Success Stories - 2004

Trooper

Adopted 16 Aug 2003

Trooper came to us from a concerned citizen near the Alabama border west of Pensacola. He had shown up on her farm filthy and scared. She named him "Buddy" and put him in her tack room in the barn which was air conditioned and treated him for worms before calling us. After a very nervous ride in the truck back to Niceville he settled in to his foster home.

Laurie waited patiently to take him to her home. We emailed back and forth and she decided she wanted to name him "Trooper". Little did we know how appropriate his name would become. When he was neutered he developed an infection and after a miserable couple of days and a trip to the emergency vet, Dr. Jenny at Niceville Animal Clinic put him back in for surgery and got him all fixed up. He was truly a "real trooper" going through the whole ordeal.

He is a loving reddish Golden and is enjoying living in Panama City. Laurie couldn't wait to get him healthy enough to take him running. We moved him to their home for his heartworm treatment since we knew they would give him the extra loving care he would need. The family had lost their previous Golden to cancer and missed having a special Golden in their home. David claims that Golden's are their choice of dog. Laurie happily reports he has weighed in at a stealth 89lbs (a long way from the 67 lbs. when he was brought to us). Maybe he was younger than 2 years old (a vet's guess) and still growing??? Obviously, he has thrived in this household.

One of the first things they noticed was his fear of cameras. We see that occasionally with the dogs we take in. The flash bothers them. He loves to go out walking with Morgan, but they have to keep him away from sprinklers. HE LOVES WATER! When they took him swimming he went in as far as they did which was GREAT (except that Laurie was in the water in her jeans). Melissa loves to entertain Trooper with his squeaky bone.

He does experience some thunderphobic symptoms and keeps them up at night in bad storms. Thank goodness he has a family that loves him so because he will wake up all four children and make sure everyone knows that it is thundering outside. Mark has found that petting his soft ears sooths him (or does it sooth Mark?)

Recently a new kitten (Gizmo) joined the household and they have become best friends. Like a lot of Goldens, Trooper loves to get the "pet crazies" and run around the house in circles. Trooper loves to go for car rides too. When they get in the convertible he barks until they start the car and get moving. Then the minute the car stops moving he starts barking again. Do you think he is just a little excitable??? Just like any 2 year old.

Matt just thinks Trooper is the friendliest dog around. They are all thrilled to have him in their home. We want to thank David, Laurie, Matthew, Mark, Melissa, and Morgan for giving Trooper a wonderful FOREVER home. We know he loves you for it!