05/02/2025
Mia - AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION!
FAST FACTS
* Age: 4.5 years
* S*x: Female
* Shy but sweet
* Needs mentor dog
* Needs fenced yard
* Almost house-trained
* Nervous around young kids
* Will need patient, consistent training
Bio:
INTRODUCTION As told by Mia
Life sure can throw you some curve balls; let me tell you!
Six months ago, I was living the only life I had ever known. I worked as a breeder, and I had very few rules to follow or expectations to live up to, except giving birth to puppies. I had no conception of any other way to live.
Then, BAM! My universe turned upside down. I retired from breeding and was relinquished to As Good as Gold. In retrospect, I can see that this was the golden ticket to a future filled with treats, zoomies, and lots and lots of pets, but for some time, I was totally freaked out.
AGaG placed me in a thing called a house with a wonderful foster mom and dad and three other dogs and a cat. In the beginning, I was overwhelmed. I felt safest alone in my crate where I could take all this newness in from a distance. One of the first “new” things I had to deal with was the proper way of doing my business. I had no idea that I was supposed to go outside to relieve myself, so Dad had to carry me out a few times and there were a few “accidents” in the beginning. But my foster siblings showed me the ropes, and I quickly learned what was expected. There may still be a mishap or two, but for the most part, I am house-trained.
Foster mom and dad have done wonders for me, but I haven’t always made it easy. In the beginning, I didn’t understand different kinds of playing, and one day, one of my foster sisters started to roughhouse. Not realizing that it was all in good fun, I got defensive, and we got into it a little bit. Dad was able to get the other dog away, but we were both left shaken. Now that I get it, we are good friends and like to play. We also struggled initially because I was so withdrawn and unsocialized. This made my progress toward acclimating into the family s-l-o-w – as in a snail’s pace. But my foster parents stayed the course, and I began to come around.
I tell you these things so that you understand how far I have come – and that with your love, support and patience I will come even further. After living with and learning from my foster family, I have pretty good manners. I don’t jump or counter surf or go on furniture. I will take treats gently from your hand, and I will be super excited to see you in the morning or after you return home. Mom says I am really smart and I am learning commands. I know “leave it” (but truth be told, you might have to ask me twice if I really like what’s in my mouth).
Speaking of things in my mouth . . . I am what Mom calls an aggressive chewer. Who knew a TV remote was so tasty? I’ve also chowed down on some shoes, a throw pillow, a plastic dog bowl, and a drainage pipe among other things. Mom got me a bunch of special toys for extreme chewers; they are in a container next to my bed, and I love to lie down and pick one out. Chewing them soothes me.
Foster Mom and Dad are proud of the progress I have made toward being a loving and loved member of a family. They say I am gaining confidence and becoming more comfortable in this new world. I am a bit cautious when visitors come to the house, but within a few minutes of observing them I will now approach for pets.
I do like to keep Foster Mom in sight, so I shadow her throughout the day, settling where I can keep an eye on her and “helping” her when she’s cooking in the kitchen. I ever so gently nudge the back of her knee to let her know I’m there and keep doing it until she pats me. Foster Mom finds this endearing. Another of my great joys is sleeping on the floor near Foster Mom’s bed along with my foster siblings. Once Mom stirs in the morning, I spring up, tail wagging, eager to start the day.
While I am a low-energy gal in the house, I do love being in the fenced yard; I amaze Foster Mom with how speedy I am when I get the zoomies. And I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you about another love of mine: ice cubes, or cubes as we call them in this house. Any time I hear ice cubes tumbling into a glass I am right there asking for one.
Yes, six months ago, my world was rocked! But I know that if we met and got to know one another, we could rock each other’s worlds for years to come. Life does indeed throw curve balls, but with the right coaching, sometimes you can hit a homerun.
Interested in becoming my coach? Let’s talk.
BEHAVIOR
* Shy and timid
* Anxious, but improving
* Enjoys running in the backyard
* Has not yet adjusted to riding in the car
* Freezes when harness or leash is put on, making walking difficult at this time; this training is a work in progress
* OK with cats
HEALTH
* Takes medication for situational anxiety
To learn about our adoption process, go here: https://www.asgoodasgold.org/adopt-a-golden-retriever/
OR
Contact us: [email protected]
