AGA Night at Atlanta Thrashers Game – Discounted Tickets and AGA Benefits

January 7 is AGA night as the Thrashers take on the Maple Leafs! Buy a ticket at a discounted price and AGA makes money, too! The more tickets purchased, the more AGA benefits.

Two price levels are available:
200 level seats (section 205); tickets regularly $57 are only $36 and $5 of every ticket sold goes to AGA.
Upper level seats (3...00 level); tickets are only $21 and $5 of every ticket sold goes to AGA.

To purchase tickets, contact Karin Beckman at karin.beckman@atlantaspirit.com or 404 878-3781.

AGA volunteers and golden retrievers will be present at the game as we are the 50/50 Raffle partner for the evening. We will be selling the 50/50 raffle tickets and AGA benefits from that as well! As the 50/50 raffle ticket partner, we take home 25 percent of the money raised from the raffle tickets sold at the game (50 percent goes to the fan who wins the raffle, the other 50 percent is split between us and the Atlanta Thrashers foundation).

Last chance to make your 2010 tax deductible donation

If you need that tax deduction before we ring in the New Year, please remember Adopt a Golden Atlanta.  We will thank you and all the goldens in your life will thank you, too!

Six Top Holiday Hazards

Gabby & Kirby, AGA Orphans

Keep your pets safe and happy this holiday season.  Here are six of the top holiday hazards to watch out for.  Happy holidays from all of us at Adopt A Golden Atlanta!

  

The Christmas Tree

The stagnant water in the tree stand may contain fertilizers and is a breeding ground for bacteria which will cause stomach upset if your dog drinks it .Also every Christmas, the ER is full of dogs having surgery to remove ornaments and lights from their stomachs.

 Food

We all know not to feed our dogs chocolate, grapes, raisins and anything sweetened with xylitol, but be aware of the lengths to which an enterprising Golden will go to chomp on something yummy?  Make sure to keep your pets away from the table and unattended plates of food, and be sure to secure the lids on garbage cans and leave the leftovers for the humans. NO HUMAN FOOD OR ALCOHOL.

Medications

Caution houseguests to keep medications behind closed doors.

Plants

Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems.

Batteries

Punctured batteries can cause severe burns to the mouth and esophagus.

 Hustle and Bustle

 Dogs are lost every year at Christmas and New Year’s when doors and gates are accidently left open.  Be sure your dog has his collar with contact info tags on AT ALL TIMES.   If your dog should be lost, remember to call AGA immediately.  Consider providing your dog with a quiet separate room away from the hubbub.

Get fit with AGA and Boot Camp 4a Cause

Thanks for everybody's votes this month for BC4C / Boot Camp 4a Cause! It’s a fitness boot camp that donates 100% of proceeds go to local causes. 50% of Jan, Feb, March proceeds go to Adopt a Golden! Great way to get fit for the new year and plenty of time to get fit to be seen at the Golden Gala on Feb 26th!

Fletcher Keeps Up to Date on AGA News

My favorites are the AGA blog and Facebook!

Rusty (AGA Ryder) Sends a Sunny Hello

Hey my Adopt A Golden Atlanta friends! Heard it was a little chilly there today - hee hee!!

Bella (AGA Mathilda) and Bruiser (AGA Murray) Are Grateful!

We are grateful for warm sunshine, cozy blankets and a picnic of big bones! Ooooh, and Adopt A Golden Atlanta! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Sandy's Thankful

I am thankful for my new home, a warm bed, my best friend Bonnie, my new parents, and Adopt A Golden Atlanta for making it all possible. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!!

Shelby Knox Just Turned One!

Gotta get a good photo before I head out to baseball practice with the boys!

Meet Our November Orphans of the Month, Maddie & Max!

Meet Max and Maddie, a great pair of 5 year old golden retrievers who are best pals and have lived together all of their lives! This sweet and goofy dynamic duo is housetrained. They know basic commands and are obedient. They are very active and love playing ball together! Max and Maddie would like to be the only dogs in the house, but they are okay with cats. They're ready to bring lots of love and happiness to their future forever family!

Sandy and Bonnie After Halloween

That trick-or-treating is hard work!

