YGRR Survivor Stories

Introduction

With apologies to CBS and its Survivor program (Outwit,Outplay, Outlast), we'd like to tell you a few of the survivor stories from our files. These Goldens must have been “Wondering” when their lives would get better, “Waiting” at YGRR for new adopters and now they're “Wagging Their Tales” because of their new lives. Congratulations to these winners of the YGRR Survivor!

Amber Jane, YGRR #3131
A Sickly Looking Dog Wandering Around
by Doreen Currier, Manager, Worcester Animal Rescue League

When the dog arrived, she was wet, muddy, starving and dehydrated, weighing in at 39 pounds.  Her coat was bare and her red infected skin was exposed. She had obviously been neglected for a long time, but she still wagged her tail. (This photo shows Amber as she appeared on arrival at YGRR.)

After 48 hours of overdoses of tender loving care, the dog we now know as Amber was vet checked and treated for malnutrition and flea allergies. After two weeks, Amber began to almost smile but there was still something “different” about her. We knew she still needed further attention. That's when we turned to the experts at YGRR. They immediately made arrangements for a volunteer to pick Amber up from the shelter and evaluate her. Twelve months later, she is healthy, happy and in her forever home. Without the help of YGRR, this story may have had a different ending.

Recuperating at Riverview
The call from the Animal Rescue League came into the YGRR hotline on December 1st.  Doreen, the ARL shelter manager, talked with Emma P., YGRR's Intake/Adoption Coordinator and reported that they had found an extremely malnourished and homeless Golden in need of YGRR's services. The staff had given her the name Amber and said that she interacted well with staff, children, other dogs and cats at the shelter; however, there was something not quite “right” with her vision and the way she walked. A volunteer was called to transport Amber to one of YGRR's veterinary hospitals as quickly as possible. When Amber arrived at the vet, she was given a thorough physical exam, was spayed and tattooed. The veterinarian suspected that Amber had been pregnant fairly recently but was unsure if she had actually delivered puppies. A recommendation was made by the YGRR veterinarian to send Amber to a neurologist for further tests.

Although the YGRR staff had heard about all of Amber's issues, everyone stared in disbelief when she finally arrived at Riverview. Although she had put on some weight during her stay at the Animal Rescue League, Amber still resembled the ads on flyers sent in the mail that show the terrible plight of homeless dogs in the city.  Her ribs were prominent and she had very little hair due to flea dermatitis and malnutrition. Her tail looked like a whip and her skin was dark and raw. When Allyson M., one of YGRR's dog care/adoption staff, threw a toy for her in the living room, Amber hopped sideways until she felt it with her paws and eagerly picked it up to play. Her gait was awkward and any movement other than a slow walk was done with a hop. We all just watched as this poor emaciated girl bounced around the living room playing happily with her toy. This little dog had so much happiness in her battered little body that all we could do was smile and admire her spirit. It was apparent that she didn't even notice that there was anything wrong with her!

Sue A., YGRR's Kennel Manager, immediately gave Amber a medicated bath and put her on a regimen of 5 cups of California Natural Lamb and Rice dog food a day. A huge, comfy crate was placed in the living room for Amber so that Sue could keep a very close eye on her. Sue made sure that Amber had a walk in the woods every day so that she could begin to understand that there was a wonderful and interesting world outside there for her to enjoy. During her recuperative four-month stay at Riverview, dog walking volunteers would make notes on Amber's chart showing progress when she no longer would bump into trees as she meandered through the woods. She seemed to have radar and tilted her head to sense objects around her. This didn't apply to snow banks, however, since Amber Jane once dove into a pile of snow and then had to be pulled out by Emma!

During this time, Sue expanded the dog's name to Amber Jane. Amber was so full of personality that it seemed appropriate to add a bit of a flair to her first name. Sue weighed Amber Jane frequently to ensure she was putting on weight. Her coat had begun to come in but we weren't sure if she would ever have feathers on her tail or legs.

Amber Jane saw many other Rescue Goldens come and go during her months at Riverview. She loved to play with other dogs and the adoption coordinators employed Amber Jane to draw shy dogs out of their shells. One very frightened dog would not come out of her crate. Amber Jane actually went into the crate, got behind the dog and pushed her out with her nose to get her to play. After a few tries, Amber Jane was successful and other dogs seemed to know there was nothing to fear with Amber Jane.

