Golden GRRRowl - Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies

May 2014
Golden GRRRowl
“A Golden Retriever Can Change Your Life!”™
A registered
non-profit 501(c)(3)
charitable
organization
CLARA
Hope's Puppies
Hope was found wandering in a Home Depot parking lot. She was taken to Foothills Animal Shelter and they
suspected she was pregnant so they contacted GRRR. Hope's 11 puppies were born on December 6th and 7th. From
the very beginning she was a wonderful mom, very attentive and patient. The adorable puppies were formally
evaluated by Carole McMurray and they all had very distinct personalities—all the way from the big saucy girl who
rules the roost and saunters around like a precocious child, to one little boy, who during one of the testing sessions
promptly fell asleep, he was so relaxed. It was great to have all these adorable puppies at Phoebe's Place for a while,
and all puppies went to their lucky new homes. Here are some of their updates.
CLARA, by the Jellis Family
CLARA
We named our puppy Clara. For weeks leading up to "pick-up" day our family of 6 went through lists and lists of
names. There was not one name all six of us could agree upon. The morning we went to pick her up, the name Clara
popped into my head and half of us loved the name and half of us agreed to think about it (which was a first for any
name we had discussed). It wasn't until I filled out the paperwork that I saw the caregiver had named our dog Clara
for GRRR records weeks before. We all agreed that evening that her name was meant to be.
Clara made the adjustment from her dog family to human family seamlessly. She enjoys multiple, daily car rides to
drop off and pick up the kids from school, is often found in the yard with someone playing catch (or her form of it),
and loves going for walks around the neighborhood. Once her legs get a bit longer, we look forward to taking her
on some hikes this summer. I think we're all tiring each other out! Clara loves people (especially kids), dogs, naps,
water (to drink and play in) and any toy that is not intended for a dog.
EMMA, by Cathy and Jim McGinnis
Emma is doing great! She plays constantly with her buddy, Ellie, who is two months older but the same size. She
also goes to puppy daycare twice a week which she loves. We have a pond in the back yard and a few weeks ago
Emma learned to swim. Now we cannot get her out of the water! But she is still Jim's lap dog and spends every
evening sitting on his lap watching TV. She is really good with our grand-daughter Anabella and also good with our
three cats which was very important to us. All in all, it has been a fun time with this sweet little puppy!
ANNIE, by Marcie Miller
EMMA
ANNIE
The photograph my friend posted on Facebook was of a tiny puppy wearing a Christmas stocking cap, and it stole
my heart away. That little bit of blonde fuzz kept popping back into my mind at the strangest times, and I realized
that, after nearly a decade of being dog-less, I was about to become a puppy mom again. I couldn't stop thinking
about my long-gone Goldens, and I realized that the time was finally right for me to have another. When we met at
GRRR to join all the other prospective adopters, I knew immediately which of the ten bouncing, wiggling beige
babies was the one for me! So, when that sweet, small ball of fur with sparkling eyes and a wet black nose came
home with us in February, I was over the moon.
Trouble was, we couldn't agree on a name. I was lobbying for "Peaches," but that name didn't even make it past the
review committee! Bess? Sami? Stella? We tried them all on for size, but no joy. Nothing seemed to fit just right. My
granddaughter, who is 6, was captivated by the idea of a puppy in our lives. "Tutu, can I name her?" she asked.
"What would you name her?" I asked. She whispered in my ear. "Ummm... that's a good idea! Can we make it her
middle name?" Gracie? Bella? Would we ever be able to find the right moniker? With her sweet personality and
easygoing nature, our girl was a dreamboat, but we were at a loss as to what to call her. It had to be something we
wouldn't mind hollering in the dog park. It needed to be clever, but not too cute... but wait! Dreamboat? That's it!
Annie! And so our little dreamboat became Annie. "Tutu, don't forget! You said..." Oh, right. And so, our little
dreamboat became Annie Sparkle.
Continued on page 2
HOPE, by Mary Kenton
Hope is enjoying her puppy-free time at Phoebe’s Place. Although when the puppies have come back to get their
boosters shots and visit, she knew they were here without even seeing them. She was on the bed looking out the
window, pitching a fit to see them. Hope rushed outside and was very happy to see her little ones again. She is
still struggling with separation anxiety and we’re working on making her more confident being left alone for
short periods of time. Hope has used her motherly instincts with some of the little ones who arrived after her
puppies had left. She has even assisted Carole in training them with some socializing skills that only a mama dog
seems to have.
ELLY, by Cathy Rotman
On February 3rd, I brought home the blonde puppy with the butterfly collar that my husband, son and I had picked out the week
before. It was a very noisy hour ride home except for the stop at a coffee shop where we got all kinds of attention. The first night
wasn't much quieter...
It took a few days to decide on a name (Elly) and by then she was sleeping through the night and getting used to going 'outside'. Elly
is our third Golden. We said goodbye to Aspen, who we also adopted from GRRR, last September. Elly is a very social girl and loves to
go on walks, to the dog park and puppy kindergarten. She just graduated this past week! Elly also enjoys observing the world from
the back deck— especially the birds. Windy days are her favorites with everything blowing around for her to chase. Having a puppy in
the house has its challenging moments, but the smiles she brings to us and everyone who meets her is worth it.
ELLY
Emmeline Joy (Emmie for short) by Roxanne Sabin
Emmie came home on Valentine’s Day. She burst through the door wearing a red sweater and a bow on her collar and the house has
been alive with puppy energy ever since. Emmie has endless curiosity. She is especially fond of electrical cords, plants, bare feet and
the yellow lab next door. She likes to get drinks from the bathtub faucet and she has learned how to open the gate on the privacy
fence.
Emmie attends a puppy socialization group every Saturday. The biggest benefit may not be that she is being socialized, but that she
comes home and takes a long nap after each group! She is growing taller by the day as indicated by the things in the house that keep
moving up higher on shelves and further back on counters. She climbs in my lap to take a nap or just to play with a
favorite toy. And she is the sweetest puppy in the world.
HERBIE, by Amy and Matt White
HERBIE
EMMIE
We were fortunate to adopt one of the puppies. His name is Herbie, named after famed jazz pianist Herbie Hancock. He has already
graduated the four-week puppy training course at Ted Terroux’ Canine College and has become a great walker around the neighborhood.
Herbie absolutely loves to play with both people and dogs. He seems to grow a little every day, and every time we see him he looks taller
and longer! He already has made a number of friends, most notably his uncle Willie (also from GRRR) and Aunt Belle (from GRFR) who are
Amy's parents’ two Goldens, as well as Rosebud, the chihuahua who lives next door and loves to play with him at the fence, Joxer the pit
bull next door, and Micford the Belgian Malinous of our good friends. Herbie loves riding in the car and playing with his stuffed tiger, Kitty
(who used to be as big as he was, now seems small in comparison). He can be a bit of a rascal at times, climbing up on the couch or bed to
get in some playful snuggling. He has a real love for life and is always excited to try new things and meet new people.
ROSIE, by Nora, Steve and Joy Matthews
GRRR named her Joy and since our daughter's name is Joy, we decided to call her Rosie. Rosie is fitting in great with our family. She
enjoys retrieving tennis balls and playing with her stuffed bear, alligator and penguin. Rosie loves exploring her backyard and
especially loves snow. We are looking forward to meeting all the puppies soon.
