Ham Bone
Ham Bone Age: 4 Months
Available: 9/20/11
Updated 10/12/11
Ham Bone (aka “Hammer”) is growing fast! He now weighs about 40 pounds and we think he will be a big, husky dog when he is full grown. As he gets bigger you can tell he is a Golden and then some – the “then some” being “a little something else.” Never mind! He is a sweetheart. His signature move is to walk up to you without looking and then put all his weight against you and stretch. He is such a leaner! He wants to be near people but has an independent and stubborn streak, which mainly comes out on his twice daily walks. When he wants to sniff something he will use almost any tactic possible to get to what he wants. Minus these few stubborn streaks, he generally walks well on a leash but we do use a harness so he can’t escape & so that he will respond to direction better.
He is completely potty trained and generally can go all night and for long stretches during the day without needing a potty break. He runs loose in the house day and night and couldn’t be better behaved!
Ham Bone is a big daytime sleeper and almost always stretches like a cat when he gets up. He does like to give a friendly chin nip occasionally. He means no harm… it’s just his way of saying hello and wanting to see if you’re willing to play. It’s gotten better but will be something that needs continued training.
In the evenings he gets a spurt of the “puppy frenzies” where he just wants to run and jump over anything while somebody mock chases him. It is comical, but once he goes through that spurt he is good for the rest of the night. He is so good with his foster sister Violet and they love to play “bitey head” with each other.
He knows the word “treat,” loves his morning car ride and tries to drink out of cups whenever the opportunity presents itself….so watch out! We apologize in advance to his future adoptive parents for spoiling him!
Updated 10/11/11
Updated 10/5/11
Hambone is a very patient guy. Playing so kindly with baby Violet.
Updated 9/11/11
Ham Bone loves to bound after butterflies and moths. He loves to play in the backyard with or without adult supervision - there is always something for him to investigate or grass to stretch out on. Inside, he prefers pillows....the more pillows the better as you will see from the pictures.
He also loves to play with his numerous toys. He is definitely a retriever bringing them back again, and again, and again. However, Ham Bone is teething right now, so he prefers a hand or foot over his toys and often puts the toy on your foot so he can sneakily start gnawing on your foot - the little stinker!
Ham Bone has been great on a leash for his walks. He does get anxious around large trucks, buses and some cars. As far as going for rides, he is good in the car but is hesitant getting in without encouragement.
He seems to be crate trained but because we are with him most of the day, he has only spent short periods of time in his crate. Not much excites him besides his reflection in a window late at night. All-in-all Ham Bone is a great puppy with good manners. But he is definitely all puppy and purposely tries to antagonize us for more attention!
Updated
Hammy was a pathetic sight at the pound. Anxious, worried, and literally covered with chunks and smears of road tar… and mats, and burs, and plain old dirt. Poor little guy! However, it didn’t take long for him to recognize a friend: “He is super sweet and a complete little angel. Nervous at first and then came and burrowed his head in my lap the typical Golden way and just loved being petted,” said volunteer Sarah. “My feeling is he’ll get adopted in a minute and he sure needs our TLC.”
At the clinic, a thorough bubble-bath washed out all the dirt… leaving just one black patch at the very tip of Hammy’s tail. (Oh, wait, that’s his FUR, not a tar spot!) His ears have fluffed out and look like a stylish and adorable fur chapeau. Could there be a touch of something else in there, like German Shepherd? Maybe… but it doesn’t matter, since anybody would be thrilled to have a pup like this one! His GRR “chauffeur” says: “Hammy is adorable & a personable little fella. He rode very quietly in the car & was working hard getting all the peanut butter out of a Kong I brought to keep him busy. His foster mom had Ham Bone's bed set up & covered with toys. She was delighted with him & he gave her some kisses to seal the deal. Hammy was energetic and happy to start playing with his new loot & checking out the place.”
Happy Ham Bone!