Amber Jane went to two neurologists to determine the cause of her limited vision and her balance problems. An MRI of her brain showed a (most likely congenital) skull malformation causing mild compression of part of her cerebellum - the part of the brain which is responsible for the coordination of movement. Luckily for Amber Jane, her prognosis was excellent since the condition was not progressive and she was in no pain.

The staff knew that Amber Jane needed to have a very special home. While she loved to play with other dogs, her exuberance and “hopping” frightened some dogs and Amber Jane did not always respond to signals from other dogs that they did not want to play. She also needed a safe environment where she would not fall down and hurt herself and a fenced in yard where she has solid boundaries.

Amber Jane's New Home
by Wendy G.

However, my other Golden, Jeremy #2625, was lost without Amber, since he was not a confident dog and had always followed Amber's lead. It slowly began to seep into my head that I could provide Amber Jane with the safe environment that she needed and give Jeremy a new companion. My only concern was that 11-year-old Jeremy was accustomed to 13-year-old Amber and not 2-year-old Amber Jane.

I discussed the possibility with Sue, Emma and Allyson and we all agreed that I should bring Jeremy to Riverview to meet Amber Jane.  I was nervous since I didn't know if Amber Jane's antics would frighten Jeremy or if he would just figure it out like most of the other dogs who met her!  Luckily, Jeremy took Amber Jane's hopping, bumping and bouncing in stride and kept himself very busy just watching her antics.  I brought Amber Jane home in late April and she has adjusted beautifully. She loves to race around her new yard and chase rabbits that have hopped away long ago. Amber Jane had learned to “groom” Pewter (the resident cat at Riverview) and was thrilled to see two new “groomees” in her new home.  When I come home from work and my cat Sherlock's hair is standing straight out from his head, I know he has been to Amber Jane's beauty parlor!

Amber Jane is a joy -- no one who meets her understands how she survived her ordeal. She has never growled or acted defensively in all the months we have known her.  She and Jeremy have settled into their daily routines—and she finally has fur on her legs and tail!

(This photo shows Seventy-pound Amber Jane (right) and Jeremy at home.)

Heidi, YGRR #2155
Abused and Neglected
by Bette D.

In the summer of 1997, a woman from my area contacted YGRR intending to sell an unspayed female Golden, but she was ambivalent when she was told that YGRR did not buy dogs. YGRR had several conversations with the woman, but at last, I was told that the woman was all set to relinquish the dog but she needed help transporting the dog. The dog's family was going away for the weekend and wanted the dog picked up after they had left. “She'll be under the bushes at the front of the house.” YGRR sent a release form to the owner and she was to leave it inside the storm door of the house. I was told to bring help with me as the dog, named Heidi, was a real problem to get into a car.

My daughter and I made two passes through the neighborhood after the time specified on a Saturday morning and it was obvious the family had not yet left. We were beginning to develop a time problem as we had arranged to meet another volunteer so that he could take Heidi to our vet. Getting desperate, I telephoned the owner who was again having second thoughts. I finally said to her, “Look, I'll come and get the dog; you'll have five minutes of sadness, and then both you and the dog will have a better life.” To my relief, she agreed.

When my husband and I arrived at the house, Heidi came out from under the bushes and I put a leash on her. Her coat was dirty and matted, but you could see that underneath the neglect, she was a gorgeous Golden. I'll never forget the look on that dog's face. She just leaned into me and looked up as if to say, “You've come for me.”

The owner said she didn't have the release. I wrote out something approximating as nearly as I could the words on the printed form and she took it off to read it and (hopefully) sign it. While I was waiting with Heidi on a leash, a little boy, about nine years old, with a sly expression on his face, came over to us with a substantial pipe wrench in his hand. He opened it and approached the dog. “Do you want to see me pinch her?” he asked me. For a minute I was stunned speechless. “She won't do anything,” Nasty assured me. I managed not to hit him and told him I didn't think I wanted to see him do that.

Finally the form was signed and witnessed and it was time to load the dog. We opened the back door to the station wagon and she leaped in. Very difficult to get in a car? She couldn't wait to leave! We completed our leg of the journey and transferred Heidi to the next volunteer.

