Truman

#13-037 Truman, age 5, update 6/21/13

~65 lbs—with a few pounds to lose

AVAILABLE

Heartworm positive

Who new when GRR took Truman in that he would blossom into the wonderful companion AND pack member he is today?

In late March 2013, GRR discovered Truman in a local shelter; a bit overweight and desperate for human affection, his loving personality and instant attachment to people revealed this pup deserved a happier fate.

Coming from a shelter, one would hope the remainder of Truman’s life would be nothing but rainbows and roses.  But when Truman’s foster mom first took him in, Truman acted as if he had never interacted with other dogs.  After a few spats with his foster siblings, his foster mom expressed growing concerns about Truman’s desire to be the #1 dog. 

But after 3 months of working with him, Truman’s unhappy beginning as an unwanted pup quickly transformed into a promising future under Gold Ribbon Rescue and his foster family’s care—all he needs now is his loving forever family to complete this “coming of age” tale.

“Every day is a better day for him.  As he continues to blossom, he is learning how fun it is to be a member of the pack. His behavior inside the house is ideal as he follows all the rules and has learned his place in the pack.” His foster mom also reports that he is becoming much more trustworthy around her other dogs when before, she would need to separate Truman while she stepped out of the house.  

Even when new foster pup Dooley #13-064 arrived, Truman became fast friends—while Dooley needed to wear the Elizabethan collar to protect a hot spot on his hip, Truman was noticeably concerned about his condition. Truman began doting on Dooley, acting almost motherly towards the new arrival.  And during the latest storm to hit the Central Texas area, both Truman and Dooley bonded over their fear lying close to one another under the dining table.

His foster mom can’t say enough positive affirmations about Truman as she’s seen him transform right before her eyes: “Truman is one happy pup, and he can’t get enough of begin around people.  Though he was previously on exercise restriction from his heartworm treatment, he knows “sit,”  “down,” “shake,” and “high five.”  He wants to play with the older pups, but he seems to understand if they don’t want to”—a true testament to the progression he’s made as one of the family.

And Truman is one boy who just wants to please: his foster mom said she gave him a pedicure, and he sat quietly savoring the pampering.  Can’t you just see Truman with a wide grin, his tongue lolling out to one side as his foster mom clips and files his nails?

#13-037 Truman, age 5

Update: 5/30/13

~65 lbs—with a few pounds to lose

AVAILABLE ~July 1

Heartworm positive

 Truman will make someone a very good companion as he loves people. He’s starved for attention.  He’s always happy, his tail wags all the time, and he meets and greets people when they come in the house.

Just hearing those words from his foster mom, who wouldn’t want to make this loveable boy a permanent family member?

It was only a few months ago when Truman came into GRR’s care from a local shelter.  Varying stories vaguely comprise Truman’s past: perhaps he got bored confined to the backyard, perhaps he was alone in his yard never interacting with other pups, perhaps he escaped looking for adventure.  But whatever we know about Truman’s past is simply that—Truman’s past.  

After two months in GRR care, no one would speculate Truman began his life any other way than how he lives it today.

Truman is growing accustomed to the pack life and is happily adapting to his new lifestyle.  Obvious from the beginning, Truman had never been around other dogs, and therefore, he continued to try to assert himself as the pack leader.  But after seeing a doggie behavior specialist, both the expert and his foster mom agreed he just needed time to adjust to his surroundings which consisted of a new home and new rules. 

And his foster mom can’t brag enough about the Truman she now loves. He is learning to trust foster siblings Mason and Belle as he shares their space; he loves to pounce and play with both of them and is much more relaxed and carefree than when he first arrived.

He is a quick learner after being taught and mastering “sit” in less than five minutes.  His foster mom states, “Truman always wants to give you his paw as if saying ‘Look at me.  Look at how cute I am. Don’t forget to pet me.’”  This self- taught “hive fiver” probably uses this tactic as his way of reminding whoever happens to be near: “Hello.  I’m down here.  Your hand is free, so you know what that means…pet me!”

Because Truman came to GRR with heartworms, he has to endure treatment while in foster care.  While his first treatment was on April 30, his foster mom says he was fine without any side effects from the Immiticide.  She states he will need to receive two more injections at the end of May. 

And Truman is also working to drop those extra pounds, so when he is ready to head to his foster home, he will be the best version of himself—both inside and out.

13-037 Truman, age 5

68 lbs—with a few pounds to lose

AVAILABLE

Heartworm positive

 In March, GRR received details of a golden being housed in a local shelter.  When the intake volunteer met this plump pup, she felt “Trudy” looked like a golden, but “her” weight made it hard to tell.  So our volunteers acted quickly and snatched “her” up.  After a visit to the vet, Trudy then became Truman (“she” was actually a “he!”).  Now Truman has settled in with his foster family, and here’s what he has to say:

“Guess what?  I’m not a girl!  After being called “Trudy” for quite some time, GRR finally got it right.  Though I may not be 100% golden, I am 100% male!  And while GRR’s volunteers were like saviors, I waited and waited for them to figure out this potentially traumatizing detail.  So happy we were able to clear that one up!

As soon as the intake volunteer and shelter staff hoisted me up into the getaway car (because literally a joint effort was needed to plop my chunky booty in the back of a sedan), I knew my life was headed in the right direction.

On the ride over to the vet’s office, I panted all the way there.  And boy was this the place to be!  Lots of other pups around, but none with so much work needed as me.  No wonder my ears—well, my ENTIRE plump body itched.  Covered in fleas and with an icky yeast infection in my ear, the vet fixed me right up. 

And then I found out I had those stinkin’ heartworms.  No need to panic.  Gold Ribbon Rescue promised to get me feeling like a young pup again. 

After I arrived at my foster family’s home, I wasn’t quite sure why they brought me inside their home.  I’ve never been in there before, so I thought hmm…is this a joke? And teaching this dog a new trick like living indoors is taking some time to get used to—because when I’m let outside to patrol the yard, my foster family can rarely entice me to come in. And the squirrels—well, let’s just say the squirrels may be my favorite part of living in my new home.  I might not retrieve a ball, but don’t let my tubbiness fool you.  I will retrieve a squirrel.

To show my foster people how much I love them, I give the best “paw shake” around.  Sometimes (when I’m all tuckered out from watching the wildlife) I just like to rest my paw on my foster mom’s lap. She doesn’t seem to mind either. 

My foster family rubs on my belly, pats my head, and brushes my silky coat—all of which I don’t really remember getting before I came here.  I have all kinds of toys (which I have no idea what to do with them).  And though chasing squirrels may be my #1 pastime, sitting and staring out the window (daydreaming of pouncing on an unsuspecting squirrel) is definitely my #2!   

My foster mom calls me an “escape artist.”  I’m not quite sure I know what that means, so I thought she could fill you in:  “A neighbor came to the door. As soon as I opened the door, Truman bolted all the way down the street. By the time I backed my car out, that little stinker was back, sitting on my front porch with a goofy grin.  I jumped out, let him in the house, and he went straight to the water bowl” (as if he was tired from his brief adventure).

Talk about a catch: 99% of the time I’m one laid back pup (unless I see a “you know what”).  I only potty outside, I love to snuggle with my people, and I sleep all through the night (although sometimes my snoring startles me awake).”

Foster mom says “Truman is a very loving dog with people and would be best with a family as an only dog.”  Since he has been in foster care, Truman has had a few tiffs with the resident dogs, so his foster mom believes this to be the best arrangement.   

Though this well-behaved boy may contain a bit of something else in him, his heart is made of pure gold. He exhibits those qualities we all adore in the golden retriever breed, and because of this, Truman will make someone the perfect companion.