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Read This and Smile!
In celebration of the season of Thanksgiving, we thought it would be
fitting to share several of our happy ending stories which have been
made possible by the support of members and friends like you. Thanks!
Happy Endings for Girls!
Special, But Itchy, Sweeties Looking for Homes
In the Spring of 1999, YGRR had two very pretty, but extremely allergic
Golden girls who were looking for new families to love them. They had
not come from the same home, but they had become fast friends at
Riverview. Sadie, YGRR #2597 was a very sweet and beautiful,
well-behaved 3 1/2 year-old blond who had been given up because her
owners could not afford to care for her allergies. Terra, YGRR #2530
was a well-behaved and charming medium-gold 7 1/2 year-old who was
given up because her family no longer had any spare time to spend with
her. Only upon Terra's admission to one of YGRR's collaborating
veterinarians did we discover that she had severe skin problems as a
result of untreated allergies.
Sadie's condition showed immediate improvement with a special diet and
thyroid medication. (She had an untreated low thyroid on arrival and
this contributed to her skin problems.) We did not conduct allergy
tests, but we knew that such a step would be necessary if her problems
did not resolve.
Terra, on the other hand, required allergy testing. The results showed
that she was highly allergic to grasses and trees so we began treatment
with allergy shots. Her condition began to improve but we knew that she
would need to be kept on the injections for the rest of her life.
Both of these girls were lovely Goldens who had lived with children and
got along well with other dogs. Each of them would have been quickly
adopted if not for their allergies. Sadie and Terra needed adopters who
would make a big commitment of time and love to manage each of the
girls’ allergic reactions. We thought we had little hope of placing
them together but we were wrong!
What a Difference In Our Lives
Several appointments for us to visit the kennel were made and canceled
when you felt your adoptees did not match our profile, each time adding
to our eager anticipation. Finally, the call we were waiting for:
“Come on down!”
What can we say about your facility, your staff and your Goldens?
Nothing that has not already been said, we are sure, for it was, without
a doubt, a joy to behold. Pam (a kennel/adoption staff member) could
hardly contain us as we came in the door, anxious to get to the kennel.
She explained that YGRR had two orphans in mind for us.
Pam soon led us to the kennel to meet Terra and Sadie. The girls were
delightful, chasing their tennis balls and each other, and putting on
quite a show for us! Needless to say it was love at first sight, and we
knew in an instant that both would be going home with us . . . if they
could just pass the Buddy test. After a half hour of playing, Pam put
the girls in an outside kennel while I got Buddy from the car.
Buddy, 8, our own Golden orphan had been rescued from a pound in New
Jersey, coming to us seven years ago. Buddy was as heartbroken as we
were last year when our precious Goldie, 13 and Brandy, 11 both left us
behind as they headed for the Rainbow Bridge. Buddy missed his Golden
Girls as much as we did, I'm sure.
Walking past the kennels, Buddy traded sniffs with the girls, then went
in to get familiar with the yard. He was most interested in Pam as he
has a way with the ladies!
Sadie came in first, promptly grabbed Buddy's leash, and marched him
around and around the kennel. She then shook it violently while Buddy
stood patiently and tried his best to ignore her. The sight of this
relatively small Sadie (actually breed standard size) leading a docile
100 pound Buddy was more than we could handle without becoming
hysterical!
Terra began crying almost as soon as Sadie was released, she obviously
wanted to come in and join the party! She soon did, the girls resumed
their romping, sometimes involving Buddy, who still seemed more
interested in getting petted by the staff. The decision to let them
adopt us was instantaneous, and Pam headed the girls for the kennel so
they could prepare for the trip home.
Sadie went right back in, but Terra refused. She stood fast in the
yard, unwilling to move towards the door. Pam spoke to her to no avail
and explained to us that this often happened to dogs that had been
turned down for adoption in the past. Terra seemed to be saying
"Please, I played so nice, don't you want me?” Tears in her eyes, Linda
went to her, knelt down and whispered in her ear. Terra then slowly
walked to the kennel and was led inside for the last time.
