Dudley GP and Monkey the Kitty

She's lucky I'm tired.

Chaser (formerly Bailey Pup) Loving Life

I don't know what an acre is, but I have 25 of them to run on with my new big brother Shadow. Thanks, AGA! This life is much better than being in that crate 8 hours a day!

Jake and Patches With Their New Sis Anna

Hey - you missed a spot!

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Sally

I know they call me "Silly Sally" but I didn't put this hat on myself!

A Letter from Maya

Greetings wonderful Adopt-A-Golden Angels,

I'm Maya (formerly known as Shortcake) and I wanted to check in and let you know how much fun I'm having in my forever home. I've been kind of busy traveling, but just wanted to say HI! I spent the first 4 years of my life in a puppy mill in Missouri. I never thought life could be so good, now that Adopt A Golden found me. I met my wonderful foster mom Delynn, and my foster sister Savanna. I loved sleeping with mom and sis and they took such great care of me and got me all ready to meet my new family.

So, listen to this...I now have a kitty cat sister named Jasmine. A real-life human sister who is 8 and is so gentle with me, and a little boy who is 5 who is so full of energy I'm not sure when he's ever tired. Oh, and of course my mom and dad. I sleep in a bed beside my mom and dad. And, I'm the gentlest dog ever. Everyone I meet always tells me how sweet and calm I am. I'm defiinitely a momma's girl because I spend every day with her while she works at home. I love going to put the kids on the school bus in the morning. And, you've probably heard this through the Golden Vine already...but, I am THE BEST dog walker ever! I LOVE LOVE LOVE going for walks, and runs. I run kinda like a horse...very efficient. And, I'm such a good walker that even my human sister and brother can take me for walks. I am so happy to be in a home filled with love. I never will get tired of being hugged and told how pretty I am.

And, I am pretty! My coat is so soft and nice thanks to the salmon and sweet potato diet I'm eating. Since I've been in my forever home I've traveled around to some exciting places. First, I went to this gigantic party...like Woodstock for dogs..it's called Golden-Rama. I had my picture taken with Santa and that was fun. I saw so many dogs that looked like me; it's was one big ole family reunion. I watched these dogs play musical chairs and sit on command. That's going to be me next year after I get a lot of training to build my confidence. Then, my second field trip was to Seaside Florida for Thanksgiving. We stayed in my Mimi's condo overlooking the ocean. I loved the beach and laying in the sun and sand. I'm not so sure about that ocean-thingy though. I don't like the water yet but I'm sure my mom will sign me up for swimming lessons so that I can learn to like the water.

My best trip of all so far was to visit my Mimi in Louisville, Kentucky. My Mimi has a big dog named Harley and I loved hanging out with her. We went outside together without our leashes off, and we always come back. Why would I ever run away from this great home? Then, we went over to my uncle's house and he has the cutest little Golden Retriever puppy. It was a blast to play with the puppy and run around. I was in doggie heaven. After all of my training, my mom and dad still may get me another Golden for a playmate. When I'm around other dogs my tail can't stop wagging and I just love, love, love being around other dogs. Meanwhile, we have lots of doggy playdates. But, I'll keep you posted on any new pup's added to the household.

Well, I guess I should go feed my WebKinz and get to bed. Thank YOU Adopt A Golden from the bottom of my heart for showing me that there is another life outside of the puppy mill. My life is so wonderful now, and it's all because of YOU!

Hi from McGruder (formerly Madison)

I'm watching you!

Rodney Lab Pup (Now Henry) With His New Friend

Nothing like a cat nap.

Che Bella: A Puppy Mill Mama Success Story

I just got the very bestest Valentine’s Day present ever—I’ve been given the love of my life, my new Mom! Up until the end of last year, I was the “property” of a puppy mill in Missouri. I can’t tell you how long I was there—the thousands of days are all just one big blur now. Most people think I am six or seven years old, which means I may have had as many as a dozen litters of puppies. I’ve lost count. I often wonder what ever became of my “kids” because they were all taken away from me before I was able to show them how much I loved them. Over time, I think I forgot how to accept and show love to others.

Then, in December, something wonderful happened…to me. I was saved by the AGA from the back of a flatbed truck bound for Florida. There’s no telling why I was being sent to Florida, but I was pretty certain I wasn’t going on vacation to Disney World. Although I was rescued along with two younger breeder dogs—Holly and Noel, I remember being very frightened and confused at first. Who were all these people and why were they being so nice to me? Everyone at the vet started calling me Belle—and I found that odd since I didn’t think I even had a name—but I liked the “ring” of it. I was told I was going to get “fixed” and that it would hurt a little, but at least I was putting my puppy-bearing years behind me. They told me what I needed to learn was to become a true Golden and to be happy. I thought, “What exactly does that mean?”