PEYTON, by Jim & Leila Murphy
We named our puppy Peyton, and he certainly has the energy of a football player. When we brought him home at 9 weeks old, he
had short legs, a rat tail, floppy ears, and weighed in about 11 pounds. Seven weeks later, he has long, teenager legs, a tail with some
hair, still floppy ears, and weighs in over 30 pounds. It’s remarkable how fast he is growing. He joined a household of 2 cats and a
ROSIE
4-year-old Golden Retriever, Riggins, who is also a GRRR alumni. The first night Peyton kept trying to find nipples on Riggins and
hump one of the cats. But it didn’t take long for the cat to use some claw power to repel unwanted advances.
And Peyton and Riggins soon became best pals. Peyton, of course, adores Riggins, and Riggins always has a watchful eye
out for his little buddy. When not sleeping, they are usually wrestling or playing “tug of tennis” ball. All the puppy play does
zap Riggins’ energy, and sometimes he has that tired look of a parent with a new baby. At the end of the day, though, tired
dogs are definitely good dogs. Peyton has been taking Puppy 1 class, and is graduating at the top of his class (he’s the only
puppy in the class). We are also making progress on housetraining, although sometimes a guy is just too busy doing stuff
until it’s too late. He has certainly been a great addition to our menagerie (although the cats might disagree), and since
Peyton came into our lives, we’ve had no need for an alarm clock. Thanks GRRR for letting us adopt Peyton. p
PEYTON
Recent Rescues
Hello to everyone at GRRR!
As the four Goldens that preceded her, Catori, adopted in
2011, has her own definite personality, long licky tongue
and all. She has taken us to obedience school so we could sharpen our skills, as there were some things we
had forgotten. Squeaky toys, long walks and rides in the car are high on her list of favorite things. She
protects us from the squirrels that frequent our trees and yard and is learning to chase the rabbits that live
in the field next to our house. Most recently, she discovered a neighborhood raccoon, but has managed to
escape direct contact. She won't go outside without us, perhaps because of the dreaded hot air balloons
that frequently appear on the horizon in the mornings. Being around other people, especially kids, is a
joy; other dogs are fun, too, and cats are a mystery.
We are so grateful to have her as a part of our family, grateful to GRRR and grateful to her previous owners
who loved her enough to see she would have a good home. She is still, and will always be, a major part of
our family, even though she is getting a bit grey around her muzzle, but aren't we all! We are told that
Catori is the Hopi word for spirit, which she certainly has!
Sincerely,
CATORI
Phil and Dasha Durian
Hi GRRR:
Hi Folks at GRRR:
John and I adopted Henry in December and it has been a while since we have sent an update. Henry is
fabulous! Everything you wrote about Henry in his description was true, but Henry is sooooo much more!
He is loving, funny, devoted, and Henry continues to reveal his personality almost daily! It has been a
wonderful adventure getting to know and understand Henry! Every day Henry receives kisses, praise, pets,
rubs, play (now he lets us know when he wants to play), healthy treats, and his choice of four "Henry
beds" (which we move for his convenience!).
In January, Henry visited the vet to become established, have a general physical, and we were concerned
that Henry had hearing difficulties. Except for very high and very low sounds, our beautiful Henry is deaf.
However, his loss of hearing only makes him more endearing. John and I are using consistent hand signs
and Henry is making progress (although treats help a lot ).
After the initial "Holy Cow! What did you bring home?" reaction from out cats, it has worked out
extremely well! Henry actually likes the cats and once they figured out that he was here to stay and posed
no threat, everything rapidly settled down.
It took a while for Henry to make any type of noise. We anxiously waited to hear Henry! His first bark,
which surprised the heck out of us, finally came one morning
when he saw a number of large black and white crows from the
deck! The cats hid, we jumped, then laughed, and Henry was
celebrated! He has a wonderful voice!
As promised, Henry will have a fenced yard. Now that Spring
has arrived, so will the fence. Currently, we walk him
throughout the day. Prior to confirming that Henry was deaf,
John and I were pretty confident that Henry would learn his
yard and not stray. He was doing exceedingly well until one day
he sensed neighboring dogs and decided to go visit. Because
Henry is deaf, there is no way to stop him when he would like
to visit. Henry is very neighborly and loves other dogs! Perhaps
with the fence, Henry should have a pal, a hearing guide dog
for Henry.
I could go on and on about how much we love Henry and how
grateful we are to have him. Even though Henry can't hear us,
we tell him all the time, what a GOOOOOOD BOOOOY he is
and every night he gets kisses and hugs before sleep!
Have a great day and thank you for all that you do!
Sincerely,
Sharon & John Davis
HENRY
I am pleased to report that Bella is doing great!
She has passed two obedience classes and is
"certified" as a good citizen. She brings us so
much joy, she's been a god sent! With that said,
she is still a puppy and is working on her impulse
control, but that's to be expected. She truly is an
amazing dog, very smart, always wanting to
please, has lots of energy and has blended into
our family beautifully.
I can't think of a thing you could do to make your
adoption process a better experience. We couldn't
be happier with your organization or the
wonderful dog we have.
Thank you for following up and for all the
wonderful things GRRR does!
Sincerely, Jenny Sutherland
BELLA
Recent Rescues
Hi GRRR:
Jack is a Golden Retriever through and through. Every morning I wake up to Jack resting his head on my
bed and the sound of his tail tapping the leg of the night stand. He loves car rides and will sit and wait for
me to say “ok” before jumping in and out of the car. Jack will sit next to the door when he needs a potty
run, and we have noticed that an increase in the number of potty runs is directly proportional to the
amount of snow on the ground. He likes to jam himself between the chair and ottoman, under my work
desk and between my chair and wall—it is where he does his best sleeping. Jack is not much of a tennis
ball chaser with 3-4 tosses before he loses interest; he does however love to follow his nose through a
field avoiding all trails and paths. He does suffer from separation anxiety but it is mild enough that I
believe we can work through it. Other funny Jack-isims, he helps vacuum but is afraid of the sound of a
plastic grocery bag, he loves to sit in the bathtub, he goes out of his way to walk through a puddle of
water, he ignores other dogs but rabbits are his nemesis…and after 2 months, he still has not barked.
Thank you Jack for choosing us as your forever family.
Rick, Kane and Jack Jacobs
CAPTAIN JACK
Hi GRRR,
Dear GRRR:
We adore Cody, he is such a love-bug!
Moby's name was changed to Copper long ago. Since he didn't respond to
Moby it became real easy to rename him. He and the cat are now big
buddies sleeping together regularly. And of course my daughters just love
him. Since he's deaf he has to follow me or the girls everywhere because
he can't hear us from another room. This means constant sight contact is
required for him. Deafness makes training incredibly difficult because you
can't just give a verbal command. Every command has to be a hand
signal. If we want him to follow us, we pat our hip. He hears only really
high pitch sounds. My
youngest daughter
bought a whistle so he
can hear her and he
comes running when
she blows it. He's
having a very happy
second half of life.
We go on 20 minutes walks every morning, and then my 21-year-old daughter
takes him to the park in the afternoon. He has 3 dog beds in different places, but
my daughter lets Cody on her bed, and they snuggle. It’s very cute! Oh and he
does like to lounge around on the leather couches too. Yep, he's one of the
kids,making himself at home.
The adoption process was great. We came down to GRRR, not really knowing
what dog would be best for us, so we took a few dogs into the grass area and
found Cody was the one for us.
He has more energy then most 11 year olds, always up for walks. He likes his
food, and goes out the doggy door and chases squirrels in the backyard.
Cody loves his toys, so he inherited all the toys from our previous Golden, Molly.
Cody greets us with toys in his mouth. Even if we are in the other room, he walks
in with a toy, so sweet!
We have owned Goldens for almost 30 years. We had 3 since they were puppies
and rescued many senior Goldens. It's so fun to see their different personalities.
