Savannah Checks In

Saw the new blog and thought I'd write in! My mom is a volunteer with AGA and I love her SO much. She adopted me 3 years ago when I was only 15 months old. My family was moving and said they couldn't take me - imagine that!

The first thing my mom did was take me to obedience classes and give me lots of exercise. She says I'm a perfect, beautiful golden retriever (ahem, thanks!). Mom says I have a gift. She brings orphans home for us to foster and they are so sad. I really go out of my way to make them feel better cuz usually they are depressed and scared and typically, as you have surely seen, they don't know how to play and be a light-hearted, loved golden retriever as they were born and bred to be. I teach them how to play, what it means to trust humans, how to sleep on the bed, how to wangle treats from mom, and where to go potty (outside!). I have housetrained about 26 fosters--pretty good record for a 4 year old dog! They call me the Foster Angel!

This past summer I got to spend a month in Colorado Springs and went to this amazing dog park every night. I like to run up and greet everyone I meet and they all say the same thing: "Boy, you're a happy one aren't you?" Well, gosh, of course I am. Thanks, AGA!!!

Dexter's Trip Out West

My dad and I are having the BEST time on our guy's trip out west! When AGA found these nice people as my forever family, of course I was happy, but this is beyond my wildest imaginations! We have been traveling in the RV touring this great country of ours. Dad and I have seen bears and coyotes and eagles and all kinds of wildlife. I get to run and play in the biggest yard I've ever seen - it goes on forever.

Dad says that I'm as close to perfect as you can get. I bring him my dish when it's time to eat (he thinks that's funny) and I am a very good pup. I mean, gosh, who wouldn't be?

I don't really know where all we've been but we were in Washington state yesterday. Dad's a great photographer - you can check out the awesome pics here. Just in case that link doesn't work you can click here too: http://picasaweb.google.com/danmohr.rv/TripOutWest2008#

See you when we get back in the ATL!

We'll Miss You, Sophie

Three years ago AGA found Sophie standing in the middle of US41. Someone had thrown her out at the Chattahoochee River on Thanksgiving! She had had several litters and was in heat again. She had heartworms and terrible ear infections. We found her the perfect home with a loving family. That's her on the right taking a nap next to her brother and best friend AJ. We were sad to get the following letter from Sophie's mom and dad this morning and want her family to know our thoughts are with them. We thank them for giving Sophie a wonderful home FULL of love - what she deserved! We are comforted knowing that Sophie is now happily playing with the other AGA rescues who crossed the bridge before her.

Dear Adopt a Golden,

Wanted to give you an update on our dear girl Sophie. She came out with us when we moved to Denver early this year. Soph loved it here- cooler weather, less humidity, more parks to sniff in. She lost weight and got a skip in her step. Surprisingly and heart-breakingly, she developed a sudden case of GDV on Sunday night. In spite of the fast trip to the emergency room, her case was bad. They took out part of her stomach and thought there could be damage elsewhere, but weren't sure on degree. She seemed to do well for the first 10 hours following her surgery and then took a turn for the worst. Sophie, our beautiful girl, passed away late on Monday night. I can't tell you how heart-broken we are, and how confused her brother AJ is without his big sis to follow around.

But most mostly we are thankful. Thankful to have shared three glorious years with a creature whose constant, loving companionship brought joy to every day we shared with her; whose loyalty meant that she would climb stairs to find her pack in spite of severe arthritis and shower us with abundant, loving, maternal kisses; who faced all of her ailments and life's trials--including abandonment--with fortitude and grace that makes the rest of us look bad.

Thank you for the work you do and for sharing the joy of Sophie's life with us. You change not only the lives of the dogs you work with, but the hearts and days of all of us who are fortunate enough to adopt.

Warm regards, Kristy and Jonathan

Ouch! My leg!

Hello, my name is Chester and I am one lucky guy. I'm from Chattooga County and had been sitting in someone's yard for days. My leg hurt really bad. The Animal Control people came and got me and took me to the shelter where they realized that I had broken my leg. Duh! I tried to tell everyone that a car hit me but no one spoke dog. But here's where the luck came in.

The nicest lady I ever met (her name is Gail Pickel) drove to get me and then drove me all the way to Buckhead to the vet. They told her that I was in shock and really needed to go to Georgia Veterinary Specialists pronto.

