Golden Rescue In Naples, Inc.

Do not mourn the extinguishing of the flame ...
celebrate how brightly it burned.

Goldie

A TRIBUTE TO GOLDIE

GRIN dog #95

Jan 1, 1997 --- Oct 26, 2011

Time was so short with our precious Goldie. I was selfish and wanted Goldie to be around forever knowing full well that was not going to be possible. No matter how long they’re with us it just isn’t long enough.

We saved Goldie from being euthanized six years ago, but in all reality she saved us. True to the magnet on our car…”my rescue dog rescued me.” Goldie went on to become a therapy dog, passed advanced obedience classes and earned her Canine Good Citizen award in those six short years. We were so proud of all her accomplishments. She loved to work during obedience classes. She participated in the Wags And Tales program at our local library and school. Children read to her and she listened with such great attention. Even the children that didn’t like to read were eager to do so with Goldie. Dogs are so non judgmental. Twice a month she visited the children in pediatrics at our local hospital. Nurses and children alike loved seeing her. She was so charming, kind, patient and gentle. She also participated as a therapy dog in the local diabetic camp for children. In my opinion she was the BEST!

I miss Goldie’s enthusiasm when going for a walk, a ride in the car or when it’s time to eat. Oh, how she loved to eat! I also miss seeing her stretch on the sofa from a deep sleep as she got older, lying in the kitchen while I worked waiting for some food to drop, her snuggles, her warm soft fur, but most of all I miss her being at my feet, always there where ever I was…sometimes waiting for a crumb to fall other times just to be close by.

She was so full of love and had such a zest for life…a companion and best friend that left a big paw print in our hearts that will be there forever. She was a “golden thread” that wound around us providing so much love.

Goldie has a sister that is also a GRIN dog. Maggie really looked up to Goldie. Goldie gave her what she lacks the most…confidence. She misses her sister. For days Maggie would run into the house expecting Goldie to be lying on the sofa like she always was and then sadly look away. Thank goodness we have Maggie in our lives. She has helped to ease our grief and will continue to do that in the days ahead.

Dogs come into our lives only temporarily, but in that short time they become our greatest teachers, our greatest listeners and love us unconditionally. Oh how that time is so short. They are God’s perfect creatures who bring endless joy to our lives. We are so fortunate to have had Goldie for those six short years. She left an empty spot in our home and hearts, but we have so many “tail waggin” memories that will be with us forever. I know she will be there to greet us in heaven and pick up right where she left off.

We love you Goldie Girl…

Greg, Virginia and Maggie

Dallas

I'd like to introduce you to my buddy Dallas. GRINinc dog # 312. We had the pleasure of sharing life with him for just a few moments. Well, it felt like just a few moments, not nearly long enough, but actually three years I believe.

Dallas came to us because his family couldn't keep him. He had been in a wonderful foster home but they were becoming very attached and Dallas needed a forever home. And we just couldn't resist that white face. So in he walked into our hearts and made himself at home. We decided Dallas had come to us for his retirement and we wanted to make sure it was wonderful.

Dallas had a bad limp from an untreated accident in his youth. But that didn't slow him down. You were wise to get out of his way if there was food to be had! Or a ball! He lived to play, swim, eat and be loved. He would lay beside me wherever I was. And when I was in the kitchen he had a knack for plopping down in the least convenient place. I'd move everything over and he'd move too! Nothing phased him, even when I spilt orange juice on him. He loved the kitchen, the magic room where food appeared. And don't try and get ice out of the freezer without sharing a cube with Dallas!

He was so loving and appreciative. I would look up from whatever I was doing and he'd be staring at me with the most loving, happy look. I miss that most. He loved being part of out family pack which included an alpha beagle sister (they shared alpha-ship) and younger rescue golden brother Taylor. The Goldens got great pleasure out of stealing one another's toys. It got so that when I would bring new toys home I would purposefully give the wrong gift to each dog, knowing they would steal the other's toy. Such characters! One day we came home and found the chocolate pound cake I had left in a covered cake dish was missing. From what we could guess, the youngest golden had pulled it down and the three dogs had a feast. There was little sympathy from the humans, but I never could raise a voice to my friend Dallas.

