Golden Ribbon Rescue
January 2018


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Newsletter Editor:
Dorian Olsen

Technical Editor:
Jeroen Naus

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Gold Ribbon Rescue
PO Box 956
Austin, TX 78767
512 659-4653
www.grr-tx.com




The Gold Ribbon Rescue newsletter is published monthly. Articles reflect the opinion of the authors and do not necessarily reflect GRR policy. Gold Ribbon Rescue and its Editor(s) seek to publish accurate material, but neither assumes responsibility in the event of a claim of loss or damage resulting from publication.


A Message From Our President...
Margo Biba

Dear Friends,

As 2018 has drawn to a close, I’m feeling reflective; thinking about the 124 Goldens and almost-Goldens we’ve helped toward new lives. Some came from loving families who realized that their Golden deserved more than they could provide. Most, however, came from desperate situations: pregnant, starved, with painful injuries or severe health issues that had gone untreated, or perhaps worse; no one who cared about them. GRR was their safety net; their chance toward happiness and security.

I am constantly amazed at how generous the GRR family is, sharing their time and money to help these wonderful dogs. Our top notch volunteers work together like a well-oiled machine, sharing tasks and brainstorming for solutions. Meanwhile, our loyal donors supply the means to provide veterinary care: you-name-it and we join together to raise the funds. For example, our annual Tree of Hope campaign raised $7,800 (Wow!), which will pay for many extraordinary expenses, such as #18-011 Gia’s upcoming dental extractions and #18-109 Max’s future leg surgery. Thank you all.

Year End Statistics:
124 dogs came in (36 owner surrenders, 67 shelter dogs, 21 stray/other)
14% were heartworm positive (very low percentage compared to past years)
56% were intact, requiring spays or neuters
Youngest dogs: newborns. Oldest dog: age 14+ years.
Currently in foster care: 30 dogs, including six permanent foster dogs. Two of the permanent foster dogs who passed away lived to age 16!

Again this year, GRR is in the enviable position of having more approved families than available Goldens. We have the manpower to handle additional dogs – but (thankfully) purebred Golden Retrievers needing help are in short supply across the USA.

Three years ago, rescues across the United States came together to rescue Goldens from Turkey that were running in the streets and forests around Istanbul. Gold Ribbon took 14 Turkey Goldens. Two years ago, Gold Ribbon rescued nine Goldens that were abandoned and fending for themselves on the streets in Mexico City.

China Goldens:
In 2019, we will work with other U.S. Golden Retriever rescue groups to help over 75 Goldens from China that are being raised and used for meat market slaughterhouses. At least five of the Goldens will be coming to GRR and we are currently gathering information on logistics, costs, transportation, and more to bring them to Central Texas in early March, 2019. Details and photos will be coming as they are available. Please know that this initiative does not impact rescue of Central Texas Goldens, which remains our primary work. If you have questions, please contact the GRR Board.

I am proud and happy to be part of this team. Through our combined efforts, GRR changes lives and makes miracles happen.

Happy New Year!

As Ever,

They're coming soon!

The next Board of Directors meeting is January 13, 2019.

Do you have questions or comments for the Board? We value your input as members and volunteers. Please send a note to goldens@grr-tx.com and include Questions For The Board in the subject line. We hope to hear from you!

 


Letter From the Editor
Dori Olsen


Rusty Olsen

Hello to you all!

I wish you all a happy, healthy, prosperous and Golden new year!
Dori

This Month's Contributors

Lonni Swanson
Judy Sebesta
Lisa Savage
Dawn Marie Rae
Jeroen Naus
Jo Kautz
Chrissy Hammond
Rick Gilpin
Paula Ellis

 


Thank You Tomlinson's!
Margo Biba


The unloading team: Rob Garcia, Tom Walter, Paul, and Garrett Vance.

Yet again, Tomlinson's was extremely generous to GRR, donating 1,800 pounds of premium quality Zignature catfish dogfood for our foster dogs. Tom Walter was able to fit all the food in his van. That is one giant vehicle. Now my front room is full of dog food! I've already given out over 300 pounds of food, so this photo only shows part of the bounty.

If you are currently fostering for GRR, or if you have fostered multiple times for GRR, please contact me at margo@grr-tx.com for bags of food. I am located in Circle C (South Austin), but can send bags in your direction.

