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!

 

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Letter From The Editor
Dori Olsen

Rusty Olsen

Hello to you all!

The year is flying by and we are on track to transition the GRR newsletter to our new application. Beginning with the April issue, our GRR newsletter will be transmitted through Constant Contact. We want the transition to be as seamless as possible, so we will be sending an email notifying you that the April issue of the GRR newsletter has been sent. If you do not see the newsletter in your inbox, please check your spam folder. If you still don't have it, please send an email to newsletter editor with your name and email address, so that we can research.

Until next month,
Dori

This Month's Contributors

Lonni Swanson
Judy Sebesta
Dawn Marie Rae
Jeroen Naus
Jennie Lou Leeder
Chrissy Hammond
Rick Gilpin
Paula Ellis

 

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Upcoming Events

Amplify Austin

Amplify Austin is a 24-hour event that allows people like you (our supporters, fans and friends) to connect with an organization and donate to its mission.

Please help Gold Ribbon Rescue reach its Amplify goal of $15,000 so that we can continue to rescue, rehabilitate and re-home Goldens in Austin and Central Texas. This year, all Amplify donations benefit our Extraordinary Golden Fund (EGF), which helps Goldens with severe medical issues - whose bills are $1500 or more.

Remember, a portion of your donations are amplified, or matched, by community sponsors. Thank you for your endless support of our extraordinary Goldens.

For your convenience, you can set up your donation in advance. Go to Amplify Austin to donate and read about the dogs whose lives are forever changed with your donation.

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The GRR Volunteer Appreciation Party




The Volunteer Appreciation Party will be at Gail March's home on Saturday, April 27th, from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. It will be a spring party with Gail cooking hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and featuring salads, beer and drinks. The Therapy Sisters will perform a variety of entertaining ditties again this year and we look forward to the hilarity. More details soon. Please mark your calendar. This is a humans-only event.


Date: April 27th
Time: 1:00p.m - 5:00 p.m.
Where: Gail March's home
11703 Santa Cruz Dr.
Austin, TX 78759
RSVP here by April 20th.
Map

 

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March 9th Is The Date!

Gold Ribbon Rescue believes that every Golden deserves a chance, no matter their place of birth. We can’t say no to dogs who would die without our help. So, our first Golden arrivals from China are on their way to Texas. These dogs embody everything that is special about our breed. Our five Goldens arrive on March 9, 2019.

Why focus on China? Because we are needed. These Goldens have been starved, have untreated medical conditions, and have not, until now, known the kindness of human touch or care. Destined for a Chinese meat-market, these Goldens deserve a better life. While some of these Goldens were bred for slaughterhouses, others are stolen pets sold to local meat markets. There is a growing outcry internationally, as well as among the Chinese people who are against this practice. Many Chinese volunteers are working to help U.S. rescue organizations save these animals.

Rescuing our local Goldens: This initiative does not impact rescue of Central Texas Goldens which remains our primary work. Each year, GRR receives 300+ applications from people hoping to adopt a Golden; yet fewer than 150 dogs are available and come in to GRR from area shelters and owner surrenders.

Because these dogs have spent considerable time confined in kennels and crowded shelters, they will have adjustment needs. Go to our China Goldens webpage for complete information on our mission, the dogs, the adoption criteria for the Goldens and to our donation and sponsorship sections.

Our donation goal was $20,000 for transport and veterinary care for our five special China Goldens and we not only met our goal, but exceeded it, in less than two weeks. We sincerely appreciate all of your donations from the bottom of our hearts. Thanks to GRR's social media Team and Candice Gourley for their spectacular efforts keeping the China Dogs donation drive front and center. Special thanks to Emily Tuczkowski for creating the $5 Bucket Challenge, which really drove donations.

 

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Help Wanted

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 a couple of 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.

 

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Avery Noel's Happily Ever After (18-082)
Jennie Lou Leeder

Jennie Lou and Avery Noel

Avery Noel had a rough beginning, but now she is on easy street! She came to my home on the Wednesday before Christmas. As we walked in, she had the look of a child in the candy shop due to all of the Christmas decorations. She looked everywhere at all of the possibilities for fun, especially focusing on the blinking lights on the Christmas tree. Avery Noel was very vocal in her love of the blinking lights. She also thought it was great to bounce her green pickle under the tree and then belly crawl to get it back. I quickly moved all the breakable ornaments to the top half of the tree!