Cody is a great
companion and
member of the
family. Since both
our kids go to CSU
and are local, Cody
has 4 adults to spoil
him, and he does
love to be the center
of attention, so he is
a happy Golden.
Greta Dietrich
CODY
Thank you,
Robert Lee
COPPER
Newsletter Submissions
We all love reading about your Goldens and we’d like to hear from you! If
you’d like to submit a letter AND photo of your GRRR rescue, e-mail the
letter and digital photo to [email protected], or mail to
GRRR at 15350 W. 72nd Ave, Arvada CO 80007. Deadline for
the August, 2014 issue is July 7. Thanks!
5
Recent Rescues
Hi Darla and GRRR:
I just wanted to check in and let you know how Sammie is doing. I did re-name him, to
Camden. There is a tradition in my family of naming our dogs with “C” names, so since
he is part of the family, he is now part of the tradition. I thought Sam, Cam, sounds
similar, and hasn’t appeared to be an issue for him. He is a happy boy, enjoying daily
walks, car rides, a generous supply of tennis balls, treats, toys and sleeping in bed with
me (he is a cuddler). He does well at home when I go to work, no accidents and the only
thing torn up is the tennis ball fuzz. When I come home, he greets me with several
stuffed animals in his mouth and tail/butt wagging away. I can’t thank you and GRRR
enough, I couldn’t have asked for a better connection with a new Golden. I see so much
of my old guy in him, and a similar personality, which just makes me love him even more. He has an appointment next Friday for a
dental cleaning, his pet insurance is set up, and he had his follow-up vaccinations at Arvada West last weekend, so he is up to date
with everything. He even did awesome at his first bathing experience at a self-service wash place.
CAMDEN
Thanks again for bringing such a special pup into my life! You guys are such a wonderful organization!!
Thanks!!
Cara Klune
Dear GRRR:
Midas is a sweet happy boy who
came to GRRR last summer. We don't
know much about his first seven
years, but he was well fed in his prior
home. Really well fed. Midas weighed
in at a whopping 86 pounds and was
so heavy he could hardly walk to the
end of the block without breathing
hard.
Since arriving at his forever home,
Midas has taken two walks a day and
no longer has access to the all-youcan-eat buffet. All the hard work has
paid off and he has lost twenty
pounds, leaving him with plenty of
energy for his favorite activity—chasing tennis balls.
MIDAS
Hi all,
We adopted Keeta as a brother to our Golden, Mogul, in
December of 2013. They have since become inseparable
and copy each other in everything they do. If one "snow
walruses" as we call it when they roll around and slide
all over in the snow, the other one has to jump right in
and do it. If one decides to lie on his bed and chew a
nylabone, the other one has to copy! If one goes
outside to bark at a moose, you can be sure the other
will be right behind him.
Mary, Julie and Darla were fantastic and so easy to work
with! Thank you SO MUCH GRRR for finding us our
perfect new family member!
Thank you,
Julie
Vihstadt
His tennis ball retrieving acumen is particularly impressive because Midas is completely blind in one
eye and has a small cataract in the other. GRRR's wonderful veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr.
Hammond, ran numerous tests to see if anything could be done to restore Midas' sight.
Unfortunately, Midas also has a detached retina and has likely been blind since birth, so cataract
removal surgery would not help him.
Despite this vision impairment, he gets around great and loves playing with big brother Connor,
going to the park and playing with his toys. Midas also adores everyone he meets and has never met
a stranger. He would really like to be a lap dog, although he will happily fall asleep at your feet. He
demonstrates his superior retrieving skills by bringing visitors a stuffed duck as a gift and he likes to
say hello to anyone who will scratch his head.
Midas has completed a basic obedience class and is continuing to work on his manners. He hopes
someday to be a therapy dog like his big brother Connor. Midas is eternally grateful to GRRR for
getting him the medical treatment he needed and finding him a forever home where he is
happy and loved.
4
Jackie Benson
KEETA
AND
MOGUL
Recent Rescues
Hello GRRR:
Three months ago my husband & I adopted Bailey (she was Sugar at the time).
We are both animal lovers. I have always wanted another dog after leaving my
childhood dog and home many years ago. Two cats & 20 years later we decided
that the time was right. Admittedly, we were leery of adopting a senior dog, but
the moment we saw sweet Bailey's face we knew that we could give her a great
life and home!
Bailey has been a great edition to our family - even winning over our two cats!
BAILEY
While she is a senior dog, we often see her young spark - the never ending waggle of her tail, the race back to the house after a trip to the
green belt (yes, she beats us every time), the requests to play fetch with her tennis ball, or the excitement shown in her "trot" as we go for walks.
We are still getting to know each other, but we are beginning to feel like she is understanding this is her forever home. I am sure Bailey never imagined she
would have this "left turn" in her adult life - entering a whole new world - and it has taken a bit for her to sense some stability. It saddens me to think about how
she must have felt for several months - a bit lost and unsure. GRRR made sure her needs were met and placed her in a lovely foster home. Knowing Bailey now,
we are so thankful that she got to spend much of her "limbo" time there! Our forever bond continues to develop - she recognizes us when we are out and
about, she is getting our routines, and she knows her home when we go for walks. I am glad that we took "a chance" and considered a senior dog. Thank you
GRRR for giving us a chance ~ We love Bailey!!!
Kind regards, Kristin & Chad Danhoff
Dear GRRR:
Max is doing wonderfully and is absolutely adorable. I can only describe him as
a Golden Retriever with "Moxie"! We initially found he was struggling healthwise with a few parasites that he picked up somewhere along the way on his
journey to us, but was finally given the "all clear" by the doctor two weeks ago.
Max has been a great fit and I'm so glad we were able to provide a home to a
puppy that is so lovable and well-behaved. We feel very fortunate.
Thanks again for everything,
Jamie Reisman
MAX
DAISY
Dear GRRR,
2013 was a sad year for us - we lost 4 beloved pets in just
10 months. Our hearts were empty and the long faces during
December were too much to bear. Fortunately, we found GRRR and
adopted Daisy a few days before Christmas. Within about 12 minutes
she became a beloved member of the family. We learned that playing
ball was one of the most important parts of Daisy's life and the local
tennis club was happy to donate a box full of old balls. A ball thrower
was a crucial investment. The attached photo show her after a long
romp in the yard.
We are so thankful and blessed to live with Daisy - she brings joy to our
lives every single day.
With warm regards,
Bob, Krista, Eric & Melanie Meulengracht
6
Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies’
4th ANNUAL FUNDRAISING Gala:
GRRR GALA
You are invited to attend the Golden
Retriever Rescue of the Rockies 2014
Gala fundraiser - June 28!
“Hearts of Gold” will be the 4th annual fundraiser
for GRRR on Saturday, June 28, 2014, from
5:30-10pm at the Tivoli Center in Denver. Tickets
are $125 per person and $950 for a table of 8.
Please register for this festive, furry and fun–
evening.
"Hearts of Gold"
Saturday, June 28, 2014
5:30 – 10:00 pm
The Tivoli Event Center
Turnhalle Room, Denver, CO
Cocktails • Dinner
Silent Auction • Live Auction
Tickets: $125 per person;
$950 for table of 8
RSVP by June 13, 2014
• Emceed by Ed Greene
• Entertainment by
Steve Manshel Band
(formerly of
Firefall)
To purchase tickets
and for more info, please visit
www.goldenrescue.com
The gala will feature a cocktail hour during which
you can bid on silent auction items, a full plated
dinner and an exciting live auction. The
entertainers will be the Steve Manshel Band,
formerly of Firefall and the evening will be emceed
by Ed Greene of Channel 4 News. Auction items
are coming in and include trips to Hawaii and
Breckenridge, and how about taking flight in a
glider! We have Limoge glassware, Bronco’s
tickets, some very nice wine, doggie baskets and
lots more.
