Unforgettable In Every Way

"Do not let what you cannot do interfere
with what you can do."
- John Wooden

Gracie

Strange Turn of Events

Me and Blue and Gracie

Lots of times things go along just as expected, but once in awhile it seems that life has a plan that throws an unexpected curve ball and throws us for a loop!

 The Dog Whisperer came out to my home and evaluated Blue and Gracie apart and together.  She decided each pup would have a fuller and happier life apart from each other.  Gracie was placed in a loving home.  I had Blue all to myself.  All was well in the world.

What happened next is the kind of strange part.  Because of confidentiality and privacy, I cannot go into the details.  Sorry : (

Blue and Gracie are now living with their original owner and I am looking forward to opening my home and heart to the next rescued golden pup!

Gracie and a Dog Named Blue

Blue and Gracie

Whew!  I have had my hands full!!!  Gracie and Blue came to me a little over a week ago.  Their owner got real sick and could no longer care for them so the next stop was my doorstep.  

Gracie is a 5 year old soft spoken female and Blue is a 2 year old muscular semi untrained male.   They have been together since Blue was a puppy.  I think Gracie was the one who trained Blue and I think she could only do so much. 

Little Gracie is totally dependent on Blue - so much so that her life is kind of sad.  She gets pushed around and dominated constantly, but loves Blue nevertheless.  Blue loves Gracie, but he acts most of the time like he could take her or leave her.  Actually, he makes it known he would like to be the only dog in the house.  Even so, they both never have snarled an unkind word to each other.

One of the best things I have ever seen is the way these two play in the swimming pool.  It makes me laugh!  I throw the tennis ball in the pool and they both jump high into the air and belly flop after the ball.  Sometimes Gracie gets the ball and sometimes Blue gets the ball.  When Blue gets the ball he won't bring it back to me so Miss Gracie runs after him and whispers in his ear until he drops it for her.  Then Gracie squeals with excitement, does a few circles then runs it over to me to throw in the water again.  This goes on for about an hour........ and would go on longer, but I get tired. 

These two are very different goldens.  The Rescue will be sending over a Dog Whisperer to evaluate each pup and help decide what it the best kind of living situation for each of them.  Stay tuned!!!!

Nike - RIP dear one

 Nike passed away a short time ago while out on a walk with his owner.  No one knows why. 

I am very sad.   His life ended too soon.  Nike brought joy and happiness to many people especially his human dad.  I will always remember Nike with love.

My heart knows that Nike is at the Rainbow Bridge.  And, he is waiting...........

Adoption Pending

Nike

"Saving one dog will not change the world,

but, surely for that one dog the world will change forever." -Unknown

Look Who's Boss! Nike Is!!!!

Sometimes pictures can tell a story better than words........ 

I Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You

Nike (aka Jack)

  Sometimes Nike stares off into the distance dreaming of what a forever home would look like.  For some reason I think he knows that I am not the person that is going to take care of him all his days.  Some of my rescues think I am that person, but not Nike.  Nike has been quick to figure things out and he summed up his situation with me in no time.  Don't get me wrong..... Nike follows me most places in the house and outside and loves me to scratch behind his ears,  but if the front door is left open even a crack he will make a wild dash and not look back.  Unfortunately, this has happened a couple times and we found out the hard way that Nike has a stubborn streak.  He likes to run wild and free....
 
Nike likes people.  He likes them so much that he wants to jump up and plant a super slobbery kiss on the face of everyone he meets.  It is not always appreciated and he wiggles so much that it is hard to contain him.  His puppy ways are intense and sometimes hard to deal with since he is sixty pounds of pure unrestrained might.

Nike is relentlessly happy and full of life even though life has given him some huge obstacles to overcome.  Maybe that is why he can jump so high......

Nike has a bunch of Riley's old toys scattered all around our house.  He loves toys......but, a forever family will be his greatest treasure and I know it will bring him peace in his heart.  I think a forever family is also what most of us humans hope for and treasure most in life.  I am not so sure that Nike doesn't have it all figured out!