Seniors Rule! AGA Launches a New Senior to Senior Program

Effective immediately, all AGA orphans who are 10 years of age or older will be adopted to senior citizens (people 65 years +) at no charge.  We recognize how very special seniors are – both the human and dog variety – and we want to encourage adoptions by seniors who may be on a fixed income but would love the companionship of a senior golden. It’s a win-win for both dog and person. 

If you have ever had the pleasure of owning a senior golden, you know how very special they are.  If you need more information on why adopting a senior golden may be for you or a relative, go to the top of the Orphans page on the website and click on the ‘Adopt a Senior’ article.  Then all you have to do is apply!

ASPCA Alerts Consumers About Blue Buffalo Pet Food Recall

Please visit the following links to find out about an important pet food recall from ASPCA!

http://www.aspca.org/pressroom/press-releases/100810-1.html

http://bluebuffalo.com/news/vitamin-d-voluntary-recall.shtml

Following is a list of foods we recommend:

                Natura Brand (makers of Innova and Evo)

                Nature's Variety              

                Wellness

                Pinnacle

                Merrick

                Acana
                Nature's Select

Bella AGA and Cooper AGA

Just another day hanging out on the patio! Thanks, AGA!!

Happy Hour Helps Hounds at Tin Lizzy's

You're invited to a fundraiser for our friends Barking Hound Village Foundation Rescue on Wednesday night 6-8 pm at Tin Lizzy's in Midtown!  

Come on out and support this organization; all the money raised while you're having a great time goes towards the care of the dogs in their rescue program.

Diesel is a Big Tennis Fan

Come on, Venus, I coulda got that one with my mouth!

Beasley AGA Joins Connor AGA

I always wanted a brother!

Come to Goldens in the Galleries on Bennett Street Friday Night!

Even though this is a human-only event and I'll be relaxing on the sofa while you're there, I'm gonna give it two paws up because the money raised will go to help all the furry pups.

Goldens in the Galleries will snap you right out of any dog days of summer doldrums and set your tail wagging from 5:30 - 8 p.m. on Friday, August 27. The artsy evening in the Bennett Street Galleries in Buckhead benefits AGA. $20 per person covers wine, martinis, hors d'oeuvre and music. Tickets are available online or at the door, and parking is free.

Marco (AGA Scout Bob) Swims With Sis Maggie

Heat advisory? What's that?

Ozzi and Yogi (AGA Jack and Humbug) Have a Playcation

It's so great when AGA buddies can get back together for a friendly game of tug-of-war!

What does she mean about wiping our paws before we come in the house?

Dog tired.

Cooper (AGA Flounder) and Big Bro Mac

Sunshine to the front of me. Air conditioning to the back of me. My best buddy by my side. And a toy hanging over my head. What more could a puppy ask for? Thank you, AGA!!

Riley with his latest Webster baby

Thanks for donating money, Mom. I love getting a new Webster!!

Beau (AGA Goober) Sends Pics!

Here's JJ teaching me to share.

That grass really tickles my nose!

I don't have my license yet but I still prefer the driver's seat. JJ doesn't mind sitting in the back.

Watson (AGA Chaucer) and BFF Penny Sunbathing

What's that saying about "opposites attract?"

A little Golden love for the Gulf

We’ve all seen the horrible pictures and heard about the terrible oil spill down in the Gulf of Mexico recently. Did you know your beautiful Golden Retriever could aid in the recovery process? It’s simple!


We all know our pups shed quite a bit – just collect any pet fur you can and it can be used to help sop up all that oil! Donations are being accepted by AGA member Lisa – just contact her at lisa@lisagleim.com.

She can take donations until Thursday night, so get to brushing! After that deadline, it can also be mailed down to the Gulf. Pantyhose/ nylons are also welcome donations to help with the recovery.

Manhattan Rusty Gets Used to His New Home

I don't miss the big city at all!!

The May Golden Gazette has arrived!

Did you miss all the news that's fit to woof this month?  Catch up on what's new with AGA with the Golden Gazette and make sure you're signed up to get the next emails!

Princess Goldie

And they call it puppy love.

Celebrating National Pet Week

Did you know it's National Pet Week?  We know, every week is Pet Week when you truly love your pet, but it's still a good chance to reflect and think about all the ways we care for our golden pals. 

