STORIES

Bud and Mandy

Bud and Mandy are brother and sister and were adopted in 1999. They are now 11 years old. They had lived almost 8 years outside in a kennel and were neglected and all matted when an animal control officer came for them. They were taken to an animal shelter and put up for adoption, but with their age and the stipulation they be adopted together, they didn't stand much of a chance. They were scheduled for euthanasia three times, but the worker couldn't bring herself to put down two such healthy and loving dogs. She found GRROWLS on the Internet and a rescue worker went to the shelter and saved them. We adopted them in November, 1999, and from the moment we brought them into our home, they have been so loving and grateful just for the warm blanket to lay on and the fresh food and water. They'll take all the love and hugs they can get, just content to lay at our feet and have us rub their ears. Senior goldens are great ... at 11 years young, these two run, romp and play. But they tire easy and a quick walk pacifies their love of the outdoors and they're off to a warm place to sleep for hours on end. They are housebroken, low maintenance and gentle in nature. Seniors are calm and loyal and seek only a loving home in which to live out their golden years. To anyone considering adopting a loving pet, a senior golden would make the best choice for a faithful family friend. The love they give each day makes up for the years that have already gone by.


Luna

When Luna came to live with us 8 years ago, she was a poorly socialized and frightened little girl. But she soon learned what it meant to love and be loved by humans, as well as cats! In her "middle age", she remains a very energetic family member who especially enjoys camping and canoe trips, ski outings and hunting for grouse. When not running through the woods, Luna can be found snuggling one of her humans or her cat, Little Bit.




Molson is a beautiful, gentle Golden Retriever. I adopted her from GRROWLS when she was about seven, after her original owners decided they didn't want her anymore. She was the friendliest dog I had ever met, and would never miss an opportunity to walk up next to you and flip your hand with her nose so you would pet her.

She wasn't very interested in other dogs (or cats for that matter), but loved to go for nice slow walks, sniff all the grass and snooze in my office while I worked. Molson wanted nothing more from life than someone to scratch her chin, pet her head, some food, water, a warm blanket, and to be everybody's best friend.

She loved all the neighbors and kids, and when we had parties, would spend her time walking from guest to guest seeing if she could get a pat on the head or a treat.

As she grew older, she developed arthritis in her spine, and by the time she was fourteen, could no longer get up off the floor. I couldn't leave my friend like that, and decided to put her to sleep. It was the most difficult thing I have ever done, but I've never regretted, even for a second adopting her and giving her seven happy years.

If you have room in your life for unconditional love and want to make a real difference, consider adopting an older Golden Retriever. You won't be sorry. Your new best friend is waiting for a walk.

-- Terry Carmen

Soon after our application and home visit was approved, a member from GRROWLS contacted us about a senior golden who was in a foster home approximately three and a half hours away from us. Within a week, we drove there to meet her. We were greeted by a beautiful, white faced 10 1/2 year old golden. Lily came home with us the very next day and fit into our home perfectly, even though we already had a pug, two cats and a ferret. In the two months that Lily has lived with us, not a moment goes by without us feeling so blessed to have her. She has brought such joy into our lives, and believe it or not, she acts more puppy-like everyday. Words cannot describe the gift of unconditional love she gives us everyday, and we in return give her the same. We wonder everyday how one would want to turn in such a wonderful old dog, however, we are so very thankful they did.


-- Andrea Burnham and Brett Reynolds.