We went in the house, filled out the adoption papers, took a few
pictures and headed outside to greet our new family. When Pam and her
helper brought the girls out, they went wild! Terra ran to Linda,
licking and wagging and crying, and Sadie, though more sedate, seemed
happy as well. Taking a few more pictures, getting and giving hugs, we
then loaded the girls, and Buddy of course, although he would have been
happy to stay and headed home.
It was a great ride home, three dogs in the back just like old times,
all resting comfortably and getting used to each other. Pit stops on
the way home and finally arriving home late. A walk around the block to
stretch everyone's legs and then off to bed.
As we settled in, I asked Linda what she said to Terra outside the
kennel to get her to go back in. “Well,” she said, “I told her I have
to go inside to pay for you, and you have to get ready for the trip,
because you're my girl and we're going home.”
It's been six months since that night and as wonderful as it started
out, it just keeps getting better. Terra's a ham. There's just no
other way to put it. Her eyes sparkle with delight whenever she's near,
which is all of the time. She has that look that says something between
“What can I do now to create a ruckus?” and “Don't you just love me?”
She sings when you sing to her, speaks on command, and knows every trick
in the book.
Sadie, still in shock from her change of environment, was very shy at
first. Each day, she gets better and better as she slowly works her way
out of her shell. It took her a couple of weeks before she would wag
her tail and slowly she is becoming quite the charmer. As the weeks
turned into months, she has become a constant companion, never wanting
to be left behind.
Buddy is thrilled, he is once again in the company of two gorgeous
Golden girls, an enviable position for any guy. The three of them get
along marvelously and it is not unusual to see them sacked out on the
floor, bodies touching at some point or other, creating a Golden
obstacle course for anyone passing through the room.
The girls have medical problems, as do most of our beloved breed. Both
suffer severe allergies. Sadie is allergic to everything on Earth
including food and a few things from outer space. Terra, allergic to
the outdoor stuff (ironic for a dog named after Mother Earth) gets
allergy shots regularly. Both are on special diets and medications.
Their first visit to our veterinarian was two days after we got home and
he was impressed, to say the least. Dr. Wright has treated our Goldens
for fourteen years and had cautioned us before we came to Yankee. His
concerns proved unfounded when he met the girls we brought home! His
amazement increased when we gave him copies of their medical records, he
could not believe the level of care that Yankee provides.
Linda has assumed total responsibility for the medical care of these
marvelous girls, bringing her years of nursing practice into play. The
routine consisted of treatments every four hours for Terra's raw sores,
caused by her chewing to relieve the itching; daily ear cleaning for
both Sadie and Terra, powder for their sore feet and brushing, brushing,
brushing. This care, at best estimate, took her at least two to three
hours per day for the first two months, but the results were amazing.
Weekly baths and things like removing the dandelions from the yard (by
hand, no pesticides!) helped to provide relief to the girls from that
constant itch.
Today, you would not believe the difference. Both girls have luxurious
coats and Terra's tail and bloomers are just marvelous. They have no
open sores and though they still itch occasionally, Linda keeps it under
control with her daily regimen.
The girls have the choice of sleeping anywhere that they like -- on one
of half a dozen dog beds scattered throughout the house or taking turns
on our bed with us. They take long walks every day and have two bushels
of stuffed toys to play with. It's hilarious watching them trying to
choose one!
How can we say thank you! How do you thank someone for giving you back
the joy and the hope that you thought was gone forever?
The best we can do, at least at this point, is to tell you how happy
your girls are, and how happy we are, and hope that will suffice. We
don't need to tell you to keep up the good work, because we know you
will. So please bask in the glow of your good deeds and rest assured
that your hard work is appreciated by all of us who love these
extraordinary dogs.
May you always have the love of a Golden upon you.
