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New Stories Coming Soon! If you have adopted a dog from us and have a success story, please submit it to us. Some of the pictures below may get larger by clicking on them.
From Satin's new companion...
As a happy resident in a state-of-the-art retirement center in Arizona, I actively take part in all the recreation and fun activities available. Thank Heaven, I am very athletic.
My daughter, who lives out of town, decided I was getting "crotchety in my old age" and needed to adopt a Golden Retriever from the rescue society she volunteers for.
"Satin" (formerly Nena) arrived a month ago. She put my personal trainer out of a job. At 22 months of age she is better at the "terrible two's" than my 2-year old granddaughter who has never followed me around with a toy in her mouth.
She, Satin, is faster than Seattle Slew and smarter than Bill Gates. My office, with it's new tile floors, is much roomier than her crate so it has become "her room."
She lets me work there so I can pay the bills and assure her security.
She loves to visit the "Lonely neighbors" who didn't know they were lonely until she started visiting.
My new plush, white carpet is now covered with her rugs. She knows only that she lays on her rugs on top of my rug.
By now, you have surmised that I just remodeled my house prior to her arrival. I had two new custom sofa's made so they fit perfectly in the small space allocated to them. Satin thought they were her step-stools so she could better see out the bay windows. She has since learned that we do not share everything.
Oh yes, she minds very well. Knows all her commands and executes same on demand. She eats very well, twice a day, dog food only. I swore if and when I ever got another dog, I would feed it only dog food and dog treats. My last dog was on the expensive Weight Watchers and diet ice cream.
I have deco Band-Aids in a lattice design up both of my forearms as older skin bruises much easier. When friends say, "What happened?" I say, "I just got a dog." I should get smart and wear arm guards and shin guards or else long sleeve shirts -- but, in a 100+ degrees?
Satin has pinned more guilt trips on me in one month than my daughter did in 18 years. I haven't been to the casino since she arrived. I do all my errands at top speed. My car is on the wanted list by the local police.
I meet my dates at the front door with a lint roller in my hand so they'll know they don't have to leave with 'love' hair all over them.
We play off and on all day, after we have walked two miles every morning. Finally at 8 p.m., I sit down to read or watch TV sports. She is right there with a toy. I ignore that. Then, a head goes in my lap with those big golden eyes looking up, and I have learned not to make eye contact or she's there for the night. Finally she takes the hint and lays down. Head on foot, my foot. This will be okay when and if the temperature in Arizona ever gets under 70 degrees.
At 9:30 p.m. she is tired and goes to bed, on her own. I am too tired to get up and fasten the pet gate that assures she'll sleep in her own room all night. But, she sleeps soundly until whatever time I come to her room and say, "Good morning sweet thing."
A friend of mine told me I needed to get another dog to keep her company... Isn't that too cute?
I have had several dogs who were "eat and sleep" dogs. I have never had a Golden who seems to be a new part of my body. I am reading books about Goldens - finally one said, "At age two they suddenly become adults." I have 50 days to go with this very active puppy. I made it these 60+ years, what's fifty more days?
More after she becomes and adult...
Diana, our feisty, full of herself puppy from the Greek Golden Litter was recently adopted by a family who has a 3 year old male Golden named "Argos". They have become Greek Soul-Mates and the adoptive family just sent us this update:
"Just wanted to give a status report on Diana. She is doing wonderfully with Argos. It took them a couple days to get used to each other, but now they will play all day. She is doing well in the house training dept., (today was accident-free!).
She is still trying to get us up at night to go outside. We have had varying degrees of success with that, but it is slowly improving.
She is VERY smart, and has a great deal of personality. She enjoys stealing Argos' toys, bones, and whatever else she can find, and hold her own when they play. He is very good with her! We've introduced her to the park with short walks on the leash and let her splash in the creek, which she loves. She heels naturally, so that is a battle we won't have to fight. (Argos took a long time to learn that one!)"
UPDATE ON Diana (8/25/99)
After a couple days of getting used to each other and learning how to share, they have become inseparable companions. They love to wrestle, even though Argos outweighs Diana by 60 lbs...as you can see from the pictures, she can hold her own (It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog...). She is a snuggler, and knows how to use her feminine whiles to get what she wants (we are firm, but fair!). Diana's latest feat has been learning to open the door (she uses the doorknob!). She is excellent on the leash and loves to splash in the creek in the park. Diana knows a couple commands and she hopes to begin obedience (and maybe agility training) very soon. In addition, Argos has never been happier.
