Sunday, September 11, 2011

Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies Reunion Picnic

Look closely at the photo above.    It is a photo of several hundred Rescued Golden Retrievers playing in the sun and water.    Several hundred abandoned dogs, having more fun that you can even imagine.  If you have ever donated to a rescue, driven a car to transport a homeless dog, or made telephone calls to arrange a rescue, this is what you made possible.  This is the annual Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies Reunion Picnic.    A reunion of the rescued dogs, their new owners, and the people that made it all possible.  For all of you that work in rescue, this is what you have done.   Most rescued dogs and cats disappear into a new home quietly, you don't get to see the joy and celebrate the new lives that you made possible.  We here at GRRR are blessed that once a year we can see the fruits of our labor.    We get to enjoy a day in the sun and water with our success stories.  We get to see that the lives were worth saving.   This is what a second chance for an abandoned dog looks like. 

We don't have time to tell you the whole story about the day in one blog, it will take several blogs.   We met old friends, fosters that have gone to forever homes, but come back to the Rescue Reunion to celebrate with us.   Fosters that we may have seen as scared and abused dogs, now are shining examples of the resiliency of our canine friends.   They are running free, playing as hard as they can, their new owners sharing the joy with their new best friends.   This is what rescue is all about.   Rescued dogs, showing the joy they have from a second chance at life.    If you have ever helped rescue a dog, then you had a part in making this picnic possible.    What were once lives at risk are now lives at play.  Enjoy!
After several hours of playing, all the dogs had to stand on shore (photo above, waiting for the last straggler to come to shore) and wait till the tennis balls, some marked with prizes were thrown, then we were released to fetch for prizes.    I brought in two balls with prizes, so I earned my kibbles for the day.   Below, the release.

The photo below, shows a beautiful, calm morning when we arrived at the lake, if you look closely you can see the snow on the Rocky Mountain peaks behind the lake.   How quickly several hundred Goldens can destroy the calm. 

It was a day to celebrate, and it was a wonderful celebration.

Thank you to all the volunteers that have made this day possible by helping a dog or cat move down the road to a new home. This is the proof that donating and volunteering in rescue was worth while. 

Mogley G. Retriever

17 comments:

  1. Mogley, Greg pictures. It was a fun day! Charm is so pooped out she is snoozing on the couch pretending to watch Sunday night football with her Dad!
    Valerie, Greg, Charm, Romeo and Astro
    GRRR Volunteers and Foster Failures!

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  2. wow, I'm so amazed by this kind of event! Your so blessed to have that kind of program! and you really looks happy on your photos, lots of Golden retriever dogs. keep it up and more power!


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    Dog Fence | It's All About Pet Fences

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  3. From Valerie and the Conifer Crew - I must be tired. In the first comment I meant to say GREAT (not Greg) pictures!
    Hope you are resting dear boy...you were also pretty pooped out today.
    Auntie Val

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  4. Mogley, I must be tired - in that first post I meant to say GREAT (not GREG) pictures. Hope you are resting dear boy, you were pretty pooped to!
    I can't seem to post as Valerie and the Conifer Crew so I will just be anonymous here I guess.
    Valerie, Greg, Charm, Romeo and Astro

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  5. Mogley, what can we say, thank you seems so inadequate.
    We know being a Rescued Golden yourself, you know what wonderful people work in Rescue.
    We tip our hats to you, keep up the good work, and that your bi ped for all they do.

    Hamish & Rescue Sophie

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  6. Merdie?

    Harley?

    Which one are woo?

    Hugz&Khysses,
    Khyra
    PeeEssWoo: All that obedience in one spot! Too much fur this Siberian mind to process!

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  7. How wonderful to see all those rescued Goldens together having a good time with their families.

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  8. That is the time when Angels hold their breath, smile and nod their head. Hallelujah!

    Congratulation to a job well done, Mogley.

    Lady(senior), Sandy Paws and Oliver.

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  9. What fantastic pictures, and what a day!! What prizes did you win, Mogley?

    This is what rescue is all about - happy Goldens!

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  10. Hi Y'all,

    What a wonderful day y'all had! Something special to bring joy to 9/11. So happy for all those dogs and pups who were able to join you and those who couldn't come but have happy furever homes.

    Looking forward to the rest of the news from the picnic!

    Y'all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

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  11. Too much fun! We'd love to make it up one year to watch the fun.

    Sam

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  12. Great day, wonderful to see so many happy endings. :)

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  13. That is just about the most wonderful sense of peace for a moment that everything is good and the way our wonderful God intended his world to be. Thank you for sharing. The pictures helped to to tell a great and real story.

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  14. I recognize that beach! Awesome, truly awesome, to see all those Goldens in the water and on the beach. You deserve a big celebration!

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  15. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this post!! Seeing all these beautiful Goldens loving and enjoying their new lives is certainly cause for a celebration!! On a day where I've taken in a 'handicapped foster' you've given me a good reminder of what a difference that rescue can and does make~~Thank-you for that, and for all you do to make this world a better place!!!

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  16. We love to read about your picnic every year--been THREE now, can't believe it's been that long. No, my mom never gets to see the 'fruit' of her transports so this is extra nice. This weekend she is tranporting 2 dachshunds born without front legs--imagine, they will have a home! Isn't it wonderful?

    love & wags,
    River & mom

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  17. I swear I'm going to go there one year - I can only imagine the pure joy of seeing so many Goldens in person :)

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