If you are interested in adopting a senior or special needs dog, please fill out an application form or email RAGofAZ. Please note on your application that you are interested in either OLD GOLD or SPECIAL NEEDS goldens.
If you would like to make a donation to help us help the dogs that come in to our rescue, please visit our donations page.
Old Gold and Special Needs Dogs ... Why Would You?
Old Gold and Special Needs Dog need love too. Just love me for awhile and I will love you like you wouldn't believe. Their happiness in their love for you has healing power that transcends anything we ever imagined. Give it a try - we guarantee Golden Moments galore! They come with grins, smooches, tail wags, been there and done thats. They want nothing but back rubs, nose kisses, tummy teases and a cozy place to sleep. Old Gold is what For the Love of Goldens is all about.
Sawyer's Story: When I picked him up at the vets I could not believe that he was even walking, let alone trotting down the corridor with his tail wagging at top speed. He was only 40 pounds. Every rib showing, his hip bones and backbone protruding. When he was rescued from the pound his coat was matted to the skin and it had tar running through it. The only humane thing to do was to remove all of his hair and boy was he bald. He was diagnosed with Valley Fever, double-ear infection, upper respiratory infection and malnutrition. He was sent home with several medicines and eventually started the VF medication.
I had a difficult time finding food that peaked Sawyer's appetite and he was so skinny that I really worried about him as he would just lay around and be so lethargic. I considered it a really good day if he finished one of his meals.
Sawyer didn't have any fat pads to cushion his body and it broke my heart to see this little guy curled in a ball in the middle of the hard floor. I encouraged him to lay on the dog bed and he seemed to appreciate that and eventually started using the bed more. At night he would hop up on my bed and fall asleep. He did that for several weeks, but, on his own, he started either using the dog bed or would lay by my bed on the carpet. I guess that was a sign that he was on the mend.
Slowly but surely he started showing signs of weight gain (I couldn't count every rib at a glance anymore) and that was exciting. He started playing a little, but would tire easily. Eventually he had more stamina and actually didn't lay around as much. The routine of giving him medicine at every feeding and hoping that he would finish his meals so he wouldn't get sick from the medicine ended up being successful in the end.
Sawyer was so unusual the way he NEVER did anything mischievious, NEVER relieved himself in the house, almost gave human hugs and would lay his head against you much like a child would. His adopted parents call him the Stepford dog because he is almost perfect.
All I can say is that I love and miss him. Sawyer was worth every bit of my time and energy because he gave me so much more. I am thankful that he was rescued by Joyce, treated by Dr. Ferguson and that I was given the opportunity to share in his precious life.
Big Jake's Story: When the request for testimonials for older goldens was made, I wondered just what was wanted. Was it a quest for wonderful events to establish the value of these older dogs? Was it some magical set of words that would encourage the adoption? Simply put in adopting old animals, there is one basic up side, and one basic down side. With these mature dogs, all of the puppy-raising issues are long past, but the length of their stay with you is liable to be short.
Our first golden was an old boy that was somewhere beyond seven years old; I believe it was well beyond. The plan was for us to foster him until a permanent home could be found, but he quietly walked into our lives and took over. The fostering lasted about 45 minutes.
Big Jake, a.k.a. Mikey, per the Ferguson gang, was a throw-away dog; he was found in the desert. The gang fixed up his health, but no one had to straighten out his soul or his dignity. He was a amazing spirit with a regal bearing. Daily annoyances were beneath his notice. There was never an occasion where he was ruffled. He saw the world from above and accepted what ever came his way. His dignity was awesome. His patience was unending. He gave of himself as no animal I have ever seen.
On one occasion, he spent four hours at a Barnes & Noble for an Xmas gift wrap and enjoyed all the loving and mauling that toddlers to retirees could dish out. He never wavered in his acceptance of all who stopped by. At events at America West Arena, he quietly held court while the younger goldens tugged at their leashes to get as much attention as possible. He never moved until my wife was out of sight, then he would quietly walk straight through the crowd and lay down by her side. No fuss; just how he wanted things to be.
