Nelson pays tribute to our veterans

It’s true I was left in a shelter, abandoned and forgotten. I knew not my fate. I was scared and uncertain. But, I was rescued, loved, and provided a purpose.

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I walk among these men so brave.
Who fought, who paid, who unquestioningly gave.
Their souls still caring in every way.
They still have heart.
They just need me to pave the way.

We are kindred spirits, these men and me. No I did not serve overseas, or go into battle and give unquestioningly. But, we share the glory of serving our country, they in the trenches, and me, well I have it very easy.

These men left family and gave their all.
It was not easy.
It was their call.
So, when we see them, do not pity and do not despair.
I am with them, because I care.
I salute them, and honor them for all they gave.

I promise to love them, care for them, and show them the way.

Nelson visits the VA hospital

Michael, if you will make the introductions to the staff, my foster dad, Terry, will help me capture the crowd. I'm ready to show them my new found manners. Foster mom, you remind me when I forget my manners. Okay guys, lets go in there and spread the love and support for all these men have done for us and our country.

We are all set to explore my new home. Remember the manners Nelson. Remember the manners. You can do this...

This guy likes me! WhoooHoooo! Dream job!

Let me see. How does it feel to chill out around here? Ah huh, feels pretty good. I believe I could get used to hanging around this crowd.

Would somebody pleeeease pinch me! I don't know how I got so lucky. First I fall into the hands of the MTGRR, and now this! I must be dreaming. This can't be really happening.

It is true. This is real. You can't dream this good. I'm really going to love it here. What! I can't stay??? We are coming back next week? I remembered my manners! Oh, we are going to work on them a little more. Well, okay then. I really do want to be the best dog they ever dreamed of. See you folks next week.

Nelson, Nutty Buddy, and Meadow attend the MTGRR picnic

Today was the Middle Tennessee Golden Retriever Rescue annual picnic. Our day started with a staff meeting about what is expected from us, and appropriate behavior around other dogs and crowds.

Nutty Buddy simply yawns. Yeah, yeah... I get it. Meadow says, yes I know, stay with you at all times. Me, Nelson, am rivoted by the thought of getting to meet so many people and dogs. My plan is to play the crowd.

After a little exercise and introductions, some nice young ladies took me for walks through the crowds. I sure did love them young girls. They gave me so much love, cuddles and pets! My only thought the whole day was, WHOOOHOOOO! I am one LUCKY guy. I wonder if I can take them home with me. Probaby can't. So, I'll just soak up their love for a few hours.

These photos are just a small sampling of all the people who came out to parade the wonderful canine addition to their family, look for a new canine addition, support the awesome Middle Tennessee Golden Retriever Rescue, or just enjoy the fantastic festivities. This was one great Golden day.

How do you know if your Golden had a GREAT day. Well, I think these photos speak for themselves. We are exhausted. I think Nutty Buddy, Meadow, and I, will be sleeping for a week! Well, we will certainly sleep good tonight.

Nelson becomes a candidate for the VA Hospital project

When I came to the MTGRR my name was Buddy Bean. With so many of us named Buddy it was pretty confusing. So, my new name became Nelson. Can a name sound more dignified than that!
I am a strong candidate for the Veteran's Hospital project. I am humbled by such an honor. The VA Hospital project is a pilot program for their residential facilities. My job will be to provide a calm and comforting environment. That includes allowing the patients to pet and love me all they want. This sounds like my dream job! The Murfreesboro VA Hospital will be the first Tennessee VA facility to adopt such a program. You can see, I really need to make a stellar impression.

My foster family started taking me on walks. I was so excited about this adventure that I would forget we were doing this together. I pulled so hard on the leash that I would choke. We are trying a new idea now. My fosters have a Gentle Leader (It works kind of like a hackamore on a horse). I was pretty resistant to the Gentle Leader in the beginning. But, I am rapidly becoming more comfortable with it now. I am also learning some great everyday commands (such as, sit, lay down, and stay). I was familiar with these commands before coming to MTGRR. But hey, I am so excited about being in such a great place, that the whole command concept would rapidly fall off my attention shelf. The MTGRR is like Disneyland for Goldens.

As you can see, this training for the VA Hospital project can be pretty tiring. I'm going to rest up for a bit. Then we are going to work to make me the best dog these folks could ask for. Because that is what they deserve.

Nutty Buddy Enjoys the Fiesta

Fiesta Island on San Diego's Mission Bay was our final swim destination before leaving for home on Monday.

