Thursday, October 29, 2009
First Tracks!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Approaching Snow Storm
The seven of us are having loads of fun. Seven Goldens makes for a wild house. My three cousins will be here until Saturday, so we have a lot of playing to get done. Sadie and Junior are joining in the fun and we are running and playing like never before.
We are all ready for the second snow storm, the last one was a wimp of a storm. We barely had enough snow to run and play in. Three or four inches is "wimp snow". But the weatherman says that the one tonight and tomorrow will be a real storm. The snow blower came out of the shed, the snow shovels came out, even the winter boots showed up.
Best of all, we gathered all the toys in the yard, brought them in so we could find them to take them back out again. A "snow dog" who posted a reply on our blog asking what was wrong with snow? Nothing is wrong with it, but our outdoor privileges are limited as the house keeper does not like wet dog drip everywhere.
The chauffeur is worried he may get into trouble tomorrow with the snow storm coming in. Sadie, Junior and Piper all have an early morning Vet appointment over in the foothills, that is where the snow gets deep. Sadie has to have her stitches removed, Junior needs his physical so he can go be certified healthy to go to a new home when one is found and Piper needs her blood test to see if her med's are stable. We may get to spend a lot of time in the car, sitting on the highway behind the traffic.
Today the squirrels are busy gathering all the food they can, that makes them easy targets to chase. A squirrel with a nut or apple in his mouth can not run as fast as usual. All of us are enjoying the last decent day to chase squirrels.
Mogley G. Retriever
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Seven Goldens!
The Treat Dispenser took a couple of pictures of all seven of us lined up to get our evening peanut butter treats. He thinks he is pretty sneaky, he hides our pills in the peanut butter. Three of us get daily pills, but all of us get treats. We let him think we don't know about the pills, just as long as the peanut butter keeps coming.
Seven dogs, only four hands!
We have a very bad dog to hand ratio at the moment. Our three cousins arrived for a week visit. Emma, Molly and Piper will be here while their family is off taking a vacation. They are headed to Florida, and a snow storm is heading towards Colorado. What kind of a plan was that? They go to warm sun and we get snowed on.
For the next week we will have a very bad dog to hand ratio. On the other paw, we will have a good time playing. Molly and Piper are constantly jumping in front of one of us, trying to get a game of wrestle, chase or tug-o-war started. Junior and Saidie have accepted the new arrangements and they are willing to run and romp as well.
The Treat Dispenser keeps going to the medicine cabinet and taking out some funny pills, they call them tranquilisers. At first they wanted to give them to the seven of us but they decided a better use of them was to take them themselves.
Saidie is feeling much better now that her mouth no longer hurts. The Treat Dispenser keeps taking balls and toys away when Saidie tries to chew on them, he is afraid she will pull the stitches out or start her gums bleeding. She says she is doing fine and sneaks away with another ball in her mouth. It will get exciting around supper time, we all have to sit to get our dinner, but it is hard for all seven of us to wait till our turn comes.
Mogely G. RetrieverWednesday, October 21, 2009
Sadie's vet visit
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Sadie and Junior
Sadie (Left) and Junior watch Bella and I chase a ball. They each have their ball on the ground in front of them, waiting for the Treat Vending Machine to put down the camera and throw the balls.
If you have ever dreamed of throwing two balls at once and having both of them returned, then Sadie and Junior can answer your dreams. If you have two feet and you would like to adopt a dog but you are worried that one foot might get cold if you have only one dog to lie at your feet, these two can help you by keeping both feet warm.
Sadie and Junior are two of the best guests we have had in our home. When Bella and I bark at the front door, Sadie and Junior stand quietly and watch as we greet the visitors. When I fetch the paper in the morning, Junior and Sadie watch, they don't even try to run out the door. They are well housebroken and they don't even tear up toys.
Bella and I have decided that they are are setting unreasonable standards of behaviour in the house, Bella and I are wild and boisterous. Sadie and Junior are calm and quiet. That is a bad precedent to have in our home. If we don't get them adopted out quickly the resident chauffeur may decide that Bella and I should behave also.
