Golden Rescue ...About Second Chances

I adopted Hawkeye in September 1994 when he was 7 months old and for 3-1/2 years he was my loyal “buddy”. In February 1998 on a visit to Muskoka, Hawkeye left me! He took one look at my date’s waterfront home and the surrounding seventeen acres and he pledged a new allegiance. I’ve got to give to Hawk, he knew we were “in love” before I did, so what choice did I have but to marry the guy. The Severn River has been Hawk’s heaven ever since.

Hawk was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 3 and gave us quite a scare at 8 years old when after a grand mal seizure he slipped into status epilepticus. But Hawk is an amazing trooper and we are grateful that good veterinary care and lots of Valium kept him with us. His hind quarters were never the same after the prolonged seizures but he has soldiered on through arthritis and an ACL tear (at 12) to still be mostly mobile at 15+ years old.

Hawk’s pesky doggie housemates, Becky (8), Bella (6) and Gertie (3) have kept him young at heart! and on his good days he’s still willing to run & thieve their tennis balls during our play sessions.

Every day now with him is golden!!

Rudy, #144, is now 13 years old and came to us about 10 years ago as a very timid and suitably ignored Golden. He has since become our cherished “Velcro” Golden and is constantly by our side. Rudy has recently retired as a most loved therapy dog with Therapeutic Paws of Canada and is sadly missed by all of his “2 legged” senior pals he used to visit at a local retirement home.

We rescued Quinn when he was 3 years old and he will be 12 years old this month. He is in great shape, still running like he was 2 years old. He has arthritis in his front paws, but it only bothers him periodically. His hearing is going, but is eyesight is still very good. Quinn comes to work with me everyday and is known as the office mascot. He is the only male in the office and keeps us in line. Clients identify with Quinn and ask if we are the firm “with the beautiful golden retriever as the receptionist”, and when we reply that we are the same firm, they use our services! He approaches everyone that comes in hoping for a handout. Quinn has a stepbrother named Rowdy and together they make quite a pair. Rowdy is an extremely busy Australian Cattle Dog and is also 12 years old this month. They get along fabulously and are often found sleeping back-to-back on the rug.

Abandoned at a year old, this happy, handsome boy is an amazing sailor. He and his forever Dad travel around the east coast on their sailboat and when Bongo’s help is needed, he pulls up the mainsail, taking his job as first mate very seriously.

Luke is the same happy boy with the big smile that he had when we were lucky enough to have him come live with us 7 years ago. He’s never been sick, not even an ear infection & has never missed a meal! He loves to go for walks & car rides and especially enjoys chasing the squirrels out of his yard. We know he dreams of eventually catching a neighbourhood bunny – we haven’t told him he’ll never have a chance because he’s leashed – we all have our dreams!

Toby came into the care of the Rescue Society when he was found running the streets in Quebec. He was approximately 6 months old. He was quite wild after his time running free but it was obvious to us he was very smart. He was a very scared and insecure little dog when we adopted him and it took many hours of training and even more hours of care, love and consistency for him to grow into the wonderful dog that he is. He has the friendliest personality and is a funny dog. Toby is now a very young 7 years old. He can still out run most younger dogs and still can play like a puppy for hours at the park. Toby is a central part of our family and he always happiest when his (human) brother and sisters come home. We are very lucky to know him.

There has not been one day since we brought Ben home that we have not wondered how we got so lucky. He is an absolutely beautiful dog in every way. We can never thank Golden Rescue enough for allowing us to be Ben’s family. We love him!!!

Deacon #260 was four years old when he came back to Golden Rescue due to a lifestyle change. He was a lovely boy with a superb temperament whose epileptic seizures have been controlled with medication. He now lives with a young retired couple on several acres in the Haliburton area.

Hi, my name is Paddy and I was rescued in 2001 and came to live in the Lindsay area.  I am 8 1/2 yrs. old and as you can see, turning a little grey.  I am a very happy and contented dog and have a little while fluffy thing (I think he is a poodle cross) as a daily companion.  He drives me crazy because he jumps all over me but I love him.  No, that is not him in the picture in my mouth, that is my baby (stuffed) that I like to carry around and play with.  I have a lot of people who really love me and spoil me.  The happiest day for me was when my Mom and Dad brought me home to share their love with me. As you can see from these pictures, I just love having my picture taken too.

Jake #272 (formerly known as Duke) came from a family who were moving and could no longer care for him. He has been living with his sister (a Siamese cat) for 6 years now. He has many friends (both canine and human). Jake loves to go for walks on the boardwalk and swim in Lake Ontario. He especially loves walks in Greenwood Park (Pickering) with his special girl friend Emma the Airedale. Jake is healthy, happy and well loved.

Bailey #274 has been in his “Forever Home” in the Owen Sound area since he was six and he is now 13 and a half with lots of ‘miles’ left, according to the vet. His health is great, he is very energetic and he has no signs of arthritis. Although his tummy rules his life, his owners have managed to maintain his ideal weight. Bailey loves to go visiting and his favourite trick is opening doors. He is indeed living the good life !

During the 4 years Kramer #275 has been in our family, it has been a highly successful and wonderful time. He came with a couple minor issues about his collar and crates, but some formal training. Now at 8 years old, he’s a little heavier and fully moved in! He loves my students who come to the house AND even the Postwoman! He is a therapy dog and makes weekly visits. Walking off-leash he has an extensive vocabulary: wait, this side, this way, turn, leave it, stop (in your tracks), take-it(stick)-and-come, etc. He loves to run with his friends without reservation and to roll in the snow, plowing his nose into the deep snow. Meeting new friends, 2 legged or 4, he turns to me, “Mommy, what do I do?” I say, “Say hello nicely” and off he trots wagging his tail even if the other dog shows signs of fear or aggression. He’s even friendly with our very elderly Maine Coon cat, not assertive with Felix over treats. Felix for his part says, “If eating my breakfast means walk through some dog legs, okay!” Kramer’s only “downfall” is that he can’t understand that not everyone will love him. He will go to anyone who calls him and anyone who potentially has a pocketful of treats gets “the look”! He is a treasure and I thank the rescue league for matching us together!

At 13 months of age Charlie’s family didn’t have the time for him he deserved. This affectionate friendly fellow was forever homed on Valentine’s Day 2002.

The photo with the red scarf was when Sheba first came to me in 2002 and the other was taken March 2/08 doing what she loves to do, lay on the snow. Sheba has come along way in 6 years. She was over weight and had a strong dislike of other dogs. Now her weight is in the acceptable zone of 60 – 65 pounds. As far as other dogs go, she still prefers to be the only one around but I have taught her to be a lot calmer when other dogs approach. Strangest thing though, she gets along great with our neighbour’s Chihuahua but no other dog.

Shadow came into the program at 8 months of age. While being fostered, he brought so much joy into our lives that his foster home became his forever home. He is now a registered Therapy Dog and he visits a nursing home every week.