#4700 Maggie

LOCATION: COLLINGWOOD, ON

• Affectionate, playful, smart
• Needs a calm, quiet adult-only family
• Loves car rides, water, toys & hiking
• Needs time & patience to settle & trust
• 62 lbs

Hi, I’m Maggie and I’m living proof that a little time, patience, and kindness can change just about everything ~ as I’m a whole new Maggie. When I first arrived to Golden Rescue, the world felt like a very scary place. Unfamiliar people, unexpected touches, and busy situations could overwhelm me, and when I was frightened, I sometimes barked, growled or lunged before I had time to understand what was happening. Then something wonderful happened: I learned that I didn’t have to handle everything by myself. With calm guidance and someone I could trust, I began to pause, watch, and look to my person for help. The change has been rather remarkable ~ even if I do say so myself. With my current foster family, I now welcome familiar visitors, calmly watch people and other dogs in public, and was even happy and curious at the vet. Yes, the vet…please hold your applause until the end. Today, I’m an affectionate, playful, and very clever four-year-old girl. I give gentle kisses, love car rides, water, toys, sniffaris, and hikes…and I am equally talented at curling up on my special couch spot for a Blue Jays game. I don’t need constant entertainment. Mostly, I just want to share everyday life with someone I love. I do come with my own running commentary. When I’m excited or uncertain or when another dog is behaving like a hooligan, I may bark or grumble and try to restore order. My voice can sound rather dramatic; however, it’s my way of communicating. A calm person who listens to me and steps in early can help me settle again. I’m looking for one or two patient, confident adults in a quiet rural or suburban home with no children. I could happily be your one and only or  perhaps live with one calm, mature dog who respects my space. Young, wild or pushy playmates are not for me and since no one knows what I think of cats, a cat-free home would be safest. My new family will need to let me land softly. That means quiet first weeks, supervised freedom, gentle handling, and no dog parks, forced greetings or crowded welcome parties. Grooming and handling still take trust, so I need someone who will notice my signals and never push me beyond what I can manage. I can be left for six to eight hours, although having my person home
more often would be lovely. I’m not looking for someone who will test how far I’ve come. I’m looking for someone who will protect how far I’ve come. The frightened girl I once was is still part of my story…it just isn’t the ending.