Update from family 6-09:  Jake (aka Jakey Boy or Nut Boy) is doing great! He has now been with us almost 2 months. He is becoming more settled and is such a sweat heart. He absolutely loves us all and is very attached and affectionate.

Our experience at G.R.I.N. has been great.....and it's because of people like you two!

Jake is doing awesome and we love him more and more each day. See attached pictures.

Thanks so much again!

The Douglas Family
Larry, Annie, Emily, Peter, Molly, Belle and Jakey!

Success story continued...

Jake is doing very well. 4-H obedience is going good. He does like to bark at nearly everything when we take him places. They have chickens where we do obedience......and boy, oh boy does he like those! The trainer used some bitter apple spray to quell his barking and that worked very well. We are also going to enroll him in a basic obedience class at either Canine Action Sports in Canton or WAGS in June. The more we can get him out and about the better. It's going to take time and patience for him to feel secure and not bark at everything....but I know that will come. He is a *very* smart dog. He loves riding in the car too. So much that if we leave a car door open, the next thing we know Jake is in, sitting down and ready to go--whether he is supposed to go or not!! Belle really hates the car as she used to get sick. So this is a big change for us....for the better!

At home he is a dream! So, so sweet and playful. I attached some more pics. He and Belle are becoming fast friends.

~Annie Douglas

Dog Obedience is going great. He is so smart and wants to please. He is also very enthusiastic! He began the sessions barking alot at the other dogs and people and now this last time (Saturday) he didn't mutter even a growl when we first got there. We think alot of his barking has to do with insecurity in new situations and that is improving alot! We take him in town for walks and to my husband's business for socializing and this helps alot too.

Belle really likes Jake now. They cooperatively play every day and we nickname them the "Dinosaurs" as they tumble and play. There is no possessiveness about toys except each dog always wanting what the other has. But there is no aggression on Jake's part anymore about the toys. Larry got Jake a glow-in-the dark ball that he plays "night ball" with Jake. This is so fun for both of them! It's really helpful if we've been away for the evening and Jake is full of energy when we get home. He still loves the Frisbee and Kong throw toys too.

Jake is the ultimate retriever! We are so pleased that he found a home with us where he can be outside alot and have the ability to run and retrieve daily. He learned our Invisible Fence in 3 weeks. This dog would not do well in an apartment or city dwelling. It's in his blood to be outside and moving. I credit your organization for realizing this and placing him in a home that would provide this for him.

Jake has free roam of the house almost all the time. The only exception is if we are going to be away for more than a few hours. We will crate him and he still goes in the crate freely and easily. He has chewed a few items in the house if we have been way for a while. So this avoids that problem. I think as he ages, this habit will get better. He still acts like a puppy in so many ways.

Attached are some pictures from Saturday at 4-H Dog Obedience. Our daughter Emily - age 17 now (in the plaid top) will be showing Jake in the Wayne Co Fair Dog Show in September as a sub Nov B. In our 4-H group, there are 3 Goldens, 2 Bichons, a poodle, a Lab mix and the instructor's border collie and toy fox terrier. They are currently working on heeling, sit, down, sit stay and down stay. He's doing great. They also do a little agility as a fun diversion for the kids and dogs. Feel free to forward the pics to whomever at GRIN.

Thanks again for placing this great dog with us. He feels like he's always been with us. It's been a great thing for Belle too. She's become more active and playful for an old Golden girl.

The Douglas'

Annie, Larry, Emily, Peter, Molly, Belle (adopted from Golden Endings) and Jake ( GRIN) & cat: Dala