A Walk On The Wild Side

Nike

Meet Nike!  He is about two years old and WILD!  I don't think anyone spent much time with him  - his manners were non-existent when he arrived.  I opened my front door to a dog that was lunging and pulling so hard on his leash that the lady trying to hold on to him asked me if I was scared.  I told her no, but my heart raced because it was obvious this wasn't going to be a piece of cake!   A big metal cage from the rescue was also brought to me......just in case. 

I was a little worried also because this weekend our friends Steve and Lecia were coming from Lake Oswego, Oregon.  I wasn't sure how our guests would react to an out of control dog.  Fortunately, they are dog lovers and they helped out in his training.  Four people scratching behind his ears while correcting his bad behavior was perfect!!!  I think it accelerated his progress while giving him a lot of security.  By the time they left today he was no longer jumping up on us and I think Steve was ready to adopt him himself.  Nike is a great dog and he is smart......

So as it turns out, Nike is one happy, playful totally untrained puppy in a sixty pound body.....and he didn't know any better.  He was also so anxious and scared it breaks my heart.  Whatever happened to him between his other home and my home will always be a mystery.  All he needed was love and attention and some guidance to fit right in here.  He now is totally adoptable and will make some nice active family a great companion!

In the mean time our adventures will continue..........

Long and Lean

Finally slept all night!

Rescue In Progress and Pics of Riley

Today I will be getting a 2 year old boy who has been sitting at the shelter many days waiting for his owner to reappear.   So far, no one has come or inquired about him.  Poor fella!

The rescue is now in progress.

Below are some pics of our beloved Riley who passed away two years ago.  We still think of him often.......

Come back later to meet my latest rescued golden!!!  I am sure he will be an amazing pup!  I can just feel it!!!!

Pregnancy Test Came Back.......

Molly

I am a little behind here in my posting.  That always happens when life takes some unexpected twists and turns.  But, since I just got a call to take a new rescue boy, I realized I better let my readers know that precious Molly was successfully adopted and placed into a loving forever home.  The big question of the day was whether or not she was pregnant.  It seems that it is very difficult to tell early on in dogs.  Molly's belly was kinda big and when the vet did their first check there was some question.  I took Molly for a blood test and even though it came back negative the vet was still wary of a false negative. A few days later Molly went to her appt. to be spayed with the stipulation that if when they opened her up there were puppies.....they would close her back up and let her give birth.  The rescue would take on the puppies (no matter what color or mix they were) and care for them and place each in a forever home.  Well, long story short....no puppies.  Dear Molly is (probably) now on the green bean diet and living the wonderful life she so deserves.  Boy, was she a sweet one.  The joy, happiness and love she gave to me touched my heart just when I needed it most.  I hope she is deeply loved all the rest of her days.

Riley's Old Toy Is Getting Some Attention

Tick....Tick.....Tick.....

   This isn't about time but about a nasty little bug.  Molly went to the vet again today and unfortunately, the Dr. found a couple ticks.  Ye gads!  They were removed and she is being treated.  Since we got back home a few hours ago, I have been vacuuming like a crazy woman.  Unfortunately, the first vet missed something!  Dang!  This is the part I didn't sign up for.....

Nevertheless, Molly is the sweetest golden girl I have ever met.  She is so easy to take care of!  Her tail wags almost all the time.  She exudes happiness and she just plain loves life.  Anyone who is around her can't help but smile. 

Here Comes Molly!

Molly will be my first female golden rescue.  She is due to arrive this afternoon after a trip to the vet.  I am very excited to have her and take care of her.  Someone saw her pushed out of a car by a man.  A woman in the neighborhood took her in, but actually left her out...... outside that is.  Molly has been outside for the last week......maybe all her life?  Nothing much is known about Molly.  That is where I come in.  I will evaluate her and treat her like a princess and then Rescue a Golden will find her a loving forever home!

