Cody
Cody, age 9
AVAILA
Update 5/25/12:
Well, Cody continues to surprise me! He loves bubbles. He
actually knows the word “bubbles” and can't wait to catch them. He maybe be
older, but this boy can still clear 3 feet to catch a drifting bubble! Of course
my granddaughter thinks this is the best trick ever, and so we play a lot of
bubbles.
I am going on vacation for a bit and Cody is in respite
care with a wonderful family. When we arrived, he was greeted by a boy and girl
(probably 10-12 years old) and was so excited that I thought he would wiggle
himself into a heart attack!. It is obvious he loves children of all ages. But
no matter how excited he gets, there’s no jumping, barking or snapping.... what
a well-mannered gentleman he is.
Cody interacts quite well with other dogs, even my
stuck-up poodles! The respite family has two Goldens, oa 6-year-old boy and a
little year-old girl with all the
puppy energy you can imagine. Cody took all this pep in stride. Of course there
was the initial boundary setting, for example: biting ears not cool! And licking
faces also not cool! But with a low growl and wagging tail boundaries were
learned and friendship started to blossom. I left him in good hands.
Cody is handsome, fit and trim, and ready for his forever home!
If you want a dog who will be your best friend, who will greet you
with a wagging tail and a warm heart, then he is the boy for you. He is a big
boy—he weighs 95 pounds—yet he never seems in the way and doesn’t knock things
over. He prefers to keep you in his sight, and will actively seek you out if you
disappear for too long, but he doesn’t have to be on top of you or in your
lap! He knows his commands and has great manners. He loves to play ball, but, at
9 years old, is just as willing to lie down and be at your side.
Cody loves his walks, and nothing seems to upset him, not even
the guinea hen that almost landed on his head! (He did, however, thoroughly
enjoy the time we had trying to get the hen to fly back over the fence.)
Now you might be thinking... 9 years—that’s an old dog! I wonder if
he is healthy? Good question. Yes, a 9-year-old Golden is no puppy… which means
no chewing, no accidents, no training expenses and no surprises! He has been
there, done that. He is a fully mature adult with no bad habits, no accidents,
no chewing and already knows his commands. As for health—his overall health is
great! He does need to take an inexpensive thyroid pill twice daily and also
needs antihistamines twice daily (as he seems to have allergies... welcome to
Nothing but good news from Cody’s foster mom:
Cody is still a great guy! He continues to do well with his health issues. His
thyroid medication seems to be working quite well. He is much more perky, but
still a mellow fellow. The biggest change is that he seems so much happier; he
actually smiles now, and the smile extends all the way to his eyes.
His secondary skin infections caused by allergies & constant scratching
are clearing up nicely and, with the proper food and daily antihistamines,
should be a thing of the past. He still has a fair amount of hair loss on his
tail and back end, but we’re hopeful that in time, nice thick fur will grow back
in. It just may take a good while!
But
a few bald spots don’t stop Cody from being a good-looking guy with good manners
and a wonderful temperament. He is very happy to be close to wherever you are,
but does not need to be on top of you. When I am outside, he is very content to
follow me around like a shadow, and inside he is always near. He is still very
polite when entering and exiting doors and does not push or shove his way
through. When the front door or garage door is open he will not go out unless he
is asked. He is not a runner and is very content to stay at home.
He
does have a couple of quirks. He is quietly stubborn—so if he decides that he
does not want to do something (like bringing the ball back), he will just sit
down and not move. Also he does like his water fresh—and I do mean
fresh! No warm water or floating
things for him! He will just not drink until you get the hint. (It took me a
while, but eventually I caught on.) Well everyone should have a couple of
quirks, right?
Check out my movie of me and my sweet friend!
Cody is settling in
nicely. He is such a lovable guy! His fur is starting to grow back ever so
slowly and his weight is also starting to go in the right direction... down!
Since he is feeling better, he now plays fetch (well, OK, I throw, he
gets the ball and then waits for me to catch up, to drop the ball at my feet so
I can throw it again). As you can see by the picture, he is very gentle and can
take a ball from a baby's hand.