Dallas had skin that was prone to infections and I was constantly treating his sores. He was so tolerant of the treatments, somehow knowing they were for his own good. I remember one time I was cutting away a bit of fur and accidentally snipped his skin. He never even whined and we had to go get two stitches. Bless his heart. And another time the door bell rang and I left a big bag of M&M's unattended. In less than a minute he consumed all of them. After consulting the vet we had to pour hydrogen peroxide down his throat to make him vomit. He was such a sport about that, never even tried to avoid it. But I swear there was a twinkle in his eye that said "I don't regret eating those M&M's".

Probably one of the worst days of our lives was January 31, 2010. Dallas woke us up having grand mal seizures that didn't stop. After going to three vets he was diagnosed with a brain tumor and cancer in his liver and spleen. There was no hope for him and the best we could do for our friend was to put him to sleep.

Our hearts and home are not the same without our friend. We were so blessed to be his last family and I'm thankful we could share his retirement together. I look forward to his being the first one to greet me in heaven..

Melanie and Mike P.

Our Humphrey

Loved:

Being the leader of our pack

Catching tennis balls

Going for walks

Being the first to eat

Sneaking up on the couch

Learning to track with Bill

Shredding napkins and plastic bags

Hiding in my closet for safety

Acting as referee while the others wrestled

Guarding the front door

Giving a warning bark or growl-howl

Burrowing under pillows

Working in the garage with Bill

Long naps in the afternoon

Chewing grass

Sitting and getting a treat

Swimming in the lake

Cuddling between us during a storm

Getting a hug or lots of petting

Being gently brushed

Chasing rabbits and squirrels

Snuggling next to Nick

Curling up on his dog bed

Hanging out in the kitchen

Having food fall on the floor

Being right next to you

Feeling secure and loved

Being told he’s a “Good Dog!”

He left a big paw print on our hearts.

July 11, 1999 – May 25, 2011

GRINinc dog #184

Shelley and Bill Hunsberger and GRINinc buddies Brady and Nick

Summi

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Summi came into my heart and her Golden flame will burn forever. She was a very special golden girl…I called her my “Little Red”. I have three other goldens and she was the smallest red in the gang. Summi was very sick and depressed when she came into my heart…I nursed her with hand feedings, medications and a ton of love. Summi had thyroid cancer that had spread to other parts of her body. She came from an abusive home and was forced to live outside. Summi deserved a good life… My family and I would give that to her here, at Golden Acres…she was a joy to each of us… she was very protective if anyone came on to the property! She would always be right on my heels…whether I was getting ready for work or in the kitchen fixing dinner. The first week I had Summi I slept on the floor with her…she was not feeling well and I just couldn’t leave her alone. She needed to know that I cared about her and that I was going to help her. I made a special blanket for her to sleep on…not one night went by that she didn’t sleep on it!! After Summi was feeling better I introduced her to my other three goldens “Marley” “Molson” and “Scooby Doo”. Summi was now a part of the family.

My husband, son and I would care for her till her last breath. She was always so happy to see each of us come home. I watched her come from being scared and insecure to a bouncy, confidant, happy golden. LIFE WAS GREAT!! She had baths and brushings, toys and bones to play with and a ton of love.

On Tuesday May 3^rd…it was evident that her health was failing…I spoke to Marry Ellen around midnight and we decided that it was time for Summi to go to Dog Heaven.

In Dog Heaven they sleep on clouds and GOD watches over them …and there are no bad dreams. I know that when I get to Heaven…my “Little Red” will be waiting for me.

Until we meet again…I Love you “Summi”♥

The Jeremias Family/Golden Acres

Jack

When I rescued a dog, who had been surrendered twice, I thought I was doing a wonderful thing for Jack. As time went on, I realized that it was Jack who was doing a wonderful thing for me. Jack loved me unconditionally! He filled my life with laughter, love, and companionship. Jack was always at the door to greet me ~with a "Golden grin" and a wagging tail!

