Lucky

These people I live with are really sick!  They think this unstuffed rodent is a suitable substitute for the real thing.  It’s so insulting.  I suppose they also think a kennel is an appropriate substitute for a king size bed.  Is there obedience training for these people?  I’m desperate here!

Hey Buddy! Who do you think you are?!?!?!

Hi everyone!  Thor the Terrible and Foster Brother Supreme just checking in with you muchachos.  I got me the most handsome well behaved foster brother yesterday!  His name is Buddy and if I wasn't such a confident macho Chihuahua....I would be jealous.

Buddy comes from a heartbreaking situation.....his family who had loved him from birth could not longer afford to properly take care of him....it broke all of their hearts to have to finally come to that decision.  They are praying that someone will look past Buddy's gorgeous face and fall in love with his beautiful soul.

For myself,  there is Waaaaay to much doggie testosterone in this house now!  There are five of us dude dogs and every day is a beauty contest to see who can win Mom's attention and affection.  I'm starting to think I might have to go Mexican on my new foster brother.....he's a total ladies man!!!  My woman (Buddy's foster Mom) is loving all over him....he ain't THAT good looking!  Anyway....I can't find one bad thing to say about Buddy.....he's too furry perfect.....so he has to vamos from mi casa pronto.  

I'm calling a meeting with my brothers, Zeus and Zoro, and although they are hanging out and playing with him....I know they won't put up with this Fabio Hunk Golden Buddy stealing all the attention forever!  I'll let you know how the meeting turns out in a couple of days.  Oh....check the photo of Buddy...yeah....we know he's "hot"....come get him....aye Chihuahua!

Buddy The Wonder Dog...

Lucky

I'm Lucky, or so I'm told. I've been looking for my perfect forever home. I am an energetic 1 1/2 year old who has been sorely misunderstood.  I may be a little rough around the edges.  But, with some training and consistency in my life, I can be as perfect as I am handsome. I am looking for a forever woman or dude who has time to spend with me.  Pssst, if you are a smart dude, we can hook up and be chick magnets.  With your smarts and my good looks, we can be a quite a pair.  Hey, if you are a nice woman, you don't need no other dude (ha, ha, ha).  Seriously, I am willing to settle for a nice couple.  I guess I can work around the other dude.  Cause if he is a good dude, he won't mind sharing you with me. :-)

I guess I really am lucky.  I heard my foster parents say that I have potential.  I'm not sure if that's contagious.  But, they let me play with their dog, Meadow, so I'm guessing it's not a bad thing. They say I am such a good boy just because I sit and lay down.  I even like their cats.  But, those uppity creatures don't think I am up to their standards.  What do they know.  They are just cats after all.  They like to sit on this chair.  I can sit here just as well as they can.  My size makes it a little tough to curl up on it like they do, but the floor allows me lots of room to stretch out. 

Let's review my perfect forever home list.  I'm looking for a male, female, or couple who are physically active.  I'm no couch potato, so I don't want to lay around sleeping all day.  I really want to learn more advanced obedience techniques.  You can't have an over trained forever family.  I like other dogs and cats.  That gives me someone to play with when my family is busy. Since I'm still a kid myself, I'm cool playing with older children.  

If you think you are a good match for me, submit an application with MTGRR.  I'll have my people check it out for me.   

Sweet Duchess

I can’t believe it!  It’s true! There is someone out there for every dog.  I am so excited! I am going to my new forever home tomorrow!  I’m a little apprehensive.  But, my foster family is going to drive me there, so I will have an easier time adjusting.  We have been getting ready for the big day with human and canine visitors coming by to give their farewells and best wishes.  I know I am going to miss all my friends I made at my foster family.  But, we all know what a golden opportunity it is for my new forever mom and me.  I am even going to have a special bath so I am all foofoo like.  My foster mom and I have picked out a pretty bandana to wear.  I am going to WOW! my new forever mom with my beauty, tranquility, and love.

MTGRR has a great program for marrying a golden age dog with a golden age human.  That is how my new forever mom and I found each other.  I am honored to be the maiden adoption for this program.  My new forever mom and I have invested many years into life’s experiences.  For those of you who don’t understand what I’m saying, we are part of the golden age, in other words, we are not spring chickens any more.  But we still have lots of life left in the old battery. This is wonderful!   This means my new forever mom will be home with me, instead of working all day. We can spend our days providing each other the companionship we both deserve.  You see, at my age, I have very few demands.  I want to spend my remaining years loving and being loved.  We will be together almost all the time.  That is such a relief on my mind.

