Chief was brought to an animal hospital suffering from skin and ear infections that made him extremely uncomfortable. His owners could not afford his medical care and they requested that he be euthanized. The vet on staff over a busy holiday saw that Chief was a very nice boy and requested that the owners sign him over to the clinic instead of ending his life. The owners agreed, and the vet immediately contacted YGRR. The vet took Chief home with him that night and the next day our kennel manager went to pick him up. Chief was four-years-old.

Chief arrived at Riverview with a soft toy in his mouth, singing away, and was an instant hit with everyone. He was nervous from all the abrupt changes in his life, but he was anxious to please and was just the sweetest boy. He would squint his eyes and wag his tail and he always went everywhere with his favorite toy, a little stuffed dog that looked surprisingly like him! He was a very handsome boy, too, though he came in sporting a totally shaved body, courtesy of the vet hospital in an effort to help clear up his infections.

Chief was placed on a special diet and medications to make him more comfortable. His ears and paws were inflamed and he had developed a raging staph infection. He was also positive for Lyme Disease, Anaplasmosis, and Giardia. Allergy testing revealed that Chief was allergic to dust and mold mites. Despite his health issues, Chief was always sweet and cooperative. He tolerated his medicated baths and ear cleanings like a gentleman. He was also placed on a diet and over the course of the next several months he went from 110 pounds to a much more svelte 88 pounds!

Chief’s infections slowly began to clear up, and he was finally ready to start looking for his adoptive home. Luckily for Chief, a wonderful couple, who had recently lost their beloved Golden, Taz, was ready to open their hearts and home to another dog in need. They instantly fell in love with Chief, who “sang” and showed off a toy or tennis ball throughout the entire appointment!

Now Chief is a happy, well-loved, and well-cared-for boy in his new home! He had a rocky start with his skin issues flaring up immediately, but after some terrific follow-up care, Chief is now a happy and healthy boy! His adopters are vigilant about staying on top of his health issues. In return, Chief is a very well-behaved boy and he shows his gratitude by always greeting his adopters at the door with his beloved stuffed toy! Besides his toys, he also loves to cuddle. He was initially anxious when he was left home alone, but now he is content to go to his comfy bed upstairs for a snooze. Everyone he meets on his daily walks says how sweet he is, and his family agrees. Chief is a gem!

Chief thanks you for your support. This charming and gentle boy would not have had a chance at many more years of life if not for the generosity of our donors and volunteers. We are only able to take dogs such as Chief from vet hospitals when owners would otherwise have no choice but to euthanize them because we have the financial support to accept their care. Thanks to you, Chief can look forward to many wonderful years ahead!

Sweet, five-year-old Rosie was surrendered to Rescue when her owner had to move due to a divorce. She had owned Rosie for two years, and described Rosie as loving but shy. Rosie’s owner loved her and wanted her to go to just the right home. With YGRR’s emphasis on matching each dog to the right situation, she had faith that Rosie would be in good hands.

Rosie was examined by our veterinarian where she was given a clean bill of health. Rosie settled into her new routine at Riverview. She loved to spend time outside in the grass playyards, and she enjoyed playing with stuffed animals and rope toys in the home simulation room. She also loved belly rubs and any attention. She walked well on a leash, though she might hesitate at new sights.

Rosie needed a quiet home where she could have plenty of time to gain confidence as she got to know her adopter. Luckily for her, we knew just the right fit! Rosie now lives with an experienced adopter who was missing her last adopted Golden. She was looking for another family member to love, one who could share walks and playtime and would welcome her grandchildren over for visits.

Rosie is gaining confidence in her new home day by day. When she first arrived, Rosie managed to make it up the stairs, but then was too scared and had to be carried back down! Rosie’s adopter is working with a trainer to ensure that she does everything correctly and doesn’t reinforce Rosie’s fears. Rosie adores the grandchildren, who accompanied her adopter to the adoption appointment. She has also spent time at the small bookstore where her adopter works. As a result of her new owner’s patience and commitment, Rosie is blossoming into a charming and joyful Golden girl!

Rosie thanks you for your support. Our program is unique in that we carefully match each dog to the right new home. Your donations allow us to give each dog as much time as necessary to settle in, letting us get to know them so we can make the match most suitable for each dog’s personality and needs. Our costs per dog greatly outweigh our adoption fees, and your generosity gives us the freedom to give each dog as much time as they need to find the perfect new home. Thank you!