Our friends at Iams have sent some great tips on how to keep your golden friend happy and healthy for the current and upcoming seasons, and we thought we'd share some of them.  You can also click on the link below to get a $5 coupon towards supplements from Iams for your best furry friend!
• Keep your pet’s safety in mind while you’re spring cleaning. While you’re refreshing the home for the spring season it’s also a great time to clear out any easy-to-reach cabinets and store all household chemicals – cleaners, dishwashing and laundry detergents, insecticides and mothballs which can be hazardous to your pet in locked cabinets or high shelves.
• With gardening season in bloom, be aware of the plants that can be toxic to your pets and keep them out of their reach. Some common plants that are potentially harmful to pets include geraniums, lilies, English ivy and daffodils.
• Summer time weather also means more road trips and opportunities to bond with your pet. When packing for a trip with your pet, don’t forget the following items:
o Your Vet’s documents for your pet
o Your pet should be wearing a collar with your information on it
o Extra sheets or an old blanket
o Water and your pet’s food and dish.
o Toy/ball/leash
o Waste removal bags
Below are simple preventative measures for pet parents to take throughout the year:
• Heartworm – heartworm is caused by mosquitoes and can be fatal for our pooches. The spring season is a major time for heartworm because of the weather warming up and the mosquitoes becoming more active. There are many products out on the market that can prevent this. Check with your vet to find out which one is right for your dog.
• Fleas and ticks – fleas and tickets can be tiny but they spread and grow quickly once they find a host. In order to prevent fleas and ticks, pet owners should apply a repellant to their pet’s coat and home in the early spring months.
• Lawn fertilizers and other pesticides – as pet owners start to restore their lawn they must remember that lawn fertilizers and other pesticides used are very toxic to pets. After applying these chemicals, pet owners should follow manufacturer instructions on how long they should wait before allowing their pet into the area.
• Allergies – pets may also suffer from seasonal allergies, just like humans. Know the signs and how to soothe your tormented pet. Constant paw licking, body rubbing, excessive scratching, hair loss, odor, skin rashes, and a “flaky” or “greasy” feeling coat are all symptoms of allergies.
• Exercise your pet on a daily basis. If need be, hire a pet care agency. A mid-day walk or visit reduces stress and promotes a healthy pet.
• Always supply plenty of fresh water each day. Monitor your pet’s water bowl and adjust size as needed.
• Give your pet extra nutrition with supplements such as Iams Premium Protection Supplements. Supplements can help address life stage, lifestyle and breed-specific concerns related to size, weight, age, and activity level and provide extra nutrition to help keep your pet healthy.

Bella (AGA Valentine) Passes Her Happy Tails Test!

Woo hoo - I passed my test and now I get to go make other people happy just like AGA made me happy!!

Buddy, Dakota and Boss as Furry Alarm Clocks

Keep staring. She'll wake up in a minute.

Lily (AGA Camilla) Celebrates One Year With Her New Mom

What? I'm just taking my little pink pig friend for a walk!

Holiday Pups Have a Reunion!

Woo hoo - family reunions are fun!!

Rosie and Her Big Bro Neil

Just let us know when breakfast is ready.

Golf for Goldens!

Like to play golf? Then we need you and your golfing buddies to come out to our first ever Golden Open. I mean, this could be The Masters one day so you wanna go ahead and jump in.

The Golden Open will be June 7 at Atlanta Country Club and benefits AGA. It’s a fun-filled day of golf that you won’t want to miss. Individual player fee is $400. Put a team together and come on out! We’re also looking for tournament sponsors and hole sponsors.

Click this link to access the tournament brochure for all the details and registration information:
http://www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com/2010goldenopen.asp

Coltrane the Ladies Man

Here I am just chillin' with Miley (AGA Molly). She doesn't know about Maggie, the black lab I wooed at the beach last week. Let's just keep that between us, k?

Anastasia's Story

My last job was to have puppies. I did it for 6 years. A lot. The last time I only had 4 puppies so my boss fired me. In the puppy breeding business that means I got dropped off at an animal shelter. Thank goodness AGA came and got me - whew!! They told me to keep my furry little head held high. They said not to feel bad about losing my old job because, in fact, it was a crappy job and there is a much better life out there. Sounded good to me!