Well, that is enough about me.  I want to let all of you humans and dogs of all ages know that there is a perfect match for each of you.   That special person or dog will be there when the time is right.  I didn’t think it was possible for me, but it was!  Thank you all for reading my blogs.  I have enjoyed sharing my thoughts with you.

Love,

Duchess

Abby B

Hi foster friends, I am having so much fun that I just had to share it with you. You see, yesterday my foster mom started packing all of these bags. Some had food and some had dog toys. I was really wondering if they were sending me away! But then when my foster dad got home we all piled into the car (I love to ride in the car.) Well, we ended up at this big lake. Yeah, we were going to the houseboat. I get to play with my foster sister, go up and down the stairs a lot, and run around the shoreline. On the boat I don't have to sleep in the crate and that is neat too. But I do get up early which is ok with my foster dad. He took my foster sister and I for a walk and it was really neat this morning. I am showing you a picture of this big orange ball that looked like it was coming right out of the water. My foster dad says the water is pretty cold so I haven't been in YET. But it is so much fun. I hope my "forever" home likes to go to the lake. I could show them how much fun it is!

I love everyone!

                                              

 Valentine's Day is gone. But, I still have lots of love in my heart.  Where does the time go?  I can't believe it has been two weeks since my life began to change forever!

When I first came to my foster parents, I was so scared of everything, that I would tremble uncontrollably.  My foster family is showing me lots of patience and love.  Even their Golden, Meadow, has been patient with me. The nurturing environment is helping me to feel whole again. 

Meadow on the Left.  Me, Duchess on the right

I'm starting to feel whole again

Meadow and me playing today

I forgot how much fun it was to play.  I became so excited while playing with Meadow today, that I forgot myself and barked!  Oh! That was a surprise for everyone, even me!  It made my foster family laugh.  They even congratulated me!  Even though I'm remembering how fun playing is, I still remember my manners and don't rough play in the house.  Anyway, it's more fun to play outside where we can roll around in the grass and use our outdoor voice. :-)

Have I told you what I like best about my foster family?  Besides all the love and patients they show me, I go everywhere with them.  I feel like an important part of the family!  Sometimes Meadow and I have to wait a short period of time while the humans go in the market.  They don't leave us in the truck long. Sometimes while we are waiting, Meadow and I will pretend we are driving.  Meadow tells she is driving me to a great place to go swimming.  That sounds like fun!  Hmmm, I don't know if I swim.  I guess that is another adventure I will have to explore. :-)

Duchess and her feline friend

I hope everyone is having a wonderful Valentine's Day.  It's a wonderful day when two can find it in their hearts to stop and say, 'I Love You'.  This is Murphee in the picture with me.  Murphee told me that her family moved and left her behind.  When my foster family bought the house they took Murphee as their own.  With love, Murphee has overcome the insecurities that manifest after being left behind.  Murphee told me that I will regain my confidence too.  I'm already feeling better.  My foster family give me lots of love.  They told me that I can stay until we find a family that loves me as much as they do.  That's Rrrrrwsome!!!

A MIRACLE HAPPENED TODAY!!

The most amazing thing happened today....and I had no idea it was coming.  These past few weeks in foster have been pretty intimidating and sometimes scary because I didn't know if I was coming or going (not to mention the chihuahua Thor who is evil and must be destroyed).

This past week was pretty exciting for me.  My skin feels well enough that I can not only walk....but you should have seen me FLYING through the snow! Running (my FM says "really kind of a gallop") my feet off with my foster brothers and sister.

They also found out that I do, indeed, have a thyroid condition but that it was good news.....with proper medication.....my skin will heal and I'll be a FULL ON Super Stud Muffin Golden Boy again!!

BUT THAT ISN'T THE EXCITING PART!  This morning my foster mom starts thinking she is Elizabeth Arden and can give me a beauty bath and blow dry.....whimper.....she needs to keep her day job, folks!  Who uses a curling iron on a Golden for crying out loud!?!?!  I let her know that I appreciate her....but the blow dry was ENOUGH....ixnay on the curling iron.....I turned into a greased pig in a 6x6 space and after a few minutes of evading that iron.....FM gave up.....love her finally!

So here I am sitting and watching her primp for the day....and all of sudden....my foster brothers and sisters GO OFF!!!  The doorbell rang and there was chaos!  I wasn't sure what was happening out there because me and FM were in her bedroom.  All of a sudden, my FD (Foster Dad), opens the door and says "They're here....early".   Who is here?  I'm still not all Happy Happy Joy Joy with other people, ya know.....I don't mind them....its just.....well, I don't mind about them.  FM opens the door and all I see are four people staring at me.....and then I hear the "AWWWWWWWW"ssss and "OHHHHHHHH"s......and I'm liking the sound.  I trotted right over to them and you know what?  They felt good!  They smelled good!  I liked them touching me!

