New Stories Coming Soon! If you have adopted a dog from us and have a success story, please submit it to us. Some of the pictures below may get larger by clicking on them.
March 27, 2001
Chance s absolutely wonderful. We just love him. He and our "indoor" cat have adjusted a lot faster than we thought they would. Of course, the outside cat is another story. She sees Chance and starts running and he of course thinks it's a game and chases after her. He loves going for a walk and thinks the deer are great to chase also. I think with some basic training we'll get the chasing thing under control. But he's definitely a keeper. We went for a walk last Sunday and had several people comment on what a beautiful golden he is. Of course we still think in 6 months to a year we'll be looking for another Golden to add to the family. Chance would probably like a play buddy. :-)
Joni Frenzen-Druian
Chance has “Entropian” which is a genetic eye problem GR’s get. He has an “extra fold” of skin on his eyelids, which cause his lids to turn inward and rub on the eyes. Chance will have surgery to remove the extra fold and permanently correct this. He will be 100% ready for his new family with his “eyes done” in a couple weeks. Watch for more as we get to know this cute guy better.
March 15, 2001
Dear Friends at GRR,
We just wanted to let you know how fortunate we are to have our beautiful Magnolia! She really lights up our hearts. Maggie has settled in to her new life with us so quickly, it is hard to imagine that she wasn't always with us. She loves my daughter Rowan as you can see here in the picture and Ro adores her. I must admit though she is my constant companion. She is putting on a little more weight and is enjoying her walks around the block. Not to mention her "play time " with her basket of toys. Maggie has come out of her shell a lot and is just a precious angel -(but you already knew that!)
We just wanted to thank you again for giving us such a special gift that we will treasure always!
Sincerely,
Amy, Wayne and Rowan Wood
Another Extraordinary Golden that needs your help...
Late, two nights after Christmas, a priority call was received from a Good Samaritan on the Hotline:
“I found a family of dogs at the bottom of a hill in Del Valle on my way to the Post Office… I stopped and so did a Time Warner Cable guy. As we approached the trio, we saw a young puppy, a larger male and a sweet dog lying helpless on the ground. “Daddy” was barking furiously at us as we approached as if to say 'Go away, she’s hurt and we can’t defend ourselves…'. We continued up to the trio, speaking calmly and gently. Daddy never tried to bite and when he realized we were not going to be scared away, he looked at us if to say ‘What took you so long… hurry up, she’s in bad shape….’
“As we looked around, we noticed lots of feces around, as if they had been there for a while. They were cold, dirty, tired and skinny. Puppy & Daddy were OK but Mommy (Magnolia) could not get up. They would not leave her side. We gently and gingerly carried her to the car and then loaded Daddy & Puppy in too. As soon as they realized they were all safe and secure in the car, Daddy snuggled up to me and put his head in my lap for the ride. There were no tags and no way to find the owners so I took her to the vet and hoped for the best. Mommy was very good at Vet, she did not cry or bark while Vet examined her.
“The vet says she’s been hit by a car and has a badly broken pelvis. She needs surgery immediately to save her life or else she has to be put to sleep. It’s going to be costly and I just can’t afford it with several dogs of my own. We could put up signs and run an ad in the paper to try to locate the owners but the vet says she needs help NOW! Can you help?”
GRR went to the vet’s and got Magnolia. She was taken to the vet for another exam and possible surgery. She was found to be healthy, but thin, no heartworms and her pelvis was broken in two places and highly specialized orthopedic surgery was necessary for repair. They sent her home on pain meds and arranged an emergency consult with the surgeon. Surgeons report: “She’s an otherwise healthy young dog with a bad break. The only repair option is surgery if you can’t afford that, we should put her to sleep, as there is no other way to manage her. If she has the surgery, she will be fine, she will not have pain or residual arthritis, but she will have a little limp. She will be able to run, chase, retrieve and play like any other GR but she will never be a jogging partner….”
Two days after she was found and the same day we got the surgeons report, the owners were located. The owner was a recent widow with 2 young children and she could not afford to care for Magnolia. When she arrived to pick up Daddy & Puppy, she said Magnolia was a wonderful dog. “She will be two years old on 1/18/01 and is great with everyone including little kids... I just can’t afford to take care of her, can you take her, help her and find her a good home?”
GRR operates on a very limited budget and is funded solely by donations and adoption fees. Unfortunately, lightning had struck twice at GRR in the last ten weeks. Sam, another wonderful dog had come into rescue ten weeks ago with nearly the same story. He too was injured, abandoned and required special orthopedic surgery to repair his leg. We could not justify spending such a large amount of general rescue funds (which pay for routine medical care such as shots, spays/neuters, vet exams, heartworm treatment & prevention, etc.) on one special needs dog. “Sam’s Fund” was created as a special fund specifically for paying his medical bills outside of the general fund. Many loving and wonderful people graciously supported Sam and we thankfully raised enough money to cover his bills without exhausting the general fund. And, Sam is alive, healthy and blissfully happy in his new adoptive home.
Still reeling from the cost of Sam, we asked, “Can we afford to do this again, and so soon…?” As with Sam, there was no time for fundraising, Magnolia needed the operation now, her life and well being depended on it. An emergency vote was called, and the decision was made to save the beautiful blonde girl with the sunny disposition and trusting eyes.
