Friday, February 5, 2010

Tails Wagging, A Happy Ending

At the beginning of January I got an email from an animal-lover friend telling me she knew of a lady with a two-year-old male Golden Retriever who needed a home. Supposedly a pure-bred, 'quite active' (what two-year-old Golden isn't?) and in need of training. No more details than that.

Because we have two dogs, she thought we might like to have a third. I told her two is our limit. It's not likely Rosey would put up with another interloper, and Lucy would use every ounce of her 14 pounds to beat him up.

After thinking about him and starting to feel badly, I decided to send an email blast to local people in my contact list I thought might be interested. I sent out a short message to 150 people with the subject: Golden Retriever Needs a Home.

I was so excited when I started getting the responses. Several were from people I hadn't emailed but had received the message forwarded to them. A few mentioned the Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue. In total, I received twelve responses.

The response that got to my heart was this:

I would LOVE more info on him. We had to put our Irish Setter down when we moved last winter and we have been talking about getting another Golden. We had a Golden for 17 years when our children were small. We have fabulous references from our long time veterinarian. I have lots of experience working with all kinds of animals - cats, dogs and horses especially. Training is not a problem. I attended puppy training sessions with my Irish Setter. We have a small farm and my horse will be coming home this April so I will be home everyday after work and I have summers off since I am a teacher. I had spoken to a friend who promised me one of her golden puppies this summer but I would prefer a dog that was already house broken and a bit older than a puppy. You can email the info or call my cell at ..........

It was as if she was applying to adopt a child! I was so touched by her email, I thought, this is the family. I immediately got the name and number of the person who had Bear, and left it to them to make the contact.

Four days later they picked him up, took him to the vet for the first time in 18 months and had him groomed to get rid of his flea infestation. He'd had zero training and was afraid of men. An indication to me of abuse or as the lady who had him said "rough handling" by her son-in-law. Apparently her daughter had originally owned him but became overwhelmed and needed to find him another home. Anyone who has ever had a Golden Retriever, especially a male, knows they are an active breed and remain puppies well into their third year. They are also the most lovable, loyal and beautiful dogs.

Bear, who was quickly renamed Ben by his new family, was indeed a 70-pound handful but they reported that he is responding well to training and is very lovable. He loves his new bed, no longer sleeps on the furniture and is a champion frisbee player. I hope to visit them in the next couple months to meet him.

In the meantime, see for yourself. He's a beauty, and it sounds like a match made in doggie heaven!




27 comments:

Karen, author of "My Funny Dad, Harry" said...

Golden retrievers are a wonderful breed, my friend has one. Nice story--I love happy endings! I'm sure Ben will be very happy in his new home. You did good in helping him find it! Email is such an easy, inexpensive way to reach a lot of people.

Jamee said...

He is such a beautiful dog! I am so glad that he found a wonderful home! Visiting from SITS!

Michele said...

Look at that smile. I'm in love.

Anonymous said...

I am the person who adopted Ben. He is a very happy, healthy, funny and smart dog with a lot of energy! He loves nothing more than to play ball or frisbee, hang out with his best friends, Vern and Olive, and be loved to death. We are looking forward to many happy years together. This Spring we are hoping to learn a bit about agility training and how to chase seagulls on the beach. We're so glad we found each other through the help of Sandy and friends. Thank you!

Ben, Ellen and Scott

Anonymous said...

As a previous Golden owner, I'm so happy to see Ben in a new home. His other doggy friends can help him exercise! I know adult Goldens can be very active. If Bo didn't exercise every day as a young dog he would chew and get antsy.
Looks like Ben is in a great home where he will get the exercise and the understanding that he needs! (plus lots of love!)
P.S. Sandy, great blog site!
Wendy

FranE said...

What a beautiful story and such a happy dog. Glad there was a happy ending.
Thank you Sandy for coming by and commenting on my blog. That is my family history blog. I am learning the art of blogging.

Unknown said...

Sandy, you have such a loving heart for people and animals too. That doggie looks very happy!!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

What a beautiful story. I've got tears in my eyes. I am glad that you got that nudge in your heart.

Elle said...

Awwwwww...I so love doggy stories with happy endings. Our little Pug was a former mill dog (at least that's the rescue's best guess)--definitely had been abused and was fearful of men as well. It's so amazing to see the progress he's made since we've gotten him--he has so much love to give!

Debbie said...

That is so great! What a great thing to did to make that match.

Anne said...

What a great story! I'm so glad Ben got such an amazing family. He's a beautiful dog, and he's obviously very happy in his new home! I love the second picture of him - he's smiling!

Katherine said...

How wonderful that Ben has such a happy home. Every dog (well, everyone!) deserves that.

Jane In The Jungle said...

I love when it works out like this...I had the same situation last year with the same results!

Sultan said...

Pleasing. Nice dog.

Ginger@When Ginger snaps... said...

This is such an inspirational story! Big kuddos to you for getting involved. I love dogs and have been wanting another rottweiler for some time. It is much harder than you would imagine to adopt one from a shelter, though. Even though the dogs are "homeless" and even though I could give one a wonderful, loving home, I was turned down because I didn't answer all the questions on the application form correctly. Sigh.

Crone and Bear It said...

He is gorgeous and i'm so glad you found him a wonderful home with people who will love him as he deserves. EmmaLou is still a puppy at 6 years old!! Goldens are the most loving dogs i have ever had the pleasure to have and I adore mine (in case you hadn't noticed!). Such a happy ending! Thanks for sharing.

Pam said...

Ben is gorgeous. I love the picture of him and his new "siblings". Too cute.

Kat @ www.TodaysCliche.com said...

Just loved this post... coming from SITS. Random, but are you going to Bloggy Boot Camp in Baltimore?

Tonya @ The Traveling Praters said...

What a great story! I grew up with Golden Retrievers- they are such a wonderful breed. So happy Ben has a new home where he'll be loved. Stopping by from SITS.:)

Slamdunk said...

I love dog stories with happy endings. Thanks for sharing.

Miss Lady Grey said...

What a great story! And what a lovely dog! He looks so happy. I'm so glad that it all worked out.

Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day!

Also, congrats on being the feature on SITS!

Unknown said...

Stopping from SITS! What a beautiful dog.

cat said...

Oh he is such a charmer. They are stunning dogs.

The Blonde Duck said...

Popped in from SITS! I love happy endings!

shana said...

He's gorgeous!. What the hell is wrong with people? How could anyone abuse an animal? That just drives me nuts. Both of my dogs (lab mixes) are from shelters. They were both puppies when we got them and yes, they are a handful and have destroyed the lovely molding in my stairwell and ripped the carpet. But they are such good girls and so adorable. I'm so glad that Ben has found a good home.

Maggi said...

Awwww, what a sweetie! I'm so glad he found a good home!

Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest! :D Have a great day!

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