Category: Happy Endings
Journey update for you golden ladies!!!
HE IS A HAND FULL……..
We started OB classes with him a week or so after we got him home. The classes were one on one with the trainer. She told us right off the bat that we had a very smart boy and that we were going to have our hands full with him. I also at that time started taking him to doggie day care twice a week. Lordy, these two days were the only days I could get anything done at home. Then with me losing my job we had to stop OB classes but I have kept him in doggie day care. The owner of the doggie day care takes her staff to this trainer every week and the trainer comes to the day care. The owner of the day care and I have both said that Journey has ADD….he so smart that he can’t stay focused on one thing at a time. Jane, it’s like that Jimmy Buffett song…”In One Ear And Out The Other”.
He is doing much better about not counter surfing..his little mind slips up at times!
He still eats sticks…there is nothing I can do about that because of all the oak trees in the backyard. With oak trees you have acorns. He would eat them too. We had to rush him to the vet because of the acorns. He now has to wear a muzzle when we go outside because of the acorns and the little s*&t has figured out how to get a stick with the muzzle not acorns just sticks…ugh!!!!!!!!!!
Now, I really don’t know just how much time Foster Mom Stacey took out with him. Just that she had another golden and they played together but no OB. It has been hairy at times with him. He is so smart that he gets bored real quick that I run out of things to do with him to keep his mind to tire out…NOT going to happen. You can watch him and see his mind is turning 90 miles a hour. Give him a Kong filled with peanut butter and he is done in 15 minutes and his mind is ready for something else to get into. Oh, he is a mountain goat/cat…..I can take two steps into the kitchen and he is climbing from loveseat to the chair next to it to go over a table to get to the recliner until I bust him.
Journey has learned the basic training and other commands from the trainer we went to.
Have attached a couple of pictures of Journey. The first two he was at doggie day care. The one with all three us was taken at a doggie event downtown Mobile. Journey is so social and I’m thankful for that because of doggie day care. He weighs 71 lbs…have started the green beans to get a few pounds off of him. His coat is much better after having the mange. The owner of the doggie day care told me about a shampoo called DEFENDEX made by VETIONX. www.vetionx.com
He loves to go into our bedroom in the afternoons to get on the bed just to hang while we are in there. He still has the sweetest smile and the sweetest expression on his face. He is still crated at night and during the day when are gone. He still carries ELMO in his mouth when we take our walks, takes ELMO when we go for a ride in the car and sleeps with ELMO.
Journey turns 2 this Saturday the 31st……I’m so hoping that he will start to settle.
Will there be a sister or brother for Journey…..not until I can trust him and not have to keep my eye on him 24/7. We will start back to OB classes when I start working more hours.
Hope the Expo is a huge success and Barb, we’ll see you soon at GRRITS.
Charlotte
(Journey)
Category: Happy Endings
I’ve been meaning to write you good folks at EGRR….It’s been about 6 months since we rescued Rex and he is a wonderful dog. It took about 2.5 months for him to really start bonding with me and feel as if he was home. How do I know? Well when we first got Rex, as a few of you know he had terrible storm and anxiety issues. He never made eye contact, hardly wagged his tail and was somewhat despondent. Rather than force him, I allowed him to be the dog he is and accept us, and his place here, on his time. After about 2 and half months it’s like a light bulb went of–he makes regular eye contact, wags his tail regularly(I even think he smiles), is great on the leash, plays with us, the other dogs and himself, and is generally a very happy dog. I think the most important thing was recognizing that he was, in some way wounded – emotionally that is. Whatever his story, he was displaced and I’m sure suffered much stress during the entire transition from his first family to us. As with all living creatures trust is paramount and while it’s not that he didn’t trust us with his safety, I’m not sure in the beginning that he didn’t trust us with his heart. He is my number 1 boy now; we spend as much time together as possible. I walk him 3 miles a day and we have a weekly trip to the dog park. I can’t even begin to describe the pleasure I receive from this dog, he is my buddy and pal. Thank you so much Jane, Jill, Linda, Hermine for all your help in the beginning – I had never experienced a dog with storm issues and your guidance was invaluable.
Sincerely,
Donna G.
Category: Happy Endings
He has one more class and we will be done with puppy kindergarten! We’ll do basic obedience next, of course, but I’ll miss puppy kindergarten,so laid back and fun. He’s eager to please and smart, training has been really easy so far.
He got his last puppy shots and is scheduled to be neutered the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. I’ll just have it done here at my vet, easier than driving the hour down there twice.
And I think we can say he’s housebroken! No accidents in two weeks, no more sniffing the floor and me scrambling to get him to the door or letting him out every half hour, now he comes and barks at me if I’m upstairs or sits at the back door like Raven does if we’re downstairs.
My smart boy!
Category: Happy Endings
Hello Jane,
Hope you are doing fine!
As per our phone conversation here are a few lines to tell you how Jeffrey is doing. Well he is doing great! I will say he has adapted already to his new home and family and is very happy to be here.