Please support Tomlinson's - they sure support GRR!

 


Medical Coordinator Volunteer Opportunity

The GRR medical team needs one more medical coordinator. The requirements are 15 - 20 hours per week and available days and evenings by phone and email. The successful candidate must be responsible, detail oriented and some medical knowledge is helpful. Good people skills are a must.

We will mentor you through the learning curve. We love working together on this team; it is interesting, challenging and rewarding.

Contact Margo to discuss.

 


Last Chance! They are Going Fast!





2019 is here! What better way to stay organized this year than with our GRR 2019 calendar. The calendars are still available, but they won't last much longer. You won't want to miss this edition because of our Goldens that are spotlighted on their special days.

Order your GRR 2019 Calendar for only $10.00 plus tax and help support our wonderful Goldens.

 


Meet Gia (18-011)
Jo Kautz

Gia (18-011) came to GRR with a number of medical issues. She was heartworm positive, could not walk without help, needed dental work, had a UTI, and had a skin lesion that needed to heal. In spite of this, she seemed to sense she was finally safe and her tail wagged almost constantly. Her appetite was good and with medical attention, it did not take her long to gain a little weight and start walking on her own. She even runs out to the back yard when she goes out with Jade and Trinity. Her skin cleared up, her hair grew back and she is heartworm free. She responds with enthusiasm to treats and attention.

She took to crate training easily and likes to take naps there during the day. She likes people, other dogs and our cat. She will wander around the house looking for the cat. When she finds him, she barks at him to try to get him to play. If we have been gone for a while, she greets us at the door with her tail wagging. She went to a respite foster for a week and they reported that she did well with their dogs and was a good house guest.

Gia is a good traveler but needs a little help getting in the car. She likes short walks. She is not high energy and does not play with toys or retrieve. I think this is because of the issues she had with her teeth. She does like soft toys and will pick one up and lay down with it. Occasionally, she will walk around the house and check out waste baskets. If she finds a piece of paper that has been thrown away, she loves to tear it up. She never messes with anything else in the house.

Gia will do well in a home by herself or with another dog. She is very sweet and just wants a home where she gets lots of love and attention.

(Editor's Note: Gia is one of our available seniors and would love a special home in the new year. To learn more about this sweet 10 year-old, go to Gia's webpage

 


Hudson@Home
Judy Sebesta


Installment #6 - Hudson's New Year's Resolutions

This month, Hudson insisted I turn over the keyboard to him. He is so excited about his life in 2019, that he wants to tell you all about his plans, even though typing was not easy without opposable thumbs…

December was the 6th month anniversary of my “Gotcha Day.” 2018 didn’t start off so well, because I got lost in San Antonio before being picked up by Animal Care Services. But things sure looked up when Gold Ribbon Rescue took me in I got a new name, Hudson, from my wonderful first foster family (named after both the car and the whiskey). And then I got a new Mom and sister, and I can tell that my Mom wonders where I have been all her life. I don’t mean to sound immodest, but who can blame her? I am 85 pounds of golden love and goodness. So, 2018 ended up being a good year for me and I think 2019 will be even better! Therefore, I resolve…

  1. …to keep giving back to GRR by serving as an ambassador for them. I am so grateful to Gold Ribbon Rescue for finding my new family for me and I love getting all the love and attention and showing people at events how amazing Golden Retrievers are.

  2. …to be a GRR poster boy. Mom serves as one of the admins for GRR’s external Facebook page, and I hope I can continue to occasionally be a model for photos for posts there. I think I am pretty handsome and photogenic, don’t you?


  3. …to find more balls. Mom says we need to work more to only get appropriate balls and toys (and not steal them from little babies, like I did last month on the patio of NXNW and got my Mom into some trouble because I wouldn’t give it back), so even though I don’t understand why I can’t have ALL the balls and toys, I guess I also resolve to learn to show more restraint. She said we will work with our trainer on a command to “leave it.”

  4. …to eat more. (Uh-oh. Mom says I can’t make that resolution. She says I still need to lose a few pounds and she wants me to be healthy, but she promises me that I won’t go hungry and can still have treats when appropriate. I love my Mom, but she is a party pooper sometimes. But she also says we will continue to have lots of exercise, walks, and activities to help lose the weight, so I guess it is ok.) Speaking of, I resolve…

  5. …to spend more time on weekends at the DogBoy’s Dog Park. This is an easy one, because Mom loves walking around the beautiful park there with her friends as much as I love romping with mine and swimming to my heart’s content. Life is good.

