Friday

Updated 7/28/11

Friday, age 6 1/2

“Thursday’s child has far to go,“ says the nursery rhyme—but when this lovely Golden showed up in a kind lady’s front yard on a Thursday evening, it was clear that he already HAD gone very far indeed, and could barely take another step. “He walks with his head and shoulders hanging down and then he just collapses. I offered him some food and he ate ravenously. Seems exhausted and starving.” On Friday morning, she called GRR for help—and named her foundling “Friday,” too. The perfect name! …because “Friday’s child is loving and giving,” and so is our Golden Friday. He’s friendly, sweet, and gets along with everyone. 

When we first got him into care, though, we were really worried. His back end was so weak he could barely walk, and it was clear that even standing was difficult and painful. He’d scoot himself over on his front legs to lie by your side; it was as if he couldn’t get his back legs to work at all. A clue to the problem emerged when we noticed that a dose of pain medication—baby aspirin or tramadol—made a world of difference. Friday began to wag his tail and even climb up steps! X-rays confirmed that his hips look  “terrible,” but since he walks normally & seems chipper and happy when he’s on his paid meds, the vet doesn’t recommend surgery. “Let’s continue the tramadol & observe how he does.”

… and he’s doing great! “He shows a little stiffness in his back legs, but he runs up and down the back steps. He sometimes uses the ramp on the way down, but almost never on the way back up,” says his foster dad. “And personality-wise, he is great. No accidents, no restrictions in the house when I'm gone, no chewing. He is happy, bouncy and follows me from room to room. He’s as curious as can be and wants to check everything out everywhere. No problems with him and the other dogs, including Bonnie, my sometimes-snooty Flat Coat. Fine with the cats, too.”

This nice fellow would do great in a home where he’d get gentle, regular exercise to strengthen his leg & hip muscles; a lean, nutritious diet is important too. His pain meds aren’t expensive and do a world of good to keep him comfortable. And of course he’d love to have as much of your company as possible—he wants to  be a part of everything you do!