Junior

Seeking my forever home and doggie sibling -- TLDR (too long, don't read): just come meet me!

My name is Junior and I'm a very cute six-month old golden puppy. The neurologist did a very thorough test (an MRI) this week and said I was born missing part of my brain. Well, that explains a lot! But you know what? I actually do really well, especially considering that partial brain situation. Right now, for example, I'm snuggling with my foster mom, and my two foster dog brothers are on the sofa next to us. I sleep in my crate all night like a good boy and jump out in the morning to go potty outside and then like a typical golden, I am looking for my breakfast (because, you know, like almost all goldens, I am starving!). I like to explore the backyard, and I can safely navigate a pool cover, because I'm pretty clever after all. Sometimes I run through the house and around the backyard with the zoomies, again, just like a regular pup. I love wrestling and snuggling with my foster brother Remy who is a big dog and has shown me the ropes around his house. This week, foster mom got us some yak chews, and those are fun to munch on!

Here's my dream list of a forever home:

• Adults only, with someone around most of the time who is patient with me and understands that I sometimes have accidents in the house even though I don't mean to and sometimes bite when I'm anxious or stressed • A relatively quiet home, because noise and visitors and chaos stress me out since I don’t know what's happening (the connections between my brain and eyes don't work so I can't see) • Single story home without a pool • A human lap to snuggle into • A big dog like Remy who can show me the ropes and is tolerant of my shenanigans • Snacks, lots of snacks :)

Bonuses you're probably not expecting with a special needs puppy:

• I won't chew up your favorite shoes or flip flops you leave on the floor because I'm bored (foster mom has lost many of those to other puppies and thinks this is very impressive) • Toys will last longer with me, because I don't have an obsession that drives me to surgically remove the squeaker from a new toy in one minute or less (like a certain large red foster brother does) • I will not exhaust you with my exercise needs since I'm happy to run around the backyard and in the house • I am an excellent lap warmer • I'm very good at napping for a while during the day in my crate if you need to go out and do errands or walk your other dog – I just like you to leave me some treats in a food ball in my crate • I will help tire out your other dog, because I will wrestle with them and chase them around, especially if they have a fluffy tail - I love the whoosh! • I am pretty good at traveling in the car

My "shortcomings" (foster mom says we have to include these as full disclosure so you know all about me):

• I can't control my mouth fully, so sometimes I bite hard when I am stressed or afraid, please know this is not intentional and that I also have a soft mouth at times and give kisses when I'm calm • I don't have complete control of my elimination functions (big words for a little guy). I am working on this and think a home where the humans have a less busy schedule and only one dog might be able to help me more with this. Foster mom is trying to get me used to belly bands, and let’s just say that's a work in progress.

COME MEET ME!

My foster mom and I have been together for 2 1/2 months, so she knows me pretty well. Not to state the obvious, but she thinks I'm awesome and that there's a great home out there for me. Can you please help us find it?

Junior wants to meet you - and your dog!

Junior has settled into the routine at his foster home, where he lives with 2 golden boys and another foster golden. He is on deck for an MRI in the next week to see what is going on in his brain, so we should have more info soon. In the meantime, we'd love to find a potential forever family for him - he is such a good boy and growing a lot! He's doing well navigating even though he's blind, and he's started going on leash walks, although those are hit or miss since he can't see where he's going! He enjoys getting out but is frightened by car noises. Junior would love an adult dog of his own who will play with him like foster dog Sadie did and foster brother Remy does. Junior loves morning and evening snuggles with the humans. It would be wonderful to find him a home where there is one or more patient adult around most of the time to help him adjust to his new home. Junior is being fostered in Walnut Creek and his foster mom would love to tell you all about him!

Special needs puppy looking for special family

Junior is a 4-month old golden puppy who came to NGRR from a shelter where we had been in foster care for almost 3 months. He's now 4 months old and is doing great, all things considered. He's an adventurous puppy who likes to explore and play with his foster dog siblings. And he likes the evening snuggles with his foster mom. Junior may have a congenital brain issue and will be seeing a neurologist in a couple of weeks for further assessment. The eye doctor says that Junior is completely blind, and he has some issues with his gait and grinds his teeth when frustrated. He continues to amaze his foster mom - after just 72 hours, he learned how to get himself off the pool cover when she calls his name. He runs around the backyard and hops like a bunny sometimes, to the delight of all who see him. Junior would love a family with a doggie sibling so they can show him the ropes, as well as someone who is home most of the time. Teenage or older kids only, since he does occasionally bite and could hurt little kiddos unintentionally. We're working on potty training. Junior is being fostered in Walnut Creek and would love to meet you!

Junior meets Sadie (first video, more forthcoming)!

Check out their first video here: https://tinyurl.com/SadieandJuniormeet