This has been an awesome vacation! While I hate to see it end, it will also be great to return to the routine at home. I am much stronger mentally and physically since our departure from home three weeks ago. I am running faster, doing a little jumping (although foster mom doesn't want me to jump because of my hip dyplasia), and eating everything that is put before me.

I sure hope we can eliminate some of those pills when we get back home. First order of business is to get my blood work evaluated again. Keep those fingers and paws crossed for normal values. Hey! I'm feeling pretty normal these days.

Meadow and I do a round robin with the toys. This is great fun, and easy on my old hips.

I will make one last water fetch in honor of Prince. I sure wish he had realized what a fantastic organization he became a part of. If I were there, I would have told him. I am thankful for everything the people in MTGRR have done for me. Prince just didn't realize he was in a great place. I know he is at peace now. But, I wish I could have met him and shared how lucky I feel.

This ball is for you, Prince. I left it in the bay, as a symbol for a good old boy that had to be released to a better place. We will meet when I join you at rainbow bridge some day.

Nutty Buddy has a 5 Star Day (so does the rest of the family)

Oh Boy! What a day! Can you say 5 stars for everyone? We began the morning with picking up Kylie, that beautiful human niece of Meadow's and mine, and heading to the beach in Coronado. Just like last time, the weather was beautiful. There are so many four legged friends to play with at this beach, and toys are flying everywhere. I couldn't figure out which way to go most of the time.

After our play time in Coronado, we drove up the coast about an hour to San Onofre State Beach. I got to meet all kinds of relatives who have been following my story of illness and recovery. What a bunch of nice people!

I know she is going to drop something for me to eat. She sure does look like a softie.

Did I introduce you to my human niece? What a cutie she is! We had a great time playing together. She told me she loves me! I sure do love her. We even looked for buried treasures together. Although we didn't find any treasures at all. It sure was fun looking for it.

After a fun filled day like today, we need to spend tomorrow chilling.

Did I tell you that Meadow, Kylie, and I had a 5 star day? Oh yeah! Mom and Dad did too!

Nutty Buddy finally makes it to the beach

It's difficult to believe we have been in California for a week already. We have been to the mountains, visited family near Lake Elsinore, and today, we made it to the beach at Coronado Island!

It was a beautiful day in every way! I didn't know these kinds of places even existed! I feel like I'm in doggie heaven!

There were toys everywhere. I sure hope we can come back here again before we go home.

Travel Adventures of Nutty Buddy - A side trip to visit family near Lake Elsinore, California

Between San Diego and Los Angeles, lies Lake Elsinore. The summer weather and weekend bring a vast array of water enthusiests to enjoy the recreation offered at Lake Elsinore. Meadow and I were no exception to those who enjoy this aquatic experience.

While Meadow retrieved one toy, I was looking for a better bounty under the surface.

The weather is great! And the water temperature is perfect. What dog wouldn't enjoy the opportunity to swim the afternoon away?

As you can see, Nutty Buddy is back! I was very sick for a while. There were a lot of people afraid I wouldn't pull through such adverse medical conditions. I couldn't disappoint all those people who were praying for me, keeping me in their thoughts, crossing fingers and paws, and helping with my medical bills. I am living proof that if you want something bad enough, you can perserver.

Sometimes, I forget that I'm still recuperating. Meadow has to lay on me to make sure I take a little rest period.

Travel Adventures of Nutty Buddy - The 2058 mile trek across country

We were anxious to get our adventure started. With the foster parents, Meadow, and me nestled in the truck we began our 64 hour trek from Tennessee to California. I even got to meet my human foster brother, Jason, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jason and I hit it off like a big ice cream cone on a hot summer day! He was great to throw the ball for Meadow and me.

In the above picture, Meadow and I are having some fun exercise during a rest stop in Arkansa.
Unfortunately, our visit with Jason couldn't be to long. We have lots to do and see. And relatively little time to do and see it all. We left Albuquerque last night, and found ourselves in beautiful Pine Valley, California by early this afternoon. With the fun time we had in Albuquerque, Meadow and I became somewhat dusty and dirty. The cure for this little problem was to be rinsed with the hose. Boy! Did that feel good!

I know already that squirrel hunting is going to be one of my favorite activities while I'm in Pine Valley. These squirrels have some really bushy tails, almost like mine. An afternoon of squirrel hunting can be really exhausting.

We are going to rest tomorrow. I'm looking forward to putting my toes in the water, and my paws in the sand. Wednesday will be spent at the beach with my fosters' granddaughter, Kylie. It's going to be so much fun! She will be 3 years old next month. I can't wait to meet her!