Rescues all across the U.S. are full and good dogs are ending up in bad places. Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR) is a breed specific rescue, but sometimes we are very "bad" about guessing the lineage of a dog. We have had some very strange looking Golden Retrievers in the past, and we are getting more of them as the shelters step up their kill rate due to crowding over the holidays. By expanding the definition of "Golden Retriever" a little bit, we can rescue some wonderful "Goldens" that would otherwise not live to see the new year.
Tune in later today when we will have a swearing in ceremony for a very rare "Black Golden Retriever". You see we can't say no to a wonderful dog, so we simply make them swear to be "Golden Retrievers". That way we can help many of the non-Golden's that we find in danger. GRRR has long been the un-official Aussie rescue, since there was no specific Aussie group in the area. Several local breed rescues are full and turning away good dogs because of lack of volunteers and funds. GRRR seems to always find people that will come through, so a trip to pick up a Golden at a local shelter may find several very strange looking "Golden's" making the return trip. With the popularity of Golden-Doodles and other mixes, more great dogs are left in the cold because there is no specific rescue for them. Besides, who is to say what blood lines may flow in that puppy's veins?
We will be taking in Black Jack as our newest foster later today. Black Jack is officially a 10 year old Golden/Lab, but we will swear him in as a full blooded Golden Retriever in an official ceremony on the lawn. We have a copy of "The Golden Retriever" by the American Kennel Club for him to place his paw on and he will promise to wag furiously when greeting visitors at the door, to bark at squirrels with Bella and I, and to retriever tennis balls and ducks as requested. That should do it, he will then be a full blooded Golden Retriever.
Thanks to the staff for their willingness to let the word "rescue" in Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies, be the defining word.
Mogley G. Retriever
Thank you so very very much for this post!
ReplyDeleteYou've made my day!
Do you have a shipping address for GRRR? Your post today made me feel so good, I want to send them something from their wish list, but it will probably need to go to a shipping address instead of a mailing address.
ReplyDelete(I looked on their website and called but it only gives a mailing address.)
Thank you in advance!
Thank you for your comments on my blog. It is wonderful to have Lab friends. We have a golden lab across the street that plays with us and stays with us once in a while.
ReplyDeleteYou may e-mail me at Mogley.retriever@gmail.com
and I can send you the address you asked for.
Mogley G. Retriever
As long as they have a heart like a Golden, they are a Golden.
ReplyDeleteWe are so glad that GRRR makes exceptions at times and it sure is an important exception to the specific dog.
We have a friend in Conifer who is involved with GRRR and she tells us about what a wonderful group they are, and reading your posts she is 100% correct.
Hamish & Sophie
Mogley-
ReplyDeleteI too am with a golden retriever rescue - we sneak in dogs like Black Jack - as Flat Coat Retrievers, and if they can wiggle, waggle and smile like a Golden we will recongnize their golden heart and bring them in from the cold.
Keep up the great work.
Ben
PS - some have even said I am not a "real" golden.. What is real gold anyways? But a kind heart, soft eyes and a wet nose?
Glad you're swearing Black Jack in as one of your own. He should make a great GR.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean about sometimes having to "squint" to see the Golden in some dogs! When I served as president of our rescue here, everyone knew to not send me to the shelter to get or look at a dog because I never liked leaving empty handed. I've taken a sheepdog and a Wheaten Terrier...Long story, but with good endings! I saw your photos of "Black-Jack" and he "looks golden 'nuf for me--I would have taken him!" :-)))
ReplyDelete