  6. …to enjoy my new life to the fullest like only a dog can!
Thank you, Gold Ribbon Rescue. Here’s to a wonderful 2019!

 


Two-Time Foster Failure Leads to Golden Imposters
Lisa Savage

My husband Dave and I joined GRR back in the day when we had what I call a “fancy” Golden, our first dog Grady, who was from a line of show dogs. He was gorgeous and well-bred, and a really beautiful representation of the breed standards. I always called him an “Orvis dog” for the way he looked, like something on the cover of a catalogue. He was all Golden in every way, including his sweet temperament. We called him our “first child”, as he paved the way for one of the two-legged variety a couple years later. We lost him at the age of 13+ back in 2007, and we still miss him all the time, of course.

Two years before he passed, when his health was in decline and we were starting to see what would become terminal hip dysplasia as well as sarcoma develop, we were asked (begged) to take in a young female foster who had been found in sorry shape by a family in rural Travis County. Because she had been a bit medically fragile upon intake, it seemed that the Savages might be a good fit. I said no, because Grady was needy and I wanted to devote every ounce of energy required to keep him comfortable and going as long as we could. But, my protests grew weaker as the foster coordinator (can’t remember any names, just that whoever it was did not take no for an answer and wore me down), said the organization was desperate and extolled the virtues of the “young female who will be adopted quickly.”

I eventually said yes to the foster only because I was promised that it would be a short gig. Grady was so mellow, and never minded having another dog around. He was a real gentleman and welcomed a timid, skinny, companion, temporarily, or so we thought. I was also told by the matchmaker: “Shhhhhh, she has black roots, but we aren’t telling her or anyone else.” She did have black whiskers and black roots in parts of her coat, but otherwise, she absolutely looked the part of a Golden. In fact, when I took her to an obedience class run by a well-known Golden Retriever trainer and show judge, that woman called our dog “the Golden” when giving us instructions in class.


Grady

But, my husband said from the beginning “she ain’t no Golden” and always rolled his eyes when I told people she was one. He called her a “Del Valle warmblood.” I figured I would settle that difference of opinion with a canine DNA test, the results of which were one of the biggest laughs Dave ever had. Drum roll please……ZERO Golden it said! Mostly nothing, secondarily German Shepherd. Well, now that they mentioned it, she did have that sloping body…and those black roots….but always the heart of a Golden, of course! Our old vet was even skeptical, saying there was “no way” she didn’t have a lot of Golden in her. No matter, she was our sweet girl, and our first foster fail. She was there to console us when our beloved Grady died two years after her arrival, and was with us for ten years. We still miss her all the time, of course. I declared after she passed that I could not possibly consider another dog for at least a year, and I stuck to that, but our home was incomplete. Our daughter, in college by that time, came home on school breaks and told us every time that our house was “not right” without a canine family member. She spoke the truth, of course.


Goldie

I’m a firm believer in the concept that “they find us” when it comes to the right rescue dog coming into our lives. Our next non-Golden from GRR came via another desperate plea for a medically capable foster home one year and one week after Goldie died. This time, a very sick dog, who everyone admitted was not a Golden (but he did have this cute face which could have a wee little bit of Golden in there) was going from the Williamson County Animal Shelter to Forest Creek Animal Hospital for inpatient care, and he would need a foster home after that. He was called Diesel, and his double dew claws in the back said “Pyrenees”, at least in part. I remember Margo saying “this is the real meaning of rescue”, since we knew this dog was not even a Golden Retriever, but was in bad shape, the shelter had called upon us, and we had the resources to do it. If not us, then who? That sentiment went for GRR as a whole and I decided it applied to us Savages as well. I could hardly stand to look at the photo of this poor, pitiful creature, but slept on the decision and decided to say yes, made possible by Team Diesel consisting of Robin Braun and Pam Phillips who came over during my workday to tend to our sad little project.


