Success_2001

Hi! Luke's 'dad' told me to write you guys a message about Rascals, one of your adopted Goldens. I adopted Rascals in Feb of 2001, he is more than wonderful. I adopted him after we put our other dog down, and came across your web site. It all happened in 4 days. He has been the best friend and protector we could ever ask for. I've been doing obedience with him and he has secured 4 Titles- 2 AKC, and 2 UKC- (his CDX and UCDX) and his CGC (canine good citizen). His scores were 190's and above (a couple of 189's too) and he also received High in Trial in Novice A!!! He is working Utility and I hope to put it all together by Spring '05. We occasionally meet Luke and his dad at a couple of shows- especially if I travel to Indy. It is so great to see the two rescues showing obedience and winning, especially after being abused and rejected. Sometimes I would love to show these people what they gave up. These dogs are so true and faithful that I can't imagine life without them! I think Rascals does obedience to please me- his real interest is 'fishing' and chasing chipmunks. He is possessed by the two. He gets in the water close to his chest and then watches for minnows, he will do this for hours! He sometimes dives for them, but I don't know if he catches them. The chipmunks he likes to chase up our downspouts (dumb little critters run right up them and then tries to climb straight up!), they usually get away, much to his dismay! I guess I was at the right time right place to get this particular dog. If you see the pics you might wonder where all his feathering is. Well, he never got it, and some people think he is a yellow lab. You have no idea how many times I had to explain, almost to every Judge that he IS a golden! One young girl summed it up real well- she asked me if he was a golden, and I said yes - he is papered. She said " Oh, so that's what a golden looks like undressed!" I just laughed!

	Dear GRRACE: We just recently celebrated our adopted Golden’s “sixth” birthday on February 4^th. We brought Sketch (Sandy was his original name) home from his GRRACE foster parent home four years ago on February 4^th, and we refer to that date as his birthday. We were told at that time that the veterinarian’s best guess was that Sketch was approximately two years old after being a homeless stray for an undetermined length of time. He was extremely skinny and under-weight, but otherwise healthy and extremely affectionate. It has been a wonderful four short years of watching our kids grow up with our Golden. Our family just wouldn’t be complete without Sketch. Sure, we’ve had a hole eaten out of the drywall in the Family Room wall, and we’ve had blood splattered all over the house from an injured tail tip that just wouldn’t stop wagging, and I’ve gone to major client presentations with fur stuck all over my suite; but we wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world. You can’t possibly replace that happy, smiley face that welcomes you home from school and work everyday. You can’t possibly replace that fun-loving, over-grown puppy that goes bounding through the house chasing the kids. You can’t possibly replace that loving, warm, soft bundle of fur that cuddles up to you when you don’t feel well. Adopting our Golden has been one of the best family decisions we’ve ever made! Thank you GRRACE (and Kathy) for helping us and being part of it! Attached are a few photos : Kathy Roudebush, our GRRACE connection, brought Sketch (Sandy) to our house to introduce him to us on Saturday, February 3^rd, 2001. It was love at first sight – we officially adopted him and brought him home the next day. Christmas Eve this year: our daughter Nicole and Sketch curled up under a blanket in front of the fireplace to wait for Santa. Obviously, Sketch didn’t last very long before falling asleep. Christmas Day this year (2005): Sketch waits patiently while the kids unwrap one of his presents from Santa: a big rawhide candy cane!
