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october 2013 |
Support GRR Shop at Randall's and donate to GRR with no cost to you. GRR code is 8583. Click her to learn how Support GRR by using this GRR link when shopping at Amazon Purchase Synflex for HumansandSynflex for Petstomanage osteoarthritis and promote healthy joints Have Flint River Ranch Premium Pet Fooddelivered to your home (use ID: 2hw2). Learn more.
Need to Renew Your GRR Membership? Or Become a Member for the First Time? Click the link below to access the GRR Membership page. http://www.grr-tx.com/membership.htm
Connect with Gold Ribbon Rescue onFacebook.
How Can You Help a Golden? Make a tax deductible donation to GRR Become a monthly donorand we’ll automatically charge your credit card Volunteer – lots of exciting opportunities Foster – helping a golden is rewarding Contact Sheila at Sheila@grr-tx.com
Gold Ribbon Rescue PO Box 956 Austin, TX 78767 512 659-4653
GRR Newsletter Editor: Katie Ann Prescott
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Controlling Fleas and Ticks on Your PetsFrom January 23, 2012 article titled “Controlling Fleas and Ticks on Your Pets” located on The Humane Society website
Protecting your dog or cat from fleas and ticks is an important part of responsible pet care. But it's not easy. The fleas and ticks on your dog or cat are only a small percentage of the number in the animal's environment. Fleas and their eggs can live outside in grass, soil and even crevices in sidewalks, while inside they live in rugs and carpets, cracks in floors, bedding, etc.
The basics:
Comb your pet regularly with a flea comb, vacuum frequently and dispose of the bags immediately after use, mow areas of the lawn where your dog spends time, wash pet bedding weekly, and wash your pet with a pesticide-free pet shampoo.
Flea and tick products:
Although you can find shampoos, sprays, powders, monthly treatments and other products to control ticks and fleas at stores and veterinary offices, deciding what products are safe to use isn't simple. Studies have found potential hazards with certain ingredients, so discuss which product is safest with your veterinarian and always read the label carefully.
You can find safer, gentler flea and tick treatments and product ingredients at the GreenPaws Flea and Tick Products Directory.
If you do decide to use conventional flea and tick products, follow these simple steps to help prevent problems:
· Talk to your veterinarian first. · Learn about the health concerns regarding some ingredients. · Never use dog treatments on cats, and vice versa. · Always be certain of your pet's weight before purchase to ensure proper dosage. · Don't split one "large dog" dose in half for two small dogs (or combine two "small dog" doses for one large dog). · Read and follow all instructions when using these products. · Do not use these products on elderly or pregnant animals.
Have You Seen GRR’s New Website?Gold Ribbon Rescue’s website recently underwent an overhaul of changes in the past month. Have you seen it? With a more professional and sophisticated appearance, the new website’s appearance matches the dedication and professionalism of our devoted GRR volunteers. Special thanks to Ryan Hoover, GRR adopter of Friday /aka Guiness, for the design, development and implementation of our new website.
If you haven’t seen it, check it out. It’s worth a look!
Adopt a Golden: Levi #13-062Submitted by Vivian Cochran, Web Stories Writer
Volunteer Spotlight: Pat Capin
How long have you been volunteering with GRR? I have been a volunteer since March 2005.
What made you want to volunteer with GRR? After adopting our Riley and then Dolly, I was so impressed with the thoroughness of the process, I thought I’d like to help out.
What volunteer position do you hold?
Explain the activities you participate in as you fulfill this position. We get notice of a dog in need, and I head out to the dog. Using our intake evaluation form, I judge the dog’s breed and personality soundness. If it seems like a good dog, I alert the Intake Director/Team, and we sort out a plan on getting the dog into care. Sometimes I get dogs that others have evaluated (as I’m able to do long-distance drives since I’m retired) so we count on their evaluation. So far I’ve never gotten a “bad” dog from any of our far-off places. I take photos of the dog and send them electronically to the Intake Team. Once we sort out a transport plan, I go back to the dog and get him/her, and occasionally, them. My husband and I pretty much work the northern areas of GRR’s reach.
About how many hours do you typically spend volunteering in this position? The normal intake and transport isn’t usually that big of a drive, but our situation up here is unique as we are the outliers, since we are in Belton and not Austin or San Antonio. So don’t let my driving and timelines dissuade you from volunteering to help with intake or transports. Most transports are less than an hour/less than 100 miles round trip.
What is your favorite part about volunteering in this position? I love meeting the dogs and owners (if the dog is not a stray). I cry with them when they give up the dog, and I banter with the shelter staffs as we try to figure out a name for the stray dogs. And, regardless of why the dog comes into care, I always know that the dog will be given a chance at a new life and that’s terribly rewarding.
Describe a cute/funny/interesting story while volunteering in this position. My husband and I went to a home in Copperas Cove to evaluate two GR’s that need re-homing. The dogs are immense, I mean, really, like ottomans. So I asked the owner how much she fed the dog per day, and she said “a cup per dog” Hmm…So I asked to see “the cup” she used. It was like a 72 ounce Slurpy cup! That’s about 6 cups of food/day. For dogs who got no exercise and were middle aged, way too much food. After we brought these nice dogs in, they went to two great foster homes and were adopted out very quickly. While in foster care, both began to lose weight. The new owners were briefed on the green bean diet and that sure helps get dogs slimmed down.
Give one piece of advice for volunteers interested in serving in this position. Tag along on a few intake evaluations with one of the other members of the group so you get a feel for doing an intake evaluation. If the dog is in a shelter, wear old clothes and always have hand sanitizer with you so you can clean up. The same is true for transport. But in the case of transport, please have a way to restrain the dog while it’s in your car – safer for you and for the dog.
