WATUSI

Meet Watusi aka Toast – a Golden Retriever learning how to be a dog!<br/><br/>Toast is a beautiful Golden Retriever who came to us after spending her life as a breeder dog. Because of that past, the world as a “normal dog” is very new and very overwhelming for her. She doesn’t yet have confidence in herself, and she’s still learning what safety, comfort, and routine feel like.<br/><br/>Toast is extremely fearful. She often runs from room to room and startles easily, but when expectations are clear and consistent, she does better. Structure helps her feel safe. Sudden changes do not.<br/><br/>A secure, fenced-in yard is an absolute requirement for Toast. She does not reliably go to the bathroom on a leash, and forcing that expectation causes her significant stress. The fenced yard is NOT optional. A quiet, calm home with no children is suggested.<br/><br/>She will also need at least one other dog in the home. That dog must be:<br/> • Confident and emotionally steady<br/> • Respectful of boundaries<br/> • Not overly playful or pushy<br/><br/>Toast does not know how to play with other dogs yet. She benefits from calm canine companionship rather than interaction-driven friendship.<br/><br/>Because of her fear and past trauma, Toast will not be adopted outright. Her adoption will involve:<br/> • Multiple meet-and-greets<br/> • Visits at her current home<br/> • Gradual introductions to the potential new home<br/><br/>This process is necessary for her emotional safety and success.<br/><br/>Toast’s last adoption attempt was unsuccessful and ended in a hunger strike, reinforcing how deeply stress affects her. For this reason, we are looking for a very specific home—one that understands fearful dogs, moves slowly, and measures progress in weeks and months, not days.<br/><br/>Toast is not a project, a fixer-upper, or a dog who will “come around” quickly. She is a sensitive soul who needs patience, predictability, and compassion. In the right home, with the right expectations, she can continue learning that the world is not always scary—and that she is finally safe.<br/><br/>If you believe you may be the right fit for Toast and are committed to a slow, thoughtful process, please reach out for more information. <br/><br/>She is approx. 72 lbs. and approx. 5 years of age. <br/><br/>An applicaton can be found on our website. Once approved the can begin.<br/><br/>PSL#5506

Meet Watusi aka Toast – a Golden Retriever learning how to be a dog!

Toast is a beautiful Golden Retriever who came to us after spending her life as a breeder dog. Because of that past, the world as a “normal dog” is very new and very overwhelming for her. She doesn’t yet have confidence in herself, and she’s still learning what safety, comfort, and routine feel like.

Toast is extremely fearful. She often runs from room to room and startles easily, but when expectations are clear and consistent, she does better. Structure helps her feel safe. Sudden changes do not.

A secure, fenced-in yard is an absolute requirement for Toast. She does not reliably go to the bathroom on a leash, and forcing that expectation causes her significant stress. The fenced yard is NOT optional. A quiet, calm home with no children is suggested.

She will also need at least one other dog in the home. That dog must be:
• Confident and emotionally steady
• Respectful of boundaries
• Not overly playful or

Meet Watusi aka Toast – a Golden Retriever learning how to be a dog!

Toast is a beautiful Golden Retriever who came to us after spending her life as a breeder dog. Because of that past, the world as a “normal dog” is very new and very overwhelming for her. She doesn’t yet have confidence in herself, and she’s still learning what safety, comfort, and routine feel like.

Toast is extremely fearful. She often runs from room to room and startles easily, but when expectations are clear and consistent, she does better. Structure helps her feel safe. Sudden changes do not.

A secure, fenced-in yard is an absolute requirement for Toast. She does not reliably go to the bathroom on a leash, and forcing that expectation causes her significant stress. The fenced yard is NOT optional. A quiet, calm home with no children is suggested.

She will also need at least one other dog in the home. That dog must be:
• Confident and emotionally steady
• Respectful of boundaries
• Not overly playful or pushy

Toast does not know how to play with other dogs yet. She benefits from calm canine companionship rather than interaction-driven friendship.

Because of her fear and past trauma, Toast will not be adopted outright. Her adoption will involve:
• Multiple meet-and-greets
• Visits at her current home
• Gradual introductions to the potential new home

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