Due to the huge success of the Virtual Wine Cellar
auctioned off at last year's gala, we will be
collecting bottles of wine again this year. If you'd
like to contribute, bring a bottle(s) ($25+ value) to
the Spring Fling on May 18th at Phoebe's Place. If
you are unable to attend the Spring Fling and
would like to contribute, please contact Laura
Zlogar at 303 929-3168 or [email protected].
This all-important fundraising event keeps our
rescued dogs fed, cared for, healthy, and prepared
for their forever homes. Last year, we raised more
than $65,000 for these expenses at the gala. Our
goal is to net more than $100,000 this year. Please
visit www.goldenrescue.com for updates as they
become available and to register.
There are opportunities to be involved in the Gala
as an attendee, a sponsor, by donating items or
experiences to the silent auction, and to volunteer.
If you are interested in any of these options, please
contact Kevin Shipley, at 303-279-2400 or kevin.
[email protected]. p
Upcoming Events
Let's go play at
P hoebe's P lace!
Sun, May 18: Sat, June 28: July 4, 5, 6: Sat, September 6: Sat, October 25: Sun, November 2: Spring Fling, Phoebe's Place
GALA, Tivoli Denver
Cherry Creek Arts Festival
Reunion Picnic, Boulder Reservoir
Halloween Party, Phoebe's Place
Santa Pictures/Merchandise Blow Out Sale, Phoebe's Place
(please check goldenrescue.com for more into and latest details)
Adopting a Senior Dog
by Kevin Shipley
Greetings. Have you ever had something that keeps swirling in your head until you feel like you just have to say something? Well, here’s what’s been in
my brain, as scary as that may sound…ask my wife.
I have the privilege of seeing and visiting all the sweet dogs that come in at Phoebe’s Place. I am genuinely excited when I see them adopted or fostered
at a great home. Unfortunately, some of our older dogs are here for a long time and sometimes I get particularly sad. Look, I get it. There’s nothing like a
puppy or even a house-trained enthusiastic 2-year-old. They still have all that wonder and curiosity, but I still feel bad for our dogs that don’t get
adopted as quickly. In many instances, these older dogs have had difficult times and deserve to be happy and be someone’s super dedicated companion.
Yep, I fully understand that a 12-year-old dog will, at some point too soon, cross the rainbow bridge.
Well, so will we. No one gets off this planet alive.
So no guilt trip from me, that’s not my purpose. Just a brief reflection. Sometimes I think we are all the
same kid we used to be inside. We realize we are older and joints may not work the way we want them
too, but none-the-less, that kid is still inside us. I wish I was that kid, with the knowledge we have now. I
wonder if our dogs are the same way. Still puppies inside, with the same curiosity, the same love to give
and the same desire to be loved and to snuggle.
So if you are considering a new furry family member, please consider giving one of our dog senior
citizens the best “rest of life” they could have. Thanks for letting me get that out of my brain and into print.
A Golden Opportunity to Help Your Dog
As a Golden Retriever lover, you probably agree that some of our most important life lessons can be learned from these
faithful canine companions. They have the uncanny ability to teach us to live in the present, express concern and empathy
for others, and remember that forgiveness is a virtue.
Now is your opportunity to run, jump and fetch your way into the most exciting study in veterinary medicine to date.
Morris Animal Foundation’s Golden Retriever Lifetime Study will expand on the everyday life lessons learned from our
canine companions by identifying genetic, nutritional and environmental risk factors for cancer and other major diseases
that affect all dogs.
Each year, study participants complete a detailed online questionnaire and then take their dog to their regular veterinarian.
In collaboration with the dogs’ owners and veterinarians, Morris Animal Foundation will gather and analyze the resulting
health data and biological samples, such as blood, urine, feces, hair and toenail clippings, annually throughout the lifetime
of each dog. Results of comprehensive laboratory panels are shared with participants through their veterinarians.
Eligible Golden Retrievers must be healthy, have a verifiable three-generation pedigree, be younger than 2 years of age and
ASTRO is in the study
reside in the contiguous United States. While the results of this study will benefit all dogs, the research focuses on Golden
Retrievers because of their high incidence of cancer. As a supporter of Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies, you might
even know from firsthand experience that this horrible disease has become far too prevalent, especially in the sunny, loving Golden Retriever.
More than 1,000 Golden Retrievers under the age of 2 are already participating in this landmark study, but Morris Animal Foundation needs your help!
Our goal is to enroll 3,000 Golden Retrievers in this groundbreaking initiative to improve the health of dogs everywhere. You, too, can help Morris
Animal Foundation eliminate cancer! Join today to help change the future of veterinary medicine. Register at www.CanineLifetimeHealth.org.
8
Phoebe's Place Update
by Kevin Shipley
I am writing this while enjoying a brief respite from the snow, wind, and deep freeze. Mother Nature is cruel. She gives us some blue sky, some
warmth and then laughs as she plunges back down. Oh well, we did manage to get a lot done at Phoebe's Place (PP) in between snowflakes.
Next time you’re out, take a look around.
The garage connected to the house has been beautifully repurposed with a nice interior
finish and Goliath-strength shelving. This provides us a dry storage area for dog food
and frequent use items that were otherwise scattered about. The small breezeway
between the garage and the house is being reworked as a wellness area for the dogs.
Compared to other projects, this is an easy one and should be completed soon. Why, do
we need a wellness area you may ask? Many of our older dogs receive acupressure and
other natural goodies for their joints, and this area will offer a private and quieter place
away from other dogs and commotion. We want our dogs to have a Zen experience
right! No, we didn’t Feng Shui the space!
While we’re talking house, all the roof repairs have been completed and the roof should
be good for 3-4 more years. The gutters have also been rehung which eliminates the
water runoff problems we previously had. The grooming room has been undergoing
minor improvements that will mitigate humidity and avoid water damage to the walls.
STELLA
You will also notice that the back acreage is now flat. All the nasty brush has been
removed to provide a great off-leash area for the dogs. In fact, you will have an easier time getting there because we also built cement stairs
to that back area. Lastly, PP now has improved security with a donated video surveillance system keeping an eye on the property. We’ll bring on the
drones next…just kidding. We needed to make sure Mary and all the dogs are secure.
That’s it for now. Can’t wait to get our warm weather activities cranked up. Have Goldens, just need some sun and fun. p
Annual Meeting
by Judi Servoss
Members of non-profit boards are often asked why they hold annual meetings and why members of the organization should care about them. We
had a couple questions about our annual meeting and why it was so business directed. I thought it would be good to explain the distinction
between an annual member meeting and a regular member meeting or event. The annual membership meeting could be thought of as a business
meeting for members. Member events are all about our common love of our Goldens.
Another answer is simply that the meetings are required by state law. In GRRR’s case in addition, our Bylaws require a meeting every year. In fact,
our Bylaws specify the meeting is “for the purpose of electing members of the Board of Directors and for transaction of other business as may come
before the meeting.”
Best practices say the Board of Directors at the very least should offer transparency to its members by providing accountability for finances and
client services at this annual event. At GRRR we also see it as an opportunity to communicate our accomplishments, along with our challenges, and
our future plans. It also provides an opportunity to answer questions and elaborate on issues.
In 2014 we decided to move our annual meeting from its traditional late fall timeframe to March. We did this to be able to provide full-year
financials to our members, rather than three quarters. We felt this presented a more meaningful picture, and avoided having to produce a partial
year annual report, and then update it a few months later with a full year report.