Chasing tennis balls was a favorite pass-time. Jack could manage three balls in his mouth at once and still grin. He allowed the grandchildren to dress him in ridiculous get ups~ and always had time to listen to their stories.

As the years moved on, the energy faded and the face turned white. He could could no longer chase tennis balls....just carried them around. Walks became shorter and naps became longer.; but the unconditional love was constant....

On April 14, Jack crossed the" Rainbow Bridge"...he fills our hearts with the memory of unconditional love and a "Golden" grin. Joanne G.

Lucy

Goodbye Sweet Lucy

Lucy came into the GRIN family a little over 3 ½ years ago. She was picked up as a stray in Sarasota. To say she had a hard life would surely be an understatement. Another understatement would be to say she had less then a huge desire to live. Lucy had several fatty tumors. One big lymphoma under her front leg was the size of a softball. When they were removed one on her rear hip was cancerous. The vet got as much as he could out, but said it would return.

That is when Lucy became a permanent GRIN foster and a "Murphy Dog". I am told that being a "Murphy Dog" is about as good as it gets. Plenty of love, good food, toys, long walks, and the biggie…couch and bed privileges. It is rumored Murphy’s have a sign on the front door that reads………."The dogs live here, you don’t….if you don’t want hair on your clothes then don’t sit on the furniture."

We all learned to live together; mom, dad, Lucy, Sienna, and Nina. Lucy had spent a good portion of her life fending for herself, and she had a few traits that were not desirable to the rest of the Murphy clan. She was very "thunder-phobic", and wanted to sit in your lap during storms. Lucy was a world class "counter surfer". She once managed to snag a 2 pound turkey breast, fresh out of the oven. Probably because of her life before GRIN she was food-focused. Anytime Sally or I were in the kitchen we had to deal with a large Golden lump in front of the refrigerator, or the stove, or where ever food was being prepared. It was nearly impossible to get her to move. We learned to work around her.

Lucy had a Golden heart and personality when it came to people. She liked nothing better then to lean against you or sit beside you and be petted. In the morning she would lie on her back and wiggle till she got her tummy scratched. About a year ago the tumor was growing on Lucy’s hip again. Then five months ago I found out I had cancer. Sally and I believe Lucy understood and decided to wait till my treatments and surgery were complete before she would leave us. A week after I got home from surgery Lucy let us know it was time for her to say goodbye.

My dear friend Leslie Myers put it best in her note to me. "I know how much you love your ’kids’. But of course we go into our ’contract’ with our four-legged furry ones, full well knowing that it is only temporary, mostly short term at best. We do it anyway because they are our greatest friends, teachers, and unconditional loves. It is all good."

Goodbye sweet Lucy,

Mom and Dad

ARCHER

Archer was one of GRINinc's permanent foster dogs. Please read his tribute. We encourage our adopters who have lost their GRINinc goldens to write a tribute about their dog. You may smile, you may shed tear,s but honoring your dog in a story will ease the heaviness and pain in your heart and if you choose to share this story with us we will be happy to put the story on our GOLDEN FLAME PAGE. Mary Ellen

ARCHER’S JOURNEY…..A TRIBUTE

An older, gray faced scruffy red Golden Retriever came into our rescue, Golden Rescue In Naples, Inc. in May 2008. He was “discovered” alone, living on a lanai ... the house was empty…no furniture…no people. It appears that this golden boy had been left alone for at least a week. Pool water was the only nourishment. We gave this senior boy the name Archer. Many loving nicknames were to come in the times ahead like “Arch Man”, “Archie-Poo”, and “Archie”!!! (they were all very appropriate!).