EDITORS NOTE: Sorry this is out of order time-wise, but we just got it in and wanted to make sure people got a chance to see it...
I adopted Kosmo in late winter / spring of 1998. He and Madison my other male golden are doing just great. We are currently in Northern Idaho where I am attending graduate school. Kosmo recieved the cold white powdery stuff pretty well - he loves it. We live on a small ranch (120 ac) where there is an abundance of wildlife, ponds, streams, mountains and wide open fields. I have attached some pictures of the two dogs, Kosmo is the darker and shorter one. Hope everything is going well. Your organization is doing a great thing, the pictures are proof.
"Winchester" is a beautiful 4-5 year old dark red male who was found by some college students around a lake in the College Station area. When they found him, they discovered he’d been shot in the front leg. They brought him back to Austin and took him to a vet who contacted GRR. He underwent major surgery to repair his leg and is now doing great. He had 5 pins in place holding the leg while it healed which were finally removed recently after more than 3 months.
He has made a full recovery and is looking forward to getting out of confinement. (He wasn’t allowed to go on walks, retrieve or exert himself in any way). He’s a lovely, well mannered gentleman who loves people. Winchester has been formally adopted by his foster Dad who takes him to work with him.
His owner reports the following "Winchester at the office" stories: "He’s settling in at the office nicely. When he wants to go out, he gets his leash off the chair and presents it to whomever he wants to take him out for his stroll. If they don’t pay attention to him, he has been know to jump in their laps or in one case, on the desk!"
"He’s also got both the FedEx and UPS guys trained. The other day, I found him chewing something and said ‘what do you have’, the FedEx guy looked at me and said ‘uh, I brought him a treat’! The next day the same thing happened with the UPS guy! I don’t get it, he doesn’t like any of the 147 brands of treats I’ve bought for him but he loves them from these guys!"
"He’s actually really calm and sedate. He plays on his own schedule. Every afternoon, about 3-4 o’clock, he gets his ball and brings it to me. We go to the back area where there’s a little more room and roll the ball around the cubicles or play ‘chase’ for a few minutes."
Belsa was adopted in May after her original family found out they were being transferred out of the country . . . . . Korea! In anticipation of this they made up poster with a picture of her and her family along side a "story" about her, explaining how sweet she was and that she needed a new home. They were unsuccessful, but then found GRR. Said her new family
Belsa was exactly what we were looking for. She wasn't too big, quite petite, not too hairy, and out of the puppy stage. (She turned six on June 1st) Her little pink nose threw us off at first, but now we think it's just the cutest thing! She's settling in slowly, but well. Trying to reassure her that she is safe and loved and won't be left. My six year old proudly has given up his "baby pillow" to welcome her. Funny thing is she uses it! We started "clicker training" two weeks ago and found out quickly that she is "sound sensitive." So, when she does a particular behavior correct, we use a key word instead of the clicker. True to Golden form, she learns quickly, eager to please. We have nicknamed her "Speedbump." Why? Because she's happiest just laying at your feet doing absolutely nothing! We've bought an array of toys, all GRR approved, but nothing gets her very excited.............except when it's time for her to go for a walk. She loves her walks. Any other time, she's just happy to have someone petting her or having someone near her. We are happy to have her as part as our family.
Belsa relaxing at her new home (click on the image for a full size)
Puppy Artemis (one of the greek golden puppies) has been renamed “Magnolia”. She was adopted by a family with 5-year-old daughter Rachel and 10-year-old Crocker (canine). Crocker was adopted from Golden Retriever Rescue In Nebraska, GRRIN.
On 06/05/99 Magnolia’s mom reported, “Magnolia spent the morning playing in the mud with Rachel & Crocker. Rachel & Magnolia both had baths afterwards, but Crocker managed to stay clean.” Rachel enjoys dressing Magnolia in baby clothes. Rachel got Magnolia a new pink collar “with diamonds!” Magnolia likes to catch June bugs and, much to her mother’s distress, eat them. Rachel & Magnolia’s new game: “Apartments.” Each of them gets in a kennel, and then they both howl. Mom reports that Magnolia is a happy puppy. The family adores her.
Puppy Athena (one of the greek golden puppies) was accepted into GRRIN’s program, for immediate adoption. She flew in her crate, in a private airplane from Austin to Nebraska. Athena & her pilot ducked thunderstorms and flew through rain. The wild weather didn’t bother Miss Athena one bit. “I tucked her in with plenty of soft towels and some toys. She snoozed during the first leg of the trip. We landed in Oklahoma City where she had a drink of water, a light snack, and a walk in the grass where she did ‘good potties outside’. We hopped back into the plane & Athena took another two hour nap.” A GRRIN volunteer met well-rested Athena at the Millard, Nebraska airport.