Dexter

Well, Diesel, now Dexter, also has the heart of a Golden, though his DNA says 75% Great Pyrenees, 14% Doberman, and the rest, whatever! He turned into the most beautiful dog of any kind, and his before/after photos are a thing to behold. He definitely displays Pyrenees breed traits, such as being sedentary (I did not say lazy), and a bit nocturnal (guarding the sheep, of course.) He is the friendliest boy in town, and loves, loves people, just like his Golden Retriever brethren. He will NOT go near a swimming opportunity, or ever think about retrieving anything, however, which has its pluses and minuses.

So, while our love of Golden Retrievers led us to GRR, both of our adoptees have been 100% non -Golden Retrievers! A number of GRR intakes are “mixed” or “other” and we are here to tell you that they are honorary in every way. There may be health benefits to having a bit more mixed up genetic profile, since some diseases are breed-specific. Our Grady had “hip certification”, but the dysplasia common in highly bred Golden Retrievers eventually developed. He was no exception to being prone to cancer, either, although longevity in any breed (including homo sapiens) means that things will happen. Having a mixed breed does not rule out the possibility of medical problems, but it may make some of them less likely.

Another consideration is that a mixed breed or non-Golden is an opportunity to give a forever home to a dog less adoptable by families coming to GRR, since they are focused on having a Golden Retriever. One of our (many) reasons for making Dexter a Savage is that we thought his prospects for adoption might have been lowered, given his breed status.

So, when a GRR dog is not a “G”, remember that “they find us” and keep an open mind and an open heart, just like they do.

 


 In Loving Memory - Buster Joe (10-149)

 


Happy New Year!


 


Fireworks!
yourdogadvisor.com

We may love going along to an impressive fireworks display at New Year, Bonfire Night or on the 4th of July, but for our canine friends it can be one of the most stressful times of the year. If you have a dog that does not bat an eyelid at fireworks be so thankful. A large proportion of dogs suffer some form of anxiety as a result of these noisy bangers. Whilst some cases are mild and can be managed with a few simple tools, some reactions can be extremely severe. These dogs may drool, urinate, become destructive or be so frightened they just can’t function. It is not a nice thing to witness and it can take some dogs days, even weeks, to recover after being exposed to fireworks.

I have been lucky that all the dogs I have had have not been too fussed but I do know of some dogs, and their owners, that have a terrible time during fireworks season. I even know one who takes her dog and goes to a secluded island location just to save them the distress!

Fireworks may be fun for us but they can be a source of terror for our dogs.

We have pulled together 11 tips for helping your furry friend manage during fireworks season.

  1. Sound desensitization
  2. Create a cozy and safe space
  3. Distraction can work wonders.
  4. Comfort your dog – ignoring them is not good advice.
  5. Time your dog walks carefully during fireworks season.
  6. Make sure you secure the house and garden.
  7. Keep them company as much as possible.
  8. Don’t get frustrated with fearful behavior.
  9. Consider using calming tools.
  10. Speak to a qualified Behaviorist if things are not improving.
  11. Medication may help for certain extreme cases.
For more detailed information on these steps, go to yourdogadvisor.com.

 


HEB Supports GRR!
Margo Biba


GRR volunteer, Jeanne Avant contacted HEB grocery store, and they surprised us with a generous donation of hundreds of pounds of canned and dry dogfood. I've already used some of the canned food, as my emaciated foster girl, #18-116 Barbs, is a very picky eater. I'm desperate to put weight on Barbs, and was so relieved when she willingly ate some. Admittedly however, I've had the best luck getting Barbs to eat HEB roast turkey breasts, plus peanut butter. What would we Texans do, without nearby HEBs?

If you are currently fostering for GRR, or if you have fostered multiple times for GRR, please contact me at margo@grr-tx.com for bags of food. I am located in Circle C (South Austin), but can send bags in your direction.

 


Signs of Stress in Dogs
Source: Whole Dog Journal

Did you know your dog can tell you, in her own way, when she’s feeling stressed? As a canine behaviorist, part of my job is learning to spot the signs of a nervous, stressed, or otherwise unhappy dog, because knowing these signals helps prevent unwanted behavior. Sometimes, the indicators of stress are easily identified. Other times, the ways that dogs inform us stress are quite surprising.

The most clear indication of stress is aggression. Outside of aggression, your dog’s general body language, health, and behavior can give you clues about his stress levels.