On to Archer’s journey….. Archer was in pretty bad shape….very thin, weak, and very, very dirty with infected ears and skin but yet that skinny, bald tail of his could wag! We knew he was a survivor and he was going to be just fine. Enter Archer’s foster “Mom” Judy W. who immediately gave him two more baths and continued to use fragrance spray in her home just so she could breathe!! (It truly was that bad!). Bless her for taking in this boy who we knew nothing about and who would require lots of TLC and lots of trips to the veterinarian. Judy was a busy foster parent. Her dog, Midnight, welcomed Archer and the two old men would enjoy spending time together. Archer, after many months of foster care, became a handsome senior boy who loved his walks and loved to play ball in his yard. Archer continued to enjoy life, however Archer had many medical problems so it was very difficult to find an appropriate forever home for him. GRINinc continued to support his veterinarian care as a permanent foster dog but... finally, we found a loving home. Archer was on his way but it was not to be. After being with his forever home for a very short time, Archer suffered what we surmise was a stroke and his new family just could not handle the extra care that he needed right at this moment in their lives so Archer came back into GRINinc! Enter Bridget and Norm G. who just happened to be at the vet when Archer entered the waiting room. It only took them less than 24 hours (and just a little begging from me!) to decide they wanted to foster Archer! Archer had a great life with them….he had Nellie, his doggie companion and foster parents who would again tend to his every need which included lots of trips to our ever supportive veterinarian, Dr. Stacey Huber.

Everyone knew Archer and loved our golden boy…even though he walked like a “drunken sailor”. He was a happy, curious boy who greeted everyone with a wag of the tail and a lean ….Archer had to lean against you….it was his style! Archer continued to be his happy self even though he was was diagnosed with cancer in early October. No matter…he loved life and did NOT give up until he was ready to leave. Archer left us on November 24, 2010. We know he is with all the other GRIN dogs (and Midnight!!) that have arrived at the Bridge before him and someday we will see him again!

“He certainly won our hearts and, even at the end, he knew that he was totally loved. In retrospect, we believe he gave us more than we were able to give him. We miss him terribly”.

GRINinc would like to thank Judy Wilson, Norm and Bridget Greenough, Dr. Stacey Huber and staff of Animal Oasis Veterinary Hospital and ALL the wonderful people who so generously sponsored Archer, including his past forever home who continued to keep Archer in her heart. Archer lived life….one day at a time…happy and loved….because of all of you. He was a very special golden boy that gave us unconditional love. We were blessed to have known our Archer and experienced his “journey”.

God Speed Archer.

"Auntie" Mary Ellen

KASEY

In July of 2009, GRIN Inc was notified by the County Animal Services office
that there had been a homicide which left several Golden Retrievers
homeless. Their greatest concern was an old female who was both diabetic and
blind - this was Kasey. As always when there is Golden in need, GRIN was
ready to assist. We informed Animal Services that we would assure the
medical needs and care of this wonderful senior as soon as next of kin would release her.

Kasey fit our new mission of a special needs senior dog and was going to require special long term care. Kasey was moved to one of our network veterinarian offices where the staff worked diligently to stabilize her blood sugar levels and get her healthy enough to be released from hospitalization. Kasey was practically comatose when she arrived there. However, over time, with compassionate care from the clinic staff and vets, she improved and began to stabilize. GRINinc then knew the day was coming when we could place her in a foster or forever home.

Because of the notoriety around the case, many people who knew the owner were coming forth to assist the dogs. But no one felt capable of taking Kasey....until one family. This family knew the owner and even had dogs from her litters. They were both medical professionals with a long history of Golden Retrievers in their lives. They felt they could help Kasey live out the rest of her life in contentment and safety and, after meeting with them, GRIN felt they could too.

Kasey's care and needs are not easy nor are they inexpensive. GRINinc continues to monitor and assist with Kasey's medical needs and veterinary costs. Your donations and support make this possible. We want Kasey to remain in the home where, being blind, she is familiar with the setting, she is monitored and regulated for her diabetes and, most of all, she is loved by her humans and surrounded by her pack.

Kasey went to the Rainbow Bridge on 05/15/10. She lived her last months in peace, happiness and love. GRINinc will be forever thankful to the Reintsema family for their dedication, sacrifice and love shown to our sweet senior golden girl.