But I was confused....who were they?  FM says to me...."Nemo....this is the Schultz family....and they want to take you home with them forever and make you the center of their attention."   I didn't know what to bark or wag about after that.....I just kept sniffing and wagging and thinking...."for real?  is this for real?!?!?!?"

They cried....I wagged.....it all was too good to be true.....two beautiful new sisters.....a gorgeous sensitive Mom and a total "Dad Dude" who looked like he could handle anything we threw his way.  This HAD to be too good to be true!  I said a fond farewell to my foster family (except one) and ran out to their SUV....I even knew which was there car!  I'm still thinking it can't be for real......until we are pulling out the drive.....and I look through the window at my Fosters waving goodbye.....and Thor the Killer Chihuahua sitting on the steps barking "Don't go!  I was just getting you trained!".   Yup....it's for real.....I'll lick my new family's feet and wash dishes for a year....I ain't going back.....they already love me.....and I'm loving them.....and no more Thor.  God Bless You Shultz Family......I am excited and happy and so very grateful for my life with you!!!!

Bear

Hi Everyone, Bear here!  I am a very contented Golden Oldie who is 14 yrs young. MTGRR helped me out when I fell on hard times about 18 months ago.  I was really overweight, had hot spots and very ugly ear infections.  The kind people at the rescue helped me find my long-term foster home here in Kentucky. I live out in the country with my two foster sisters, who have shown me how to play with all sorts of toys.  My foster mom feeds me good food and these chewy pills she calls supplements for my arthritis.  MTGRR pays for my arthritis pills and if I have to visit my very nice vet they pay for that too.  Now my fur is shiny red and full again, and guess what? No more ear infections!  Makes me bark with joy! And some afternoons I feel frisky enough to bunny hop around the yard and roll in the grass or snow.  Life is good.  Thank you MTGRR!  And a big sloppy kiss goes out to the Parker family, who helped me first.  :)

Rosie

Hi, I’m Rosie and I’m 98 years old, in dog years that is. Even though I’m older than most foster Goldens, MTGRR didn’t leave me behind. I was in rough shape, I wound up in a shelter with bad hair and really goopy ears. I’m not like that anymore, I have a beautiful red coat with a pure white face. My ears are all cleaned out, but, unfortunately, I can’t hear a thing anymore. That’s not always such a bad thing because the other Goldies in my home are pretty loud, especially when they see a “SQUIRREL!!!” I’m a long-term foster Golden. Instead of spending my time with a foster until I get a forever family, I live with my foster family forever. Just like older humans, I require a little extra care in my retirement; arthritis medicines, thyroid pills and maybe an extra trip or two to the Doctor every year and MTGRR takes care of all of that for me. I’m lucky that MTGRR found me, and my foster parents say that they are too.

Ahhh, I smell LOVE in the air.  It must be getting close to Valentines Day.  I love everybody.  Please help me get over my feeling of abandonment. I haven't been living at my foster family long, but I heard them say that I have captured their hearts.  I AM a great dog!

Abby B

Good morning, my it is bright out there. The weatherman said I needed sun glasses to play outside. My foster mom told me I would get to play in the snow but I didn't know it was going to be so much. It is so much fun to toss my frozen tennis ball around. And all of those birds on the feeder are really teasing me. You should have seen the cars slipping and sliding on our hill last night. Some left their's so I guess I can watch it until they come back to get it. My foster sister keeps barking at it because she thinks someone is inside it. I don't imagine too many folks are looking for the perfect pet (that's me) because of the weather. Hopefully it will warm up soon and I can go to a forever home where the peeps like to run, walk or play outside. That is what I like to do and I have been told I sleep really well when I get all of that exercise. Well, my mom made me come inside because it is 9 degrees out. So I guess I will go curl up on the couch for a little nap. Be safe out there today. Arff, Abby

Roxie and the Crew

My name is Roxie and I’m a blonde, beautiful 4-week old girl. Don’t let my age fool you.  I’m one of seven and four of them are BOYS, which means I ‘rassle a lot and I’m waaaay strong.  And brave, of course. 