Signs of Stress in Dogs

  • Aggression
    Aggression toward people or other pets is often a clear sign of stress. If you notice your dog becoming easily agitated, a veterinarian should often be the first step to eliminate any underlying medical problems. Once medical problems are ruled out, you can then contact a Canine Behaviorist who will help you identify the cause of the stress and develop a behavior modification plan if necessary.

  • Avoidance
    If your dog is avoiding people or other pets and it is unlike him to do so, this could indicate his stress toward a particular stimulus. Sometimes, just as we do, dogs do need some time to themselves to relax but if this becomes common the behavior should be investigated.

  • Loss of appetite
    It’s particularly upsetting when we notice our dogs not eating at all. Maybe you haven’t noticed a decrease in appetite, but you have noticed significant weight loss. Stress could definitely be a factor in this equation.

  • Gastrointestinal issues
    Diarrhea and constipation, although more often related to some type of allergy or disease, can be connected to stress levels. If your dog has been constipated or had diarrhea for over 24 hours, then it’s time to contact the veterinarian. If the vet clears your dog of any medical issues, a Canine Behaviorist may be able to help with anxiety issues.

If your dog is stressed about a particular situation, the signs often begin as ‘gentle’ signs, then progress over time.

  • Licking lips
    It’s important to notice the beginning signs of stress, prior to the behavior escalating. For instance, early on in a stressful situation, your dog may begin licking his lips, which can indicate stress, nausea, or anxiety.

  • Exaggerated yawning
    Dogs yawn for many different reasons, but stress can be one of them, especially if the yawn is ongoing and extra-wide, or if it seems unusual. The main idea in regard to body language is to look for any behavior out of character. If your dog isn’t acting like himself, this is a clear indication of stress.

  • Excessive sleeping
    Did you know excessive sleeping can be a sign of stress? If your dog seems overwhelmingly tired or weak, you should contact your veterinarian.

How Can I Help My Stressed Dog?

The most critical part of helping your stressed dog is gaining a full and complete understanding of how he acts when he is calm and content. Understanding how he acts in his ‘normal’ state will help you recognize uncharacteristic behavior.

  • Stay calm
    Keeping your own stress level down is extremely important to preventing or eliminating stress in your dog. Your dog is able to sense your stress levels.

  • Exercise
    Exercising with your dog on a regular basis assists with preventing and eliminating stress not only in your dog, but in yourself! Going for a walk or playing fetch are highly recommended.

  • ‘Safe’ areas
    A crate is calming for most dogs. Every dog should have an area in the home where she’s able to go when feeling stressed or anxious. Most often, this is a crate of some type. Believe it or not, crates significantly decrease stress levels as they can help your dog feel completely safe and comfortable.

    For this to work, it’s absolutely critical your dog not see his crate as an area for punishment. A dog should never be punished and placed in his crate. Staying in your dog’s line of sight while he’s in his safe area also helps, as he’ll be comforted by your presence.
The Bottom Line

You know your dog best. If you sense that something is off, you’re probably right to seek intervention. In general, helping a stressed dog isn’t unlike helping a stressed human. Avoid overstimulating environments, provide plenty of healthy food, exercise, and love, and take time to rest. You’ll be sure to reduce your dog’s stress levels—along with your own.

(Editor's Note: Many thanks to Rick Gilpin for contributing this article.)

 


The GRR Holiday Brunch





Robin Early and Emily Oliver graciously opened their beautiful San Antonio home for the Annual Holiday Brunch on Sunday, December 16th. Fifty-one of our GRR friends celebrated the holiday season while enjoying delicious food and champagne. In addition to being wonderful volunteers, our members are also extraordinary cooks and we thoroughly enjoyed the variety of seasonal fare. Everyone was in great spirits. Huge thanks to our hostesses, Emily and Robin, and to all of you for supporting Gold Ribbon Rescue.

Take a look at the photos of the celebration!



(Editor's Note: Many, many thanks to Paulette Lance, Michelle Goldberg and Gail March for their photos.)