CHARLIE

Recently my Nana (Mary Ellen Metro) lost one of her marvelous Golden Retrievers, Charlie. Charlie was found by himself swimming in a lake in Florida. The poor dog was panting, scraped all along his body, his teeth were horrible, and you could see his ribs. He was shaking off the bitter cold water all along his body. You could tell by looking at this poor dog that he needed help from some source. After searching for his owner and trying 100% to find this dog’s home finally a conclusion came. No owner was found. This dog was obviously abandoned. He was just left somewhere to live. Luckily my Nana saved his life. So what she did was she took him home and cared for him.

Charlie was not just an ordinary dog. This dog had a passion. A passion you couldn’t imagine. Swimming. My grandparents live in a home with a pool and if you can imagine… HEAVEN FOR CHARLIE! By looking in his eyes and body he was just dying to jump into the water. All this dog wanted to do was swim. Nana ordered a life vest for Charlie to use when he would swim. When he saw the vest he was confused. He never saw anything like it. Nana would go over and put it on him. Finally he understood that this vest was a *signal* that he could go into the water and do what he loved. SWIM! If Charlie had a choice he would swim all day! So when you got him in the water, it was very difficult to get him out! When Grandpa would say “alright Charlie boy, its time to rinse off and get out of the water. Comon Charlie! Comon…” Charlie would give Grandpa the eye and ignore him! He would just continue on swimming all around in circles. Finally after dragging him out Charlie would put his head down and go all sad on you because he knew that water time was up! Charlie had a personality like no other. I think that all he went through made Charlie have feelings that no other dog had. He was just a dog you would look at and a grin would come upon your face. He was a happy dog all the time! He brought many laughs and smiles. He was just a special dog. I can’t describe the way he would make me feel when I would visit and see him.

Sadly, we found out that Charlie was diagnosed with cancer everyone kind of knew that his road ahead of him was short. He lived a year longer than expected. That was such a miracle. I think without Charlie here it isn’t the same but, I know that he is happy and looking down at the pool. I miss him so much and I cry whenever I think about him but I know those tears are tears of happiness because I know he lived his life the best after my Nana found him.
I love you Charlie and I always will.
HANNAH P.

We lost our beloved golden boy, Jesse, on November 10, 2009. He was such a loving, sweet and faithful boy. He came to live with us in July, 2008 with his life-long companion, Haley. While they were both happy, we knew Haley had cancer, and it was just a matter of time. We lost little Haley in May, 2009.

Jesse seemed to adjust to life without Haley. He loved his walks, brushings and playtime with us. He always did whatever was asked of him. He became a therapy dog and brought smiles to those he visited even though his work as a therapy dog was short lived.

As luck would have it, we received a call from Mary Ellen asking us to foster a very young Golden. We were just going to keep this dog for 10-14 days. We brought him home and within a day, we knew he had found his "forever home". We named him Spirit because of his willingness to survive his young life alone. Jesse quickly showed him who was boss, and both dogs got along very well. I like to think Jesse found Spirit for us so we wouldn't be alone.

Jesse had a very aggressive form of cancer, and it took him quickly. I like to believe he is now again with Haley enjoying his "forever" home. Jesse died on November 10th - the day the Marine Corps celebrates its founding or birthday - their motto "always faithful". How appropriate for Jesse to leave us on that day as our "always faithful" golden boy. We love and miss you, Jess.

It is with great sorrow that we tell you that Buddy left us last Thursday. He had been playing and greeting people all day Wednesday, but when I came home from work he was unable to stand.

I made Buddy comfortable on his bed, and slept on the floor holding him all that night. On Thursday morning, we took him to our vet. Initial examination showed problems with the spinal cord. X-rays showed fusion of the spinal vertebrae.

We had Buddy cremated, and he is now back in his “forever” home. Buddy was with us almost 4 years. He was happy. He brought great joy to our lives.

Our little Haley came into our lives at the end of July 2008. Within a few weeks, it was apparent that Haley had something wrong. After several visits to our vet, it was determined Haley had an obstruction in her intestine, probably cancer; however, without surgery we would not know for sure.