As those few fourteen months passed by, it was apparent the his energy was ebbing, and one Saturday afternoon, he slipped off to sleep one last time.
So the question remains, should we adopt these elderly folks? I can only tell you that we received far more from Big Jake than we gave him. You can ask anyone in my family what they think, and you will probably get a long, silent, vacant stare. The very private bittersweet thoughts of a bygone friend.
Nick and Lucy's Stories: Nick is the most loving, loyal companion I could ever ask to carry out his golden years with. Nick had a very rough life in his younger years and has a lot of medical problems which we face constantly; however, he would never even dream of complaining or making me unhappy. Of the many dogs I have had in my life, I am truly blessed to have him adopt me. I love him w/all my heart and couldn't imagine life without him.
Lucy is a 12-year old breast cancer survivor. She makes the most of each day by being such a loving girl. All she requires of me is some daily lovins and yet provides me great happiness!
If I had my druthers, I would rather have a senior golden any day of the week and twice on Sundays!!
Chester's Story: Chester came to us on February 20th, 2002 as a "Special Needs Golden for Foster Care". My best guess is that it took us all a little less than a day and a half to start loving this very special Golden. Chester (don't you just love that name?) had been given up by his family of 3-1/2 years due to his severe epileptic condition and their "uncomfortableness" with caring for him.
During those first few weeks, Chester had only a few very, very minor seizures - eyes fluttering and some weakness, which encouraged Chester to lower himself and lie quietly for 2 - 3 minutes. After that time, he would again stand up and "all was well with the world". We were encouraged! The vet was encouraged! And as a result of what appeared to be only minor epileptic seizure activity, the vet made the decision to reduce his medication on a trial basis. Within 24 hours, Chester had a Grand Mal Seizure. Despite medication readjustments, Chester has had several more Grand Mal Seizures.
I've had seizure-disordered dogs in the past and, with that as a baseline, I'd say Chester has a pretty severe seizure disorder. The bad news is that when he does have a seizure (infrequently), it is accompanied by loud screams, neck and lips pulled back, legs "rigid and running" when lying down and a release of bowels and bladder. He's down for about 10 minutes and then up and disoriented for 30-60 minutes. The good news is that during his seizures, Sprocket is usually licking Chester's back, and Toby is close by. They don't shy away! When Chester walks around in a temporary disoriented state, his Golden brothers are right there with him! When it's over, it's over. No residual effects. Just the sun shining again.
I say all this not to frighten anyone thinking about adopting a "special needs" Golden, but rather to encourage them! Yes, "special needs" dogs might require a little more care - Dennis and I estimate it takes under 2 minutes extra each day to give Chester his pills buried in cheese which he licks off our fingers! - but the "extra love" they give far, far outweighs any extra care!
There is more good news. Seizures are almost always controlled by giving medication as prescribed! As we reviewed Chester's initial home information, we concluded that Chester had not been receiving his medication on a regular basis. Without a doubt, irregular medication increased the probability that he would have a few seizures. The vet has regulated Chester's dose since his last seizure, and it has now been over two months since his last seizure! Chester runs, plays with his Golden brothers, "talks" to us with his low growling voice, which makes us laugh, and of the three Goldens living with us, Chester is the smartest!
Chester is part of our "forever family" now. There isn't a day that goes by where we're not delighted to be with him and honored to be entrusted with his care. He makes our family complete. This "Velcro Golden" is the epitome of "Golden Love" and we love him like crazy!
If you have a seizure-disordered Golden or are contemplating adopting one and you think KathyJo can be helpful to you, she can be reached by email at: KathyJo Email. In your message, please include your phone number if you'd like a return call and note the subject as "Chester" or "Special Needs" Goldens and she will get right back to you!