Shadow has certainly settled right into his new home! "Me and my shadow!" This is the everlasting theme song for Shadow's adopters. Shadow had lived happily with his original family for the first 6 years of his life. It included three young children, two cats, and two Bernese Mountain Dogs. Unfortunately, Shadow's life drastically changed when his family's finances ended up in bankruptcy and the only home he knew went to foreclosure. They called YGRR knowing we would find a permanent, loving home for their playful, devoted dog.

Shadow was admitted into the program and brought to the YGRR veterinarian. Upon examination Shadow was noted to have a severe case of flea infestation. He was treated for his fleas, brought up-to-date on his vaccinations, and tattooed. Soon our boy was transported to Riverview. Shadow proved to be a nice dog who walked politely on leash and was easy to handle.

New adopters who have had a lifetime of second-hand dogs were called to meet special Shadow. This couple's old companion of fourteen years had passed away and they missed and longed for another wagging tail and the abundance of wet kisses a dog brings. Shadow proved to be perfect for them! Recently Shadow's new mom and dad told us, "Shadow is a wonderful dog. He knows his name and happily comes when called. He loves being with our grandkids and together they enjoy each other's company. Thank you for placing us with this great dog!" Now Shadow can enjoy romping in a spacious yard and pleasant summer's strolling the beach. A win-win situation for wonderful Shadow and his new, loving family!

Will you be my forever Valentine? Zeke can now look forward to celebrating Valentine's Day and every holiday with his new, loving forever family. The YGRR "lifetime safety net" policy assures a permanent home for each dog surrendered to our program. If for any reason life circumstances change for our adopters and they are not able to keep their dog, the Golden must be brought back to YGRR.

Zeke is an adorable ten-year-old, blonde Golden. He originally entered the program when he was six years old. He was surrendered to YGRR in 2004 because he had too much energy for his family and required more time than they could give him. At that time, a caring couple was found who understood the commitment of responsibility and had the energy, time and resources to provide Zeke the appropriate home environment. Zeke lived with his second family for four years! Recently, their lives changed and Zeke's family found themselves spending extended periods of time outside the United States and away from their loyal boy. Zeke was returned to YGRR because they felt their new lifestyle unfair to Zeke. Zeke's former mother said, "We were very fortunate to have him. He is so special; please find him just the right home."

Zeke was brought to the YGRR veterinarian where he was given a thorough examination. Overall he was in good health for an older boy. He then made his way to Riverview. The staff, who had always been quite fond of Zeke, found that he continued to enthusiastically embrace life, loved human attention, and was always wagging his tail!

Zeke deserved a home where he would receive top quality attention. Zeke found his forever Valentines when semi-retired, repeat adopters who have lived with and cared for Golden Retrievers for many years were called. They also understand the breed and how to care for a rescue Golden. This couple has the time and knack to provide a loving and nurturing forever home. We recently spoke to this amazing couple who told us, "You knew just what we needed, and his name is Zeke! We love this big, bouncy boy and we think he likes us too! It's like he's lived here forever. We love him, and will do our best to make him happy forever." Zeke now looks forward to fulfilling days with his new forever family where endless tennis balls and stuffed toys abound!

Kristy's story exemplifies life's second chances.  Here's her second-chance tale.

In June, YGRR received a call from a neighboring state's veterinarian's office informing us about a dog named "Kristy" who was brought in to be euthanized because she was old and had ear infections. Kristy's owner did not want to be present when the procedure took place. After she left, the staff felt Kristy deserved another chance at life and called YGRR. They also called the owner who agreed to let us try to place her in a good home. The staff at the vet's hospital had known this spunky senior girl since she was eight weeks old and knew she deserved a second chance at life. Kristy was admitted into the program and quickly picked up at the vet hospital.

Once at the YGRR vet, ten-year-old Kristy was found to be hypothyroid. This common condition greatly contributed to her chronic ear infections, hot spots, and dermatitis. While she had excellent hips for her age, she did have a substantial amount of arthritis in her spine causing a little hind leg laziness. After minor surgery and dental work, she arrived at Riverview. While at Riverview Kristy was on medication for her thyroid condition and ear infections. She was immediately placed on a healthy diet with supplements. Her nutritious meals soon helped her coat which grew in soft and thick. And in time, her ears greatly improved too!

Kristy's second chance at a forever home would soon come to be! Despite her age, our senior girl was looking for a family that could enjoy her energetic personality. New adopters who had had dogs most of their lives and were hoping to adopt a senior Golden were invited to meet Kristy. When they met our happy, grey faced girl they knew they had met the right Golden to love! We recently spoke to Kristy's new dad who said, "She has quickly and quietly settled in to her new home. She loves to play and can be found carrying around any one of her new collection of stuffed toys. Kristy is so happy and we love having her. The merciful vet staff can have total peace of mind knowing they made the correct choice in offering Kristy a second chance at life!

Emma is Lili’s (#4495) mother, the featured YGRR dog from last week. Like her daughter, seven-year-old Emma was named after a Hawaii queen, Emma, because her original owner loved Hawaii. This single woman devoted her life to her Golden Retrievers and Emma had only known “the good life.” Unfortunately, this devoted owner fell ill with leukemia. Upon her passing, she willed her “girls” (Emma and Lili) to a work colleague. Emma’s caregiver tried her best for almost a year, but felt “the girls” were not being given the attention and time they were accustomed to receiving. YGRR was called, the girls were surrendered, and two lovely dogs were admitted into the program!

Emma was taken to the YGRR veterinarian. While there she was brought up-to-date on her vaccinations, had a dentistry, and tattooed. The Riverview staff found Emma to be an eager-to-please, loving Golden girl. Her forever home would soon be found!

Emma’s life was soon going to change again, but for all the right reasons! A new adopter who has had dogs most of his life and was hoping to adopt a rescue Golden was invited to meet Emma. When he met our delightful queen he knew the right dog had been matched! We recently spoke to Emma’s new dad who said, “It’s like she’s always been with me. She is a sweetheart who walks beautifully on a leash and comes when called. She also gets along well with her new feline sister, Luna (the cat).” Emma now spends her days taking walks along the shore, romping in her fenced-in yard, and snuggled beside her dedicated dad. Emma’s former caretaker can have peace of mind knowing she is being showered with love and attention and is once again living “the good life.”