 


GRR Monthly Status Report: November 26 - December 25




Adopted: 18-115 Goldie, 18-116 Barbs, 18-117 Georgie, 18-118 Hank, 18-119 Ellie, 18-120 Winter, 18-121 Nick, 18-122 Wyatt, 18-123 Gunner

Came into care: 18-107 Jade, 18-110 Memphis, 18-089 Patch, 18-105 Juniper, 18-025 Boots, 18-115 Goldie, 18-113 Abby, 18-098 Mac

Currently in Foster Care: 30 Dogs - 11 available/available soon, 13 foster pending adoptions, 6 permanent fosters

 


Dear Goldie
Dawn Marie Rae - In honor of Emma.





Dear Goldie,

My Mom told me today that it was time to go to the Rainbow Bridge. I hadn’t been feeling too well for the past week, but I didn’t really know what the Rainbow Bridge meant. When the doctor gave me a shot and I started to fall asleep, I felt a lot better, but I couldn't stay all the way awake. I could hear Mom crying really hard, but there wasn’t much I could do.The sound of her sobs made me so sad. I couldn't get up to lick her face.

Now, I look down on her and see her walking around the house looking for me, hugging a floppy stuffed Golden that she would never let me have, picking up my toys and my bowls and my beds – crying the whole time. Isn’t there something I can do for her? I feel so helpless. I can only wait for her to come to me now.

Signed - Bereft in Boerne



Dear Bereft,

Your Mom misses you like nothing else, but she didn’t want to see you suffer. You hung on as long as you could, and she knows that. Her every memory of you is precious and beautiful, and in time she will see it that way. But now, you see, everywhere she looks, you are there: the jingle of your tags, the toys that still smell of you, your snoring that could wake the dead, you in the PG-13 position asleep on her favorite chair, all the hair-bunnies that you shed. She just needs time to be sad and get used to you being gone.

But oh how she misses you: begging for ice cubes, playing hopscotch in the kitchen with you camped out, your cold nose at 5am, your joyous face when you hung your head out of the car window, your wagging tail (that could knock over an Irish Wolfhound) when you wanted to go on a walk. You gave her great joy and lots of funny times. She’ll laugh at your goofiness and playful heart, and remember how happy you made each other - in time.

Watch over her now. She’ll know you're there and be comforted.

With much love - Goldie

 


Why We Need to Take Pet Loss Seriously
scientificamerican.com

How to handle grief after a pet’s death—and why we all need to change our attitudes about it.

Doug’s amateur soccer team had just lost its playoff game, and Doug needed a pick-me-up. He decided to stop by the local animal shelter on his way home because puppies always put a smile on his face. He was by no means looking to adopt an animal, but Delia, a five-month-old mutt, changed his mind. “I had her for 17 years,” Doug said, wiping away tears in our psychotherapy session. “I knew it would be rough when she died, but I had no idea... I was a total wreck. I cried for days. I couldn’t get any work done. And worst of all, I was too embarrassed about it to tell anyone. I spent days at work crying in private and muttering ‘allergies’ whenever someone glanced at my puffy eyes.”

Losing a beloved pet is often an emotionally devastating experience. Yet as a society, we do not recognize how painful pet loss can be and how much it can impair our emotional and physical health. Symptoms of acute grief after the loss of a pet can last from one to two months, with symptoms of grief persisting up to a full year (on average). The New England Journal of Medicine reported in October 2017 that after her dog died, a woman experienced “broken heart syndrome”—a condition in which the response to grief is so severe the person exhibits symptoms that mimic a heart attack, including elevated hormone levels that can be 30 times greater than normal.

Although grief over the loss of a cherished pet may be as intense and even as lengthy as when a significant person in our life dies, our process of mourning is quite different. Many of the societal mechanisms of social and community support are absent when a pet dies. Few of us ask our employers for time off to grieve a beloved cat or dog because we fear doing so would paint us as overly sentimental, lacking in maturity or emotionally weak. Studies have found that social support is a crucial ingredient in recovering from grief of all kinds. Thus, we are not only robbed of invaluable support systems when our pet dies, but our own perceptions of our emotional responses are likely to add an extra layer of distress. We may feel embarrassed and even ashamed about the severity of the heartbreak we feel and, consequently, hesitate to disclose our feelings to our loved ones. That additional shame complicates the process of recovery by making it more lengthy and complex than it should be.

Losing a pet can leave significant voids in our life that we need to fill: it can change our daily routines, causing ripple effects that go far beyond the loss of the actual animal. Caring for our pet creates responsibilities and a schedule around which we often craft our days. We get exercise by walking our dog, and we socialize with other owners at the dog runs. We awake early every day to feed our cat (or we are woken by a pet if we forget!), but we get a lot more done because of it.