With the assistance of the vet, we elected not to put Haley through surgery since she was 7 years old and recovery would more than likely be hard on her. We decided to love her, keep her comfortable and do whatever it would take to keep her free of pain and happy. Our vet tried to prepare us by telling us she would not get better and probably Haley would be gone by January 2009. Well, it’s amazing what care and love can do! Yes, Haley continued to lose weight because of the cancer and had some significant problems, which we were able to solve to a degree, but she was the happiest little girl around. She loved her walks, her rides in the car, chasing her birds, watching her dolphins in the cove, hanging out with Jessie, her life-long companion, and, above all, being with her people.

Everyone, who met Haley, loved her. She was a very sweet and gentle Golden. However, little by little, Haley began to weaken and finally indicated to us it was time. On May 12, 2009, with Jessie, her people and her loving and caring vet, our little Haley went to the Rainbow Bridge.

We all miss her but we are so grateful we had the opportunity to give her 9½ months of love and care. Thank you GRIN for all you did for all of us. Thank you Dr. Theiss for your love, compassion and caring.

Sam The Man, first known as Samson, came to us in April 2004. Our first Golden Retriever, Rocky, had passed away just a month before, leaving it apparent to all of us that our home was very empty. Well, that started me on the quest that brought us Sam. I applied to two Golden rescues, one being our beloved Naples group. Mary Ellen responded within a day of getting my application. With having just lost Rocky, the decision would be difficult, complicated by the grieving process. Wanting to make certain this was not a “rebound” adoption which would turn sour quickly, Mary Ellen spent endless hours on the phone talking me thru what was ahead of us. She then said she “had this dog” - something I am certain we have all heard! He was in the owner home, but needed to be moved. It was explained that Sam might not be available by the time I made my decision and I understood that. Within a short period of time, I made the trip across to Naples to meet this “big red boy” who was destined to be my heart dog.

Mary Ellen drove us to what I believe was the Fort Myers area. Sam greeted us at the door. The owners said we could take him for a walk so we could evaluate each other. Sam pulled me all over the neighborhood. Having walked head-strong dogs before, I was more or less prepared, but this was a special day in both of our lives and hanging onto this monster dog was not my focus as much as was our conversation and the decision if Sam was going home with me that day.

Well, Sam did make that trip. We loaded Sam into Mary Ellen’s vehicle right then and there and made the trip back down to Naples. We stopped at the lake that has become a part of our history, both Sam’s and mine. After almost pulling me into the lake with the gators, Sam finally let me sit and sign adoption papers. We said our good-byes to Mary Ellen at the nearby Borders store, Sam was loaded into my truck this time, and we headed back. I stopped part way back to give Sam a “potty break”. He was less worried about his potty break than he was concerned that he got back into that truck before it pulled out without him. Having combined the little we knew of Sam’s history and later information gathered during communication sessions, Sam had been on the run a number of times and had many, many homes before coming to stay with us for the remainder of his life. His behavior that day makes much more sense to me now. He was NOT being left behind again if he had anything to do with it. We finally arrived in Fort Lauderdale, we had intros on the front lawn with my sons, we tossed the tennis ball (which Sam could simply not live without), and then Sam got 3 baths before entering the house. He positively smelled horrible, and although it took a few more baths after that first day, he would finally smell like a beautiful Golden should again.

Over the next years, the stories are numerous, funny, full of good times, overflowing with love, and then the ultimate sadness that we all know who have loved a Golden.

I recall the time Sam ate a half dozen bagels, the time he ate a loaf of bread, bag and all. And oh yes, the avocados (pits and all), the peaches (pits and all), the mangos (pits and all), whole bananas, the bags of chips, the grocery bag full of candy (Mary Ellen sternly told me to take him to the emergency vet for this one). We had bright “sparklies” in Sam’s poop for a good two weeks from the Hershey Kisses. And of course Mary Ellen would be amazed every time I would tell her what Sam had most recently consumed, and in her way, she would ALWAYS ask, “how did he get hold of that??” Of course, I knew what she REALLY was saying~!! Sam lived up to his reputation as a “counter cruiser.”

Sam was a Velcro dog, following me EVERYWHERE, from one foot in any direction in a room to another room in the house, he was my constant companion. He slept with me every night, and howled for about 2 minutes after I left for work daily, which I am certain annoyed the neighbors.