My foster mom is proud of me because I was the first one who learned to stand up and walk like a real dog, way back when I was just 13 days old!  That was fun! The next thing I learned to do was drag a stuffed dragon around. I tried dragging my brothers and sisters instead but they didn’t seem to like it much. Then, one day not long ago, I opened my mouth and out came a BARK! Can you believe it? (Well, it was a little squeaky, but still…)

My mommy, Crystal, was rescued from the back roads of Kentucky where she was trying to find our daddy, who I personally think must have been a handsome Labrador Retriever. (He broke her heart, so she doesn’t like to talk about him.)

To save her from the shelter, my heroes from MTGRR rode to her rescue all the way from Tennessee.  Mommy was about to have us babies, and before the rescue posse arrived six of us were already here.  Little No. 7 came hours later, at the vet’s in Tennessee.  We were too young to travel so far and we all caught bad colds, but we’re feeling much better now, thank you!

Mommy used to feed us all the time, but not so much now. She has a lot on her mind, so our foster mom shows up at just the right time with a nice warm bowl of delicious, mooshy stuff that we love.  She also cuddles each of us and talks to us and has taught us our names. 

When we got here she couldn’t tell us apart, so she put paint blobs on our butts.  Then she named us after the colors.  My blonde sister Gilda was the green one. My other sister, Bella was blue.  My brother Opie was orange, Ranger (he’s really big and handsome!) was red and my brother, Pete, was purple.  Oh, yeah, the little crybaby is Yancy, the yellow guy. (I think he just squeaks in order to get more hugs.) 

I, of course, being blond and beautiful, was the pink girl. I might have had to endure being called “Pinkie” (gag me!!) but my foster mom says I was born to be a “Roxie” --  so there you are!  I’ll probably become a movie star someday.

The reason Mommy thinks so much these days is that she is trying to figure out how to find perfect forever homes for all of us.  She’s also blonde and beautiful, and she’s really, really, really smart. She is housebroken, likes other dogs and cats and sits for treats, so I know she’ll figure out something for all of us. And for herself, too!   If you have any ideas, let her know.

Love and kisses, Roxie

Duchess

I am a mature, middle aged, warm, sensitive creature with a heart of gold.  I am seeking a forever relationship with the same.  A hurtle in my life has left me a little insecure.  I am looking for the strength of a stable, secure, and loving relationship to help me through this hurtle. 

I don’t mind if you have children or other pets.  I will even give cats the respect they deserve.  After all, they are creatures too. 

Do you long to have a committed relationship with someone who will stand by your side, lie at your feet, or sit next to you?  Do you want someone who will stop and smell the roses with you? If you do, then ask for Duchess.  Let’s get started on filling our lives with the love we both deserve.

Note: If you don’t mind me being middle aged, I won’t hold your age against you either.     

Abby B

Hi doggie friends, It is nice to know I am not alone in the foster world. I am just a year old and already I have been bounced around. I have been told that my last residence was in a shed that was kind of dark and lonely. I came to this neat house in December and although I would like to stay my foster mom says she can't help other dogs in trouble if I did. So I am hoping for a great forever home just like this one. You see, they have a big sister, Martie, who lays around and watches me play. I think I am suppose to learn from her. And I have learned a few things. We both have our favorite spots in a fenced yard to poop and pee. She has taught me to chase the chipmunks and squirrels. I can tell you then don't taste very good and do give you an upset tummy. Martie likes to curl up on the corner of the couch and sleep all day. I curl up for a while but the toys call me to play. I love to play with anything that squeaks! And those stuffed toys have neat stuff to pull out. My foster dad is the toy shopper and he buys some great toys. I can't wait for him to come home everyday to see what he has. Most of the time it is a Milk Bone treat. Mom only gives me treats when I go in the crate. She goes off some days and since I still like to chew she puts me in this big black crate.  I always look with pleading eyes and promise to be good but somehow those pillows on the couch are so much fun to play with and end up in my mouth! The crate is quite comfy with a plush rug and a big old beach towel. And then she always gives me a Kong ball with treats and peanut butter in it. That is pretty yummy. In fact that is where I am headed now because she has to go to a meeting. She promises I can play outside in the snow when she gets back home. Arff to you later.

Angel Gabriel

Hi!  I'm Angel Gabriel, quite a mouthful, so FM (Foster Mom) calls me Aggie for short...get it?  A.G....yea FM thinks she's very clever, and who am I to tell her different - I'm still trying to train her to give me more snacks.

Well, the first thing you probably notice is that I'm not well, golden.  But I was when I got picked up from the shelter where I had terrible kennel cough (FM said I was snotty...but she still tells me that...hmmm).  So, I was golden until I got a bath!  Do you believe it?  I finally got to be golden and they washed it away? Sheesh....so now I'm white again, so much for not standing out in the group!

