|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|||||||||||
|
|
History repeats itself so we are not surprised each Autumn when large numbers of senior Goldens are relinquished to YGRR. The sorrow we feel about these sweet old dogs having to suffer an upheaval in their lives is always outweighed by the joy we have when they are adopted by wonderful new families. Adopting a senior is a most rewarding experience, as the following stories will tell.
The Golden Times featured a big, gentle Golden boy as the "Orphan of the Month." It read:
"Boose is a big (85 pound) boy who needs an owner who will give him lots of attention and who is home most of the time. He was given up because his people belatedly recognized that they were not providing him with the care he required."
"By the time he came to us, the lick granulomas on his four legs had become open, weeping sores. Testing revealed that, in addition to his licking wounds having been neglected, Boose is hypothyroid. It's likely that he also suffers from allergies - both food and airborne. So Boose eats a lamb and rice diet as well as taking thyroid supplements. Happily, after an extended stay at Fremont Animal Hospital, Boose's legs are beginning to heal and we believe he is on the road to recovery. Boose would like to enjoy swimming and playing in the snow, can he do them with you?"
The Real Boose
After about a week, we noticed that he was not scratching as much and only chewed when he was bored. He was so busy playing with Kita our Akita-Collie cross and swimming that he had little time to think about his itch. He loves to ride and shortly after moving in with us, he found his seat in the front of the car and claimed it as his own. The first two nights, he would not come up to the bedroom and slept alone in the downstairs, but woke us at 7 a.m. to go out. With some coaxing on the third night he came to bed and has been sleeping either on the bed or in the bedroom ever since. By the third week, Boose no longer scratched at all! His feathers started to grow on his back legs and the front of his legs have all filled in. He did have one hot spot on his hind end that he would not leave alone, so we started him on steroids and that has completely healed and he is now leaving that alone.
Boose has overcome his fear of loud noises and sudden movements. He no longer jumps up or cowers to the floor if something drops. He has gotten used to the broom and my husband can pick up a set of plans without him running. He sometimes hesitates when he comes in, but for the most part he runs through the door when we call him, no longer having his tail between his legs and butt curled under. He has still not overcome his fear of the bathroom although he followed me into the bathroom yesterday, but left immediately when he realized where he was. I am sure he will overcome that fear too.
The most important observation is that Boose's eyes are no longer sad. He has a happy look on his face. He is happy to see everyone. I truly believe that Boose's itching and scratching was all in his mind. He was in need of a home and a family to love him. I feel bad that no one could see past his appearance when he was shown to prospective adopters. They should have looked into his heart, his soul, his face and his personality. Then they would have seen the real Boose.
A Lady and A King
The two seniors Lady and King were admitted to YGRR separately. Lady was given up because her family had to move to no pets housing. King was given up because he continually ran away to the beach. But on a fateful day last Autumn, they were to become a pair and live out their lives together.
On the day of Maureen's (new adopter) adoption appointment there were three seniors available. First, Maureen and her son Jason met 10 year old King and immediately bonded -- he reminded them so much of their previous Golden, Timmy, who had died a few years ago. But to be certain they had made the right choice, Maureen asked to meet the other two seniors. She and Jason didn't "click" with the remaining male senior, but after meeting almost 14 year old Lady, Maureen wanted her too. Lady had been at YGRR for quite a long time she was a difficult placement because of her advanced age and a serious heart condition.
Since Ed, Maureen's husband, was working and had been unable to make the adoption appointment, she called to tell him that she just could not bring herself to leave Lady at Riverview. His response was "Well, then don't leave her there. Bring her home too." When Maureen and Jason arrived home with the two dogs, a large banner across the front door read "Welcome Home King and Lady." Ed got out the camcorder and recorded the homecoming on video. Here's an update.
King and His Lady
Right from the day we brought them home, they have succeeded in making friends with everyone they meet. They love their daily walks in the neighborhood as well as their playtime in the afternoon with my son Jason. Of course, they love to be petted and there is definitely no lack of that around here.
King spends his mornings on the couch until I come in from work. He also likes to jump onto our bed and snuggle up if we stay in bed too long in the morning. Mind you, the bed is three feet off the floor and I need steps to get into it! I've always felt that dogs don't belong on beds or sofas, but of course that was before King came to live with us. Lady spends a good deal of the day sleeping, but she seems to get very energetic late in the afternoon. It is so much fun to watch her initiate play with King, often chasing him around the living room. Yes, chasing him! She often sits next to me on the couch (she does need help getting there) and enjoys being petted while we're watching TV.
I'm not sure what we did before they became part of our family, but our lives have certainly been the better since we adopted the two of them. King and Lady have also started to visit a local nursing home. On one occasion, Lady made her way under the walker of an Alzheimer's patient in order to put her head on his lap. With a big grin, the man proclaimed "She must really like me!" Both dogs are favorites at the home.
I want to thank YGRR for bringing King and Lady into our lives. You may be interested to know that it took an entire year to talk my husband into getting a dog. I had previously owned a Golden, having had him for 12 1/2 years before losing him to a stroke. However, my husband had never owned a dog before and wasn't sure he wanted to make the commitment. When I discovered YGRR and opted for a senior, he agreed, knowing how much I wanted another dog. Little did he know he would own two seniors and love every minute of it! He is so impressed with the dedication of your organization that he has gone on a one-man crusade informing anyone interested in adopting a dog about YGRR.
