I knew she was coming to see me because I had heard them talking. She was coming on Saturday. It was going to be okay. I was not really myself you see. I had been sick and I had just had surgery. I had been neutered. That was okay by me as there are too many puppies in the world. I was tired and still had a fever. I knew she would not get to see the real me, but that was probably for the best!


She came on a Saturday. It was a good day and the sun was shining. I was lying in the office at the Shelter. She was so happy to see me, and I think a little surprised at my size. I am a pretty big Golden Retriever. My head is about as big as a basketball!! I have a deep red coat and really big paws. She took me outside and we went for a walk. I didn’t really feel like walking but I was not going to let her know…

We walked down to the end of the drive. I was very good on the walk, no pulling or running. I just walked along side of her. She was telling me how beautiful I was and what a good dog I was….I let her think that I was perfect. That I was really this big old Golden who was so laid back!!! In fact, I just wasn’t feeling to good….

She brought me back and she was so happy. She did not take me home….I thought she was going to. She had to fill out some paperwork and I think there was someone else who might want to take me home too. I was not sure. But I liked this woman with white hair. She seemed to know about dogs and especially seemed to like Golden Retrievers. She gave me some big hugs as she left and it looked like there might be a tear in her eye….

The next Saturday was Valentine’s Day. I was feeling really great and was walking around the Shelter office seeing what I could get into. Then the woman with the white hair came back. I was so happy to see her that I jumped right up on her!! I think she was surprised. I also jumped up an put my big paws on the counter….I knew that I was leaving the Shelter. I knew this woman with white hair was going to take me home, I just knew it!!! Indeed she was. She had a beautiful new red collar and leash for me. We put them on and I said my farewells and off we went.

It wasn’t easy leaving the shelter. I began to feel that scared feeling as we walked out the door. I was wondering, where was I really going? Who is this woman? I don’t really know her and she really doesn’t know me. I started to panic inside. I had been at the Shelter for a long time and it was beginning to feel like home. If dogs could sweat, I would have been dripping. I was afraid.

She had a funny car. It looked like a box. I had never seen a car like that before. She put me in the back. I looked around and did not know what to do. We started down the hill and got on to the road. Before I knew it we were on our way, but I did not know where I was going. The panic took over and in an instant I jumped into the front seat. The woman with the white hair was in a panic now. For my whole body was trying to sit in her lap. I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I could see the panic in her face. She looked at me and then her eyes went back to the road. She started to slow down. The car stopped. Again I went into panic mode. Was she just going to drop me off here, out in the country where I would be on my own again?? I just did not know what was going to happen. She pulled the car over and it stopped. She put the leash back on me and carefully put me back in the back of the car. She said, “Reggie, (that is my name), Reggie, you have to stay in the back so I can drive. You are way to big for a lap dog!”

So, I am back in the back seat and we set off again. Panic again…before long I am in the front seat. But this time I am careful not to get in her lap. I go to the passenger seat and try to sit there. But cars are going by and that bothers me. So I bark at them. I am panting and barking and Jeanne, (that is the woman’s name) tells me, “Reggie, you have to sit quiet so I can drive!” But I can’t. All of this is too confusing for me and I don’t know what to do.

Finally I am on the floor of the front passenger seat and I manage to stay there, with Jeanne’s help for the rest of the ride home. It was very scary for Jeanne. I could see that. I was pretty sure she was reassessing her adoption of me. But that is what we do, shelter dogs. We test our new parents. Will they still love us no matter what? And we also have issues that are a result of treatment from previous owners. Jeanne did not know my past and I could not tell her. But she would come to figure out that lots of bad stuff happened to me.

We got to her house and what a surprise! There were cats, horses, birds, squirrels and another dog. He was a golden retriever too. He was smaller than me and a different color and he had very curly hair. He seemed much younger. I think he was because she called him Baby Bud.

The house was in the country. I was going to like that. I loved to run and jump around and the squirrels were very inviting. The cats were not so much fun because they would not run when you chased them. We had lots of fun that afternoon. Later on a man came home. His name is Forrest. I soon learned that he lived here too. He was very nice and was also surprised at how big I was…but he also said I was very thin. You see you could see my ribs. There was not another animal in this house with ribs that stuck out. Jeanne was going to take care of that she said. She had really good dog food for me and she told me I would love it!!! I did!!