	Hi! Luke's 'dad' told me to write you guys a message about Rascals, one of your adopted Goldens. I adopted Rascals in Feb of 2001, he is more than wonderful. I adopted him after we put our other dog down, and came across your web site. It all happened in 4 days. He has been the best friend and protector we could ever ask for. I've been doing obedience with him and he has secured 4 Titles- 2 AKC, and 2 UKC- (his CDX and UCDX) and his CGC (canine good citizen). His scores were 190's and above (a couple of 189's too) and he also received High in Trial in Novice A!!! He is working Utility and I hope to put it all together by Spring '05. We occasionally meet Luke and his dad at a couple of shows- especially if I travel to Indy. It is so great to see the two rescues showing obedience and winning, especially after being abused and rejected. Sometimes I would love to show these people what they gave up. These dogs are so true and faithful that I can't imagine life without them! I think Rascals does obedience to please me- his real interest is 'fishing' and chasing chipmunks. He is possessed by the two. He gets in the water close to his chest and then watches for minnows, he will do this for hours! He sometimes dives for them, but I don't know if he catches them. The chipmunks he likes to chase up our downspouts (dumb little critters run right up them and then tries to climb straight up!), they usually get away, much to his dismay! I guess I was at the right time right place to get this particular dog. If you see the pics you might wonder where all his feathering is. Well, he never got it, and some people think he is a yellow lab. You have no idea how many times I had to explain, almost to every Judge that he IS a golden! One young girl summed it up real well- she asked me if he was a golden, and I said yes - he is papered. She said " Oh, so that's what a golden looks like undressed!" I just laughed! So thank you again for doing what you're doing. You are making a lot of people and dogs happy and safe!
	Here are some Christmas 2003 Pictures taken of Cinnamon. Notice in the background are Christmas stockings...Cinnamon just loves Christmas and she gets her very own stocking and presents under the tree. Cinnamon was approximately 3 years old when she came to GRRACE in June 2001. Her family had given her up due to children's allergies. Cinnamon was also mainly kept outside, and the family did not think it was fair. Our family adopted Cinnamon in July 2001. She has become a wonderful friend and addition to the family ever since. Here are some of Cinnamon's very favorite things. She absolutely loves attention, in fact if you are not loving her (with pets and hugs) she will just sit on your foot until you do! :~) Cinnamon has a great fondness for walks, swimming at the lake, boat rides, her babies (favorite is her stuffed squirrel), and her "special dinners" (dad usually puts just a dab of gravy on her dry food). Cinnamon currently lives in South Bend, and is a very Happy Puppy. We wanted to thank GRRACE and especially Beth, who fostered Cinnamon, for the wonderful job they do each and every day for these sweet Goldens!
	We adopted "JJ" (original GRRACE name) in January 2001 when he was still a pup of 7 months. My boy Allen started him as a 4-H obedience dog. The first year JJ and Allen took 7th out of 15 in his class at the Marion County Fair. Last year they took 3rd out of 10. This year (2003) they won the Championship in the 3rd-year class! He's a wonderful dog, and someday he may even outgrow his puppy stage!
	Hi everybody! I am Gracie, though I used to be Valerie, my new family liked my new name better and who am I to complain. After all this nice family gave me a forever home, where I have 2 new human brothers, Matthew and Justin. My new brothers just kiss on me all the time and I really like that. I also have a new dog sister to play with as well. My sister really wears me out with all the chasing and tug o war as the picture shows. That's Matthew in the picture with us, and Matthew is with me in the other picture as well. My new Mom & Dad still take me bye-bye all the time and always tell me they love me, and that makes me the happiest Golden in the world. I also would like to thank my foster Mom Linda for helping me find my new forever home.
	Trevor came to us in August of 2001 as a result of our search for Golden Retriever puppy breeders on the web. We never thought there would be a rescue organization for Goldens, since they’re so perfect! Well, Trevor hadn’t seen puppyhood for a long time – he turned 12 right after we brought him home. We also found that he had a melanoma in his mouth, and our vet told us that the future was uncertain. The happy result is, Trevor plays like a puppy and his only problem is that sitting down is a little slow (old hips) and he’s certain that we’re not feeding him enough! You can still see Trevor on the opening page of the GRRACE website – he’s the big red boy on the left - who could resist that face? Note from Trevor: This is a pretty good place, especially that cool air that they call AC. If they’d just get rid of the cats, (I’m kinda scared of them), it’d be perfect for me and my new brother Rocky.
