Hi, my name is Vail and I'm about a year-old now. Two wonderful women and GRRACE saved me at the age of 6 months. You see, I had a very hard beginning. If you watch me walk, you will see that I limp on my front left leg. Five months ago, I wasn't able to put weight on my leg. My first owner threw me out of a moving vehicle when I was very young. I think I was around 3 months old and it shattered my elbow. I don't know why he didn't want me or like me anymore.
I was taken to a local vet to get it fixed, but they didn't know what they were doing. My elbow hurt so badly, and my leg didn't grow to the same length as my right leg did. My owner got into some kind of trouble and had to go away, so he dropped me off at a relative's house. She didn't want me either. She tied me up in her back yard all summer long, and didn't feed me or give me water, and I was covered with fleas. Mommy thinks I was abused by human hands too, because I used to cower down when a hand would come close to me. Thank goodness the neighbors would come over and give me something to drink and eat. The woman tried to sell me, but no one wanted a dog that couldn't walk on all 4 legs.
Here is where the story gets good. Two wonderful women found out about GRRACE and me at around the same time. They talked my second owner into turning me over to GRRACE so a wonderful family would adopt me. She did! At the same time I was headed to my rescue angel's house, my new Mommy found out about me. Mommy and Daddy had a 2-year-old Golden named Aspen, and were looking for another golden. Mommy said they were looking for a young blonde male. Well, she heard about me through GRRACE and told them she would take me without even seeing me, not knowing much about me except that I was young and hurt. The night I met mommy, we just fell in love with each other. At last I was safe, warm, and had a full tummy. I have a big sister now, too.
Mommy and Grandma made 5 trips to Anderson to see Dr. Lee about my leg. I ended up having 3 surgeries on it. Dr. Lee said I will always have a slight limp and that I might have arthritis when I get older, what ever that means! And, he told Mommy that she has to really watch my weight. How dare he talk about weight to a woman. I can run and jump just like my big sister now. I have even learned how to jump on the bed. You all know that is the best sleeping spot in the house. In the past 9 months, I have gotten so much love that I can barely remember my past. I'm not afraid of hands anymore; I get and give tons of kisses and hugs. I love to take car rides. Mommy and Daddy say I am the best rider. I have learned to swim and love it. I think that is my favorite thing to do.
I now have a new Golden brother named Denver. He's from GRRACE too! Aspen and I think he is fun, but sometimes a pain. You know how boys are. Mommy still hasn't gotten the blonde yet; at least she is getting closer. I think 3 Goldens are the limit for Daddy though. We go swimming when it is warm with our Golden cousins. And we have play days when the weather isn't as warm. I have 5 Golden aunts and 11 Golden cousins; you should see us all together. We have so much fun.
Well, enough about me. There
are other special Goldens that have to tell you their wonderful stories.
One last thing; Thank you GRRACE, and Carol for the surgeries on my
elbow. You will always be special to me.
Tessa Irick & Dave Didier