So Miss Gail got me back in her car and drove me to GVS. which is in a place called Sandy Springs. They put me on this really cool table with wheels - wheeee! Then they gave me something so I could sleep and I had surgery. That went really well and I got a "fixator" on my leg. Not sure what that is, but I like the word "fix" on it. They say I should recover faster this way.

You can see a picture of me here at the shelter - boy was I sad and hurting. But thanks to AGA, Miss Gail, the people who donate money (my surgery costs $3000), and all the doctors, I am going to find a forever family and live a fabulous life!!! Yippee!!

WINE TASTING THIS SATURDAY!

My mom's going to be real happy about this event. She drinks wine all the time!!! Ooops, that might have cost me a treat. Oh well. Anyway, this is a great fundraiser for the pups and a lotta fun for the peeps. Since goldens don't drink wine, we can't come to this one. Y'all have fun!

AGA Saves Another Great Pyrenees

You might know me as Rafferty, but my new name is Violet. I just wanted to let y'all know that I'm doing great and will forever be grateful that you rescued me even though I'm not a golden. They say I was just 24 hours away from, well, not being around anymore. Whew! That was close!

My mom says that I am so pretty now. With all the good food, I've put on weight and my coat is soft and healthy. This pic here is right after I got my hair done - what a life!

I am just finishing up my Family Manners I class and have learned sit, down, and 'walk like a lady' very well. I follow my buddy Brad around like a shadow, and let my mom hug on me all the time. They have these tasty toys in their closets and I love to go get them when no one's looking - I've been known to sneak tennis shoes, sandals, slippers, etc. to munch on!

My best friend is Chloe. She lives here too. We play for hours outside, and in our living room (so far nothing has been broken!), chasing and jumping all over each other. We really have become great pals.

Thanks, AGA. Woof! Woof!

Is That Dinner?

Whoa! That was cool, Dad! Lemme see, lemme see, lemme see!

September Orphan of the Month - Stormy

I had such a great time video taping this September's Orphan of the Month. Stormy is such a great boy. He loved playing in the yard with his foster sisters - all three of them took him on in a game of tug of war! Stormy was so well behaved. I hope you see that in the video below. Please pass along to your friends. This Golden Retriever/Grand Pyrenees mix is ready to make a forever family very happy.

Kodi Mancuso Finds His Forever Home

So, they dropped me off at this "foster family" house - told me I'd just be hanging here for the weekend and then they'd find me a "forever home." Okay, we'll see about that.

Well, these people turned out to be swell! There's Mom, Dad, two little girls, a golden like me and a cute little Westie. And a pool!! Can you believe those other two pups don't swim? Well, I do! I think I pretty much won these people over with my first dive.

They taught me how to catch tennis balls in the air and a bunch of commands. Before the weekend was over I had made myself at home - forever home, that is. Hee hee.

Emma Gets New Home With Another AGA Rescue!

Dear AGA,
My name is Emma, and I've learned what a good thing it is to have a tail that wags really, really hard. That's what saved me from being put down at the shelter just a week ago, and that's what I did when I met Dylan, a former AGA dog (do you remember him? He was sent to a shelter in Walker County by his owner because he was chasing the neighbor's cows. Now he lives in Decatur where there aren't any cows, but lots of squirrels, which are ALMOST as fun to chase) and his family. Dylan isn't really keen on other dogs, but I'm a pretty old lady and I wagged my tail really hard, and Dylan and his family fell for me. Next thing I know, I'm sitting on this big comfortable couch in my new home, with Dylan for company, three cats, two teenage boys who don't stop petting me, and a mom and dad, after all these years. I'm really grateful to all of you at AGA who got me healthy again after some very rough months on my own. Thank you so much!

Emma and the Levy Family

Banjo Gets a Personal Trainer

Hi AGA,
I have been having problems with some unsightly extra weight. I didn't like to go for walks alone. Bad things happened to dogs that were taken out alone at the puppy mill where I was confined before I was adopted through AGA. So guess what? My Dad got me a personal trainer. I love playing with Joe and he goes for walks with me. I have never been happier, and Joe GP is really happy too. When you get yourself a great new friend, "you will never walk alone".
Best Wishes,
Banjo (AGA Mr. Bojangles).