Our yard is large and full of wildlife. The opportunities for smells on the trails are huge. Avery Noel likes to share each find with me, running back to make sure that I see where she is and trying to get me to follow her throughout the yard! She has enjoyed carrying sticks around the yard as well as tennis balls. She is not too hip on retrieving balls or toys; more of a catch-me-if-you-can kind of retrieving. While outside, Avery Noel also likes to talk with Festus, the horse. These conversations are very one-sided as Festus just thinks she is extra noise to be ignored. On the other hand Cotton and Socks, the cats, are still letting Avery Noel know what is acceptable and what is not! Per Avery Noel’s thoughts, the cats are to be ignored unless they are by her toys. Then she lets them know in no uncertain circumstances that she does not share her toys! Lately, her biggest thing is to crowd me when I get the laundry out of the dryer and tries to steal the dryer balls. If she is successful, then the chase is on, which she loves!!

I have found that Avery Noel really likes to be on the go, whether we are walking or running errands. We walk several times a week. She really loves smelling everything as we walk. One of her favorites is the horse apples left by the other horses. Although, I truly believe that if she could talk, she would say pup-a-chinos are the absolute best! I guarantee that she knows where the Starbucks is located! There have been times we have not stopped, but have driven by and she barks as we pass the store. Like, "Hey Mom, you missed our stop!" We have tried to go to the hardware store on our outings but, so far, we have only been successful at Healthy Pet. Anywhere else she has been very reactive to other dogs. At the pet store she chills and just focuses on what she gets to pick out. I learned on the first trip not go down certain aisles as she has expensive taste!

Avery Noel has been a blessing and a joy. She has fun playing in the yard, be it in the leaves and mud or talking to the squirrels and deer. Then, at the end of the day, she likes to cuddle down in her chair and watch Mom while she works, offering encouragement as she feels it is needed. When the day is over, she cuddles down in bed for a good belly rub. She is the biggest bed hog I have ever seen as she stretches from side to side. It seems it is her bed and I just have to make do with the few inches remaining.

I am so glad that GRR circled back around and talked with me a second time about Avery Noel. She is a wonderful part of my family and is so very loved! Thank you GRR!

(Editor's Note: Avery was the mama of the Lunchables Litter.)

 

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Why is My Dog Limping?
Whole Dog Journal

By Catherine Ashe, DVM

Did you know that dog limping is a common sign of pain? It is a general misconception that if a dog isn’t crying out or whining, they are not in pain. But a limp is a sure sign of pain, indicating that your dog doesn’t want to put weight on the leg.

Dogs are usually active, enthusiastic household members, and as a result, they are prone to injuries. These can range from muscle strains to broken bones to systemic infections.

When your dog is limping it’s time to consult with a veterinarian. They may have you rest your dog and monitor at home for 24-48 hours depending on the severity of the problem. If the limp doesn’t improve or worsens, they will likely have you come in for an appointment.

It is important to remember not to use over-the-counter remedies for pain in this case. While aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be used safely in dogs, improper dosing can lead to bleeding problems and liver failure. Never use these medications without first consulting your veterinarian.

Only A Vet Can Determine Why Your Dog is Limping

When you see the vet, a thorough physical examination is necessary to determine the cause of your dog's limp. A head-to-toe examination should include vital signs, palpation of lymph nodes, auscultation of the heart and lungs, handling of the painful limb, and observation of your dog at a walk. It is important to isolate which limb and which area of the limb is affected, as this can help determine possible causes.

Causes of dog limping are extremely varied. Broad categories include soft tissue strains or tears (ligaments, tendons, and muscles), infectious diseases such as Ehrlichia and Lyme disease, inflammatory conditions such as panosteitis, vascular conditions like blood clots, and orthopedic problems such as fractures. Further, these can be divided between front limbs and rear limbs. Most lameness problems are similar between the front and back legs, but there are some specific problems such as a torn cranial cruciate ligament that can only happen in the rear leg.

