Rio Makes it Official

Here we are at PetsMart making it official. I knew the moment I went to this lady's house that I was never leaving. Foster, schmoster! Thanks, AGA!!

A Tribute to Frankie

Hi. This is Mark and Kelly. We wanted to let AGA know that we lost Frankie (aka Marley 2005) last Thursday evening to chronic kidney failure.

I just wanted to personally thank you for bringing him into our lives. It was shortly after you and Kelly met that you told her you had the "perfect Golden" for her. You were wrong. You didn't have the perfect Golden for us...you had THE BEST.

Over the past five years, Frankie was nothing short of the perfect dog. Loved by everyone that he came in contact with, he was the most lovable, sweetheart ever.

Please take a look at the attached blog and pictures. It is from the photographer who took our family Christmas photos just 7 short weeks ago. She posted this blog after we told her of Frankie's passing.


http://jesskamm.com/blog/2010/01/frank/


Lauren, again, thank you for giving us five wonderful years with Frankie - you don't know what a positive affect he had on our entire family and what joy he brought to our hearts.

After a long drive, Hudson is Home

Just wanted to say thanks for picking a great home for me. I couldn't be happier. I have 2 great new brothers to play with, Dexter and Waldo. I have a super cool dad and a really awesome mom. The ride sure was long but the company couldn't have been better - they kept rubbing me and loving on me the whole time. They must have said "almost home (wherever that is) a dozen time", little did I know home could be so terrific. Now I have all the love and companionship a good golden boy could want. Mom said she's going tomorrow to buy a bigger water bowl and new food bowls for all three of us - we're hoping she buys more toys too. When they get pulled in three directions they sure don't last very long. Also lots of people have been calling and asking about me - mom said lots of people are eager to come meet me. Today I met the UPS guy (Dexter and Waldo act like they don't like his truck but they sure like the milkbones he leave on top of the boxes), I met the painter (he let me check out the front yard, oops, I met some guy who came to fix a window that mom said she broke when Waldo locked her out and I met a lady named Ellen. Mom said Ellen lives just up the street and came over just to meet me.

I think I am going to be really popular up here, Nan and Pop (who ever they are) are coming over this weekend to meet me too. It's cold up here and there is still lots of snow on the ground, I love it. It's so much fun to roll around in that white cold stuff. Mom also gave me a bath yesterday - every part of me is clean as a whistle. I also got lots of extra kisses on the nose too while she was washing me.

Anyway - mom says thanks, dad says thanks, Waldo and Dexter say thanks too - but most of all, I say thanks. Now I know what the life of Riley (or in this house Ripley) is all about...

Hudson

Nilla is One Year Old!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Kendall and Ranger Are So Happy

Hi AGA!

This is Ranger! Kendall and I wanted to send you an update on what we’ve been up to since Mom and Dad became our permanent fosters. In typical fashion, Kendall is currently getting all of our holiday guests to take turns brushing her hair, so I am doing all of the writing. She doesn’t know it yet, but I will be helping myself to some of her dinner tonight for repayment of my services.

Since joining our new home this past Memorial Day, we have been living it up! After a life of living outside prior to AGA, we now have our own beds, food bowls and toys! We also have two younger silky terrier siblings, a brother (Jack) and sister (Jill).

We go for daily morning excursions around the back yard where I get to go exploring. Once we wrap up our outing, we then hurry back in to get our yummy treats for all of our hard work outside before Dad feeds us breakfast. We have the routine down pat now, and we make sure to let them know if they are behind schedule.

I really enjoy sitting in front of the fireplace and watching football with Dad. Kendall loves digging through our toy box, playing with all of the toys and letting Mom brush her hair! Her favorite is a pink dog that she carries around and tosses in the air.

I hear Mom and Dad talking all the time about how special we are and what joy we’ve brought them by just being around! Gosh, I can’t believe we got to join a family that loves us so much!!
Thank you so much for rescuing us when others had given up on us and allowing a pair of 12 yr old dogs a chance to enjoy the golden years…

Tail Wags and Nose Kisses,
Kendall and Ranger

PS , I’ve attached a couple of pics that Mom took of us.

Tiny Tim (now Scout) Says Happy New Year

May your year be filled with days like these!

Molly and Mom

They say I'm perfect. Well, the feeling is certainly mutual!

Amber Has a Very Merry Christmas

Santa brought me the most wonderful family for Christmas! I am never letting them out of my sight.

And a kitty cat too!!

Not a Creature Was Stirring ...

not even a mouse. Merry Christmas from Adopt a Golden Atlanta!

Neo Gets Brushed

Wait! Isn't that for your teeth???

Why We Rescue

Hi, My name is Sidney and I am a flat coated retriever mix. I was a stray who was picked up and brought to Dekalb Animal Control Shelter. I stayed there for about two months and the people there thought thatI might never be adopted. Not only was I an older dog, but I just plain didn't know how to be a dog! People, cars, loud noises, sudden movements, all sent me into a terrified frenzy.

The shelter sent out an e-mail to rescue groups asking them to rescue me from a sad, lonely, old age. The good folks at Adopt a Golden took pity on me and decided to take me in. They discovered I had heartworms and needed someone to foster me while I was treated. That was when my luck turned. An older couple whose children were grown were looking for a dog just like me. They already had two small older rescue dogs and I went to stay with them.

