22-043 Marley is a 4-year-old, rather energetic, ball-obsessed purebred Golden Retriever. The reason for surrender: new baby. They thought Marley was too
active to be around a baby. This beautiful but somewhat overweight girl had
never been spayed. She needed all our standard vetting: vaccines and tests for
heartworm and valley fever. Just after she came to AGR, she went into heat.
We kept her in boarding at Academy West Animal Hospital rather than expect a foster to keep her safe and away from any amorous males that might be in the neighborhood. 20 days later, we moved her to a foster home, but the resident dog did not accept her. He constantly wanted to play; she wasn’t interested. She only had eyes for a ball – any ball. The vet at AW had started her on fluoxetine for anxiety . The fosters continued the med and stepped down the dosage as recommended. The fosters were gracious enough to keep Marley until we found a home with no other dogs, which we did in just a few days. She is now in her forever home with an adopter in Rio Verde . The adopter had not had a dog for 16 years and is thrilled to now have Marley keeping her company. She takes her everywhere. Marley especially enjoys car rides and swimming at the adopter's friend’s house . Since she mentioned to the AGR transporter that she was interested in going hiking with Marley, the transporter advised that she get Marley snake trained at Partners Dog Training School in Cave Creek and to purchase a set of dog booties to protect her feet from hot pavement and rough trails. Good advice. A month after her heat cycle had ended, Marley was finally spayed; she recovered well from the surgery. When asked for a follow-up statement, the adopter said: 

I've had her now two months. She is one very happy Golden! We walk the golf course in the mornings (where no one is), we play "chuck" the ball in the nearest dog park, and she loves riding in the car to any destination! She's by my side nearly constantly. When she's really happy she sits close beside me and makes a noisy "Huuumm." It’s the funniest thing I've experienced with a Golden. Her nick name is "Velcro”.