	I'm Lucky. AKA Levi. I was adopted in April 2001 and came to live in home with lots of woobies, golf balls, and plenty of room to run and swim. My owners got through a very thick coat of rough golden fur, a lot of bald spots, and about 105 pounds of weight. I've got plenty to eat, a warm place in the master bedroom to sleep, and so much love it spills over into my always happy grin. I now weigh about 95 pounds and still on a slow but sure diet (you don't want to lose too much too quickly!). Thank you GRRACE for rescuing me!
	Hi, my name is Buddy. Did you look at my picture? Yep, that's me, the handsome one in red. I was rescued from a shelter in South Bend. I was turned in to the shelter cause I had too much energy. My foster mom said that I was too crazy and needed some manners before anyone else would want me. But I knew I had her at hello. She took me to obedience class. I failed but I had an agenda, we got the second session for free and I did better that time. Did you know my golden sister, Gabby was having seizures? She hasn't had one since I moved in. So I am paying for my keep. I spend my days with Gabby and two cats. I bark, talk, swim, run and play ball and grumble when it's time to go to bed at night. I am very happy and my manners are improving every day.
	My name is Linus, and let me tell you, I am as cute as they come. At least, that's what my Hoomins keep saying. I was brought into the Tippecanoe County shelter as a stray in Feb. 2001. My new forever folks just don't understand why no one ever came looking for me. I think I am pretty well off where I am though, because I have 3 other Golden brothers and a new kitten to play with. The kitten and I are really good buddies and we play together a lot, but I also play with my brothers as well. The 2 leggers in the house keep saying I am not the "sharpest tool in the shed" but my looks and personality more than make up for that. I think I'll keep these folks because they are pretty good to me and I would really miss all the playmates I have here.
	Buddy's my name and wagging my tail is my game. My Mom can't understand how anyone could have stuffed me into the night drop off at the Humane Society. Lucky thing GRRACE called her to come pick me up. She tells me everyday what a good boy I am. I have a golden sister named Ginger who "thinks" she's the boss around here, but I let her think that because you know how girls can be! I also have a two legged sister named Shelby and two cat friends. My Dad tells me he thinks my first owners didn't want me anymore because of my ears. What a mess they were. My Mom tried and tried to get them cleared up....but 4 weeks ago I had to have surgery on both ears to fix the problem once and for all. I look a little silly with a shaved head, but I feel so much better. Thank you GRRACE for helping me find a family to love forever who loves me back with lots of hugs and kisses.
FRANKLIN	The following is an actual E-mail as received by GRRACE in July 2002. JUST WANTED TO PASS THIS ON. A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I ADOPTED FRANKLIN, 6 YEARS OLD AT THE TIME. HE WAS MY MOTHERS FAVORITE COMPANION DURING THE LAST YEAR OF HER LIFE. HE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL DOG AND I DON'T HAVE THE WORDS TO EXPRESS WHAT HE HAS GIVEN BOTH MOM AND ME. HE HAS AN ADDICTION FOR TENNIS BALLS AND LOVES TO RUN AND TRY TO CATCH THEM IN MID AIR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE WITHOUT HIM. HE IS TRULY LOVED. THANKS GRRACE. It is things like this that make rescue worthwhile.
	Meet Sydney and Daisy, and no, this picture is not a mistake, these are really rescue dogs. This wonderful family has adopted both the dogs pictured here. These two beauties seem to realize they are "HOME". The family really can't figure out why anyone would let these two go, but they did, and the dogs seem to be very comfortable where they are now. Daisy is said to be very, very smart and this is no exaggeration by any means.