A Young Golden Girl With Lots of Trouble
Maizie, YGRR #2700
July 4th weekend, 1999. It was a time to celebrate our country's
independence, but it was also a time to provide emergency assistance to
a Golden in need. A call came in to our hotline from a longtime
volunteer on the Saturday of the holiday weekend. He reported that a
large shelter needed our help. A local farmer had found a Golden
abandoned on his property. He did not want a dog so, fortunately, he
had gone to the trouble to take her to the shelter. The Golden was
extremely pregnant -- just about ready to give birth and the shelter was
already overcrowded with dogs and puppies. Would we take her?
We assured the shelter that we would admit the Golden first thing after
the holiday weekend when the shelter and our collaborating veterinarians
reopened. On Monday morning, we called to make transportation
arrangements and learned that the Golden had given birth to eight
puppies over the weekend. Mother and pups were all doing well. We also
learned that the Golden was apparently blind in one eye and had
heartworm disease.
A special transport was organized and Maizie, as the Golden had been
named, and her puppies came to Riverview. The senior room was
transformed into a nursery. Maizie was quite underweight but she was an
excellent mother. Her puppies quickly filled out and became rolypoly
fluff balls in shades of beige, brown, black and gold. Who knows who
the father was!
We were unable to begin treating Maizie for her heartworm disease until
she had finished nursing the puppies. We were able, however, to take
her to a veterinary opthalmologist to see whether her vision could be
restored. Sadly, Maizie's blindness was permanent and we were saddened
to learn that it had probably been caused by a blow to Maizie's head.
When they were old enough to be separated from their mother, we tested
all the puppies and were thrilled that none of them had heartworm
disease. (The veterinary community is divided as to whether or not
heartworm disease can be passed through the placenta.)
Once Maizie had completed her treatment for heartworm, she was ready to
go home with her new "mom" who had eagerly anticipated adoption day.
December Update
She's gained a bit of weight because we have been busy rewarding good
behavior. She walks well but Bob won't take her on his three mile
jaunts yet. She's great with the old cat but hard on Barbie clothes and
shoes. Left unattended, our dinner would be gone in a heartbeat. So
far, she's had a bit of Bob's turkey sandwich (he ate the rest), a ham
dinner and almost a steak. Turns her nose up at fish so that's fairly
safe. Two year-old Adam is learning to keep his peanut butter and jelly
over the table. He gives her all sorts of orders. Being the last one
in the pecking order, he needs someone to boss around.
We confine her activities to the sunroom and I think we are beginning to
receive her messages about going outside. I shampooed the carpets and
then did them again with odor remover from the pet supply store. She's
done very well for a week so I have high hopes for continued
improvement. She gets house privileges in the morning and again in the
evening and eventually, I'm sure, she'll be free to roam around inside
at will. She stays off the jacuzzi and sofa and has her own place where
she goes to feel safe and out of household traffic.
She comes when she's called even if she's out of sight in the woods and
seems so proud of herself. She still slinks down when she's approached
outdoors but I think it's just a question of time before that stops.
She is so anxious to please and responds to any little praise. She
reminds me a bit of our foster daughter when she first came to live with
us. She was a bigger handful than Maizie ever thought of being and
she's turned out very well. Maizie carries her leash in her mouth all
around the deck and the kids think she is learning to grin.
I'm home all day so she goes out every three hours, has two formal walks
and we play ball a lot. We have a problem because I can't throw very
well and she can only see on one side. I fetch the ball almost as much
as she does. If she doesn't get the direction the minute the ball
leaves your hand, she can't find it. Adam (my grandson) has a problem
because she can steal his toys from him and she doesn't chew them up but
he's learning to pickup, which suits his mother very well.
All in all, it's a learning experience for everyone. The children all
love her and I think she's made a marvelous adjustment in a short period
of time to a crazy life-style. You should be proud of yourselves and
Maizie. She has you to thank for her life, her health and her manners.