Our last days were very painful and uniquely joined to Nicky, another Golden G.R.I.N. boy. I heard a bit of it one time when in a pet communicator session Sam told me that he had most respect and sympathy for Nicky because Nick had a horrible life. Little did I know how true that was, that once Nick left us, Sam would finally reveal that he was suffering excruciating pain from cancer of the pelvis. He carried the burden himself because he did not want to be a distraction from Nick’s last days in our home. Once Nick was gone, Sam finally let us know his time to depart was near, much nearer than any of us had ever known.

Although Sam was a massive Golden, very strong and muscular, sturdy, and seemingly impervious to any illness, his pelvis, eaten away by cancer, became very brittle and finally, my Sam came crumbling down like a rock.

I have felt his presence since he crossed over, and I know he is close by and watching. I wait for his return when he is ready to join us again.

This page contains a few of our favorite Sam pictures. His personality comes thru by the glimmer in his eye, that devilish smile, the tilt of his head. To those who knew him for these past wonderful years, they will look and say, “yep, that’s Sam.”

As much as this is meant to be a tribute to Sam, My Man, it is also meant to show what can be done with a rescue dog, how they fill the empty spaces in our homes and hearts. Once determined to be “disposable” by their family or society in general, those of us involved in rescue do really “get it.”

Sam’s first owner was a young couple who could not afford his allergy problems. Try as they did, he lost all of his hair, and they became more frustrated by his condition. Eventually, he found another home where he was tied out back and left to weather heat and thunderstorms alone. He ran away one night in a lightening display and finally found his way home a few months later. The family had moved. The time between then and when Sam came to G.R.I.N.inc. is sketchy. He was found at a local garbage dump by a couple who gave him to the owners who gave him to G.R.I.N.inc. As had happened many times in this boy’s life, he found himself in a home where he was no longer welcome.

For those of you who often find themselves wondering if they can keep going, keep facing the heartbreaking stories and situations in which we find these most lovely of God’s creations, just know that we must, and Sam The Man is one of the many reasons why.

In closing, this is a tribute to all G.R.I.N.inc. volunteers who, with their hard work and determination, repeat these stories every day. Thank you all.

We recently lost our 14 year old rescued Golden Retriever. All our goldens are special but I would like to tell you why Morgan was so very special. If you believe that just ONE golden can dramatically change your life please take a few minutes to read Morgan's story. Morgan was our first rescued golden. I never even knew that rescues existed but a friend of mine told me about a great organization in Ohio so I applied. After one week I got a call about a dog a little older than what I wanted ( sound familiar?!!) but we decided to go see him. I wasn't sure I was ready for another dog after losing my beloved Flat Coat, Merlin. We saw Morgan and immediately knew he should come home with us. Morgan came from a family that mistreated and severely neglected him. They took his Golden Retriever spirit away and taught him to mistrust....hence when we adopted him he was extremely aloof, mistrusting and very depressed. It took my husband and I over 6 months to win his trust...he began to show only a small amount of that neediness that all of us love about the breed but still no kisses, no following to the bathroom, no head on the lap but at least some tail wags and carrying of toys. That was a start and he continued to get better everyday. Over the 91/2 years that we had him, Morgan became a loyal, loving dog but even to his last day he would not go through a door first and he did have some separation anxiety.. During the first 6 months of his life with us I was consumed by my goal to make him a "normal" Golden Retriever...my life became Morgan and my life became filled with rescue. I thought that if I could put this much time and effort into helping one dog there must be others out there that need just as much as if not more help...so began my interest in the breed and rescue. It was because of Morgan ..and my love for him that I continue to have goldens and rescue in my life. My life is empty now without my Morgan ..he was my foundation but my goals for rescue have not changed...we need to help all the goldens that we can for as long as we can....it is a necessity .

"We need to honor that emptiness as a marker to the soul that resides within" Sue H.

If you'd like to share a special story about your
GRINinc. dog for our Golden Flame page,
please email us at mygldns@yahoo.com

updated 12/25/2011
Golden Rescue In Naples, Inc. is a 501c3 Non-profit organization.