	Luke comes from a life of abuse and was adopted in May of 2001.The first thing Luke did was to check out the want ads in the paper, for a job to support his love of food and tennis balls. Luke's first job was to work out with his new "dad", a heart patient , with walks in the park and playing ball in the back yard. Now it has become a question, " who rescued whom?" Luke has since passed his Canine Good Citizen and is enrolled in his second obedience class. He passed the last one, #1 in his class. Now Luke watches his dads business three nights a week and rewards him every Sunday with a trip to Ritters for an ice cream cone and a ride to Petsmart or three dog bakery. Luke can't wait for school to start this fall, he wants to take Drivers Ed so he can go to Ritters all by himself . Luke update, Feb. 2003, Luke and I went to the Obedience show last week and got our first two legs of three in the novice-A class and placed 3rd in the Hoosier Kennel Club obedience competition. We have one more to go to get the CD title . Next month we will go to Ft Wayne to the show 0n the 23/24. Right now we are also taking classes for Open class. They say it takes about a year of instruction to get this title. Until then we will do some Therapy Dog work. Luke update, March 2003 Luke and I went to Ft Wayne Saturday to participate in 2 obedience shows, The Greater Lafayette Kennel Club on Saturday and The Northeastern Kennel Club on Sunday . Luke participated in Novice - A and in both shows was awarded a blue ribbon for first place with scores of 193 and 191.5 respectively. On Saturday, he won his first title, The CD. Next Saturday is the test for Therapy Dog.
	Ginger came to our family in October, 2001 as a foster to adopt. That evening when I heard my wife, Louise, say "come on Ginger, its time for bed" and they went upstairs together, I knew the foster part was in doubt. Ginger has been ruled by a high prey drive so her perfect job was to protect the yard from cats, squirrels, birds, and most recently skunks. Lately Gingers job description includes "bed warmer". Ginger loves tennis balls, chewees, woobies, and wrestling with Luke our other golden. After a long journey, Ginger has found her forever home.....
	Here's Jessie relaxing in one of her favorite spots. She came to GRRACE from a local shelter, heartworm positive, undernourished, and VERY pregnant. Within 10 days, Jessie had 6 very golden puppies. (Watch the website for info on them later.) She is now a healthy, happy, confident, and very content Golden. She wiggled her way into the heart of her foster mom, and now lives with her mom, Golden sister and the cat who thinks he is a dog. She keeps her mom in sight most of the time, is a real snuggle bug, proudly holds her head high, and loves to be inside laying on something soft.
	Hi, everybody. My name is Cody, and have I got a story that’s gonna make you smile. The first chapter was kinda bad. That’s the part where I was chained to that tree for about four years after my family got too busy for me. In fact, they just didn’t want me at all anymore, so they called GRRACE to come and get me. After that I never imagined life could be so sweet. I have two four-legged sisters now: Daisy and Echo. And I’m real interested in my three cat buddies: Gizmo, Pook, and Jack. Mostly I like to tell them what to do. I’m the boss of all cats. I also have a couple two-legged brothers: Luke and Drew. They love me a lot, but nobody loves me as much as my Mom. My new Mom says I’m her special dog-angel and she’s so glad she recognized me and brought me to where I’m supposed to be—it just took a while for us to find each other. Now I don’t let her get very far from me. Sometimes she brings me to visit her pre-school class, and I even get to go to church and help with the Children’s Message. I just graduated from my obedience class and then I passed my Delta Society Pet Partners test—now I am a volunteer at St. Vincent Hospital (that's my volunteer badge in the picture); there’s just no stopping me. I love making people smile ‘cause they feel lucky when I come to visit them, but if I could I would tell them that I’m really the lucky one because I finally have all the love my heart has been waiting for. Now isn’t that one of the best stories you’ve ever heard?
	Rusty
	Bailey
	Mr. Wilson came to us from the Ft. Wayne shelter as a foster dog in May, 2001. I met another GRRACE volunteer in Muncie to pick him up. I immediately fell in love and we weren't to Anderson and I had already called home, claiming that this might be the 'one'!! Wilson was always extremely loving but similar to many, he was extremely unsure at first. He spent a lot of time in the bathroom tub and would sleep under the bed. It didn't take long for him to fall in love with us and his golden brother. And he soon he moved from sleeping under the bed, to having his very own spot in the middle of the bed with his own pillow!! Wilson is very attached to his new family and we can't imagine life without him!