Therefore, to meet the “annual” requirement, we ended up with two meetings in the span of four months. But going forward, the meeting will be
held in the winter.
The Board is certainly open to suggestions for what this meeting should look like, what should be changed, what should be added. An average of
30-50 people traditionally attend. We value your thoughts on whether it should be the barebones required by law, or something more lavish. The
Annual Meeting is a business meeting. We recognize we have many other member events and parties that celebrate our wonderful members,
volunteers, and of course our Golden Retrievers.
GRRR STATS
January 1 - March 31, 2014
Number of dogs adopted Money spent on medical needs:
55
$25,265
A 2013 Annual Report is available on the website in the “About” link. Feel free to email me any
thoughts you have regarding our future Annual Meetings at [email protected]. p
9
Golden Angel - Bailey
by Mary Kenton
Bailey is a 15-year-old handsome and sweet boy who came to GRRR after a few stops along the way. Bailey was a “frequent flyer” at a local Colorado shelter. He
had been brought in as a stray many times. But this last time his family told the shelter they would not be picking him up—they didn’t want him anymore. Sitting
in a sad but familiar setting, he probably couldn’t imagine what was taking his people so long to come for him. But instead of his people showing up, a kind and
reassuring volunteer came to rescue him from the shelter, promising him he wouldn’t be left behind again.
When Sophiane Nacer, Executive Director of Cayleb’s Kindred Senior Dog Rescue, arrived to pick up Bailey, he probably wondered what in the world was going on.
But little did he know how lucky he was to have been spotted on Petfinder and pursued by Sophiane. After several calls to inquire about Bailey, Sophiane was finally
allowed to come rescue this loving senior Golden boy. Sophiane took Bailey home to foster. It
was obvious to her that this sweet and gentle boy hadn’t been cared for in his previous home.
With his matted coat, neglected teeth and being a little overweight, it was likely he had been
spending his time alone in a backyard for quite some time.
Once settled in Sophiane's home, Bailey quickly learned how to be an inside dog. Enjoying the
comforts of a loved pet was easy for Bailey to get used to. He looked forward to his walks and
especially the socializing of the other dogs they would meet along the way.
While checking the postings for available and found Goldens on Petfinder, I kept coming upon
Bailey’s posting and thought how handsome he was. Every day I would always see his handsome
face and wonder why a 15-year-old Golden needed a home, but know that things do happen
in life that force people to find new homes for their Golden Retrievers and other dogs. Missing
the company of a senior, I inquired about Bailey. Sophiane replied to my email quickly, and the
following week Queen Stella and I went to visit Bailey. Bailey and Stella hit it off right away.
Arrangements were made to bring Bailey to Phoebe’s Place to see how he might fit in at GRRR.
Bailey seemed to enjoy his visit and he stayed with us for a trial period to see how things went.
Things went great! Bailey seemed to love it here and we loved having him. An appointment was
made to get Bailey an exam, heartworm test and vaccinations. Bailey was a hit at Arvada West
Veterinary Hospital, walking around like he’s just one of the gang. But the next day the bad news
came—Bailey was heartworm positive. It was heartbreaking to believe that someone who was
supposed to care about him didn’t bother to give him heartworm preventative. Such a simple
thing, but they failed to do that for him.
Poor Bailey. Thinking of this old boy having to endure the painful, very expensive and hard
to obtain treatment was devastating. He didn’t deserve this. He spent many years lonely in a
backyard, looking for ways to escape and being successful several times. Bailey loves people
and other dogs. How could they allow him to live this way? And now being diagnosed with
BAILEY
heartworm, would he live to see how life can be as a cherished companion?
I contacted other rescue groups who regularly treat heartworm when they get rescue dogs from states that commonly have high heartworm positive dogs. Kelley
and Rachel shared information on a method that was successful for several dogs that had come through their rescue. The information and protocol was forwarded
to us. Dr. Carpenter did some research to see if he felt it was the best option for Bailey. Everything seems difficult with treatment for heartworm positive dogs these
days. The immiticide used to kill heartworm is no longer manufactured in the U.S. Doxycycline that is given during heartworm treatment was a very common
inexpensive drug, but it is now very expensive because the manufacturing plant was destroyed during Hurricane Sandy. No matter what we did, it was going to be
costly...and all of this could have been prevented with a fairly inexpensive test and monthly preventative. We made Bailey's transfer from Cayleb's Kindred Senior
Dog Rescue to GRRR official so that he could receive the treatment he needed.
Bailey is doing fine since keeping him quiet isn’t a big issue for this boy. He is pretty low key unless he thinks there is a chance that a car ride is in his future. He
LOVES the car. Bailey also loves his weekly massage from Linda Pierrel. Bailey has some sore, arthritic hips and the Rimadyl seems to make all the difference for him.
He has his cute spurts of puppy behavior as he attacks the Kong toys or decides to shake a stuffed animal. Bailey is feeling great and he has so many people to thank.
He loves his new life and everyone who made it possible. Thank you for supporting the Golden Angel Fund and helping give these wonderful Goldens in need a
newfound life that they could not have had if not for your generous donations.
Important information on Heartworm
Unfortunately, a lot of people are still under the mistaken belief that heartworm disease doesn’t exist in their region. Then when rescued dogs arrived in shelters
across the U.S., many didn’t bother to check for heartworm prior to placing them into new homes. That’s not the only reason, but I believe it sure had something
to do with the increase in the cases of heartworm we have seen in Colorado. GRRR had less than 10 cases of heartworm in the first 10 years of our rescue being
founded. Then we suddenly saw an increase where we had 10 cases in two years. From that point we started testing all of the Goldens who come into our care. Even
with that they should be tested each spring as it takes 6 months for the heartworm to form to the stage where it shows up on a heartworm test. Please get your
Golden tested for heartworm and on preventative medicine every spring. It’s such a small thing to keep them safe from such a tragic and painful disease. p
10
Golden Angel - Charlie & Max
Sometimes good things come in pairs.
About the third week of November, Gary Choate contacted GRRR and asked if we would consider taking in two
dogs, one Golden and one a Border Collie. He told the story about how he came to acquire these two dogs. He
was driving the back-roads of Franktown when he spotted two four-legged critters coming up the road. At first
Gary couldn't figure out anything more than that they were two four-legged animals. As they got to his car,
the little one jumped up to the window and looked at him, as if to ask, hey are you my dad? That was Max, an
adorable bright-eyed Border Collie. His friend was a big Golden Retriever named Charlie. Both boys were in pretty
tough shape, matted and filthy.
From their very weathered look and faded collars, Gary knew they had long been abandoned. Someone had
decided they didn't want Max and Charlie anymore. So instead of doing something kind and responsible,
they dumped them in the middle of nowhere for nature to take its course. Their rescuer knew the wildlife was
everywhere and coyotes called this area home.
They had apparently been wandering together a long time. Gary took them home. They were fed and given a
comfortable and warm place to stay. He had them groomed right away and then took them to his vet. Charlie was
treated for a ruptured ear drum (a long treatment process ) and both boys were neutered. Gary had them for about
a month and kindly cared for them, giving them a lot of love, affection and care. He worked with the vet to get both
these guys back to an acceptable level of health. Unfortunately for Max and Charlie, this kind man already had two
dogs and was unable to offer them a forever home. Once medically able, Gary came up from Franktown to bring
these boys to GRRR. This kind man was incredible to have done so much for them and on top of everything he had
done for them, he made a donation to GRRR for taking them into our care. At last, these two found a safe place
with shelter, food and plenty of attention.