She's a wonderful, sweet little girl and she's like velcro. I can't
move without her - we trip alot. Many thanks for all your work and your
loving hearts.
March Update
I think life is pretty good around here and I won't be coming back to
live with you again. I've recovered from my battle with heartworm and
as long as they put the tear ointment in my blind eye, I feel okay.
I've learned to catch a ball pretty well with vision in only one eye,
but I am sure having trouble with that darned old frisbee. Maybe if
they threw it better I'd have a chance.
Pica, the old black cat, likes me and a puppy named Sydney comes
everyday to play. I treat her like she was one of my own, her manners
are terrible. There are lots of kids to play with and the smallest one
drops a lot of food so I sort of hang around him and get forbidden
goodies. I may need a girdle if I keep this up. There are lots of
trees and squirrels to check out and a pretty good sized black furred
fellow with a white stripe who comes around. He smells pretty bad and
they don't want me to play with him so he better stay out of my yard.
Thanks a lot for saving my life. I'm finally finding out what it's all
about. I hope you like my pictures. The kid is always saying "cheese"
but he never has any.
A Very Loved Pet Who Needed Expensive Surgery
Some of the Goldens who come to YGRR are treasured pets. Sometimes the
owner's circumstances change dramatically and they can no longer house
the dog. Sometimes the owner becomes ill or dies. In other cases, the
owners are unable to afford the care that the dog needs. In those
cases, the owners are truly acting out of love because they know the dog
will get the very best care possible and live a happy and healthy life
afterwards.
Misty was one such Golden. Her owner could not afford the surgery to
correct Misty's debilitating hip dysplasia and so she surrendered her to
YGRR. It was evident that Misty came from a loving setting because she
is a very loving and trusting Golden. It must have been very difficult
for her owner to give her up. YGRR was here to help Misty rather than
her owner being forced to put her down because she did not want her to
suffer pain any longer.
Misty, YGRR #2663
We are enclosing some pictures from a recent
hike in the snow where Mist leapt for snowflakes, sniffed, rolled and
generally frolicked. She will probably always have a funky gait and be
a little hesitant on steps, but she gets around just fine. We started
with the physical therapy you kindly instructed us on, but her inborn
desire to run and play in the woods soon resulted in a strong, flexible
and energetic pup who no longer needed the therapy. Mist is off Rimadyl
except for occasional difficult days. Her new vet thinks she is
progressing very well.
Mist has an exceptionally sweet disposition and is enthusiastic and
mischievous in all endeavors, behaving just as you expect from a happy
Golden. While she had been an only pup in a household without children
before she joined our family, she happily cavorts with her canine Golden
sister Cheyenne and is gentle and patient with the little children who
pass through our household.
We thank you for all your generous efforts - you have an amazing group
of volunteers. Mist has certainly benefited from your kindness and
caring. We decided to contact you after our beloved Golden “Copa” (for
copasetic) died at five years of dilated cardiomyopathy. We thought
taking in a rescue pup would honor Copa. It has, and Mist's addition to
our family has been a healing gift for us. We love her and promise to
honor your trust in placing her with us.
Thank you for adding Mist to our family. Once again we are owned by two
pups and it feels right!
Happy Endings for Boys
Eight Dogs from the Same Home
In the early summer of 1999, YGRR was asked to assist the owner and
breeder of eight Goldens. Her husband was gravely ill and it had become
necessary for her to find new homes for all of her dogs. On their
arrival at our collaborating veterinarian, the Goldens were found to be
quite thin but otherwise in good health. Some of them adapted very
easily to their new lives, but others required extraordinary commitment
from their adopters.
Ashton, YGRR #2755
He loves all the attention and petting he gets from us and our
houseguests (and we have plenty). He's so beautiful, people just have
to stop and talk to him and pet him everywhere we go -- and he really
enjoys himself with our grandchildren and granddogs.