Magnolia was a model patient and came through the surgery with flying colors. She will need a few weeks of rest, good food, and care. She can’t bear full weight on her hindquarters yet and walks with the aid of a sling. She is seen here the day after surgery leaving the vet’s. She is quite the Golden in temperament and attitude. She thinks her life has improved greatly and loves lying at your feet with her head in your lap. She loves kids, is quiet and polite and even though she must have been in incredible pain, never once cried out or even winced prior to her surgery. She just wags her tail and looks lovingly at you as if to say, “Thanks…”
Miss Magnolia has already had a happy New Year and will reach her second birthday on January 18th. Magnolia is available for adoption but will remain in foster care until the doctors say it is medically appropriate for her to move to her new forever home. If you are interested in adopting Magnolia, please go to our adoption procedures & application.
1/5/01 Update from Foster Care:
“Magnolia is absolutely precious. She is the sweetest little dog. Gold Ribbon Rescue really rescued an angel. After I returned home from a short grocery shopping trip today, Magnolia actually stood up on her own and tried to wag her tail. It wasn't too much of a wag, just a small circle, and you could tell it was painful for her. The little darling wanted so desperately to welcome me home like her big foster brother GR. I slowly eased her back down into her resting position and gave her lots of hugs, kisses and pets for trying so hard. I told her she didn't have to hurry. She can take her time to rest and heal. There is plenty of time for her to show us humans how much she loves us.
“My daughter loves to keep Magnolia company. She reads to Magnolia and shows her the pictures in the book. Magnolia gently rests her paws and head in my daughter's lap and really seems to enjoy the story time. What better way for my daughter to get her homework done!”
1/13/01 Update from Foster Care:
Magnolia is doing great! She no longer needs my daughter's wheelchair or the sling to assist her to go out to potty. She makes it there and back on her own with several rest stops and some coaxing. The potty trip wears her out and she lies down for a long nap after each trip. The other dogs accept her into the group, but don't bug her at all. (yes, even Baxter!) She is one precious pup!
Happy Birthday Magnolia! - 1/20/01 Update
“Magnolia is doing great, she improves daily. This was a really big week for her. She had postoperative check up and her sutures removed. She got a great report: The surgeon said Magnolia is doing just what she is supposed to be doing for 2 weeks post surgery. We no longer need the sling as Magnolia can walk all by herself… Well, it's more of a hop than a walk, she’s beginning to put a little weight on the left leg, but she prefers to hop/skip with 3 legs. She will continue to use the left leg more and more as muscle strength increases over time.
Only 2 more weeks of activity restriction, and Magnolia can do whatever she feels up to. She will have a normal, happy, pain-free life and will be able to do most anything a dog can. Short walks, fetching and playing in the park will be fine eventually (about 2-4 months). However, she will never be able to tolerate long walks or be a jogging/running companion because of muscle fatigue.
Also, this week, Magnolia was deemed healthy enough to receive her regular shots and vet check. She behaved so well at the vet, putting up with the blood test, the fecal test, and shots - all without a whimper or complaint. She is so brave. This little gal has been through so much in the past month. Yet, her sweet, good-natured, and special charm shows throughout.
The highlight of the week was Magnolia's 2nd birthday. She enjoyed the party and all the attention. But most of all, she enjoyed the cake! Just like a toddler, Magnolia was allowed first licks at the cake before sharing it with her human and doggie family. She enjoyed her birthday gifts of doggie treats.
But her best birthday gift was her prognosis: The surgeon said Magnolia is well enough to start searching for her own special "forever family."
Magnolia Update – 1/25/01:
Magnolia is doing so well. She is putting more weight on her weak leg; a little better every day. She has perfected a little hop/skip/run for about 10 feet. She must be feeling better because we have found her up on the couch a few times lately.
Her appetite is greatly improved also. She eats her meals with gusto and polishes off every morsel. She helped herself to a little extra tonight. Cranberry didn't eat her dinner so I put the bowl of food on top of her crate. Later, I caught Magnolia with her front paws up on the top of the crate and finishing off that bowl of food too. She had somehow managed to nudge or paw at the bowl so that it was within her reach. She might surprise us. She might have a few tricks up her sleeve
GRR and Magnolia need your help. If you would like to make a donation to Magnolia’s Fund or to the Extraordinary Golden Fund to help the next dog like her, she and we would be greatly appreciative. Any amount, large or small does help.
Please send your tax deductible donations to:
Gold Ribbon Rescue
Attention: Magnolia's Fund
PO Box 956
Austin, TX 78767-0956
Your donation is tax-deductible and greatly appreciated. Thank you very much and watch for more information as she progresses through her medical care!
Magnolia and GRR wish to sincerely thank the following generous donors to Magnolia’s Fund
Joan, Bob & Rachel Lush Material Girls Quilting Bee: Sandra Nordstrom Diane Benskin Bonnie Simmons Melissa Clark Rachel Hulley Janet Dibble Sharon Ogilvie Nelda Johnson Janis Jones Judy Larson Paulette Mazurek Michelle Murphy Nikki Mundt Ruth Phillips Susan Robinson Jane Waddel