More to come........

Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow.......

Waiting For The Forever Family To Arrive

Jack is a very good boy!  Of all the dogs I have fostered so far, he is the one that has made the biggest transformation.  All the time, patience, love and belly rubs was worth every minute.  His fears have diminished and he now is a happy, playful and loving pup.  What better reward is that?  Soon his forever family will be here to pick him up and promise him a life of stability and love.  I know his fears will totally disappear and he will become an awesome companion. 

I can't help the tears that fall.  Jack captured my heart and I will always lovingly remember him and the special time we had together.

The Jack Attack

Poor Jack.  A couple days ago he was out on his walk with me around the neighborhood when he must have stuck his nose somewhere that a bee thought it didn't belong.  He didn't wince or cry so I was not ever aware of what happened.  After our walk we came inside and I went back to work and Jack took a nap.  When Jack woke up and came over to me for a pat on the head I couldn't believe what I saw.  His head was ten times the size it normally is.  OMG!!!  His lips were blown up so much they looked like miniature balloons that might pop, and his eyelids almost completely covered his eyes.  Yikes!

After scrambling and making a few calls to the rescue people, we were quickly off to the emergency room.

 Jack had a severe allergic reaction to an insect sting or bite.  He spent the night in the hospital.

Sleepy After A Tough Night

Fearful Jack

Even though it has only been a few days since Jack arrived, it seems like weeks.  He needs A LOT of attention.  He is a good dog, well trained and loving, but he also has many fears that really cause me to stop and think about what kind of life he lead before.  One thing that is strange is he is afraid of the garage.  When I open the door from the house to the garage he cowers and shakes.  Then he will crawl on his belly when I encourage him to come out.  Weird!  Also, when I open the car door he wants to bolt.  It takes a lot of sweet talking and reassuring to get him in the car.  Once in though, he is fairly happy.

We have a glass front door off our family room and when the sun shines just right there are reflections in the glass.  Well, you guessed it, Jack sees his reflection and barks up a storm!!!  This morning I started to figure it out.  Whenever I took a sip of coffee he would go crazy at the front door.  Hmmm.....then I realized that my movements were also reflecting and causing the ruckus.

Shadows after dark cause poor Jack to jump and run - especially his own.  It is sad to think of him out foraging on his own at night.... he must of been one scared pup!!!  Sometimes I wonder where these stray dogs sleep at night.  Do they keep roaming all night or do they curl up somewhere?  No wonder they are always on guard.  It is just plain sad......

The the thing that is difficult for me is that Jack wants to be next to me all the time.  And I mean ALL the time.  It can start to wear on a person.  The closer to me the better.  Yesterday, he pushed open the bathroom door when I was in the shower and since the shower doesn't have a door on it he decided to join me!  Sometimes a girl needs some privacy!

It is also difficult to leave him home alone so I have not been going anywhere.

Will there be anyone interested in meeting Jack on Super Bowl Sunday?  This remains to be seen.  Will he be friendly if someone comes to meet him?  Stay tuned........

Jack Has Arrived!

I picked up Jack yesterday late afternoon from the vet.  He was a little more than dazed and confused.  Jack was neutered that morning and unfortunately it didn't go as planned.  He now has a long incision on his belly that looks painful.  It is going to take some extra time and care to heal.  Poor guy!

Nurse Helga is taking care of Jack

Well, Hello Jack!

Jack is very gentle and sweet.  He is friendly and beautiful.  Hopefully, he will start to feel much better today.  Last night was a bit tough.  Jack cried a few times.  I don't know if it was due to pain or something else.  When he was rescued he was with another Golden on a busy street.  Maybe he misses his best friend or maybe it was his brother.  It really is sad to think that someone just dropped off this beautiful animal to fend for himself.  Life will get better.  Love is just around the corner!

Waiting for a new life ........