What is one word that describes your experience while volunteering for GRR? (Immensely) gratifying Where Are They Now?Submitted by the Muckenthalers, Maggie’s adoptive parents
She loves to go on walks and will start "hopping" to the door if she sees me getting my walking things together. Afterwards, she is content to sleep her day away, unless it's time to eat and then she has a built-in clock to remind us—just in case we forget! She loves her toys and loves to CHEW on them. I can't count the number of toys for "strong chewers" she has gone through, and some have only lasted 10 minutes before she has them in pieces. And she is a true velcro golden, following us all around the house and planting herself at our feet—just what we wanted.
After a few months of settling in, I started Maggie in her beginner obedience class with the thought of doing the pet therapy program if she did well. She did great and passed her class, showing us how gentle she was in new situations and around other dogs and strangers. We continued on with the intermediate and advanced classes and passed both of those. To become eligible to enroll in the pet therapy training program, she is also required to pass and receive the AKC Canine Good Citizen certificate. It consists of 10 steps. Though Maggie has completed 9 of the steps, she still is not able to complete the supervised separation where she has to lay down and wait in that position for 3 minutes until I come back into the room. The minute I leave the room and close the door, she is up and coming to door to wait (hehe!). We'll continue to work on it at home and maybe she will be able to accomplish that last step one day. She has really done well and we are very proud of what she has learned. There are many facilities that use therapy dogs here in Tyler: hospitals, nursing homes, rehab. hospitals, schools, etc. We will just wait and see what is the best fit for Maggie when she is able to finish all the requirements.
We feel so fortunate to have Maggie and working with everyone at GRR was wonderful.
If you would like to have your dog featured in the “Where Are They Now” column, write up a brief story like Maggie’s and send to newsletter@grr-tx.com October Upcoming Events Heart Healthy Swimfest and Membership Meeting: October 5th
As the dogs romp in The Quarry, the humans will enjoy some cold drinks, snacks and a little education. WHERE: The Quarry at Hyde Park Baptist Church 11400 North Mopac Austin, Texas 78759 WHEN: Saturday, October 5, 2013 10:00am - 12:30pm A heart worm positive dog is a very real challenge that we face every week. • GRR currently has 12 dogs that are HW positive and are in the process of being treated or are about to begin heart worm treatment. • GRR spends $2000.00 + per year on heart worm prevention. • GRR treats 25+ dogs a year that come in testing positive for heart worms at an average cost of $400.00+ per dog.
Dr. Ron Stried, DVM will be providing us with some valuable education on this topic. The cost to attend the event is $25.00 per family (PAY HERE)
All dogs attending must be current on vaccines. You must clean up after your dog.
We look forward to seeing you there. Please visit www.hpbc.org for more information on the location.
Plum Creek Pet Fair aka “Hootenanny on the Hill:” October 12th
Come out to Fergus Park and Fairway Fields in Kyle with the entire family in tow: adults, kids, and pups.
From 10 am – 2 pm, Plum Creek HOA is hosting a day of fun including: BBQ and chili cook-off, 10K, 5K and 1K Fun Run, washers tournament, Wildflower Seed & Stomp, hay bale critters, Scarecrow Contest, pumpkin carving contest, hay rides, Pup Trot, Star Dogs Talent Show, pet treat/cake walk, Pet Muffin Eating Contest, petting zoo, train rides, jump castles, and lots of vendors.
GRR will have a booth set up at this event as well, so swing by as you make your way from one event to the next at this family friendly event.
For more information on this event, visit Hootenanny on the Hill
If you would like to volunteer for GRR at this event, please contact Michelle Goldberg at
Dogtoberfest: October 19th The 6th annual Dogtoberfest Austin is coming to the Domain Saturday, October 19th from 10 am - 4 pm. Labeled as the “Most Awesome-ist Pet Related Event” by the 2012 Austin Pets Directory Annual Readers Poll, this year’s festival is sure to be a delight to both you and your pup.
DogtoberTROT sign-in begins at 8 am sharp on Saturday, October 19th, outside iPic Movie Theater. Warm up & event starts promptly at 9 am. Registration is $25 for each team (consisting of 1 human & 1 canine), $10 per additional members under 12, $25 over 12. Your registration will get you: · Entry into the TROT · Event t-shirt · Raffle ticket for chance to win great prizes donated by Domain II vendors After you participate in the 1K TROT, head over to GRR’s booth and purchase some goodies for your golden.
For more information, visit http://dogtoberfestaustin.org.
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Arriving as #12-094 Ruby, her previous owners moved from their house and left this beautiful girl and another dog in the backyard. After a few days, a neighbor noticed that the dogs were still there and no one had been back to care for them. The neighbor quickly called animal control. Soon the two pups were brought to the shelter, and the shelter then informed GRR they had a golden retriever waiting for pick-up. Ruby then spent the next two weeks in foster care. We made the trip from Tyler to Austin to see her on August 7, 2012. She was just what we had been looking for, and we couldn't wait to get back to Tyler with her! After re-naming her Maggie, she settled right in at home and was very comfortable with her new surroundings. 
Although she was content in the house, she was anxious going in the backyard, unless we stayed with her. So Mike and I have spent lots of time on the back patio with her and in the yard. I don't think she spent much time outside before we got her because everything she saw in the yard seemed new to her—the wind, birds, plants, trees, squirrels and her favorite—lizards. Now Maggie loves being outside, although she still likes someone to be with her. But she is able to stay outside for a few minutes by herself without being in a panic. She's come a long way!
Please join us for our Annual Membership Meeting and Heart Healthy Swimfest Event on October 5th. This year, we are combining the Annual Membership Meeting with the Heart Healthy Swimfest to raise funds, as well as awareness, to battle the important issue of heart health for goldens.
