Chumley

#13-047 Chumley,  age 5 1/2

Weight: 106  poiunds (tubby!)

AVAILABLE

We all know that good things come in small packages… but here is some furry proof that they come in extra-large ones, too! When GRR arrived at Chumley’s home for a meet-and-greet, “He ran up to me like a big old bear cub, just ambled, rolling and lumbering towards me with big furry paws flopping, tongue out, and ears flapping. Wish I had a video! Beautiful, funny and endearing. He’s 100+ pounds of pure love and fat. This is a dog you love from the second you meet him. I sure did!”

Yes, Chumley’s a little (or even quite a bit) overweight, but he has normal energy and “he moves real good for a big dog,” says Foster Mom.  He needs to shed about 20 pounds, so part of his diet plan includes green beans instead of kibble for half his evening meal. Luckily he already loves getting exercise!

His former family said he got along well with their seven grandchildren, and he seems fine when he sees children on his walks.  He hasn’t been exposed to cats (though he might chase them, since he likes to go after squirrels), and he mostly doesn’t interact with dogs.  He doesn’t jump up on humans (well, at his current heft that might be a bit difficult anyway).

Though Chumley spent the last six months or so living outside, he’s housebroken and has been perfectly calm and trustworthy loose indoors, even when left home alone for a 9-hour workday.  He enjoys chewing on antlers, with an occasional chew toy to vary his play routine.  Chumley also will bring a ball and drop it at your feet for a short game of retrieve. He wiggles when groomed (you know, the big grin and swishing hindquarters), and he really like to get pets and belly rubs.  He’s got a tickle spot that makes one hind leg start “running!”

At his initial check-up, Chumley tested positive for ehrlichia. We occasionally see this tick-borne disease in Goldens who have spent an extended period outdoors; the treatment is a simply a course of doxycycline (the antibiotic of choice for ehrlichia). Chumley’s already almost through with that, and we fully expect the meds to clear things right up. He certainly hasn’t ever shown any symptoms, so we’re not worried.

Cheerful Chumley likes to do the Happy Dance when Foster Mom comes home from work, when it’s meal time, and when the leash comes out.  He would love to do his Happy Dance for you, his forever home, too!