FM says I'm very special and smart.  I know how to walk a human on a leash, and if my human doesn't go the way I want, I fix that by just rolling over and over until I get to go my way, but I don't pull.  Well, now that I'm healthy again, FM says we get to play in the training building...hmmm wonder if that is going to be fun???

Catch ya later...FM is getting dinner ready and I have to practice my pitiful look to try to get more out of her.

The name is Nemo...but call me Captain

My name is Nemo and I'm a 4 year old Golden Retriever that has so far gotten the wrong end of a Nylabone...and that's not counting the killer chihuahua factor...but I'll save that for later.


Anyway...I had this dude...we totally loved each other. We would hang out...go to the dog park...pick up chicks (well...I'd pick them up...he used me for the score)....anyway...we had a life and cool times....or so I thought...


One day...he goes for greener pastures in another state...and leaves me thinking I can fend for myself in a small patch of brown grass....with no food or water.....worse....no daily dude love.


Thank goodness my dude's Dad had a thought about me and dropped off food and water and walked me day. Months later....we both gave up on my dude....he wasn't coming back...and my patch of brown had turned to black and my soul turned grey without his constant reassurances that I was loved and I was still his wing dog.


Thank you GOD....that my Granddude felt the same way and turned me over to the Golden Retriever Rescue of Middle Tennessee. He surrendered me into a Vet's care...and that vet said I had no life left in my eyes and my skin was like an elephants.


What did they expect? The love of my canine life threw me away and left me to the fleas....they ate me alive to the point that Granddude finally noticed.....but was it too late for me?


The vet team took me in and murdered all the fleas and....yes worms that I had....knocked them to kingdom come....have I said thank you GOD? When I was physically ready....they placed me with Sandy and Rob....who live on the lake....can you say....GOLDEN RETRIEVER DOGGIE MECCA!?!?!


Rob and Sandy gave me my canine medications and loved me silly for two days...even let me get in the lake with their golden retrievers Clifford and what's-his-name...then they had to leave town...but only for a few days....so they hooked me up with Frank and Heather....temporary foster parents and permanent whack jobs, people!!!!


Ya see...they are good people who foster us hopeless cases for short term. Their intentions are good...but they already have FOUR dogs folks! Yeah....I love other dogs....probably even cats too...heck...Adopt me and I'll get along with your gerbil, hamster, cat, parrot or ant farm!!! Anything to get away from their chihuahua....Thor. Anything! I'll learn to whistle DIXIE for you!


I'll give these people one thing....they have been working on my poor skin from day one. See...between the flea destruction and possible thyroid issue left untreated...this stud neutered muffin has been left with elephant skin and a dodgy smell that makes Yoda look like a 20 year old George Clooney smellin' like Drakkar cologne!


Good news...that smell is fading as that horrible damaged skin continues flaking. Soon I'll be back to official stud muffin retriever status...and I need a forever family of my own. So what does my dream Forever Family look like?


You are as lonely for me as I am for you. Maybe you've experienced the loss of a loved one like me..and you want to find love in all the RIGHT places now...like me. You need me as much as I need you...doubtful as I need love and compassion by the armful and then some...but i will be patient with you...over time. I won't poop in your house or pee on the Asian rug (Mexican chihuahua themed rugs are exempt from my promises.....and ESPECIALLY if THOR is monogrammed into your rug).


I need love...I need to believe that whether you are a family or another Dude...you won't leave me alone to the dark and fleas again.


I need to know that you love me now before I'll be the best looking golden retriever you've ever seen...because I'll love and adore you...want to lie at your feet no matter where you are...no matter who is also in your house (disclaimer...does not include Thor AT ALL) nor who you invite over for a visit...


I'm so starved for love...I'm actually putting up with Thor the Killer Chihuahua ...why is he still alive!?!!  Fine....I'll love your goat....just meet me...I need HELP!!


Thank you GOD and MTGRR Middle Tennessee Golden Retriever Rescue!!! That is...you get me away from Thor...oh Heck...he is lying against me and making those sounds again...help!!!!!

Nemo....and Thor.

Golden Opportunities

MTGRR learned something very special in 2011.  We found that most of our foster dogs have great computer skills, and want to put those to work to help themselves find the best forever homes possible.   Going forward, those foster dogs with access to a computer or Ipad, are going to blog here so you can get to know them a little bit better while they are in foster, and so they can share their stories with everyone who loves MTGRR.