Yesterday Sadie and Junior were separated for a time. Sadie actually became more lively by herself. Around Junior she tends to slink around or hide, acting very shy. Without Junior, she played a little with Bella and I, she came out of her shell a little. Now they have to decide if they should be adopted together or separately. More evaluation will have to be done to find out if Junior is accidentally intimidating or dominating her. Sadie went to the vet today, she has a small growth that needs to be looked at. She will be back this evening, just in time for the rain storm that is moving in.
Mogley G. Retriever
Monday, October 19, 2009
Foster Parent training, II
I can't help but make a few more comments on the "training for rescue foster parents" class that my humans attended. The class did not take the dogs point of view into account. Can you believe that they actually covered "how to introduce a new dog"? Apparently they don't like our method of shaking hands at the door and exchanging business cards. Maybe a homeless dog does not have business cards?
Then they discussed how to introduce cats and children to the new dog. This might be useful information, most cats don't shake hands and children never seem to have business cards.
They discussed how to evaluate a prospective home but they did not talk about the important points. No discussion about the quantity or quality of treats. No discussion as to the size and contents of the toy box. No test for the ability of the humans to throw tennis balls. No test to see if they understand how to give tummy rubs and tail bone scratches. What about the thickness of the dog bed? Some of those little skimpy pads they sell as "dog beds" should disqualify a home from ever having a dog. Bella and I have our own couch and chair, that should be the minimum standard for adoption.
Bella was disappointed, they discussed collars and leashes, styles and types, including the "control" collars. She asked if they talked about colors of collars and how to match the highlight in her hair. It turns out that was not covered either.
The human felt good about the class, but I think it was a waste. Perhaps some of my blogging friends could help to write a class outline from a dogs viewpoint? If you have suggestions, let me know.
Mogley G. Retriever
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Foster Parent training
My chauffeur took off today to attend a class on "How to be a foster parent". It took him most of the afternon to attend it. I told him I could save him some money, save him a trip and save him five hours of time.
All he had to do is listen to my critique of his parenting style. Their shortcomings in the foster parent department are mostly in the area of treats and toys, trips to the dog park, a shortage of indoor heated swim pools for the winter, and he is far too mean to us. I am sure they will teach him that dogs deserve to sleep on the big bed, not beside it. When roast beef is cooking, we like ours rare. We also need to have a refrigerator magnet with the number of the SPCA hot line on it just in case. We can take off all of those emergency numbers that we never use anyway, I mean that 911 thing is so lame.
He came home and announced that he does appreciate us more. He said there were people from many rescue organizations in attendance. He said some of the problems other people have with other breeds make him appreciate the sensitive, mellow Golden Retrievers even more. When they talked about discipline methods, he was expecting them to say that when your Golden cringes when you tell him "No", you are too loud. Instead he says there are some breeds that apparently don't listen when they are told no. They discussed real discipline, withholding our treats, not allowing us to watch Animal Planet, or even worse. In our Golden world, most of the time one or two stern "No" commands will correct even a new dogs behaviour.
He did not admit that they taught him to give us more freedom to jump on furniture and sleep on the big bed. He served us dry dog food for dinner again this evening, the roast beef was not in sight. But I am sure that we will see the changes shortly. unless he slept through the class. I will look for that hot line number for the SPCA, just in case.
Mogley G. Retriever
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Sadie and Jr.
Below, Bella and I welcome Junior(center) and Sadie (front right) to our home.
BRAVO ZULU AWARD IN MEMORY OF SPENCER
We are flattered to receive the Bravo Zulu Award in Memory of Spencer, presented to us by the Bumpass Hounds and Cats, the award if for a "Jog well done". The Bumpass Hounds sure do know a thing or two about rescuing and fostering homeless dogs. They have 10 rescues now, and are tireless workers in helping their local rescue. If you have not read their blog, visit them at http://bumpasshounds.blogspot.com/
Thanks to all who help with the rescue efforts all over the world. Meanwhile, we have another blog to post tnight. More news from the rescue front.
