This was my first dog, and I knew a golden would be the sweet, beautiful, and loving companion I had been looking for. On my first visit to Homeward Bound, Maryann said, we have the perfect dog for you. Doesn't mind cats and is the sweetest thing. So, looking around at all these beautiful long haired goldens, I had my heart in my throat as we walked back into the back of the office and to the crate that held my girl.
Adoption Day
This tiny little golden dog, just 40 pounds, was shaved bald, had metal staples all down the back of her head, her eyes were cut and sealed shut, and her belly was shaved from her spay surgery. She sat there wagging her tail as I stepped back and covered my mouth with my hand. That's my perfect dog??? Homeward Bound had spayed her, removed cysts from her head, and corrected her ingrown eyelashes. They had fixed her!! She was just cosmetically challenged and I wasn't prepared. I certainly never thought she would blossom into the beautiful girl she is now, one year later. She was the sweetest thing; as we went outside and sat down on the grass she promptly flung herself into my lap. She couldn't get close enough - and honestly that hasn't changed. Whenever she is nervous or scared, she tries to get into my (or others') lap to soothe herself. Nothing else will do.
I had to leave her at Homeward Bound for a little while longer while she recovered. When I finally got her home, she was very shut down and shy, and we suffered through severe separation anxiety. I couldn't leave her for more than five minutes for the first month without her drooling all over, panting and her pupils dilating. The crate didn't work for her (she actually bent the metal rods with her teeth in an effort to get out). She was fearful of cars passing by us on our walks (she would startle and drop to her belly on the ground). The one time I braved the dog park she laid down and cowered while tons of dogs came over to harass; we haven't been back since.
I guess I really was fearful that she wouldn't come out of this shy, shut down and VERY needy/clingy mode and I didn't know how to help her. First and foremost, I wanted her to be a happy and confident dog. I also wanted her to have manners and knew that training was a definite must. I really think that having Kathryn there to help us through and to let me know what was normal, not normal, etc. was of great help. I felt like a first time mom freaking out all the time and not knowing what the heck to do.
Through the training, I felt like Bella and I made a strong bond. I worked with her on every lesson; joined dog groups, took her hiking, made lots of dog friends, and tried to expose her to as many experiences as I could to help her become her very best dog.
Bella was not the most confident dog, and was not used to playing with other dogs. She would listen, perform her training cues and her confidence grew. Bella was the first one in her class to do a sit/stay at 50 feet! She is a very smart girl.
In addition to the training, the play dates (socialization) we had at Homeward Bound with the other dogs were invaluable. Her furry friends helped her come out of her shell more than I could ever have done alone. Her best friend Sam (a husky) showed her that snow was FUN! There are things as a human you just can't teach them.
Beautiful Bella Today
Fast forward to now. Bella is a beautiful confident girl - and she has eyelashes! She has a beautiful red coat with long feathers. My "Velcro dog" loves to hike by my side and frolic in the snow on our snowshoe hikes. She takes advantage of any chance to jump into a puddle, pond or lake. She is fantastic off leash and has never met a stranger. She runs to greet new visitors to our play dates with her tail held high and is still the fastest runner around the training pavilion, her feathers flowing in the wind.
To this day her favorite thing is when we settle in at the end of the day for a good snuggle on the sofa, and a warm belly rub. She gives love as much as any dog I've seen, and has a full heart for any and everyone.
I wouldn't trade her for the world. She's my girl, and a well trained girl at that.
Thanks Kathryn!!!