And they were right!!! I went to live with a foster family. They pampered me - I got my very own "fresh start makeover"...grooming, a spay appointment, shopping! I really liked these people but I knew it was just temporary. And then the best thing happened on my 6th birthday this past Sunday. My fosters decided to adopt me! My birthday present that day was a brand new red heart shaped “Annie” tag for my collar. It's official - I'm now part of a true forever family! The best birthday EVER.

Little Puppy Opie Has a New Family!

Love my new pad and new friends!! Thanks, AGA!

Oscar is Adopted!

I got a family today!! I have a mom, a dad, and a furry bro named Ace. Ace used to be called Blake and he's from AGA too - how cool is that? Big slurpy kisses to everyone who helped me!

Nilla Guards Her Flock

I only have this one guy to keep track of but I take my job very seriously.

Alfie's Friend Darby Needs a Home

I know y'all are golden retriever lovers and so am I! My best friend Alfie is a golden. We have been pretty much living on the streets together until AGA found us in a subdivision and offered us a ride to a better life. Of course, Alfie found a foster home right away and off he went. Becaue I'm a chocolate lab mix, I wasn't quite as popular, I guess. I swear I'm a really good 1-year-old boy and not too big - about 45 pounds. I'd LOVE to see Alfie again and maybe go live with him and a new family who wants us both. But if not, I hope someone will find me a loving family of my very own. They say I need some confidence building and knowledge that I am safe now. I guess that's true. So the best home is one with another dog and either no kids or kids that are teens or older. If the family wants both Alfie and me, AGA is not going to charge an adoption fee for me - yippee!! It's like a two-for-one! But, if it's just me they are still making a deal - half the standard fee for a dog my age ($175). I'm up to date on all vaccines. Maybe there's room in your heart for a fellow golden lover who happens to be a lab? I hope so!!

Sammi (AGA Fiona) Takes a Drive

Don't worry! I promise not to text and drive!

Nilla Sends a New Photo

Whose turn is it to throw me this ball?

Rusty (AGA Marmaduke) Attends a Thrashers Game

Clearly, I have a way with the ladies. This Thrashers girl was soooooo nice!

A bunch of us goldens and our parents went out to watch a little ice hockey and raise some money for AGA. I had a fantastic time! It was easy getting people to buy raffle tickets from me- I just turned on the charm! In addition to money they gave me lots of snuggles, pats, chats and love.

I also got to watch the game from the stands! Shout out to the Budweiser beer guy who gave me 2 cups of ice to crunch. I made sure to show my appreciation by keeping the area around our seats nice and clean of any stray popcorn.

Banjo (AGA Mr. Bojangles) Turns Seven!

It's supposed to be a secret but I heard Dad say we're having hot dogs for dinner to celebrate my birthday!!

Brodie Writes AGA a Letter

Hi AGA,

Thanks for my forever family! Every day my Mom & Dad tell me how beautiful I am and that I am a very good girl. The last seven months have been great. I also have three older brothers - who I love. I get so excited when they come and visit me. My brothers say that I am crazy – but, good crazy. Every night, I wait in my bed for my Mom & Dad to fall asleep, and then I quietly jump into their bed and snuggle with my Daddy – What could be better? – Nothing!!!

I am so happy - I am also an AGA volunteer! I help other Orphans, like I was – who need guidance and support as they search for their forever families. Tillie (formerly Gucci), Ben and Ginger came and stayed with me as they looked for their forever families. I helped them find great homes. Tillie was only with us for a short time – she was a lot of fun – she was my first foster sissy. Then came Ben. Ben was so smart (and handsome too!). One time he ate a whole bag of rolls – and he didn’t even get in trouble – I call that smart! Ginger helped me learn to share – she slept in my bed and played with my toys – and I was okay with it, I knew it would help her become Golden like me. I can’t wait to meet my next foster sister or brother.

I have also visited many families and it was my job to give my paw of approval and make sure it would be a great home for one of my Golden friends.

This week I am going to the Thrasher Game to sell raffle tickets – Dad & I will have a lot of fun.

I am proud to be an AGA Alumnus & Volunteer!

Love & Puppy Kisses,
Brodie

Coby (aka Hoover the Presidential Pup) And His Boys

Just hanging with my boys.