Mogley G. Retriever
Friday, October 16, 2009
Bella II
Bella II is still with us, she will probably be going to a new home this week end. We need to remind you of Bella's special talents. Bella is "Air Golden". She plays fetch and catch in the house, she does spectacular leaps in order to catch the tennis balls. You see, if she does not out jump me, I get the ball instead. So she has learned to leap over our backs and to out jump me in the air. She puts on quite a show with he leaps and twists. We wonder what would happen if we used a Frisbee outdoors, she should be able to put on quite a show.
She has learned the dog door, and she is in and out constantly. Freedom! No squirrel is safe now that Bella II can run into the back yard whenever she needs to.
Mogley G. Retriever
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Foster Homes!
I think I may have left the wrong impression in the last post.
GRRR did not have to turn down a rescue, at the last minute someone volunteered and we were able to pick them up. But it has been close, we are full up and we need any help we can get. We have several double rescues coming in. We may try to place Bella II in time to take one of the pairs. We have had several inquiries and are working hard to make a match.
Since we have readers all over the world, we need to remind you that your local rescue is running on "full" as well and they can use volunteers. We have received several e-mails from other groups telling us they have the same need for temporary homes.
This weekend there is a training class for foster volunteers to help understand how to introduce a new dog into your home, as well as coping with relocation problems.
My humans say that there is nothing more exciting than working with a homeless dog. It is like getting a present under the Christmas tree. If you ever find your life to be boring, here is the answer.
Help a homeless dog find a forever home.
Mogley G. Retriever
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Foster Homes needed!
If you have room to help, we can use foster homes. Recently Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies, GRRR, had to turn down a dog because we were out of room. We are facing that situation again with several more scheduled to come in.
If you can volunteer to take in a homeless Golden, please let us know.
Thank you,
Mogley G. Retriever
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Aspen is home!
We said good by to Aspen this afternoon. Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR) sent us an e-mail with a note that we should set up a meeting with the family who's application was attached. We read the application and then let Aspen read it. She said it sounded like it would be a possible home, but she would have to visit with them to make sure. She packed her bag to take along in case they met her high standards. She took a couple of tennis balls just in case they did not have any to throw for her, she took a stuffed toy to make sure she had something to tear up. Some of her favorite dog food, a few treats and a rawhide chew were thrown in just in case.
When we arrived, they met us on the path to the front door. Aspen ran in and was welcomed with open arms. She was shown that the house had a lot of open doorways, no restrictions to keep her from mingling with the family. She was shown the back yard, it passed her inspection. It had a sturdy wood fence, with peep holes where she could watch the dogs go by on the sidewalk. It had lots of grass and gravel for her potty trips.
She was introduced to the resident cats, she went nose to nose, then everyone went about their business. No trouble there. Then she was shown a basket of toys, just for her. They even played catch in the living room. She was promised a walk very day, and a soft bed to sleep on. The deciding factor was the dog to hand ratio. At our home the dog to hand ratio is 4 to 4. At this home, the dog to hand ratio was 1 to 4, a much better deal. Being an only dog has its advantages. They were having guests for dinner that evening and there would be many more hands available to pet a dog. Aspen accepted their offer of a forever home and waved goodbye to us at the door.
Aspen, we enjoyed having you stay with us. You are a great lady and we think that GRRR has found you the perfect match. Have a wonderful life, you deserve it!
Mogley G. Retriever
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Aspen, the Golden Lady
I have been writing about Bella II so often that Aspen had to remind me that she is still looking for a home as well.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Bella II, and Aspen
Below, Bella II and I wrestle for a ball. I caught it but she wants to fetch it.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Farwell Tess, Hello Bella.
Below, five Golden friends sit for a snack during a going away party for Tess and a welcome party for Bella II. From front left, Mogley, Bella, Aspen, Tess and Bella II. Tess left shortly after the party for a new home in rural Colorado.
Bella II squints because of the flash.
Mogley G. Retriever
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Tess's big adventure.
Above, the farewell picture of Tess. She has a new home.