He is an adorable puppy that literally melts in your arms like Stacey said. He is playfull with the kids and I can tell he feels like he is part of this family already. Our friends had come to meet the new member of the family and I can tell Jeffrey is loved by many. He has already stolen the heart of a
few…
We are very happy to have adopted him and we know me made the right decision when we contacted you guys. We feel very blessed to have him with us. I just wanted to share something with you. Our dog Bailey that passed away in April 29 of this year was born on May 29, Jeffrey was born on May 25, 2011… we feel he is a little gift from “dog heaven” sent by our lovable Bailey.
Well again thanks for allowing us to be part of the Everglades Golden Retriever Rescue and for entrusting us with Jeffrey! Now Jeffrey Alexander (in honor of Bailey Alexander) R.
Sincerely,
Edwin,
Viviana, Julian and Isabella R.
P.S. a few photos of Jeffrey for the records and the website
Category: Happy Endings
Hi Girls!
It’s been 4 months since Chuckie (on the bottom left) has joined our family and turned us from a foster family into a “foster failure”. We never thought when we first got Chuckie that he would steal his way into our hearts the way he has. He’s truly gone from a “wild child’ into a sweet, loving golden who just needed to be shown some patience and attention so he could learn the “right” way to behave. With the help of Cody Beau (on the bottom right) and Harley David (on the top), Chuckie has learned proper puppy social skills with other dogs. Chuckie still has his moments of being wild and crazy, but he’s learned when it’s time to stop. We forgot how much enthusiasm and love a puppy brings to a family. We truly enjoyed fostering for EGRR, but it seemed that Chuckie needed a family more than we needed to foster, so it’s good to know-Chuckie is finally home!
Hugs and tail wags!
Brenda, Larry, Cody Beau and Harley David
Category: Happy Endings
Morning Ladies,I know I’m way behind with getting you all a update on our goofy lovin Journey.
Stacey, the picture that is attached is specially for you. Journey carries Elmo in his mouth on all our walks and sleeps with Elmo. Elmo is never to far away from him.
We have going to private OB classes every other week. The trainer looked at me the last time we were there and told me you have a very very smart boy. Journey is doing great with all the new commands. The trainer from the get go told us that during her class we would never use our hands on him. (like grabbing his collar & etc) Our hands were for loving and petting. The light bulb came on for Wayne & I and the things she has been teaching us has been wonderful.
We have so many large oak trees in the backyard. The boy will from zero to 3 seconds suck up leaves, acorns and sticks.
Journey does have hip problems. On the X-rays you can see where the hips have started to wear. If you did not know what to look for you would miss it. I have started him on Phycox.
His coat and skin from the red mange is getting much better. The vet had started him on a lime dip every week for 5 weeks. I stopped the lime dip after the 5th week.
Journey is now going to doggie day care twice a week. He gets the wiggle butt and tail wagging when we turn into the drive at the day care. The first day he went, when we got home I had to wake him up to feed him. The day care gives all the dogs a bath before coming home. The owner of the day care told me about a shampoo that she has there called Defendex This shampoo is for the red mange. She started using this on Journey. OMG…all the dry and flaky spots are no longer there.
Stacey, you were so right about Journey loving water. He found where the water was coming from out of the hose on the house the other day and I did not realize the gasket had broken and water was going everywhere. The boy was digging in the mud & water plus had the running zoomies all over the backyard. He loves the kiddie pools at the day care that they have a time getting him out of it. Kiddie pool is on the shopping list this weekend.
Journey will be taking his 1st road trip with us in a couple of weeks. We’re heading to GRRITS. Will miss seeing Jane & Hermine. Journey is going to be so excited being around all those goldens. Plus, he is going to have so much fun being on the water when we go to the little island. Journey gets a AA+++ on socializing.
I have one more picture that I will be sending to all of you. It’s Journey at day care.
PAWS UP!
Charlotte
Category: Happy Endings
Hello from Wrangler #114
Just dropping it to say hi to everyone at EGRR. Wrangler has turned out to be such a gentleman. He is so gentle and sweet and just wants to be touched, even if it’s just being touched with your feet while your relaxing in the recliner. He is a very shy boy and will often sit in the corner or chill under the bed for some peace and quiet. He got a new sister in February and, although he didn’t like the whole idea too much at first, they fell in love. He was so gentle and playing with his fake growling and letting her win, I could watch them for hours. Now that she is bigger than him she drags him by his collar and he still lets her win. He let both the girls eat first and won’t take a treat until they have theirs. Guess chivalry is not dead. Well that’s about it for now, I guess. I attached some pictures of Wrangler and thank you guys every day for giving me my man of the house.
Crystal
Category: Happy Endings
Hi Jane,
Ginger is leading the life of a queen!
Upon thorough inspection, she adapted to the house immediately, taking over the couch from one end to the other. We now have a huge sheet over it. She eats well, finally decided she likes banana on her breakfast (if you put a little half & half on it) and also likes the veggies we give her at dinner. We take her for 2 or 3 walks a day and it seems to have improved her stamina and mobility. We have a neighbor who lives behind us who has 5 acres, all fenced, and a yellow lab named Tebow. She and Champ visit there most every day for a good run. This seems to help her, also. She doesn’t play much with toys or tennis balls so I think she led kind of a boring life. We’ll never know, will we. She and Champ get along very well; of course, he is a very patient dog. Lets her walk all over him.