I was really scared at first but those two little spoiled rotten dogs seemed to be pretty happy and I got to sleep on a great fluffy bed right beside my new mom and dads' bed. Well, it's been six months and I am heartworm free, and hike everyday in the woods with my new mom and one of my siblings. Who knew there were so many critters to chase!

If I get really dirty, I have a long hot shower with lots of sweet smelling shampoo, and oh, those massages my mom gives me! I like to go sit by the shower door hoping she'll think I'm dirty and give me a shower. We all went to Charleston SC for Thanksgiving, and I got to stay in a really neat hotel and run onthe beach.

Life is good!

Lucky (formerly Wake) Says Hi

She can't go anywhere if I keep my paws over her feet!

Butch's Family Says Goodbye and Thanks

I just had to thank you. Three years ago we adopted the most wonderful dog from your organization … his name was Butch. He was 10 years old and the sweetest boy we could ask for. We had just lost two Goldens that year and were not planning on taking on another dog … because it hurt too much to lose them. So, we thought the next best thing was to foster and give someone else the pleasure of having a wonderful pet.

Well, 2 days after Butch arrived I knew we could not let him go. For 3 years and 9 months he gave us so much pleasure. Last week, he lost all feeling in his legs. The Vet tried but there was nothing to be done, so we made the hardest decision to put him down. I can rationalize this by saying he lived to the ripe old age of 13 years 9 months, and did not have a sick day the entire time. The day before he died, he had his daily run in the woods and enjoyed his dinner just like always. But it is still hard.

I just had to thank you because you made our time with Butch happen. And for those of you who think it is too painful to adopt a senior golden, you are wrong. There are never any guarantees in life. We bought a puppy at 8 weeks and she was diagnosed with Lymphoma at 4 years. We went through chemo with her and extended her life by 2 years, but we lost her right after her 6th birthday. Counting Butch, I have had 3 goldens that lived until their 13th birthday. So, you can never tell what will happen. And just knowing the joy you can bring these seniors is worth every minute you can spend with them.

I have attached two pictures. The one of Butch at the beach is my favorite...it also made you calendar this year "Mr. July".

Thank you,

The Butler Family

Sugar Plum puppy (now Zoey) Sends a Pic

Just napping with my new friend Truitt. He's the best!

December Orphan of the Month - Neo

Our December Orphan of the Month is Neo aka Neopolitan Dynamite is a two-year-old male Great Pyrenees. He was found wandering the streets and without food. Despite a tough beginning, Neo is a sweet boy. He is a typical Great Pyrenees -- he protects the family, loves to play and has a huge heart. He will make a wonderful addition to any home! Watch our video of Neo playing:

Chester (formerly Dunlop) Checks In

My new parents are the best! However, they have this thing about baths.

Thank You to our Birmingham Friends!

Lorraine, Barbara and Jennifer have hearts of gold! They held a wine tasting and silent auction this weekend at Pleasure Is All Wine in Birmingham. Today they let us know they are sending AGA a check for over $5,000!! This donation is in memory of their wonderful goldens Rusty and Abby.

From all our orphans, adoptees, supporters, volunteers and board of directors, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Fair and Augusta

Hello Adopt a Golden Atlanta –



I wanted to drop you a line to tell you how much my life has changed in the past 6 months. If you remember, I was a skinny, heartworm positive, gal – missing a lot of hair – rescued from a shelter near Augusta. You called me Savannah, took me to a great doctor who treated my heartworms. Then, a great mom and dad asked to foster me through my heartworm treatment. They picked me up on a Friday during the Master’s Tournament. . . and by the time Angel Cabrera won on Sunday. . . I had won as well by winning a place in their hearts forever. Mom and dad have a niece named Savannah, so they started calling me Augusta – since I came from around there and was happy to hang out and watch the Master’s Tournament with them.

In addition to mom and dad being the greatest, I also have an older brother Fairchild (we call him Fair around the house) who was also rescued by Adopt a Golden Atlanta, and three cat siblings. . . Mom and dad say Fair is acting a lot younger than his 9 years now that I am around to keep things exciting!



I love my family and all of the great things we do together. Mom and dad have taken us to the mountains a few times so that Fair and I can swim in the lakes and hike up to see some pretty waterfalls. We also go for lots of walks and have a great big back-yard for exploring. Now that I am healthy and my hair grown out, mom and dad can’t take me for a walk without being told what a pretty girl I am. . . I sure do love the attention!



Well, I should probably go. It is about time for Fair and me to go for a walk. I asked mom to include a picture of me and Fair hanging out last night – I’m the one in the front.



Thank you Adopt a Golden Atlanta. . . without your help and the work of all of your volunteers, I would not have the life that I do today. I am one happy girl and thankful to be living the golden life!



Lots of licks and love,



Augusta

November Orphan of the Month - Bailey

Bailey is a seven-year-old Golden who was found at a shelter. She is friendly, loyal and she loves to play with her toys. She is housetrained and she is really a love! Bailey has one issue - she can be leash aggressive with other dogs. With work and a confident owner we are sure Bailey will be fine. Watch Bailey play at her foster home!

Duchess Enjoying the Chesapeake Bay

They say my name used to be Truffles and I was found wandering all alone in the north GA mountains. Glad I don't remember any of this!!! Thanks, AGA!