Buffy's Back!

Not too happy after my bath

Buffy again!  I am going to be taking over this blog for awhile.  I realized I enjoy writing, and it's probably best for everyone to get my viewpoint as opposed to my foster mom's.  (My foster mom says no one ever wants her viewpoint.)

Last weekend was busy!  I got a bath on Saturday.  I didn't like it too much.  It was a two person job because I kept wanting to escape the tub.  I thought I was very good considering the circumstances.  I got lots of treats afterward so that was nice.  My coat is super silky and soft.  My foster mom put on lots of leave-in conditioner and now can't stop hugging me.  I like hugs so I guess it wasn't all bad. She doesn't like to hug me much when I'm stinky.

My foster parents went to the annual Almost Heaven fundraiser Saturday evening.  It is hosted every year by some very nice people who love dogs.  I wish the world had more people like them!  They help my rescue get much needed funds so more dogs like me can be saved.  Well, no one is exactly like me.  I am an original!  Anyway, I heard it was a good time and that they raised a lot of money.  Never enough, though.  If you didn't attend, but still want to help support the rescue you can adopt me!  Or you can give a donation! Here is their latest chipin.



On Sunday we had a couple of visitors to the house for dinner.  I was a bit nervous at first and barked at them, but I realized pretty quickly they were nice and liked to give pets so I made sure to stay by their sides as much as I could all night.  I wanted to be a good hostess! 

I'm smizing.

The other day on my walk a woman stopped her car in the middle of the street to say how pretty I was!  This is not the first time this has happened.  Maybe I will get discovered by Tyra Banks and become America's next top model!  Except I would have to do plus-sized modeling.  No way I am giving up my snacks. 

Dreading the upcoming heatwave

It's supposed to be very hot this weekend.  Heat index up to 110F!  I am not looking forward to it.  I am hoping to convince my foster mom to make me peanut butter pupsicles.  Very easy. 1 cup plain yogurt, 1 cup creamy peanut butter.  Mix.  Spoon into ice cube trays and freeze.  I think she should be able to handle that.  I'll even volunteer for cleanup!

Oh.  I am now tweeting.  Follow me to see what my thoughts are on a daily basis.  It's some pretty exciting stuff.  @Buffy_Tweets

Fill out an application if you think I may be your four legged soul mate.






To see all of the available dogs at Almost Heaven, check out their page on petfinder.  They have more than just golden retrievers!

Guest Blogger

How can you resist this cuteness?

Hi everyone!  It's Buffy!  I am writing this post since my foster mom has been slacking at updating the blog.  (Who would've thought these giant paws could type on a computer?)  I think she got a little discouraged when she discovered it would be harder to find me a forever home than she originally thought.  (You'd think she'd post more, not less to help me find my forever home.)  It's not that I am bad or have many issues, I just need lots of time to settle into a strange environment and some people don't understand that.  But can you blame me?  I was dumped at a high kill shelter in West Virginia.  I was there for a bit.  (I don't remember how long.)  Almost Heaven rescued me from the shelter, but then they found out I was heartworm positive.  I had to go through a rough treatment to make me better.  (I'm better!)  I lived at the rescue for around eight months before I came to my foster home.  That's a lot of change for a young gal like me.  (My foster mom likes to tell people I am around 3-4 years old, but I am a lady so will never reveal my true age.)  Anyway, I promise I will be worth any short time effort to get me acclimated to my new surroundings!  I really do love people.

I have a lot of positives.  I am house-trained.  I walk well on a leash.  (Everyone always compliments me on this.)  I do my business right away (unlike my foster brother, Ollie, who takes FOREVER to do his business.  Boys.)  I know sit and high five (most of the time) and am working on other commands.  I get stay and come mixed up as I tend to stay when I hear "come", and I come when I hear "stay".  Those two are hard!  My foster mom says I am very gentle.  I don't jump, and I like to give nuzzles with my snout.  (I look so cute that she can't resist petting me.)  I can stay home alone with Ollie all day and don't do any damage to the house or have any accidents.  I do sometimes find socks that people left out and like to chew on those, though.  Apparently I am not supposed to do this, but they are so tasty!  My foster mom doesn't understand why I follow her everywhere, even from one room to the next, but I am just looking out for her best interest.  What if she suddenly wants to pet someone and no one is there?  Or maybe she finds a treat in her pocket and needs to get rid of it?  I am only trying to make her happy by constantly being by her side in case she needs me.

Me with my hamburger

My main issue is that I can get a bit growly in strange situations and sometimes protective of my toys.  Some people get scared of my growly noises, but I do it because I am nervous, not because I am mean.  Once I realize I shouldn't be doing this, I roll over on my back for belly rubs.  I know I'm supposed to share my toys, but occasionally I forget.  I am learning that if I do get growly, whatever I have will be taken away for a long time.  My favorite toy is this thing my foster mom calls a hamburger.  There is food inside and if I move it the right way it will let a piece out!  I love food.  It's the best!  My hamburger gets taken away sometimes if Ollie gets too close to me.  Even though I love it the most, my foster parents can take it away easily, even directly out of my mouth.  It makes me sad, but I don't make growly noises at them.  I would never do that to the alphas of the house!  They can also take my food up while I am eating, and I know I need to sit and wait patiently to get it back.

Look at me with my foster cousin!