The following day, my husband happened to mention to one of his softball friends that he had “rescued” a dog who lived on the same street as his friend. “You took her? God Bless You!” said the man. He then proceeded to tell my husband how Heidi had lived in the house for the first year of her life and then was banished to the bushes, summer and winter, day and night. She often wandered down the street to the softball player's house -- just looking for affection, according to him. He knew that the kids in the family tormented her. The man had tried to talk to the husband of Heidi's family and was threatened in return.

Oh - as we were leaving, the owner told me she would call in a week or two to check on Heidi. I don't believe she ever did.

Loved!
by Jane M.

On a sunny day in April of 1997, Amber (my 8-year old Golden) and I headed out to conduct a home visit. I knew from the application and the accompanying letter that we were going to see a real “dog person.” Elizabeth was in her early 80s, and for most of those years she had owned one or more dogs, including many Goldens. Her husband had recently passed away from Parkinson's Disease, and she was anxious for a new canine companion.

We arrived at a beautiful home  and were greeted with great enthusiasm by Elizabeth. In fact, she spent the majority of the home visit on the carpet in her library with Amber (a willing participant, if there ever was one!) in her arms.

Elizabeth's application was approved, and several months later she was lucky enough to adopt Heidi. At the time, Heidi weighed 95 pounds and Elizabeth weighed 92! (Heidi is now down to a trim 75.)

For the first year or so, Heidi and Elizabeth led a charmed life together. As promised during the home visit, Heidi went everywhere with Elizabeth, sitting regally in the back of the BMW like a princess! She went on daily errands. She visited patients at an extended care facility; and even accompanied Elizabeth to cocktail and dinner parties! She and Elizabeth walked daily at a nature center, where Heidi affectionately greeted the nursery schoolchildren, never giving any indication that she associated children with her past abuse.

Then in November 1998, Heidi had two very serious coughing episodes. During the first attack, Elizabeth thought that Heidi was choking on something. Heidi recovered without medical intervention but a few days later, she had another coughing attack. This one occurred at night and Elizabeth had to rush Heidi to the nearby emergency clinic. There the veterinarians diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy and told Elizabeth that Heidi probably had no more than two or three days to live, three or four weeks at the most.

Fortunately for Heidi, Elizabeth is a very dedicated owner. Undaunted, she asked the veterinarians to prescribe whatever medications would make Heidi comfortable for the time that she had left. Amazingly, with slight modifications in the medications, Heidi not only survived for three days, then three weeks but now, three years.

Heidi is one of those dogs that will eat just about anything she can get her teeth on. Trash cans in Elizabeth's house are always empty to keep Heidi out of danger. But, in the fall of 2001, Heidi ate a pair of panty hose while Elizabeth had her back turned for three minutes. The hose twisted and obstructed Heidi's digestive system, but Elizabeth's veterinarian declined to operate because he doubted that Heidi could survive the anesthesia with her heart condition. Friends questioned why she would spend “all that money” on a dog that might not survive the procedure, but Elizabeth took Heidi to a specialist. An eleven-inch incision was required to remove one leg of the hose from Heidi's stomach, one leg from her intestine and the elastic waist from the pylorus (between the stomach and the intestine). $3,200 later, Heidi was out of surgery and hose-free!

Heidi was depressed in the hospital and was not recovering so the surgeon sent her home. Elizabeth slept on the floor next to Heidi for three days, feeding her a teaspoon of food every hour as she was weaned from the intravenous feeding. Now, she's recovered and enjoying herself again.

Elizabeth describes Heidi as her “mongrel” -- she's part cat because she has nine lives, she's part cow because she's a cash cow for the veterinarian, she's part goat because she'll eat anything and she's part poodle because of her surgical trim. We think Heidi's just a very lucky Golden Retriever girl to have found Elizabeth.

Heidi blissfully recovering at home

In Conclusion

Both of these Goldens were incredibly fortunate to move out of desperately bad circumstances  into wonderfully good situations. Without the support of YGRR's members and the unconditional love and generosity of their adopters, Amber Jane and Heidi probably would not have survived. It's almost as if both dogs know just how lucky they are. Heidi lives despite the odds against her* and Amber Jane saunters happily through life unaware of her physical challenges.

*Heidi lost her battle with DCM on April 1, 2002, after surviving for three and one half years post diagnosis -- testimonial to the attention and dedication of her loving adopter, Elizabeth.