A volunteer thank you
Saturday night the chauffeur went across town without taking a single Golden Retriever along to a Golden Retriever party. Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR) threw a wonderful volunteer recognition party. It was to thank the chauffeurs, the groomers, the walkers, the trainers, the transport team, the medical team, the home inspection team, the web team, the special events team and the fund raising team, all of whom work together as volunteers to make it possible to re home over 350 dogs a year. He said the evening was wonderful, they met new people that have come forward since our last event, they shared great food and they shared stories about the many rescues that had taken place. After the food was finished, each person was invited to share with the group a special story about a rescue they had worked with. The stories were wonderful and heartwarming. So many helping hands, so many wonderful new homes.
The chauffeur said that the thanks were miss placed. He thinks the volunteers should be thanking GRRR for all the wonderful dogs that we are allowed to foster. He said that each Golden we have fostered was a special experience for which we are all thank full to GRRR for allowing us to have. Each new Golden that passes through the foster system is a Golden on his way to a new and better life. We are privileged to be allowed to meet these wonderful Golden's, we enjoy sharing our home and our lives with them, we enjoy learning about them so we can help them find their perfect home. Each one has touched us, each one has left a memory. For that we thank GRRR.
There are so many wonderful people telling great stories about the dogs they have rescued. Several stories concerned other breeds that came and went through GRRR volunteers and cooperation with other breed rescues. Dogs from puppy mills, dogs bought at a farm auction. Dogs that were slated to die if not taken immediately. Dogs with medical problems that the owners could not afford to treat. Dogs that went on to become service dogs, rescued from bad people but then forgiving them and spending the rest of their lives helping the same people that abandoned them.
One person told how he had gone to an ATM machine and pulled out $200 after he watched a man try to sell a young Golden out of a pickup along the road. The man picked up the Golden by the scruff of the neck and by the tail and tossed it back into the truck, at that point he knew he had to re home that dog, even if it did cost him $200.
Our human said he told the group about Tess (currently with us) and Chase. Chase was the Golden that went to such a perfect home, only to be returned. GRRR does not allow people to "try dogs", but Chase was a special case. You see, Chase was a wonderful, large and energetic retriever. He loved his new home, but he soon started very inappropriate retrieving. He started playing "keep away" with the lady's prosthesis. Chase would steal her leg and play keep away. That could have been worked on but then he went farther, he began trying to steal her leg while she was walking. After several dangerous and bruising falls, it became clear that no matter how much they had bonded, Chase had to go. When we picked up Chase, we had Daisy as a foster. Daisy made an immediate and much calmer impression. Daisy went home that day to a very special forever home, and Chase stayed with us. Chase found a new and very special home a few days later. Don't you just love it what a story has a happy ending?
We remember Sandy, she lived with us for several weeks. When they called to set up an appointment with a possible new home, the chauffeur tried to stall, he told GRRR that he would only bring Sandy over to meet if GRRR would guarantee that Sandy would get an extra special home (a possible foster failure in the making?). Sandy went from GRRR directly to heaven. No, Sandy did not die, Sandy just went to heaven. Sandy was adopted by a wonderful lady who owned a small horse property outside of town. The property had a small pond, just the thing for a Golden swim on a hot afternoon. It also had a horse training track. Every morning Sandy gets to ride in a small two wheeled sulky as the horses are trained around the track. Golden Heaven!
We have had almost 40 fosters so far. Each one has been a joy and a sorrow. It is a joy to rescue them, a joy to see them settle into a friendly home and become companions. It is a sorrow to let them go, even though we know that a better life waits for them in their carefully selected forever home.
I still think I should have gone along to the party, I can say "thank you" better than anyone. If you remember, I was on a Vet's table about to get a very, very final shot, when someone said "GRRR will take him". Thank you GRRR for all you do for us rescue Goldens. Thanks to all the volunteers who transport homeless dogs, thank you to all of the folks that give us our medical inspections, wash and groom us then care for us until we can find new forever homes. Thank you GRRR for all the wonderful friends you have sent us to foster. We have had many memorable moments.
From all of the Golden Retrievers in our happy and warm new homes, to all of the GRRR volunteers that make it possible, Thank you!
Mogley G. Retriever