Why we do it: Oakley

Here's an update from Oakley's foster mom, Nancy:

"Oakley was neutered 3 days ago and is recovering. He is not happy that he has to wear the cone. He doesn't lick at the suture area, but the area that was shaved irritates him to no end. That's where he is licking. He even licks with the cone on top of the area just to give him relief. I am going to put some vaseline on the shaved area and see if it helps.

The vet who checked him over discovered that he has cataracts in both eyes. It is kind of unusual for a pup so young to have cataracts. As far as I could tell, Oakley does not have problem seeing even in dim light. I tested him a couple times while crouching at the corner of a room with the lights turned off. He came straight to me with kisses. So I don't really know what to make out of this.

Other than that, Oakley is doing well. He is very reliable when it comes to toilet training. He is a good boy."

Check out Oakley on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_ol4EBZx6k

GBGRR Volunteer: Jennifer N.

Golden Retrievers are a big part of GBGRR adoption team member Jennifer N.'s family. Her mom had 3 year old Dixie when they discovered our site and adopted Lily in 2005. Well that's all it took to get Jennifer addicted to the site! And although she was not looking for another dog, she followed intake and the adoption stories. In March of 2007, she and her husband, Scott, lost their boy Max to an aggressive spinal tumor. While they weren't read for another dog, Jennifer still followed the site and answered the call to volunteer in May at our annual picnic and reunion. Shortly afterwards, she and Scott adopted Richie!

In addition to volunteering on the adoption team, Jennifer organizes the highly anticipated "senior parade" at our annual picnic.

Jennifer and her lapdog: Richie!

The best of friends from left: Dixie, Lily and Richie

Travels with Van Gogh: Home Sweet Home

Our boy is home! There will be no more days without food. Hugs and kisses will be plentiful and chances are he'll never get in trouble for ANYTHING! Many thanks to David and his wife for providing Van Gogh with a home full of Goldens and love. It's all easy street from here on out! We love you Van!

David dropped us a note early this morning (apparently Van Gogh is still on Central time!):

"Van Gogh has been home for twenty minutes, and his tail has not stopped wagging. Everybody is getting along great. I'm technologically challenged, but I'll take some pictures tomorrow of VG with his new friends. Thanks to everybody. I've been in rescue a while, but you are as amazing a group as I've ever come across. --David"

Van Gogh and David

A very happy dog!

Travels with Van Gogh: Playtime with Izzy!

Van Gogh got to hang out with Barb and Jim's Golden, Izzy, and although it wasn't a sleep over, a good time was had by all!

Izzy, a typical 2 year old Golden knew to bring it down a couple of notches when playing with Van Gogh. These dogs are SO smart!!

How many two-year-olds would let a guest play with their tennis ball?!?

Van Gogh and Izzy...friends for life!

Travels with Van Gogh: Almost home!

Pam and Linda met Jim and Barb in Yuma, AZ this afternoon. It was a warm 106 degrees! Van Gogh really loves Jim (he probably knows that Jim has a soft spot for old dogs). He's been such a great traveler and has not once asked "are we there yet?"! Van had a good dinner and played with a tennis ball.

From left: Pam, Linda, Jim and Barb in Yuma, AZ

Saying good bye to Pam.

Saying good bye to Linda.

Hanging out in the Prius! His next car ride will be with his forever family!

From the bottom of our hearts, a GReat big Texas thank you to Cil, Karen, Carol, Greg and Carrie, Pam, Linda, Jim and Barb for helping to make this journey possible. And many more thanks to all the critters who hosted the sleep-overs that made Van Gogh feel like he was part of a family every second of every day that he was on his journey. It's such an honor for us to know so many incredible people who believe in going out of their way to help a very deserving Golden have his very own Golden Beginning.

PS: Stay tuned for pictures of Van Gogh with his forever family...

Travels with Van Gogh: New Mexico to Arizona

Van Gogh made it to New Mexico yesterday thanks to Greg from Austin! He spent the night outside of Phoenix and headed west towards California early this morning. Here are some pictures from his adventure:

Van Gogh and Greg say goodbye and discuss who really won the license plate game.

Checking out the Arizona grass!

Van Gogh with his Arizona girls: Pam

...and Linda.

Loading up for the trip to Arizona and another rockin' sleepover!



Arizona, here comes Mr. Van Gogh!



"I get the WHOLE back seat?"




Catching some more zzzzz's on his new woobie ... cell phone close at hand in case he needs to call Mr. Greg with an update!!


The happy camper.



Van Gogh with Charlie and Sampson, two Arizona Goldens, who much to Van's surprise are JUST LIKE Texas Goldens!

The Arizona sleep-over hosted by Charlie and Sampson: "...ok, so mom said we can watch Air Bud and she'll make us some snacks or we can play checkers, but Sampson ALWAYS tries to eat them .... hey! wanna make a tent?"

Five minutes into Air Bud and the pooch is snoozin' ... sweet dreams sweet boy ... You are so loved!

Travels with Van Gogh: Texas to New Mexico

We have it on good authority that Van Gogh arrived in New Mexico (Las Cruces to be exact) where he was safely handed over to Pam and Linda for the next leg of his trip. They'll spend the night in Phoenix. Stay tuned for updates from Arizona!

The grass in Austin DOES feel different from the grass in Houston! Who knew??

Nope, the sun feels the same! It's still really, really hot!

"Is Mr. Greg making it look like I have rabbit ears?"

Life really is good for Van Gogh, now! Looks like our cat lover is starting to get his every wish. These sleep-overs are starting to be serious fun!

zzzzzzz, purrrrr, zzzzzzz, purrrrrr

"We're taking this to New Mexico! Does it have a/c??"

Am I the only one hearing Willie Nelson singing "On the road again"??...