Ashton celebrated his eighth birthday with us in October, 1999. We
believe that it was fate that he was the dog we chose. Ashton is a
wonderful addition to our household.
Donatello, YGRR #2764
As we had gone through the experience of losing our beloved Golden, Chad
to terminal cancer the year before, our veterinarian asked us if we were
up for the challenge of Donatello's health problems. When I answered
“yes,” her response was, “Well, he's a Golden, he will reward you.” And
he has, tenfold.
We live in the mountain/lakes region - a perfect home for a dog. We
walk trails with brooks, streams, pine tree forests, etc. (Mother
Nature at her finest.) Chloe, our three year old Golden is the Alpha
dog, exploring every inch of the trails, hopping into brooks and ponds,
flying over logs and underbrush. Donatello was much more tentative,
barely putting a paw into a body of water without retreating. Where his
Mom or Dad went, Donatello was always close behind. His insecurities
were obvious.
Six months later, he is a very different dog. He loves the great
outdoors, and he and Chloe are great friends (I suspect that he loves
her a lot more than she loves him, but he is happy with the
relationship, and she willingly shares her “Alpha” space with him --
reminding him from time to time that she is in charge.) Donatello is
clearly a beta, he looks to Chloe for advice.
Donatello now weighs seventy pounds and has a beautiful furry tail
(which he wags constantly). We see very little of the circling these
days (except before meals when he is very excited). Donatello loves to
eat! He is fed three times a day, canned ID (2 cans) with one can of
WD. Dry food that was watered still resulted in horrible abdominal
distention and gas, the canned food produces much less distress to his
gastrointestinal tract.
As our daughter Kate pointed out, Chloe is used to being spoiled, but
Donatello lived in a home with eight dogs, so he especially appreciates
the individual attention and “creature comforts.” He received a truly
comfy bed large enough for both Goldens to share -- which they do -- for
Christmas. He has many toys but we have to avoid the stuffed toys (he
eats the inside, which is not an option with his GI tract). It has been
months since he's had an accident and he seems a truly happy boy.
Donatello has thanked us for being his family with 100% unconditional
love, loyalty and devotion. He is a truly sweet dog (as is our Chloe)
who we have watched gain confidence in himself and his place in our
family. Chloe and I bonded in an instant, Donatello didn't become
“ours” overnight -- it was a process. We will never regret our decision
to adopt, then become the family for this outstanding dog. As our
veterinarian pointed out, “He will reward you!” -- and he has with every
wag of his magnificent tail, the great excitement when we get home or
walk into a room, and the devoted look in those big brown eyes. Goldens
give you a warm and wonderful “tug-on-the-heart.” Thank you for this
opportunity.
Campbell, YGRR #2747
Last November he began to limp on his right front leg. We took him to
the vet who, after anesthetizing him, x-rayed his right front shoulder
and came back telling us the solemn news that he may have two months to
two years to live because of rapidly progressing cancer. Just what kind
of cancer, she was not sure. She suggested we have him anesthetized
again to see how large the tumor had become as well as have a biopsy,
indicating that we may have to have his right front leg amputated.
He was limping pretty badly. Oddly, his rear legs - one without a hip
socket - were doing well and, as we became more delighted with him, the
more he chose to stand up on his rear legs when excited. But it was the
front legs. We were broken hearted.
So, we started massaging his shoulder and praying for him -- besides
feeding him a lot. He's gained about fifteen pounds and looks terrific.
We resisted another anesthetic, or any other invasive process and were
determined we would not have his leg amputated. Incredibly, his limp
decreased and has vanished. He's a totally healthy, rambunctious and at
times obnoxious, joy! He leaps! He turns circles! He chases squirrels
with his funny little run. He shows no signs of illness or tumors.
We don't know what to make of it. Worst case: it may be the light
before the darkness. Best case: he is cured. We don't know, but he is
our delight. Of course, we are total suckers. We will take him and
love him for whatever time we have.
