Mica our fifth Golden Retriever was another dog that came to us from Maggie. We got her a few months before we had to sadly say farewell to Fern.
Micas journey to us began shortly after she had her 3rd litter. She developed gangrene in one of her mammary glands. As a result she had to be separated from her pups and was off to the vet to have surgery.
Surgery went well the affected mammary removed and Mica made a good recovery however her days of having pups were over.
Maggie decided to have her fostered and she went to a family in the area things however it didn’t work out.
On a visit to see how Mica was getting on it was apparent that things were not working out! Maggie found Mica huddled in a corner not looking very happy at all. Only one thing to do she put a lead on Mica and took her back home!
We don’t know what happened to Mica when she was with the foster family but it had affected her. She had become nervous and indrawn. Maybe it was the result of what went on with the foster family.
Maybe it was related to having had her litter taken off her when she needed veterinary care.
As we knew Mica and Maggie knew Ferns days were drawing to a close she asked if we would like to have her. She knew we would give her a good home and help her through whatever had traumatised her.
When Mica first came to stay she was so nervous and insecure. We used to say she was somewhat neurotic! It didn’t however take us to long to gain her trust though and start rebuilding her confidence.
I would sit on the floor and simply let her come over to me in her own time. Without really looking at her I would gently fuss her. Before long she would come over and sit leaning into me. This progressed to lying down then to lying down with her head on my legs.
From the outset Mica was clearly a dog that needed to know she was loved. She craved the security of being close to us and being fussed. If Ember (her daughter) is lying close to us she will squeeze herself in to any gap to make sure she is closest forcing Ember to shift!
Mica was a bit like a shepherd! If Anne and I went out to walk the dogs together or we had family with us then, until her and Ember were off the lead Mica had to be at the back with everyone else visible in front. If someone fell behind she would stop and pretty much refuse to budge until order was restored!
Once off the lead it was a different ball game! Mica would be off doing her own thing and so long as she knew roughly where we all were she was happy.
Mica is like her grandmother Fern – very intelligent – very adept at letting you know what she wants! She loves eye contact with us she will look straight in to your eyes. You can read her from the expression she’ll put on.
Mica was about 4 1/2 years old when we got her. She’s now in her 12th year so an old girl now. She’s slowed down a lot in the last 12 months which is no surprise when you thing in our terms she’s roughly a 77 year old! Slow or not she’s still a fantastic dog with bags of personality.