The inciting cause can often be narrowed down with a history as well as the age and breed of your dog (this is called the signalment). For instance, a German shepherd puppy with acute onset of shifting leg lameness would be a strong suspect for panosteitis—a common inflammatory condition of the breed. An older dog with a sudden, painful, non-weight bearing lameness of one leg would raise suspicion for a bone tumor like osteosarcoma and a resulting fractured bone. A young limping Coonhound with a history of tick exposure, fever, and abnormalities on bloodwork might be suffering from Rocky Mountain spotted fever, a frequently encountered tick-borne illness.

A dog might also limp if something sharp is caught between his toes, like a piece of seashell. Check those paws after walks on any terrain - even concrete!

Tests for Limping Dogs and Treatment

Depending on what your veterinarian finds, they may recommend several different tests including bloodwork, tick disease testing, and/or x-rays. They will also decide on the best treatment options.

Common medications used in the management of pain related to dog limping include the NSAID family of drugs (non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs) such as carprofen, meloxicam, firocoxib, and deracoxib. These are very effective for controlling pain, have been in use for a long time in veterinary medicine, and have a well-known side effect profile.

There is a new medication called Galliprant that is available for management of pain. While technically it is an NSAID, it has a more specific area of activity in inflammation and has less reported side effects. Tramadol is another medication that may be prescribed. Whether this is effective for pain control has been recently debated in veterinary medicine, so it should never be used as the only pain relief.

Your veterinarian will also prescribe resting your dog. This will include minimal exercise—leash walks only for bathroom purposes. In some cases, icing or applying heat can help. The best approach depends on the cause.

Things to Remember When Your Dog is Limping

If your dog begins to limp, check in with your veterinarian, rest your dog to allow recovery, and avoid over-the-counter medications without first consulting your vet. The causes of limping are vast and varied, and with the guidance of a thorough history and physical exam, your vet should be able to help your canine companion.

 

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Miracles Do Happen at GRR!

Barbs 18-116 Before and After

Knight 19-005 Before and After

George 18-117 Before and After

 

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In Loving Memory - Bailey (10-023)
Bill and Georgia Zwartjes

September 21, 2005 - October 13, 2018

Thank you GRR for the privilege of fostering and then adopting this magnificent Golden. Bailey was an owner turn-in who came to us February 5, 2010. He had a history of seizures and hip dysplasia. We described him back then as “very high energy, big and powerful, exuberant, affectionate, people-oriented and quick to learn”. He could deal quite a blow to your face if he got close enough to snuggle. His tail swept everything off low tables, as he cruised through the house. He chose the TV remote and 7 pound weights as his toys.

Within two years we had found a cocktail of meds, administered 4 times per day, which worked to keep Bailey seizure-free for the rest of his life. Three-mile walks every day greatly improved his dysplasia. He had a zest for life and a playful spirit. His favorite game was Hide-and-Seek and he was always overjoyed when he found us. His chief desire in life was to be close to us, whether assisting in our mat exercises, climbing on benches to look us eye-to-eye, or silently poking his nose in doors left ajar hoping we would invite him in. He loved physical contact and he never met a hand that he couldn’t convince to pet him. His longing, expressive eyes were irresistible.

Bailey in the art studio trying his best to fit on the settee

Bailey surprised us by living to the age of 13. We feel very fortunate he remained active and well until just six hours before he died. We had no clue that he had cancerous tumors throughout his body. He lived life to the fullest and he made ours richer for the experience.

 

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Hudson@Home
Judy Sebesta

Installment #8 - Great Expectations

Charles Dickens’ classic novel Great Expectations offers some parallels to dog rescue. The protagonist, Pip, is an orphan who embarks on a life looking for love, acceptance, and redemption. Our rescues are looking for similar things, although obviously, the moral concept of “redemption” doesn’t really apply to dogs.

Still, I’ve always thought that one of the highest callings for a dog is to serve as a therapy or assistance dog. When I submitted an application to GRR, I indicated my interest in a dog with an appropriate temperament to potentially train for such work. I always have aspired to that, knowing how rewarding it would be to be a part of a human/canine team doing therapy work at schools, libraries, and/or hospitals.