He has healed our grief over Barney as well, though we were sure at the
time it couldn't happen. He's much different. I even hesitate to say
it, he's smarter than Barney.
Now, one year later, he's a whopping 70 pounds. Although he walks a
little funny, and we have to lift him up into the car, he runs with us
every morning, veering off to tree a squirrel or two. And last week,
believe it or not, he climbed Acadia Mountain on Mt. Desert Island with
us. He needed only minimal assistance coming down when the rocks were
too big and the course too steep!
We are so grateful to YGRR for rescuing this furry little guy for us.
According to our vet, the tumor which had begun in his right shoulder,
bringing us to tears, has spontaneously dissolved because of good food
or exercise or our incessant prayers for healing. Now, even as we
write, he is constantly underfoot and always in our hearts.
Thank you YGRR for enabling Campbell to charge into our lives. We're
determined to return to him a measure of the happiness he has already
given us.
In Conclusion
We wish we could thoroughly describe every dog and every happy ending --
all of which are made possible by your membership support and
donations. Since we cannot tell every story, we hope that the foregoing
will adequately show the difference that YGRR can make -- because of
you. Thank you!
If you would like to help Rescue Goldens like the ones described above, please consider
becoming a YGRR member or donating to YGRR. Thank you.
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Rescue and Adoption services for Golden Retrievers from the six New England states. Address: P.O. Box 808, Hudson, MA 01749-0808 Hotline: 978-568-9700 Adopt
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Rescue Stories About YGRR • Join YGRR • Special Events • YGRR Store
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When we wrote to you in December, 1998, we had only a hope that we would
someday be writing this letter! What a difference you have made in our
lives.
You did a wonderful job with Maizie and she looks like a happy camper.
She's filled out, her ears look good and her right eye appears to be
okay, it doesn't seem to bother her. She runs in the woods three times
a day and seems to have met her match with the four grandchildren. They
run her ragged. She does steal sleds and ends up with irate children
running after her. She steals them at the top of the hill after the
kids have done all the work. She'd get on the sleds if they'd let her.
Misty, now mostly called Mist, is thriving and happy. She came to us in
September, 1999, she was recovering from bilateral hip dysplasia
surgery. Her delicate rear end and legs were shaved, had little muscle
tone and were quite weak. You would be pleased with her current
appearance. Not only has her beautiful red coat filled in, but she is
quite muscled and loves to run, swim and hike in the woods, having built
considerable endurance.
We have had Ashton (Sir Ashton II) since July, 1999 and just love him to
pieces. He is truly a wonderful, gentle, mellow, well behaved,
beautiful fellow. When we first brought him home, he wouldn't go up a
flight of stairs (which is a problem in a house that's built on a hill
with a garage underneath!). However, with a little coaxing, he got the
hang of it and now runs up and down on his own, retrieving his toys (or
hiding them) and following us everywhere.
It was six months ago that a very undernourished (fifty-one pounds)
seven year-old Donatello was adopted into our family, and his
contribution has been outstanding! Within weeks of his adoption, it
became clear that he was a special needs dog that would require on-going
medical supervision and treatment. He was hospitalized at Tufts with
diarrhea that wasn't easily resolved. He had a variety of
gastrointestinal tract problems including a pancreas that doesn't work.
The treatment is to put pancreatic enzymes on his food twenty minutes
before he eats it (try getting a dog to wait twenty minutes for food - a
feat!). He had frequent “accidents” in the house, and had scant fur on
his hindquarters. He did a lot of circling and pacing, probably
secondary to too much time a crate (doggie neuroses).
One year ago, we adopted Campbell, known then as “Tiny Tim” probably
because of his size (he was only 49 pounds) and his deformed back and
missing left rear hip bone. He had spent the first three years of his
life, nearly, waiting to be purchased from the person who bred him. We
often think of that moment when that timid three year old limped out to
choose us to be his parents.