When I met my foster family, they tried to show me what being a true Golden was by bringing me into a real home (aren’t living room carpets the best?), taking me on daily walks (school busses and sudden, loud noises will still take me some time to get used to), feeding me tasty meals and treats (yum…Nutter Butter Bites and Frosty Paws ice cream are my favorites), and giving me my own bed and crate (ahh…heaven on earth!)—all of which were first time experiences for me. Still, they left it up to me to take my time learning what this “Golden-ness” stuff was all about.

One day, my foster family took me to a dog park. It was the craziest place I’d ever seen, but I liked it a lot. All kinds of dogs running everywhere, fetching tennis balls, playing tag and—the most interesting greeting ritual—sniffing each other. I really liked that—both getting sniffed and sniffing the others. I liked it so much that a funny thing happened behind me. When I glanced back, I discovered I had a long, furry tail and it wagged from side to side so hard and fast that it gave my whole butt rhythm. Everyone who saw what my tail was doing were cheering and smiling. I remember thinking “What’s the big deal? I didn’t try to do it. My tail just wagged on its own. If it makes you that happy, maybe I’ll try to make it do it next time you pet me.”

At the dog park, I got to enter a big, white, furry cave named Rudy. I had just got my head and shoulders in the cave when it started to move. So, I just moved in the same direction the Rudy Cave moved until it moved so fast, I couldn’t stay in it. My foster family tried to tell me I had gotten completely under a Great Pyrenees dog, but I still think it was a white, furry cave.
Then, another time, my foster family took me to something called Adoption Day at the Buckhead PetSmart. At first, I couldn’t understand why there were so many people just walking around, talking to each other and visiting with the dozens of dogs there. Instead of joining in the festivities, I thought I would just find a cool piece of floor to lie down on and observe. Usually, whenever more than two people would gather, there would always be food and drinks, but only for the humans. At Adoption Day, only the dogs got treats and water to feast on—neat-o and the way it ought to be, I think!

Look, I don’t know if I believed in “love at first sight” before Adoption Day, but I do now. Out of all of the chaos of the day, there stood Katie. Of the people I met there, she was the only one that didn’t look at me and just feel sorry for what I had been though. Unlike the others, she knelt down near me, petted me, and just told me how “Golden” I was. She whispered to me that she wanted me to become part of her family. I wanted to, too. To this day, I don’t think she knows she had me at “hello.”

On a beautiful Saturday morning, my foster family took me to visit Katie at her condo in Atlanta. There, I got to go into the biggest crate I had ever seen. They called it an elevator, but I think it was just a huge crate that moved. When I walked through Katie’s front door, I thought, “Nice digs, girlfriend.” I took a tour of the place and made myself at home—lying down on the rug in front of the couch. Later, we went to Piedmont Park and guess what? They have a great dog park there, too. This was all too good to be true. But, it had to be true because my tail was wagging harder and for the longest time ever.

After our visit, on the car ride home, my foster family asked me if I wanted to adopt Katie as my new Mom and move in with her. My ears immediately stood at attention. “Are you kidding me? I sure would! You guys have been great to me, but I really love that Katie. When can I go?” I couldn’t believe my ears when they told me, “How about tomorrow?”

I don’t remember sleeping at all that night. Finally…I was getting my own Mom and a neat forever home. Well, ever since my own personal Adoption Day, February 9th, Katie and I have had a ball. Katie changed my name to Bella—which means ‘beautiful’ in Italian. We’ve gone to the dog park every day. I help Katie—albeit, telepathically—with her work on the computer. She’s arranged play-dates for me and her with her friend, Melissa, and her Golden, Norma Jean. And…Katie lets me sleep in whenever I want. Ain’t she the best? I love giving her kisses to show her how much I love her.

I guess now I know what being a true Golden really is.

Journey (Casper GP) Sends Pix

Hey, when I get older, do you think I could get a spot on the sofa too?

Well, it's nice on the floor too - when you have company.

Surfer Pup Says Hi from Canada

THIS is snow, you silly southerners!

Casper (formerly Grits Pup) Says Hi

Hello, my AGA friends! Life is good - there are SO many things to investigate in this world. My dad says I love being in the middle of anything and everything. I say, yeah, so? Isn't that what puppies do? Granted, I'm a 54-pound, 5 month old puppy, so maybe that makes my presence a little more, well, apparent? Dad especially likes when I help him in the yard. He got me the greatest toy - if blows all the leaves around and I get to chase them! Hey - I think I hear him starting it up - gotta go!