My biggest accomplishment so far is that I now get along with my foster dog cousin! At first I didn't like him very much.  Well, it's not really that I didn't like him, I just didn't know how I fit into his pack.  Again, I got a little growly which no one liked, but I couldn't help it, I was unsure of my place!  After a few visits we now are friends!  I can even lie next to him on my back and am not scared anymore. 

I hope there is someone out there who will give me a chance.  I really do have a lot of love to give.  I would do best in a quiet household as I get a little frightened when there is too much going on.  Fill out an application if you are willing to give me that chance and take the time it needs to make me feel comfortable.  (It really shouldn't take that long, but maybe a few days.)  I promise to love you forever!


To see all of the available dogs at Almost Heaven, check out their page on petfinder.  They have more than just golden retrievers!

Still Looking

Unfortunately, Buffy's potential adopter did not work out.  She got along fine at the meet and greet, but it has been determined that Buffy would do best in a quiet home with no kids.  A lot of commotion seems to stress her out, and she needs every human in the household to be able to give her strong direction and clear guidelines on her place in the pack. 

Buffy is always smiling

She needs both encouragement when she is good and swift correction when she steps out of line.  The correction does not have to be harsh as she listens very well (a firm “NO!” usually works) and is submissive when you show your disapproval.

So, Buffy is still looking for her two legged soul mate.  Fill out an application if you think you may be the one!


To see all of the available dogs at Almost Heaven, check out their page on petfinder.  They have more than just golden retrievers!

Buffy's Big Day

Buffy likes to nap

Buffy has mellowed out some since being here.  It's not that she is high energy, but she initially bothered Ollie a lot trying to determine her place in the pack.  He didn't care for this much as he is a grumpy old man and likes to be left alone.  (He often yells "get off my lawn" to the neighborhood children.)  This needling went on several times each day for around a week, yet over the past few days it has happened maybe once or twice a day.  She is definitely submissive as anytime I felt things were getting a bit too heated, it broke up easily with her falling down onto her back.  Now, while there is the occasional wrestling bout, they mostly just relax, gnaw on bones, and take naps.  (Replace "gnaw on bones" with "sipping pina coladas" and that sounds like paradise!) 

Making a friend at the dog park

Friday we went to the dog park.  She pranced around like a little princess on the mulch.  I imagine a lot of things are new (or distant memories) for her as she does the same thing on wet grass.  She sniffed some of the other dogs but mostly kept to herself, except when there were people nearby.  (Have I mentioned she loves people? Your hand may get tired from petting her.)




On Saturday, Buffy had a spa day at Bark 'n Bubbles.  She was there for over seven hours!  To be fair, the entire time was not spent on her. While she did great in the bath, she was not too fond of the dryer so had to air dry with fans. 

Happy after her spa treatment

I wish I took a picture of all the fur they took off of her.  It was quite remarkable.  She did well for nail clipping although was a little skittish when her front nails were cut.  It was a two person job, but no one seemed to mind as everyone loved her (how could you not?)  One of the groomers loved her so much, in fact, that she is considering her as a four legged soul mate!  (A groomer!)  There needs to be a meet and greet with the current dog which will happen this weekend, but if all goes well Buffy may have found her forever home!  Paws crossed! 

Dreaming of her forever home

To see all of the available dogs at Almost Heaven, check out their page on petfinder.  They have more than just golden retrievers! 

Fluffy Buffy

Buffy is a very sweet girl.  She is around 4-5 years old and came to Almost Heaven unspayed and heartworm positive.  Fortunately, she is now fixed and free of heartworms!  The latter has no lasting effects once it is treated (except for a few "thin" spots on her back) so don't let that deter you from considering her as your four legged soul mate.

Buffy enjoying a bone and a bed at the same time

Buffy is on heartworm preventative once a month, but every dog should be, so that makes her no different than anyone else.  What does make her somewhat different is her mix.  She is most likely a combination of golden retriever and chow chow.  Even though her temperament is more golden than chow, she should not be in a home with birds. 


 

In the two days Buffy has been here, I’ve learned the following:

Buffy mastered the magnetic screen door

1. She rides well in the car.
2. She seems to be housetrained.
3. She is excellent on a leash.
4. She loves dog beds.  (A minimum of one dog bed will be a requirement for adoption, but one per floor would be ideal.)
5. She loves treats.
6. She has a great appetite.
7. Due to numbers 5 and 6, she is on a diet.
8. She likes to gnaw on bones.
9. She enjoys being furminated. 
10. She snores.
11. She gets along fine with other dogs.  (But I've only seen her with large dogs, not small ones.)
12. She LOVES people.  (Her golden retriever part is definitely of the velcro variety.)

Buffy and Ollie are already friends

Her worst habit is that she likes to take shoes, slippers, socks, blankets, towels, etc to her bed.  Apparently in addition to being part golden and part chow, she is also part packrat. 

She has an appointment to be groomed on Saturday and will probably look like an entirely different dog.  She only weighs 68 pounds (if the scale at PetSmart is accurate) but looks like she weighs about 90 thanks to her many coats of fur.  Imagine how big she'd look if she wore horizontal stripes!  Regular grooming will be a must for this girl.

Buffy is available for adoption through Almost Heaven.  Fill out an application if you think she may be your four legged soul mate! 


To see all of the available dogs at Almost Heaven, check out their page on petfinder.  They have more than just golden retrievers!