I liked being at the Nutter’s (that is their name) but I was still afraid and kind of scared. I barked at everything that moved outside. I paced around and found it hard to get comfortable. This Baby Bud was always following me around. He always wanted to play. I liked that, but he was kind of a pest. If someone came to the door I would run from wherever I was and bark. Jeanne was not happy with that. She seemed annoyed at some of my habits. She was patient however. I tried to learn, but it was nearly impossible to change. I was still afraid of everything. Soon after coming to live with the Nutter’s I got sick again. I think the food she was giving me was too much for me. I had diarrhea. I had it all the time. We went to see the veterinarian so many times and no one could help me. It was about 4 or 5 months before we got it under control. We went to see a veterinarian in a big city who helped me. He gave me some medicine that helped and he told Jeanne and Forrest not to feed me such great food. That maybe a medium brand might work better for me. You see, I was on my own for a long time. I lived without food and good water. I ate whatever I could find or whatever anyone would give me.

So, we tried a food called, Chicken Soup for a Dog Lover’s Soul. I love it and it has been perfect for me. My coat is much better. That was another problem I had. My fur was not too shiny and it seemed like my hair was falling out all the time. One brushing and a whole bag would be full of red hair. Now it is shiny red and very soft.

Jeanne and Forrest soon realized that I would chase cars. Not every car, just some cars. Don’t know why, but I just don’t like the sound of some cars. So when they go by the house I would run after them. That would make them both so angry. I think they were afraid I would get hurt. I also did not like to ride in cars. I would get in and seem to be happy to go, but then after we were on the road I would pace and pant.

Jeanne took me to a Dog Day Care center and they were very helpful. I went to some classes and met some other dogs. We had great fun there. But sometimes I would jump over the fence at the Day Care. They did not kick me out or send me home, but fixed the fence so I could not jump over. Soon I realized that Jeanne was always coming back for me and I was not so scared. I began to play with the other dogs and even learned how to play tug of war with a toy!! That was a big milestone in my life!!

I met Anne at day care. She is my babysitter some times when Jeanne and Forrest go away. I love her and she spoils me. This day care is a great thing. I am still not too much fun in the car, but if I am in a crate in the car; it is better for Jeanne and me!

I have been living with Jeanne for 2 years now. I know that it has not been easy for me or Jeanne and Forrest. We have gone through allot together. But they never gave up on me. I bet there were times when Jeanne said to herself, “oh my, what have I gotten myself into??” But I soon realized that no matter what happened, she was going to stick it out with me and we would make it work. I know they love me.

She even has learned to love the twirling I do when it is suppertime. I can’t seem to stop the twirling. I have learned to sit until she says “okay!” and then I get to eat. I think it was because I never knew where my next meal was coming from that has made me so crazy about food. I literally go bonkers when I see food. But, that is a good thing too!! Training has been easier because I am so motivated by food. I will do anything for a treat!!

We are now working on the car chasing. I did get bounced off a car a month or so ago. I did not get hurt, but I scared Forrest (not to mention the driver of the car!). We got a special collar for me. It beeps and then gives me a little shock. They did not want to use the shock collar, but getting hit by the car was the “last straw” they said. I am really trying hard and I get treats every time I come when I am called. Getting very, very good at that!

I am so thankful to be here with my new family. I have given them every test in the book and they still love me and would never bring me back to the shelter. I love the farm and the walks and Baby Bud and the cats and the horses. I love sleeping by the wood stove; I think that is my favorite thing of all. It is so warm and cozy. Sometimes Bud and I sleep together on the same dog bed by the fire. We have become great friends and I love him!!

My next very favorite thing is lying on the bed upstairs and looking out the windows. I have a great view of the squirrels from up there! I can see where they are at all times, so when I go outside I know right were to go to chase them. It is really a dog’s life here at the farm and I am so happy to have been adopted by this family.

My hope for all of the animals at the Trempealeau Shelter is that they will find families who will never give up on them. Dogs and cats from shelters have special problems and we have special needs. Many of us have been abused and neglected. We never asked to be special; we just asked to be loved. Loving us is not all that it takes either. Love is wonderful thing; but we need structure and guidance and all the patience in the world. It takes time to try to undo some of the things that were done to us. We need people who will never give up on us and people who will work with us to help up fix some of our bad habits. We need people who take us to the veterinarian and make sure we are healthy. We need you!

So, this is my story. It is not over yet. I know I will live here for the rest of my life. And thanks to all my friends at the Trempealeau County Shelter. Your love and care for all of the animals is truly wonderful. Thanks for finding me a forever home.

Reggie is a love and he brings us smiles every day. Reggie has forever changed our lives. He has taught us so much about love and patience. His love for us is unconditional and forever as is ours for him.


Reggie
Adopted by Jeanne and Forrest Nutter on 2/14/2009.