Sir Henry came to Rescue after we received a call from a shelter. Henry’s owner had surrendered him to the shelter after losing her home. Although Henry was a very loving and playful seven-year-old boy, he was very underweight and had a poor coat. He also had one eye that was cloudy and would need to be examined. He appeared to be blind in that eye. The shelter knew he was a fantastic dog and they wanted him to get the proper medical treatment.

Our transportation volunteers picked Henry up and bring him to one of our vet clinics. There, Henry had a complete physical exam and was neutered. He was also treated for a urinary tract infection. Thin was an understatement – Sir Henry was close to 20 pounds underweight! There was no apparent medical reason for his emaciated state, and we began feeding him four meals a day. It was painful to look at him, as we could see all his ribs and his backbone. Luckily, Henry fattened up nicely and his hair also began to return to a healthy state.

Henry was blind in one eye due to a mature cataract that had caused retinal detachment and degeneration with chronic inflammation. The only way for him to be comfortable was to operate and remove the affected eye. This immediately made Henry feel better. Now Henry was well on his way to feeling really good for the first time in a long time.

This regal boy was loved by all who met him. Now that he was feeling better, he could be quite frisky, especially with his toys. He loved affection and was social with the other dogs. He also had a habit of standing on his back legs and waving his front paws in the air when he was excited – a trick normally reserved for toy dogs!

Now Henry lives with a wonderful family that includes 10-year-old Golden sister, Bella. Henry gets to go on several walks a day, including on nearby conservation land. His skin and coat continue to improve and Henry continues to love his food! He never wants to be far from his adopters’ side. He has taken over ownership of the loveseat, as he enjoys the view it affords him of the neighborhood! He also acts as his adopters’ personal alarm clock every morning, gently nudging them when it is time to greet the day!

Henry’s adopters report that he is a loving and affectionate dog who has stolen their hearts as well as all those he meets! “Handsome Henry,” as he has been dubbed, is right at home and his family is happy to provide him with all the attention he so enthusiastically demands! He will have only the best from now on!

Sir Henry thanks you for your support. Thanks to the generosity of supporters like you, we are able to take dogs like Henry from other shelters that are not able to afford the medical care that might be necessary with a dog like Henry. These shelters know that they can call upon us not only with healthy Goldens, but with dogs that may require extensive medical treatment. These dogs may not have had the opportunity to make it into a loving new home if we could not take them. Thank you for enabling us to continue this vital mission with your continued support!

Ten-year-old Nana was surrendered to Rescue because her owner found herself working very long hours and was unable to give Nana the attention she needed. Nana had been a big part of her family, even alerting to her son’s seizures. She was described as a very intuitive dog who would read her family’s emotions. However, now with the kids gone, Nana was simply alone too much. She voiced her distress by barking throughout the day, and the neighbors were starting to complain, as well.

Nana was picked up and brought to one of our vet hospitals. Her owner had reported that Nana was having a difficult time getting around. We found that Nana had moderate hip dysplasia in her right hip and she was placed on a joint supplement. Like many Goldens, Nana was also suffering from an ear infection, which was promptly treated. More concerning was a suspicious mass on her right side. This turned out to be a Grade II mast cell tumor. This is a common type of cancer in Goldens. The good news is that with complete removal, the prognosis is usually very good. Nana’s adopters would have to watch the area closely for any recurrence and immediately have it removed if it should come back. YGRR will pay for this future surgery if it is necessary.

Nana settled in at Riverview to recover from her medical treatments. She loved the big, grass playyards and spending time with staff and volunteers. Nana was playful and liked tennis balls (of course!). Inside, she was a true people dog and would come over and put her head in your lap!

Nana is now in her new home with retired repeat adopters who have lots of time, love, and affection for their sweet girl. Nana loves her twice-daily walks and she loves to play ball in her backyard. She enjoys car rides and will get to go on vacations with her owners, as well. Nana can’t wait to hit the beaches when the weather cooperates, either! Nana has settled in very well and her adopters report that she is just the best girl!

Nana thanks you for your support, without which we would not be able to provide the exemplary medical care and services that are given to each Golden that passes through these doors. Our expenses per dog greatly outweigh our adoption fees. Your donations ensure that we will continue to be able to take in dogs in need without regard to age or medical need. Your support allows us to stand behind dogs like Nana whose medical issues might be ongoing after adoption, so we can find a family willing to adopt a special needs dog without the concern of being able to afford an immediate vet bill. All of this is possible because of your continued generosity – thank you!