Once settled in at Phoebe’s Place, they were taken into Arvada West Veterinary Hospital for an exam. Max was in
need of some major dental work for painful broken teeth. Charlie also had some bad teeth and just looking
at him made you hurt for him because of the pain he endured from the ruptured ear drum. Both received
additional vaccinations, prescriptions for antibiotics and pain medication. Dentals were scheduled for both
of the boys. We continued to treat Charlie’s ruptured eardrum, but felt there was more to his head tilt than
the ruptured ear drum. After keeping Charlie on the antibiotics for an additional month, there was no
improvement. Dr. Carpenter felt Charlie either didn’t recover from vestibular disease, or he potentially had
a tumor that was causing this. Charlie’s condition created such an imbalance that it caused him to tilt his
head and walk in circles. Charlie, in spite of the abuse and abandonment, was still very sweet, lovable and
surprisingly trusting. Charlie loves toys and you seldom see him without a stuffed toy in his mouth. Max was
Charlie's sidekick and guardian. Max is constantly aware of Charlie's whereabouts, making sure he is protected
and out of the path of too much activity.
Sadly, as time went on it seemed that Charlie most likely had a brain tumor and the goal was to keep
Charlie loved and happy. To think after that turbulent journey to GRRR and all the love and care from our
volunteers, he would now face this. But we felt both Charlie and Max had found a nice home at Phoebe's
Place. Fortnately, it gets better for these two dogs, because now they are both living the good life as foster
dogs thanks to Bob and Barbara Crook. Thanks to the Crooks, Max and Charlie are in a great home and living
the best life they have ever had. Charlie continues to happily carry his toys and Max is happy to have less
competition for the games of fetch he loves so much.
For some dogs, medical care is an essential part of their rehabilitation and we don't always know what
we will find with our rescues. GRRR’s Golden Angels go on to live very happy lives and provide wonderful
companionship to people who want a furry, loyal, best friend.
by Kevin Shipley
CHARLIE
MAX
Please give anything you can to provide the special care our Golden Angels receive. Thank you! p
Please Donate to GRRR's Golden Angel Fund!
The Golden Angel Fund has been established to help Golden Retrievers in need of extra medical care. Some Goldens require special medications or surgeries
for conditions such as cancer, hip dysplasia, allergies, heartworm, knee surgeries, eye surgeries, infections, etc. Without medical help, many of them will not
be likely candidates for adoption; however, we can’t say no to these special Goldens who need extra care. Sometimes extraordinary medical circumstances
bring these Goldens to us, and with the Golden Angel Fund we can help more of them find a quality, pain-free life in a new and loving home.
Please send your tax deductible donations to: GRRR, 15350 W. 72nd Avenue, Golden, CO 80007 (make your check payable to GRRR with
“Golden Angel Fund” in the memo portion). Or donate on-line at http://goldenrescue.com/golden-angel-fund/ Thank you!
11
Golden Angel Update
NELSON, by Darla Henderson
Nelson has recovered from his surgeries and is finally living a pain free life thanks to the Golden
Angel Fund. He is doing fantastic and his sweet and gentle personality is shining through. It
has been a joy to watch him become a playful and well-adjusted pooch. He loves to run and he
looks so beautiful and carefree when he does. Another of his favorite things is being the new
lap dog - sitting with Bob Sr or Jr and watching TV. He loves to chase after tennis balls and is
frequently in the toy box seeing if mom has put a new one in there. Even though he doesn't
have many teeth left after the surgeries to fix his broken jaw, he can still find the squeaker in
a toy pretty quickly! He has gained so much
confidence over the last 4 months. He is no
longer the skittish and fearful dog he once was.
Thank you for donating to the Golden Angel
Fund so that dogs like Nelson can be rescued
and given the chance at a wonderful life! p
NELSON AND BOB SR.
NELSON
JENNY, now RILEY, by Kurt & Amy DeLucero
RILEY
12
Here is an update on Riley, AKA Jenny Craig, AKA Moosetta. Riley is our second
GRRR dog and we could not be happier to have a Golden back in our home
after losing two of our Goldens, Brittany (former GRRR senior girl) and my
best buddy, Sampson, in the previous year. After contacting Darla at GRRR in
January, we eventually met Riley and knew right away that we were going to
take her home. Riley’s coat had been completely shaved due to matting and an
infestation of bugs. Unfortunately, Riley’s new haircut revealed how enormous
she really was. She weighed in at a whopping 124 pounds on her first trip to
Dr. Carpenters office. She was immediately given medicine for a thyroid condition and put on a strict diet with exercise. Riley’s foster parents did a great job
starting her diet and short walks. Riley came home with us in mid-January and
immediately fit right in with our other two dogs, Charlie and Junior. Although
learning the dog doors took a few weeks, Riley immediately took a liking to our
¾ acre dog pen and spends most of her daytime watching the wildlife through
the fence and playing with her new buddies. We are happy to report that Riley
is doing great, loves her new home and buddies, has now lost more than 25
pounds and just broke the 100 lb. mark this week. Her coat has grown back
with some curls and now that she is sporting a slimmer physique, she is quite
the “looker”. It is amazing how much energy she has now that some weight
has come off. She romps around like a puppy and is extremely athletic for such
a big girl. For some extra exercise, Riley mixes in a trip to the K9 Body spa once
per week to visit Tammy and Judy for a walk in the tank or swimming. Riley is an awesome Golden girl and has been a great addition to our
family. We cannot thank GRRR enough for bringing us together! Thanks to everyone who donated to the Golden Angel Fund. p
Naming Tribute
BILL WARD
BILL WARD, by his many friends
Bill Ward of Englewood, Colorado, passed away on February 22, 2014, two weeks shy of his 66th birthday.
Bill once owned a Golden named Trouble, but due to ill health, he couldn’t own a personal dog again once Trouble went to
the Bridge. Instead, Bill became a dedicated GRRR supporter, attending various GRRR events as his work schedule and health
permitted. He bought loads of raffle tickets at the reunion picnic at the Boulder Reservoir, and he always arrived loaded with
pockets full of dog treats to liberally dispense to the pups who sought him out.
Around 2000, a group of Golden lovers found Golden Retrievers in Cyberspace (GRIC) on the Internet. Bill was one of those
people. He generously took over administrating the website when the original founder passed away. With good humor and great
generosity, Bill became “Uncle Bill” to various Goldens around the country and in Canada. Every Sunday, he posted the Sunday Stroll, which meant there were photos of
members’ dogs with clever clues so we could guess whose pup it was, a wonderful way to begin a Sunday morning. He also sent packages filled with treats and dog toys
for holidays and birthdays, organized a Christmas card exchange and sent uplifting notes when someone’s dog got their angel wings.
When news of Bill’s death reached the GRIC membership, there was an outpouring of desire to do something to memorialize Bill. A naming tribute donation of $100 has been
donated to GRRR to name an incoming boy dog "Bill", and a $400 contribution has been made to the Golden Angel Fund. The generosity of GRIC members is particularly poignant
given the fact that the majority had never met Bill in person, only through the written word and photos on the Internet. We were all lucky to have known such a kind and loving
man; both GRRR members who knew him and the GRIC membership will miss his good cheer and his love for this breed to which we’ve dedicated our lives.
BROCK, by Cathy and Russ Jones: “I loved you so — ’Twas heaven here with you.” If he could, Brock would have spoken those poet’s words.