Losing a pet disrupts these routines. Cats, dogs, horses and other cherished pets provide companionship, reduce loneliness and depression, and can ease anxiety. They support our emotional well-being and imbue our actions with meaning. This is why, in addition to emotional pain, we feel aimless and lost in the days and weeks after our pet dies.

Recovering from pet loss, as in all forms of grief, requires us to recognize these changes and find ways to deal with them. We need to seek social support from people we know will understand and sympathize with our emotions and not judge us for them. Many animal clinics offer bereavement groups for pet owners.

We might need to reorganize our routines and daily activities so we do not lose the secondary benefits we derived from having our pet. For example, if our exercise came from walking our dog we need to find alternative ways to reach our daily “step goals.” If we spent most Saturday mornings with our fellow pet owners, we need to find other outlets through which we can socialize and enjoy the outdoors.

It is time we gave grieving pet owners the recognition, support and consideration they need. Yes, it is up to us to identify and address our emotional wounds when our pet dies, but the more validation we receive from those around us, the quicker and the more complete our psychological recovery will be.

 


Thoughts, Prayers and Remembrance



Our Rainbow Bridge: December 2018
Rest in peace, our friends and companions.

Buster Joe (10-149)
Toby
Emma (14-120)
Duchess (13-023)
Molly

 


The Guisachan Gathering 2018

Documentarians John May and Christopher Cornwall (ardent rescue supporters) are offering Golden Retriever rescues like GRR a special price on their DVD on the 150th celebration of the Golden Retriever at the Guisachan Castle of Lord Tweedmouth.

Now that the holidays are over, what better way to spend a little down time, cuddled on the sofa, watching Goldens? At only $15 each, these are better than going to the movies and you don't have to leave the house! Order your Guisachan Gathering DVD here.

 


Help Wanted



Foster Coordinators (FC): Foster Coordinators are a critical role within GRR. This key position serves as the primary point-of-contact for fosters, the medical team and the matchmakers for each dog in foster care. As the number of dogs coming into GRR foster care grows, we need more FCs. If you have been a GRR foster mom or dad and would like to learn about being a FC, please contact Louisa Chandler.

Respite Volunteers needed:
We are in need of more respite families to help out with keeping foster dogs on a short-term basis while the fosters are traveling and/or are on vacation. This is a great way to provide socialization for your dog, try out fostering, enjoy playing with and caring for a short-term foster. Volunteers must have gone through the regular adoption/foster screening process, including a home visit. Please contact Robin Early if interested.

GRR Website Content Coordinator:
GRR needs assistance to add, edit and publish website content. One to three hours a week.
Requirements: Working knowledge of content management systems such as Drupal or Wordpress. Hands-on HTML skills. Working knowledge with image editing, such as Photoshop or InDesign or similar products. Good writing skills. Optional: familiarity with CSS and Javascript. Please contact Dawn Marie Rae for more details.

 


Meet Our Preferred Partners!





Click here to view our preferred partners that help us with our mission to save our beautiful Goldens. We are truly grateful for their relationships and support. We thank them for all they do for GRR everyday, all the time!

 


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GRR Facebook Group

At the request of the GRR Facebook Group, we're beginning a list of dog-friendly stores, so if you have an establishment to add to the list, please send an email to the newsletter editor.

It would be a good idea to call ahead to the store that you're interested in, just to be sure that dogs are allowed at their location. Some establishments may be subject to mall requirements that do not allow animals.

Stores

  • Macy's
  • Home Depot
  • Lowe's
  • Tuesday Morning
  • Home Goods
  • TJ Maxx
  • Petco
  • Petsmart
  • Tomlinsons
  • Tractor Supply Co.
  • Thom's Market (Central Austin)
  • Estilo Boutique (Central Austin)
  • Hemline (2nd Street District, Austin)
  • Luxe Apothetique (2nd Street District, Austin)
  • Tarrytown Pharmacy (Central Austin)
  • Free People

We will keep an ongoing list at the end of the newsletter. FYI: The BringFido website gives you more information for hotels and restaurants in your specified area.

Thanks to Shannon Bennett and the Facebook group for this great suggestion!