Runaway Sampson

Sampson is a nine year old male.  He was rescued from a small town in Arizona and lived outside in a pen with approximately twenty plus other dogs, but he was separated from most of them because he was used for breeding.  Although, Sampson was fed daily and given water, he never received socialization, human love or attention.  His pen was about five miles down a dirt road from his owner's home.

Sampson was rescued from this situation and delivered to my doorstep......

It was difficult to to care for Sampson because he was so wild.  He tried over and over again to jump the fence and he pawed obsessively at the cement wall in our backyard.  He didn't understand why he was at my house which must of looked like another prison.

I believe Sampson dreamed of being free.  That he always wanted to run in one direction without seeing a wall or fence.  He wanted to sniff new smells and see new things.  He must have always wanted to chase the bunnies, explore and experience something new and wonderful.  That's what I believe.  And, on April 23, 2013 Sampson got his wish.  A certain synchronicity of circumstances opened the gates to his idea of heaven and he flew like a lightning bolt into the life he had always imagined was waiting for him.

Blessings to Sampson...............

Saved Within Hours of Being Euthanized

Quincy!!!!

How can anyone resist a face like this????  Quincy is one in a million.  You can look deep into his eyes and see his soul.  He is one of those life changing fellows that you just know you will never ever forget.

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.
Dr. Seuss

Quincy was with me for only one week.  He had been found as a stray down at the border in Nogales.  Animal Control picked him up and took him to their very crowded shelter.  Since he is such a large golden (104 pds,) and since the shelter was full he was quickly put on the list to be euthanized.  He was spotted by a "walker" at the shelter who then called Rescue A Golden of AZ.  He was rescued within two hours of being killed.

There were a series of fosters homes that he lived in for short periods of time.  Each one gave him up for one reason or another.  He was loaded into cars and taken from one end of the state to another and then finally to me.  Poor thing!  He got a bad rap sheet along the way.  People said he was unruly and puppy wild.  They said he was too big.  They said he wanted too much love and took attention away from their other pets.  He didn't have anyone who wanted him enough...... to keep him. 

Quincy and Me

Well, I can say that Quincy is an AWESOME dog.  I sat him down and told him that I would love him all I could and take great care of him, but that I would have to let him go to the forever home when we found the right match.  I am not sure he understood me.  Quincy showed so much love and appreciation to me that I think he may have thought we belonged together forever.  And, I could see us together forever, too.

Quincy was always the character!  He smiled all the time as if life was the best thing anyone could ever experience.  His past life didn't seem to get him down, either.  It was if he was always ready to move forward and getting me to laugh was his objective in life. 

One morning I let Quincy out into the backyard and closed the door after him.  It was still too cold to leave the door open.  I went into another room and answered a phone call.  About five minutes later there was Quincy at my feet.  Hmmm........  how did that happen?  Well, sure enough it didn't take long to figure out Quincy had an uncanny ability to open doors.  He is a very tall 5 year old who could use his nose to accomplish amazing feats!  We ended up taking some of the doorknobs off so that he couldn't get himself into trouble.  We also had to bolt lock the front door. 

Quincy's rap sheet soon was cleaned up as he proved himself to be a mellow, well behaved and lovable fella.  Word got out about the wonderful pup and before I knew it Quincy was adopted into a loving home with a couple who promised to give him the best life a dog could ever have.  Well, that's good enough for me!

Goodbye Quincy.  I love you.

Happiness Is Going To The Dog Park!!!

Hanging Out

Quincy Found Riley's Ball!!! (He didn't get to take it with him!)

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.