Brock and I shared the same heart. He was the Golden I never could have imagined. Of course he had all those Golden qualities we all love – friendliness, loyalty,
gentleness and love in abundance. But for me, and for our family, he was so very much more. Brock was totally devoted to us, in a needy, tender way and never in a
demanding way. He epitomized the “velcro” dog image. He would follow me everywhere in the house. He would never ask for anything and only wanted to keep me in his
sight ... although he was the most happy when we were touching. We adored one another. Brock died very suddenly and very unexpectedly. A GRRR Golden Angel, we are
so thankful that Brock was a part of our family for 5 ½ years. He will always be in our hearts, and we will always remember all that he gave us.
LUCY, by Jean Adams: Lucy’s life was cut short due to cancer. No dog has ever been more loved or cared for! She was the dear companion of Amy Klein. Says Amy: “Lucy
was 10 months old when I adopted her. She had already been diagnosed with grade 4 hip dysplasia, but always had a smile on her face even though it was clear she
struggled with pain from her condition. She loved going for long hikes in the woods, swimming, chewing on sticks, and her most favorite activity of all…eating! It always
amazed me how she could be snoring on the couch one moment as I snuck into the kitchen for a snack…and right by my side in an instant when she heard the slightest
sound of the refrigerator or a cupboard opening. Lucy loved riding in the car and it always made me smile to look back and see her contentedly leaning against the
window watching the world pass by. Lucy was just 8 years old when she passed away. She brought so much light into my life and I will always be thankful for the time I spent
with her."
BROCK
LUCY
KESHA, by Michael Feigenbaum: We loved our Kesha so very much and miss her every day. Every morning I tell Molly and Lucy that, before anything else, we love the
'Big Dog', which is what we called Kesha (Molly is of course the 'Little Dog', which has left Lucy the 'Lu Dog'), and then we think of our other friends who are important to
us, then we can get on with our day. Lucy always looks at me with a quizzical look on her sweet face, but she knows it's important so she listens, and then runs off to find
her rope so we can play! We think this is a wonderful way to keep Kesha's memory preserved, thanks for giving us this opportunity.
More info on Naming Tributes here: http://goldenrescue.com/naming-tribute/
KESHA
Donations in Memory or Honor
• In Memory of Bill Ward:
Linda Benedetti • Marianne Breneman • Trish Byers • Carol and Jerry Chenoweth • Gail Coles • Marcy and George Collins •Carol Forgione • Fidele Fuller
Molly Heins • Phyllis Longbons • Pam Matas • Michael and Linda McDonnell • Barb McKown • Michele L. Olivas • Sandra Pomainville • Rosalind Raymond
Tonya Rider • Ann C. Sullivan • Carol Swanson • Wendy Thomas • Judy Walters
• In Memory of Marilyn Birch: Robert and Nancy Miller • F.M. and B.J. Guist • Patricia Gabriella • Steve and Leslie Hill
• In Memory of Sampson, loved by Mary Kenton and Deb Kneale & Bob Jorgensen: Valerie Schwolow, Bill Urbanowski, Judith and Edwin Hynson
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Anonymous, in honor of Vicky Homan
Duane and Peggy Baack, in Memory of James Williamson
Karin Clift, in memory of Sunny, our beloved Golden Retriever
Kristin and Mark Coleman, in memory of Casey Limoli
Kristin and Mark Coleman, in memory of Maggie Frederick
Joanne Davidson, in honor of Margot Gilbert Frank’s birthday
Jeri and Jack Davis, in loving memory of Jerry and Mary Jelinek's Molly, dearly
missed. Molly was a joy every time she visited us on her daily walk.
Sherry Deines, in memory of Sagey Poo
Joann Demassa, in memory of Doug Bell
Tomas Diaz, in memory of Joely Nelson
Heilke Franzen-Pratt, in memory of “Indi” Francis
Robert Heldenbrand, Jr, in honor of the Arvada West Vet. Hospital staff
Jerry and Mary Jelinek, in memory of Molly
John Lee, in memory of Zora
Grace and Robert Mann, in memory of Joyce Morganfield
Kasseen O'Leary, in memory of Carol Morgan
Malcolm and Janet Orton, in memory of Skye
Pam Matas, in honor of Bryce Strelow
Alison McCallen, in memory of Molly McCallen
• Gaines and Beth McFadden, in memory of Gary Roscoe
• Beth Miller, in memory of Becky Adams and Jennifer Jay’s animals, Fiji a mastiff,
and cats Bart, Pinky, and Puddy
• Michael and Debra Murphy, in memory of James Williamson
• Allison Rainey, in honor of Katie Ingram
• Helen Rogers, in memory of Gregory Lee TerHark
• The Salty Dog, in memory of Cypris O'Shields
• The Salty Dog, in memory of Wink Bornfleth
• Jennifer Sylman, in memory of Summer
• Richard and Karen Stacy, in memory of James Williamson
• Phillip S Strain, in memory of Chase and Freedom
• B.A. Thompson, in memory of Joyce Morganfield. “We miss her! We know how
much GRRR meant to her. Thank you for all you do for Golden’s”.
• Kathy Truman, in memory of Jim Williamson
• Bill Urbanowski, in memory of Tricia Kenner's dog Libby
• Bill Urbanowski, in memory of Roxanne Sabin's Golden, Sophie
• Steven and Nancy Weber, in memory of Romeo Ray, beloved pet of
Sheila Ray.
• Randall and Nancy Whitmore, in memory of Joely G. Nelson
13
In Memory
GABBY
I was again very lucky to have a senior Golden share her life with me. Gabby came to me on Nov 3, 2012. She was quiet and
more than a little shy at first. She quickly discovered the doggie toy basket, loaded with all shapes and sizes of stuffed toys,
all left for her by my previous Goldens, and Hank. Within a few days, I found one of her favorite activities was to load up 2-3
toys in her mouth, then proceed to move through the house, talking and mewling. It looked to me like she was giving them
a personally guided tour of each room. What a riot! Soon she was also greeting me when I got home from work, mouth
full of toys, talking away. I had thought that "Gabby" was short for Gabriella, but as it turns out, "Gabby" was the perfect
name for this very vocal, very special girl. Three days after she came home, I saw what appeared to be a tumor pushing out
on her right hip. She had been scheduled to see Dr Carpenter 2 days later, so I called Mary Kenton to report the growth. His
evaluation showed the growth to be cancer, and the operation was able to remove most of it, but not all. After she recovered
from the surgery, we continued to monitor her health, which seemed to be improving regardless of the cancer and another
growth she had in her upper gum tissue. In the Spring, the tumor started to return on her hip and also seemed spread to her
lungs. A daily dose of a steroid, as well as her vanilla cones at DQ and Frosty Paws, helped manage the cough resulting from
the lung cancer. In spite of her declining health issues, Gabby was always a true Golden, happy with life and being with me.
Her cancer continued to spread, making life more and more difficult, so on January 4, with great sadness, I let her go to be
with Shasta, Hank, Merle,and Max. I know she's once again whole and healthy and watching over me.
GABBY
Mary Bakke
LADY
We acquired Lady from you in the fall off 2004 after we had adopted another Golden from you several
months earlier. Lady had been diagnosed with a grade four to six aortic stenosis coupled with other
types of heart problems, and her prognosis was not good. I was asked if I would take her because they
didn't know if she would live for a few more weeks or a few more months. Seeing that I was a veterinary
technician, they thought that it would be a good home for Lady for whatever time she had left.
That was 9 years ago. A week before Thanksgiving, we had to have her euthanized due to kidney failure.
It was a horribly sad day. However she had a wonderful full life, going on daily walks with the three other
dogs that we have. Lady was able to run on acres of land and enjoy the company of loving people and
other dogs that she had good relationships with. In her lifetime with us, she had four surgeries, two cyst
removals and two cancerous tumors toward the end. A week after her last surgery she started going down
hill. Up until then, she was happy to walk at least a mile a day with us. She did have a wonderful life.