Now Athena shares her home with old golden Calvin, also a GRRIN dog. “Athena was eating Calvin’s food, and Calvin was eating Athena’s food!” (Meals are now monitored.)
2-year-old Casey grew up at a feedlot in Nebraska. He wanted human contact so much that he chased cattle trucks for up to 5 miles, hoping for a ride & some fun. His original owners tied his leash to a tire, in the hopes that he would stay home. Instead Casey kept on traveling, tire bouncing behind him, muscles and determination growing.
Casey was admitted into Golden Retriever Rescue In Nebraska, GRRIN. His foster family polished Casey’s manners & taught him to be a polite housedog. In the meantime, Gold Ribbon Rescue of Austin had plenty of adoptive homes but a shortage of goldens. The two rescues joined forces, and arranged for Casey to travel to Texas, by car and then by airplane.
Casey’s adoptive mom has just begun obedience class with her athletic & energetic boy. They will use “clicker training” and positive reinforcement to remind Casey to walk politely on a lead. In the meantime, Casey can be spotted walking (leashed, of course) at Town Lake with his new best friend, 4-year-old golden girl O’Malley.
Glory is actually a dog we placed in the Texas Hearing and Service Dogs some time ago. However, I just received this story and thought I would pass it on.
OK ..... get ready for a heart clenching, tear jerker .... of the sort of good kind overall. I was holding my breath, expecting the worst as he told this.
Chad and Glory went to their Wal-Mart. No problem. EXCEPT, when he was reloading, after he sent Glory to her place, somehow he fell over sideways.
Didn’t fall out but I guess he and the wheelchair fell over. And apparently he had to park farther away than usual or something; anyway, no one was walking by and no one even noticed his predicament. He said it was as though Glory knew something serious was happening. He called her down to him, told her "right side" (yeah agility training!!!) and she stood and braced (an exercise she’s not too fond of) while he got himself back up. She then picked up everything he dropped during the fall. He didn’t need anymore assistance; they "fluffed their feathers" and returned home. WOW!!!!!! (choke back the tears)
Biscuit & her brother Tucker were surrendered because their owners divorced & moved to apartments. Once house dogs, they had been relegated to the backyard for a long, long time. The two-year-old littermates were born & raised in California. When they entered Rescue, their long, full showdog-type coats were so heavily matted that GRR volunteers spent many hours brushing, grooming, and eventually shaving away some of the tangled fur.
Biscuit proved to be the silly, energetic half of the duo. She knew many commands, but needed practice. We knew that she had been good with her former owner’s child. We observed that she loved to carry things in her mouth & chase balls. We did not know much else about Miss Biscuit, except that she charmed us all.
Biscuit was adopted after only 3 days in Rescue. Her new family, a father, mother and 3 young daughters gives us this happy report:
"Biscuit leaves the girls’ toys alone & only wants a tennis ball in her mouth. She LOVES to play ball. When I was trying to read, she kept bringing me her tennis ball, to entice me to play. Finally, in frustration, Biscuit laid the ball on my shoulder." On Biscuit’s first night in her new home, Dad let her out of her crate "because she looked worried". He tried letting her be loose in the bedroom. Biscuit kept going to Dad’s side of the bed & putting a tennis ball on his pillow. At 1:00 a.m., Dad put her back in her crate. She slept the rest of the night.
Says Mom: "Last night, I filled the tub to take a bath. Biscuit jumped in!" We asked Mom what was the naughtiest thing Biscuit had done. "Why, I don’t think she has done anything naughty at all. Everything is nice!"
Angus fresh from the Laredo Humane Society
Angus, a beautiful dark red boy who came to us on St. Patrick’s Day from the Laredo Animal Shelter is going to a great home with two teenage boys. He was placed with a family who could no longer keep him and ironically at about the same time, we got a call from a family who had looked at him before. They originally wanted him but had an aging, ill female Golden Retriever who was a bit afraid of his energy. She has since passed on and the family is very excited to be getting Angus at last. He will have a huge yard and lots of attention from his new family. Best wishes to Angus and his new family!
Zeus & Hera, Parents of the Puppies (6/9/99)
However, since you are here, I though you might like to hear about Zeus and Hera, the parents of the puppies...
