Sailor

Updated 5/2/11

Sailor has moved and is now in a new foster home.  He doesn’t have any children to play with, but he still has other dogs.  He’s not really into playing with them anyway… it’s more like a peaceful coexistence.  He’s happy just to mind his own business, eat his own food, and sleep in his own bed close to his people.

The funniest thing about Sailor is how much he loves his stuffed toys.  In fact, he’s a shameless hoarder of stuffed animals.  He’ll gather all the stuffed toys that he can find (as many as 30) and surround his bed with them.  It’s just too funny to see this big galoot walking around with a stuffy in his mouth!

In general, he’s extremely calm and content.  He's a very loving couch potato who is content to just hang around.  He likes to be close, and tends to walk into your body as he trails along with you throughout the house.  He’s a big boy who has no idea how big he is.  But he’s so lovable and sweet that he’s easy to have around.

Sailor doesn’t ask for a lot… a home where he’ll be part of the family and get some love and attention.  He’s not demanding… just keep lots of stuffed animals on hand and he’ll be happy! 

Updated 4/7/11

The last couple of years have seen heavy seas—but from now on, a landlubber life of ease will be just fine with this old Sailor. It’s safe harbor at last!

Sailor grew up with one family until he was around ten—but then his dad passed away, his mom moved out of state, and Sailor went to stay with neighbors. They gave him food and affection, but unfortunately, vet care wasn’t in the budget; and two years down the road, when they too had to move, they called our Hotline for help. Soon the old Golden  arrived in GRR care: “He's adorable!” said volunteer Lisa.  “Every bit of his age but very, very sweet & really needed to be rescued.   Poor fella had mats in his coat all over,  toenails were so long he could barely walk on the floor!  But he was so sweet and wiggled & wagged his whole body with delight to be hugged & petted.”

As an old guy, he spends a lot of time just lying around and/or following you around. He’s got the old-dog lumps & bumps, and he’s hard of hearing, but he does have a very playful side to him.  He does use his mouth when he plays—not to bite (of course not!) but just uses his mouth.  I'll lie on the floor and rub him with my feet and he gets all playful and keeps pushing against me and mouthing my feet and legs.  And he LOVES the toy basket.  Toys and balls are strewn all over the place!  Balls and soft, fuzzy, "lovie" toys are his favorite.  He has torn some of the squeakers out of some of the toys but admittedly, our dog Sadie had really started that process before Sailor got to them.  He likes to carry balls around and has been finding them under various pieces of furniture around the house.  When he does find one, he becomes a bit obsessed about getting it out!  He does not like to release balls but does not growl at all.

He is trustworthy loose in the house, in fact  he has made it very clear that he is NOT going into the crate. No problem, he doesn’t need it.

As for grooming, he is kind of wiggly and is inclined to lie down.  But, I've been able to get him to roll from one side to the other so have managed to brush him pretty much all over even though he's lying down.  And boy oh boy does Sailor Man have a lot of hair!  We’ve brushed him several times this week and each time have gotten a ton of hair off him.

Sailor Bear would do fine as an only dog but would probably also be ok with another dog. He doesn't need a lot of action, so he’d do well in a low-energy house, and he’d enjoy walks. Anyone who loves the oldies and wants a calm, sweet companion is going to adore this fellow!