He is intrigued by the riding lawn mower and weed whacker and
follows them all around the yard, a great way to exercise! He is also a fan
of bath time. Loves the cool water, especially on his tummy. He then waits
while he is towel-dried and then walks outside to shake. Oh, did I mention that
he showers in the walk-in shower, yep he just walks right in and stands. Like I
said a lovable guy.
Cody has learned
that the yard is his domain and will bark when anything approaches the fence
line... and let me tell you this boy has a BIG bark.
He is protective when strangers enter the house, and will bark while
wagging his tail. Recently my son came in through the front door and we did not
hear him until he was in the room with us. Cody got up and barked, then looked
to me for guidance. I greeted my son with a hug and then he reached out his hand
to Cody, who sniffed it and wagged his tail. Good dog! When he is outside and
let in when a stranger is in the house, he does not bark and will approach with
tail wagging.
Cody would be happy
in a house with large rooms, a large yard, and kids. He likes his space! He is
not a fan of stairs and does not seem to be inclined to walk up mine, even if I
am up there for a long period of time. So maybe a one-story house would be best
for this nice boy. (And remember, NO cats!)
“Please take care of Cody
and Dusty for me.”
It was the owner’s last
wish: that the dogs he loved so much
would be safe and happy. He and his late wife had doted on the two boys—9-year
old Cody and his son, 5-year-old Dusty—and kept them in tip-top shape. Sadly,
though, as the owner’s health declined, he was unable to care for the dogs as he
wanted to. Still, their welfare was always at the top of his mind, even up until
the day he passed away.
His family, who adored Cody and Dusty too, at once stepped in and
did what they could. A devoted niece collected the duo, determined to give them
a new home. She had love to spare, but not enough time: she worked long hours,
and the boys were used to lots of human companionship. Besides that, she was in
a rental home, and storm-phobic Dusty chewed first some siding, then some fence
boards during our March thunderstorms—which upset the landlord. With tears in
her eyes, she contacted rescue. “I have known these dogs all their lives and
they are WONDERFUL boys and deserve the very best,” she said. “I
would keep them if I could, but I need to do what’s best for them,
and right now that means finding them a new home.”
A quick stop at the vet’s
found both boys basically healthy, though senior Cody has low thyroid
function—not uncommon in older Goldens. He’s started on supplementation, and
should soon be feeling peppier, losing weight, and growing a nice thick coat. In
the meantime, he couldn’t be a better guest at his foster home! Here’s what
Foster Mom has to say:
Cody has been with me since March 25. He is a tall fellow & came
with some easy-to-fix health issues: low thyroid (which has caused some hair
loss and itchy skin) and extra pounds (which we’ll solve with thyroid meds plus
diet and exercise). So let’s skip to
behavioral issues… so far there are NONE!
He loves attention (a nice head rub is best), but does not demand
it. He knows all basic commands, walks on a leash with very little pulling,
doesn’t mind other dogs (I have two noisy poodles), is completely housebroken,
sleeps through the night, has no food protection issues, has no rain or thunder
fears, and is very gentle and quiet. He does like his own space inside, and
while he likes to be in the same room with you, he enjoys his own area. He loves
the outdoors and a large yard would be ideal!
So far he is not into playing with toys or balls, but I think this might
change when he takes off a few pounds and the thyroid meds start to work.
Cody LOVES walking. This has to be a must in his daily routine—he
perks up and actually prances! He loves grooming and allows me to snip and brush
anywhere; the only area where he is sensitive is his face. He likes to see
things head on and can shy away if things come towards him from the side.
Did I mention he loves children? Well he does! Cody and my
18-month-old granddaughter fell in love at first sight and were inseparable. He
was fine with her loving and squeezing him all over. She tried to share lunch
with him, but being the perfect gentleman, he he just turned his head and then
lay down.
He is already a wonderful companion and I can only think that as he
feels better, he will have a bit more energy to play. I can’t wait!
P.S. Editor’s note: We know from his surrendering owner that the
one thing Cody does NOT like is cats! A no-cat home is an absolute must for this
big boy.
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Hotline: (512) 659-GOLD |
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