Smiling Boy
This golden face who you find smiling at you is Armani. He is our new, old dog. CH. Sonora’s Suit Yourself, aka, Armani came into our home after a dear friend of ours passed away from Cancer.
We have known Armani for awhile. I’ve competed against him in the show ring. I always loved seeing him on the table, virtually asleep while his Mom was getting him ready to show. When the offer was made to us to take care of Armani, I jumped at the chance.
Ball Guy
When he came into our house we found out what his true personality was. He is the mushiest dog I have ever met in my life. Soft doesn’t even begin to describe him! He is so very sweet and is very practiced with his puppy dog eyes. When you pick him up to take him off the grooming table, he is a rag doll. Not one wiggle out of him, no matter what you do! We’ve had 6 Goldens before Armani and none of them have prepared me for him.
I have always had respect for people who rescue dogs and I’ve always given to help rescue. But my level of respect has gone up even further now for the people of rescue who foster and adopt dogs that they have only just met in their 5th year of life. Armani is five years old and he is who he is. He has adapted to his new home with us and has learned to love the early morning walks, that he’s never had before. But he is a challenge to me since I am so used to dogs I have raised from a puppy. What I mean is, that usually when I raise a dog, I know what makes them happy, what triggers the wild dog run around the yard, the good words to use when I need to get the proper cock of the head for a picture. When you get a dog who is already established, you have to find all of this through trail and error. While this can be fun, it can also be a bit frustrating and I guess that is what I am saying about Armani. He is teaching me how to reach out to him and how to be patient because he is such a different personality than any of our other goldens!
It’s been two months or so now since we have brought this silly, mushy boy into our home and I love his eyes and enjoy looking for a tail wag. My hats off to you who rescue dogs of all ages and breeds. What a job you do finding out how to make a neglected or abused dog whole and happy again.
Mani boy smiling