However, Hud does not seem destined for that. Although his ball obsession is MUCH better, thanks to training and diligent work in counter conditioning and other techniques, he is still somewhat unpredictable in his behavior. I can better control his access to balls he should not have, but he still loses focus. His trainer indicated that he likely could pass the Canine Good Citizen test, but not much else without long-term, intensive training.

And, as happens to many of us, I am sure, life intervened. I started a new, highly demanding executive level job, and right now I feel that it is all I can do to make sure Hudson and my other dog, Dinah, are happy and healthy with adequate exercise, activity, and enrichment. They go to daycare twice a week, and we walk twice a day on the other weekdays. And on the weekends, we still keep our date at the DogBoy’s dog park each Saturday and Sunday morning! I highly recommend their private dog park. Your dog must pass an evaluation, and the fee is a reasonable $40/month per family. When you see your dogs bounding around the acreage, playing and (in Hudson’s case) swimming in the pond to their hearts’ content, it is well worth the time and investment. And as I always say, a tired dog is a good dog! Maybe that is enough of an expectation for now.

 

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Rusty The Squerl...
Niobe Breedlove - age 11

Rusty is a cold, wet alarm clock.Rusty is a red fluffy cloud.Rusty is a teddy bear cuddled next to me.Rusty is a playful squerl.Rusty is a spoiled fat munchkin.Rusty is family.Rusty is my dog.

 

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Five Steps to Stopping Unwanted Behavior - Part Two
Whole Dog Journal

By Mardi Richmond, CPDT-KA

4. Use a positive interrupter.

Don’t we ever get to say “no” to our dogs?Setting limits and having boundaries (both physical and behavioral) are important in life, as well as with our dogs. It is okay to stop your dog from doing something that is unsafe or even just annoying. The key here is how you stop her. Clear and consistent feedback can be effective.

For example, if you can see that your dog is considering jumping on the couch and you’d rather she didn’t, you can calmly and consistently interrupt the behavior and redirect her to her own bed.

I like to use something called a positive interrupter (PI). There are different types of PIs. The one I find most valuable is a noise or word that means, “Disengage from whatever you are doing and pay attention to me!” It is remarkably easy to teach initially, but it does take a lot of practice to generalize it so that it will work in more difficult situations.

To teach a positive interrupt:

• Choose a word or noise.
  
  Many people use a kissy noise or tongue click. Some people say “Watch!” or “Look!” Alternatively, you can use a more traditional approach and say “Leave it!” or “No!” The word doesn’t matter; what is important is the way you say it and the meaning you give to the word. The word is simply a cue; it’s not meant to be used to threaten or intimidate the dog. Use it in a clear and cheerful tone, as you would with any cue.
  
  This is extremely important if you choose a word like “No!” as your PI. Most humans frequently use “No!” as a stern command or a threat of punishment, and find it nearly impossible to always say it cheerfully and happily. Try to think of it as just another random cue and say it cheerfully!

• Say your PI and then immediately give your dog an amazing treat.
  
  This is a time to bring out the big guns: chicken, roast beef, or whatever your dog loves most. Say your PI cheerfully and immediately feed your dog several pieces of roast beef, one right after the other. Repeat this a dozen or so times, or until your dog looks expectantly at you when he hears your PI. You are using classical conditioning to build a conditioned emotional response (CER) to the word. This step will help your dog respond even around really tempting distractions later on.



• Teach your dog to disengage and look at you.
  
  Cheerfully say your PI when your dog is mildly distracted. If he has developed a CER to the word, he will look back at you expecting the roast beef. At this point, “mark” the moment when he looks back with a signal of some kind, such as the click of a clicker or the word “Yes!” and then give him several piecs of roast beef in a row. Repeat this step until your dog is happily and joyfully orienting to you each time he hears the PI.


• Practice around distractions.
  
  Start with easy distractions such as a piece of paper or a boring toy. Gradually work with more difficult distractions. For those really tough distractions such as a squirrel running in the trees, you may have to practice at a distance first. Keep reinforcing your dog when he orients back to you until he will do it in most circumstances. At that point, you can begin to use your PI to interrupt your dog when he’s doing something that you would prefer he didn’t do.
  
