally settled down nicely and Rusty slept on my lap in the back seat (all 102 lbs. of him) the whole way home while Daisy Mae rode in the very back of our SUV. Almost home and a quick stop at McDonalds (cheeseburgers all around) and before we knew it, Rusty was having fun discovering his new digs and family (Oh, a kitty kat comes with this family....very cool!).

After about a week, we realized that Rusty was as happy as a clam but only as long as he was physically glued to both Steve and me. When we saw that he suffered true separation anxiety if he didn't have our eyes and hands somewhere on him every minute, we called in the Training Squad (our trainer-Auntie-Kelly-the-true-Dog-Whisperer) for some one-on-one help. Rusty continued to bark incessantly if he wasn't right with us (which would have been lovely, really!?.. except for the fact that it just isn't practical to be together 24-7). We knew it wasn't healthy for him to be so upset (besides Daisy wasn't too sure about this big guy who had such a constant VERY loud bark!). We're happy to report that Rusty now is quite content to take breaks from us without barking and goes out into the yard on his own to play with Daisy Mae, balls, and babies.

He was very proud to show us that he's a great swimmer and runner (his legs are so long he runs like a colt). He's chased an osprey on the beach for a good 1/2 mile till mom got tired, and good boy!! that he is, finally came when called. That big slow bird was really hard to leave behind.

He is learning how to fetch (he learned "leave-it" so well, he now "leaves it" right where he catches it but is learning to bring the ball back to us). We laugh at the incredible funny positions he gets into in when he sleeps (a favorite one is on his back with all 4 legs in the air.) He loves to play chase-the-cat (oh no....RUN, HANNAH, RUN!!) and follows Daisy wherever she goes.  Steve says Hannah better toughen up if she wants to stick around!)

Although we've taken him on walks alone, he loves walking with Daisy and is learning not to pull Thanks to Dr. Dagle (we call him Dr. Bagel), his "hot spot" is healing well, and his beautiful bum-feathers (which someone cut off straight across...??) are growing back nicely and his coat will be gorgeous in no time.

So, golly, although it's only been a few weeks, Rusty pulls at our heartstrings and we're head-over-heels in love with this big, sweet, funny, gentle guy. Daisy has the perfect play-date every day and the "little" brother she always wanted.

Thanks again Golden Bond for all that you do, for the many dogs you save and help heal both mentally and physically, and for all the many smiles you put on people's faces, like ours. Everyone is wonderful to work with, and your advice and words of encouragement are so appreciated. Thanks to everyone who makes Golden Bond a very special place. Rusty and Daisy Mae send all of you a very special big hug (that one knocked you down, huh?) and thanks for helping Rusty find his forever-and-ever and always home!!

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