Conway's Angel Update is not what I would have hoped to be writing.  Conway suddenly became very lethargic and no longer wanted to go shuffle after the ball or go follow the youngsters around.  When Conway refused to eat, I knew something must be very wrong.  The sparkle in his eye was gone and he no longer had the desire to get up and make sure he was at my side.  Conway went to the Rainbow Bridge while being cuddled and kissed.  His time as a GRRR dog was so short, and he seemed to enjoy every moment like a new puppy, which made me think he hadn't been loved for a very long time. 

Conway broke my heart as he looked up me one final time and I kissed him good-bye.  I wanted so much more for him, so much more time of eating good food, playing with toys and especially being loved and cuddled.  I will never forget this special Golden Angel.  His short time here meant so much to me to be able to be his foster mom and love him.  At least I know that he left this earth knowing that he was very loved and would be very missed. 

Thank you all for helping give Conway the opportunity to know love and happiness.  Without GRRR's Golden Angel Fund, he would have never known what kind of life he deserved, but unfortunately only had for a very short time.  As they say, "Dogs live in the moment."  Conway had a lot of wonderful moments in GRRR.

Conway's Golden Angel Story  

Conway’s story starts out as an all too familiar one. This precious Golden is a senior, still full of love and an eagerness to enjoy life, but he was found wandering the streets alone and sick. He was taken to the shelter where no one came to claim him.  He had some medical challenges that needed immediate attention was in a great deal of pain. Sometimes seniors like Conway are left at the shelter by their owners, other times they are abandoned in a neighborhood or in the country to fend for themselves. At GRRR, we all know the life of a senior Golden is just as precious as the life of a puppy. His life could have ended in the shelter at the hands of a stranger.

As soon as Mary heard about Conway, she knew he deserved a chance. If Conway was too sick to continue on, he would cross the Rainbow Bridge at Dr. Carpenter’s office with her holding him and telling him he was loved and cherished.   When Mary first met Conway at the shelter, he didn’t have a name. After the paperwork was signed to release him into GRRR’s care, out shuffled the most adorable old boy, his tail wagging happily. His shuffling reminded Mary of the character Tim Conway played on the Carol Burnett Show. Smiling to herself, she knew right away what to name him – Conway!

Mary and Conway shuffled off together for a visit with Dr. Carpenter. Conway had a terrible case of pneumonia and testicular tumors (no one had loved him enough to have him neutered). It was during his first visit to Arvada West that true love found him. When Mary returned to get Conway, Dr. Carpenter grinned as he helped load him in the GRRR mobile and said, “Conway’s got a special friend.” A wonderful friendship blossomed when Conway first met Handsome Henry, who had just arrived from a New Mexico shelter! At Mary’s house, Conway followed Henry everywhere and even had him cornered up on the couch a few times. Anytime Mary needs to find Conway, all she has to do is look for Handsome Henry. The pair became inseparable. Henry & Conway’s companionship perked him right up and his life immediately began to improve. Henry quickly learned that Conway was a nice calming buddy and can often be found with his head resting on Conway’s as they cuddle up together to nap.

After Conway was neutered and the cancerous tumors removed, it was as if a new dog appeared. He began eating well, was able to maneuver the stairs and delighted even more in other dogs’ company. He started to play with the stuffed animals and would carry a tennis ball around like he must have been quite the retriever in his younger days. Conway had a few bouts where he had to be hospitalized during his pneumonia treatment, but he would return home all revived and ready to go. Conway also has hip dysplasia and is on daily medications to keep him comfortable.

We wonder how long sweet Conway had to suffer from the terrible pain of the tumors. His life now can most eloquently be described by Mary: “Conway has his good days which really outnumber the not so good days. His happy tail and his enjoyment of life are something I hope all Goldens can enjoy as they come into their Golden Years. Conway is one of GRRR’s little old seniors who appreciate every moment of time you spend with them. He shuffles along with a happy tail and a sparkle in his eyes -- always with a toy in his mouth. I’m certain he’s very grateful for what life he’s been given with us. Conway is a very special boy.” 

To all of the wonderful, caring and generous donors and volunteers who give to the Golden Angel Fund, YOU are the reason all of the Goldens who come into our care – from tiny puppies up to loving seniors – get a second chance at health, happiness and love. Because of YOU Conway’s painful tumors were removed by a simple neutering procedure, his pneumonia was cleared up with antibiotics and he is kept pain free with daily medication. A heartfelt thank you goes to each and every one of you. One look at Conway’s twinkling eyes will tell you that life as a GRRR Golden can be wonderful at any age.