Thank you again for making King and Lady a part of our family. I will never get a dog any other way than through YGRR.
Applause (for Paws)
Last year a former show dog by the name of Applause found himself in need of a new home because of a divorce in his family. This big handsome boy was quickly adopted by a gentleman whose previous Rescue Golden had died.
Paws
I should report that while I think "Applause" is a good and appropriate name for a horse, somehow it doesn't quite fit a dog well, and so I have been calling "Applause" "Paws", and he has accepted the slightly altered name graciously.
Paws travels to school with me every day and has engendered a rather sizable fan club among faculty, staff and students, who feel that he is one of the nicest, most polite, and friendliest dogs they have ever met. I do want to thank all of you for your help in providing me with this wonderful companion. He is a great joy to me and follows me everywhere even into the bathroom when I take my bath. He is amazingly friendly with all sorts of humans and other beasts (but not squirrels) and brightens each day for me as we both slide quietly into old age.
I would certainly urge anyone to think about the benefits of adopting a Senior Golden. Whether dealing with humans or Goldens, maturity counts. Thank you again for fixing me up with ''Paws.
An Old Three Legged Golden
One Summer we received an "owner turn-in" call about a thirteen year old Golden. Family circumstances had changed and the old dog needed to find a new home. Other than the fact that the Golden had three legs (his right front leg had been amputated), we were told that the dog was in excellent health for his age. The Golden, named Cashew, was admitted and while examining him, our veterinarian was astonished to find a YGRR tattoo, #395!
Although Cashew was no longer with the person who had originally adopted him, because of the outreach efforts of our members, he had found his way back to us. We were so relieved -- Cashew would have had very little chance of adoption from a municipal or private shelter due to his age and his condition. (Although our adoption contract clearly states that Rescue Goldens may not be transferred, nonetheless it sometimes happens and we are not informed.)
At about the same time as Cashew arrived at YGRR, another Rescue Golden died. Zack had been the lifelong companion to Zoli (they appeared together as the September 1998 YGRR calendar dogs) and she was lost without her friend. Their adopters had contacted the YGRR Adoption Coordinator and asked her to keep a look out for a special Golden boy to try to fill Zack's place. Cashew was that Golden boy. Here's an update.
Cashew and Zoli (Cashew left)
September 15th: Two weeks ago I bought the Casheroo a Radio Flyer Town & Country Wagon with high wood sides. Don't worry--I added two seat belts made from a couple of quick-release buckle collars, so he's quite safe. The belts don't bind him, but they do prevent him from getting the leverage necessary to stand and fall out.
Before we got the wagon, we used to take walks this way; we'd all head out but Cash and I'd stop after several minutes and rest and drink water. Tom and Zoli would go on and pick us up on their way back. Cashew would whine as they left, and Zoli would hurry to get back to us. Now, we all go together! When Cash gets tired, we buckle him in, and he just looks around and sniffs. He now can go pretty much wherever Zoli goes, and he really loves it.
He's even become a canine goodwill ambassador in the neighborhood -- kids whose parents say they used to be afraid of dogs now pat him in his wagon, and one dogless family now keeps a box of Milk Bones handy. The same family told us they think he's a wonderful addition to the neighborhood. I'll send you some wagon photos as soon as they're developed. He's such a good dog! Cashew is wonderful and he's making us smile again!
These are a few of many heartwarming tales of adopted seniors. We are grateful to the generous people who open their hearts to seniors and to the many whom donate to the Look Beyond Time Fund which partially underwrites the cost of their care.
Please click here if you would like information about the Look Beyond Time Fund.
If you would like to help senior Goldens like Boose, King, Lady, Paws and Cashew, please
become a YGRR member or consider a donation. Thank you.
|
|||||||||||||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
|
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
A Golden • Surrender A
Golden •
Rescue Stories About YGRR • Join YGRR • Special Events • YGRR Store
|
|
||||||||||||
How appropriate that I am writing this letter on Mother's Day and thanking you for allowing us to adopt Boose. Boose has settled into our home with our three other dogs who welcomed him with open arms. When Boose first came to us, we observed a very apprehensive and sad Golden boy. We noticed that he was terrified by loud noises, sudden movements and the bathroom. He was afraid of the broom and mop and anything long, such as a set of plans. When he would enter or go out a door, he did so with his tail between his legs and his butt curled under. He was itchy and scratched incessantly except when he slept, at which time he was calm. He had little fur on his legs and belly and a sadness to his eyes.
Lady and King have been with us for six weeks now and quite frankly, we can't imagine our lives without the two of them. Lady and King enjoyed helping us with the unending task of raking leaves this fall. They were quite content to sit right in the middle of the pile while we continued to rake around them. Having them there and laughing at their antics made this chore far more enjoyable than it has ever been.
Just a brief note to let you all know that "Applause," YGRR #2328 is doing fine and enjoying life even at the advanced age of 12 1/2 or so. He likes to nap and is not very fast on his feet any more, but he does try occasionally, but unsuccessfully, to catch a squirrel every so often.
August 3rd: Since Friday Zoli has been trying to engage Cashew in play. She and Zack used to wrestle and play tug-of-war, and she's been trying to get Cashew to do the same. But it's obvious that she knows he can't wrestle, and he doesn't seem to understand tug-of-war, so she's trying to figure out how else to play with him. I'm sure they'll come up with something soon. And on Saturday we took a long drive and they both slept curled up together, Zoli's head on Cashew's back both ways.