I think she likes it here. I’m sure she is still wondering where everybody that took care of her before went. It must be hard for her to understand. We are trying to make her forget all that. Steve gives her a back rub every morning to get her going, which she seems to enjoy!! Her incision is all healed and her ear infection has cleared up so we have those problems out of the way. Ginger can also be very demanding. As soon as we are finished breakfast, she starts to bark, letting us know that she wants to go for her walk. That didn’t take long!
I’s sure she is content to live out her senior days doing as she chooses, if she doesn’t want to go out, she just refuses to get up. And, we let her get away with it. Old folks don’t need to be pushed around!! I am sending a couple of pictures that I took the other day by snail mail. She is very photogenic as you can see.
Hope all is well with you, Jane.
Fondly, Judy & Steve M
Category: Happy Endings
Butterscotch, “Scotch”, joined our family in April 2010. She is 7 years old, but she acts like a 3 year old – she has lots of energy. Banner, our other EGRR rescue is 11, and Scotch helps keep Banner young. He moves a little faster on our walks now as Scotch has one speed – Fast. We call her “the rocket.” Thankfully Scotch’s foster mom Marcie gave us Scotch’s toy monkey when we picked her up in Key Largo. Scotch tosses the monkey around the house every morning – that is her signal that it is time to go for our morning walk. Entertaining, yet docile enough to understand “quiet time,” she is a true delight. Lynn & Chuck
Category: Happy Endings
Hi Jane: Just wanted to give you an update on our beautiful girl “Athena”. She gets more adorable every day. We’ve had her for couple yrs. now, but seems like yesterday that she arrived. She has proven to be such an amazing golden that it’s difficult to explain. She has no faults. (Well, she a little jealous of the cat)
We can’t thank you enough for making this happen. We appreciate all your effort in helping up to adopt our beautiful Athena. Thanks again !!!!!!
Jim & Carolyn F
Naples, Fl.
Category: Happy Endings
Jane,
Shaq is doing great!!!!!!!
All my neighbors love him,he has a girl friend “Lana” and they enjoy playing in my yard. He is very interested in lizards and my birds in the back yard. We go for walks and runs in the morning and at night. I couldn’t have gotten a more perfect dog!!!!!!!!! I’m sending some pics..
Thank you so much
ED
Category: Happy Endings
Jane,Buddy has been a member of our family for 3 years now–I know because we just had some shots renewed that he got from EGRR before we adopted him.
Our vet says he’s fine (needs to lose 4-5 pounds–don’t we all!) but otherwise he’s in fine shape for a 9 year old. He is a fine dog and turned out to be a great watchdog as well. No one gets close to our house without a challenge from Buddy! He’s good on trips too! He loves to ride and doesn’t create a ruckus if we stop somewhere for a night. he’s a little shy around other dogs but loves our visitors and grandchildren when they come to us or when we visit them.
He seems quite happy with his life now and except for a daily capsule of Rx Glucosamine (CoseqionDS) for his elbows, he needs no special care beyond brushing and a love. In cool weather, he has become my navigator on errands and local trips. We want to say thank you again for helping us find each other. Buddy would join us but he is asleep on the cool tile floor and I won’t awaken him.
Thanks again,
Jim and Carole U.
Category: Happy Endings
Denali (f/k/a Andy) is doing wonderfully. We just celebrated his third week with us. He is so sweet and loving. He follows us from room to room, always ready to be pet or get a kiss on the top of his head. Each evening, he stretches out on the couch for a belly rub while we watch tv. Everyone that meets him falls head over heals in love with him. He has been just the addition to our family that we were hoping for. We will send more pictures as his fur grows back.
Thank you for all that you do.
Nancy
Category: Happy Endings
Dear Jen,
We must first of all thank you for your weeks of care and attention to this special guy….
Last night he ate a little of his dinner yet settled onto the”bed” in the living room while we watched TV….
At bedtime, everyone took their place and slept uneventfully til morning. He’s still checking out every blade of grass and board on the fence; probably intrigued by the scent of the dog next door. The moist food containing his meds got swallowed first and then only a few bites of kibble. Understandably, he isn’t much interested in eating right now. We’ll keep petting and hugging and loving on him while he transitions into his new digs and then we’ll hug and love on him some more ‘cause that’s what we do.
Golden is so easy to have around. Some dogs …fill a space and add their unique energy. He slips in, takes a spot, sits back and surveys the situation. All he sends out is gentleness and love, grateful for any attention and content to be part of the pack….
Thanks again for all the wonderful work done by EGRR and yourself. Stay in touch with us and feel free to visit anytime. Maybe we can all meet up some Sunday afternoon at Juno Beach.
Dane & Greg
Category: Happy Endings