  Interrupters work in the moment, but they don’t necessarily teach your dog not to do the behavior in the future. An interrupter is a temporary solution. If you consistently follow your interrupter with a cue for an alternative behavior, you are more likely to have long-term success. For example, if your puppy starts to chew on a table leg, you can say your PI and then redirect your pup to chew on a toy instead.

5. Use force-free corrections sparingly.

Yes, there are ways to “correct” a dog without resorting to pain or intimidation.

Timeouts are one example. A timeout removes the opportunity for reinforcement. If your puppy bites your hand in play, you can “mark” the moment the teeth touch your skin with an “ouch” or other noise and stop playing for five to 10 seconds – then resume play. When repeated several times in a play session, the puppy should figure out that his teeth on your skin makes the play stop – bummer! He will try to avoid mouthing you in the future in order to keep the play session going.

Other similar corrective measures include walking away from your dog, putting toys or treats away, or preventing your dog from engaging in an activity he would like to do. This approach can be successful at stopping behaviors that are reinforced by your attention.

That said, however, timeouts require very good timing and must be used consistently. If your dog is not clear about what is stopping the play, for example, he may just get frustrated, and frustration can lead to an increase in unwanted behavior. Use timeout techniques sparingly, if at all.

Customize the Plan

In most situations, the first three steps (putting management into place, removing reinforcement, and teaching an alternative behavior) will work to stop unwanted behaviors. Interrupters may help for behaviors that are more difficult to manage, and timeouts can be used sparingly for behaviors that are being reinforced by you.

Keep in mind that stopping unwanted behaviors doesn’t always follow a linear path. Sometimes you will need to reevaluate and rework your training plans until you find the right formula for you and your dog.

(Editor's Note: This is Part Two of a two-part series. If you are a subscriber to Whole Dog Journal click here to read the entire article. Many thanks to Rick Gilpin for submitting this article.)

 

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In Loving Memory - Bentley (18-078)

Bentley (18-078) was surrendered to GRR because he was diagnosed with diabetes. His family became concerned that they were not equipped to handle the care that he would need on a regular and ongoing basis. He had to have insulin injections every 12 hours and regular blood tests to ensure that he was given the correct insulin amounts. He also required a very strict diet.

Because of these issues and the amount of care that was necessary to keep Bentley healthy, he became a Permanent Foster with GRR and spent the last six months of his life under the loving and attentive care of Mary Johnston. Bentley's lung cancer had spread and he began to fail over the weekend, so on February 10th he was gently euthanized at home. He was surrounded by Mary, FC Gail March and his friends. Gail reported, "Dr. Stried was so lovely and patient. Bentley passed gently, surrounded by his harem of fans."

Rest in peace, sweet Bentley.

 

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GRR Monthly Status Report: January 26 - February 24

Adopted: 18-103 Tilley, 18-120 Winter, 19-002 January, 18-092 Mayo, 18-124 Charlotte, 19-009 Jax, 19-007 Serenity, 18-117 George, 19-012 Augustus

Came into care: 19-010 George, 19-011 Elliott, 18-086 Hamm, 19-012 Augustus, 19-013 Missy, 19-014 Romeo, 19-015 Maddie, 19-016 Baker

Currently in Foster Care: 27 Dogs - 9 available/available soon, 12 foster pending adoptions, 6 permanent fosters

 

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Thoughts, Prayers and Remembrance

Our Rainbow Bridge: February 2019
Rest in peace, our friends and companions.

Bentley (18-078)
Jake (14-072)

 

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Tax Deductibility Reminder

As a 501(c)(3), Gold Ribbon Rescue is a "qualified organization". Due to the recent tax law change, GRR strongly recommends that you consult with your accountant or tax adviser on all deductions. IRS Publication 526 may be useful to you. This link to charitableallies.org also has information regarding deductibility.

 

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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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Shop!
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
• Nordstroms (Domain)
• Lofty Dog (South Austin)
• Nespresso (Domain)
• Anthropology (Domain and Downtown)
  

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!

 

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