Here is a picture of Zeus and the "puppy coordinator" for the Southwest Guidedog Foundation who adopted Zeus. If he makes it through the one week city trials and passes the vet clearance, he will go into guide dog training! Zeus is the papa of the petfest puppies. The mama of the pups, Hera, is also to go to Southwest Guide Dog Foundation on the same criteria, she leaves in a couple of weeks, after she recovers from her spay surgery.
UPDATE ON HERA, AT SOUTH WEST GUIDE DOGS (8/20/99)
Mark Hartridge of SouthWest Guide Dogs had hip x-rays taken of Hera recently. They showed “a slight misformation of the hip joint, but not bad. There is some flattening of the head of the bone, and movement in the joint. Hera would be more prone to dysplasia than a dog with a better-formed hip. Still, if we had done an OFA rating of the hip, we would have classified it as normal.”
Mark plans to keep Hera in the guide dog program. She has 6 more months of training ahead of her. During that time Mark will watch for clinical signs of discomfort. Hesitation when jumping in or out of the car, sitting funny or tiring easily would indicate that she has arthritic change. If all continues well, Mark will wait until the end of the 6 months to do a final x-ray, for comparison. If they see problems (“doubtful”) they will pull her from the guide dog program.
If all is good, she will be matched with her human. “Hera is likely to be fine. Since she is a sensitive girl, she will not need to be really strong. I imagine she might be an older lady’s dog.”
Mark asks that Gold Ribbon Rescue notify him with any hip reports from Hera’s Greek Golden litter between now and February of 2000.
Hera has become “the Mom of the bunch” at Mark’s house. He is training two young males, in addition to Mama Hera. “I’ve never seen anything like it. Every evening, Hera washes the boys’ faces. They close their eyes as she lick, lick, licks their entire face…the eyes, the ears, all over. They love it.” Mark reports that Hera is happy, weighs 55 lbs., and still has her girlish figure.
UPDATE ON HERA, AT SOUTH WEST GUIDE DOGS (8/2/99)
Mark Hartridge, Hera’s trainer reports, “I just got back from vacation and picked up Hera at Peggy the dogsitter’s house. Peggy was impressed -- Hera was a good polite girl who enjoyed both Peggy’s family and their company.” Mark plans to do Hera’s health check, including hip, elbow & shoulder x-rays in mid August.
“When walking in crowds, Hera used to stop to meet every single person. With continued practice, she is getting used to people and learning to walk past them. Hera is not yet walking slightly ahead of me, to lead. She needs to do this, to guide a blind person. I think this will come with confidence and experience. Hera is quick to decide that new things are okay. This shows her resilience.
At South West Guide Dogs, we need our dogs to be sensitive, so that force is unnecessary. Their person needs to be able to explain what is needed with just voice correction or voice control. It is difficult to find that delicate balance between sensitive and overly sensitive dogs. Hera fits that fine line.
I have figured out that heat is what tires Hera. She is not interested in taking her mid-day walk. We will take that into account, when matching her with her human. We will look for someone who is not outside in the heat of the day. I am compensating for this during training, by taking Hera to air conditioned shopping malls.
Hera is very happy with me. She was glad to see me when I returned from vacation, and likes to play with the other dog I am training. After I picked her up this morning, I brought her round to the office to say hello. She is quite social. Hera also likes to practice. Most dogs get excited to go for walks, but she also gets excited when she sees her practice harness come out. She is having a very good time.”
LATEST NEWS ON HERA (6/26/99)
Mark Hartridge of South West Guide Dog Foundation phoned today, to report on Hera’s first two weeks. You will recall that Hera is the Mama of the Greek Golden pups. Says Mark, “Hera spent her first week here in San Antonio settling in & relaxing. This last week, I’ve done testing & training with Hera, and I’m quite pleased so far. She does seem to be slightly sound shy (pretty minor), so she needs more exposure to new sounds. Hera walks nicely on her leash & gets lots of attention. When in crowds, she tends to stop & look at each person. I’m not sure if she is looking for someone in particular, or if she just finds people interesting. At any rate, we do a lot of stopping & starting. Her house behavior is good – she is quiet, good, and playful with the other dog that I am training.” Mark notices that Hera tires quickly, and needs to build stamina. We can assume that this is the result of poor nutrition, having puppies, and then being recently spayed. Mark went on: “I will plan to spend another 2 weeks continuing with Hera’s temperament testing. If all goes well, the next step will be her health checks, including hip x-rays. Hera is an easy girl to live with, and is adapting well compared to other dogs we work with.”