I want to thank all of you for the work you do placing these dogs in a home where they can be loved. Lady
had nine more wonderful years with all the love that she could get.
Sincerely and in sorrow, Heather and Bob Brown
LADY
MARVIN
We adopted Marvin from GRRR on May 23, 2013. We wanted to let you know that Marvin died yesterday.
He woke up, shook, and his body went limp, he could not stand up. We had to carry him to the vet. While at
the vet's office, he had several more seizures, the vet could not even get blood from Marvin, as his veins were
collapsed.
Marvin had the best 9 months that we could give him. We gave him a loving home, good foods, lots and lots
of hugs and plenty of walks. We are so in shock over his passing so suddenly. Nine months was way too short
to share with him. I don't know if he ever had a good home, but he found one with us. We hope we made a
difference in his life. He seemed very happy here. Up until his death, he still needed me to go outside in the
backyard with him to do his business. He got two to three walks a day! Good food, no preservatives, treats,
and sleeping on the couch or bed. Although Marvin had his quirks, we loved him. It was hard to come home at
noon today and not see Marvin there greeting me at the door and ready for his walk.
It was meant for us to have Marvin and for Marvin to maybe finally have a family who cared for him. He was
truly affectionate. Thank you for taking Marvin into GRRR.
14
Lorraine and Mike Trezek
MARVIN AND MIKE
MAX
In 2004 a beautiful Golden Retriever puppy named "Vinnie" came into our lives and last Spring
(2013) we had to say goodbye to him. We instantly renamed him "Max" and he brought much joy
and happiness to us and our other Golden, "Molli." We were blessed to find GRRR and so pleased that
we could make a great life for Max although much shorter than we would have liked. He was a big,
long-legged boy who loved his walks more than anything else—with, probably, the exception of food.
Unfortunately, Max had multiple health issues that he just couldn't overcome and that made him very
sick and sad. Without GRRR we would have never had our lives so enriched by such a beautiful boy.
Thank you, Mary Kenton, for all of your help.
Ron Boffo
MAX
CHUCK
When my friend Shelly and I met Mary Kenton, she explained the adoption process to us, during which a
new arrival “Cody” was hanging around. She said Cody had been living in the wild outside of Cody, WY. He
was very meek and would just go to the ground in a very contorted position if you even looked at him, so we
thought he might have really bad hips. He obviously had been seriously abused but there seemed something
special about him even though we didn’t really interact with him. When we left I jokingly told Mary that
Shelley would probably be back the next day to adopt him and sure enough, that’s what happened. Shelley
renamed him Chuck after her favorite Uncle. So he became ChuckChuck and to me, Chuckarooski, Chuckoluski,
Chuckeruckerish, and my favorite, Chuckelicious!
The first year was a bit trying. Chuck went after a couple of dogs that were on a leash and it was always
unexpected. He would wake up from a nap growling and snapping, eyes wide with fear or even terror. Then
he would look around the room and seemingly realize that “this is my new life and it’s really real!” and then
he would be fine. Fortunately, he embraced his new life and after about a year he became the sweetest dog
imaginable. All he ever wanted was food and belly rubs. He didn’t fetch, swim or really play at all. He did like to
hike and go camping. He loved to just wade into the water and lay there to cool down and then get on his back
and roll in the snow, dirt or grass, but usually the dirt! Then he would remain motionless as he received his belly
rubs with a huge grin on his face, pawing for more, never tiring of his belly rubs.
Mary said they thought he was between 7 and 10 when we adopted him so he could have been 15 for all we
knew. Shelley and her husband moved to Montrose in February 2013 and she called me on February 10th of
this year saying Chuck had a bad weekend and it didn’t look good. A few hours later she told me they had to
put him down and he had crossed the rainbow bridge and was no longer suffering. At least he went quickly.
He was my boy and I’ll always miss him dearly. I just wish we had found him earlier and given him more good years but at least the time he did have
with us was transformative and wonderful to witness and be a part of. And of course, none of this would have happened if it were not for the incredibly
awesome people that make GRRR what it is today and will continue to do so moving forward and hopefully grow and save even more doggies every year!
CHUCK
Thanks to everyone at GRRR, ChuckChuck thanks you all!
Chris Cooper, Shelley, and Steve
MOLLY
Molly, the most precious dog in the world, to us, left us after having cancer. Mary brought Molly to us in
August of 2002, and she immediately took over our lives, our house, our friends, but mostly our hearts.
She was the kindest, smartest, most caring and sensitive dog we have ever had. She grew up with one of
our granddaughters and even knew the difference between Katie’s toys and her own. She loved being where
everyone was but stayed out of the way.
One of her greatest tricks was to stuff her tennis balls under the couch and then growl and bark until we
retrieved them for her. Then she wanted us to throw them down the hall for her to retrieve. On Sundays we
would take her to a lake and throw the ball far enough out that she would have to swim to bring it back to us.
She would do that until she collapsed if we didn’t tell her she was tired.
Molly knew our every move, what certain shoes meant, if she was going in the car with us, when we were going
camping, etc. She absolutely loved camping. Once when we were close to Steamboat Springs looking for a
campsite, she spotted a deer, and the next thing we knew she had jumped out of the car after it. What a surprise
that was to us! Whenever anyone stayed overnight at our house, she would sleep in the room with them
instead of with us. Thus, we called her our whore dog! Molly loved her treats and would do everything she could
to get one. She brought in the paper each morning for us, did all of her tricks and even would just stare at the pantry as if to say, “Is it treat time?” Of
course, she had us wrapped around her little paws, but we wouldn’t have had it any other way.
We will love and miss you always, Molly, and look forward to meeting you again. We know you are pain free and happy now.
Jerry and Mary Jelinek
MOLLY
15
ARE YOU REGISTERED YET?
"Hearts of Gold" Gala
Saturday, June 28
www.goldenrescue.com
Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies
15350 W. 72nd Avenue
Arvada, CO 80007
The Golden GRRRowl published
Quarterly by GRRR
hotline: 303/279-2400
Fax: 303-940-1559
[email protected]
www.goldenrescue.com
Board of Directors:
Judi Servoss - President
Steve Morganfield - Vice President
Deb Kneale - Treasurer
Marci Auston
Dee Delay
Darla Henderson
Pat Rogers
Roxanne Sabin
Bill Urbanowski
Executive Director:
Kevin Shipley
[email protected]
Designed by Debbie Davis:
[email protected]
Edited by Kim Hosler:
[email protected]
®
“A Golden Retriever Can Change Your Life­!”
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies is dedicated to rescue,
placement and public awareness, to ensure that Golden Retrievers
are adopted by people who are able to provide a safe, loving home.
Applications to adopt a Golden are available on our Web site www.goldenrescue.com or call our hotline 303/279-2400
Please accept my Membership in GRRR (includes quarterly newsletter plus free attendance at all events and reunions)
I would like to receive my newsletter: ❒ via mail (black & white print) or ❒ via e-mail (color PDF...save GRRR postage and printing costs!) $30
year
$_______________
Please accept my additional tax deductible donation to help Goldens where needed most:
❒ $250+ Golden Champion
❒ $100 Golden Hero
❒ $50 Golden Star
$_______________
Interested in volunteering? Go to www.goldenrescue.com to fill out the volunteer application. Thanks!
NAME ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CITY _______________________________________________ STATE _______________________ ZIP _____________________________
HOME PHONE ____________________ WORK PHONE _____________________ E-MAIL ____________________________________
Please mail to: Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies • 15350 W. 72nd Ave. • Arvada, CO 80007
Thank you for your support!