I have the most exciting news to tell you! I've been adopted by a loving family! I wrote a letter to Mary at GRRR and you will find it right below my Golden Angel story. Thank you everyone for making me the happiest, luckiest Golden in the world!
Gosh, so much has happened to me in the past few weeks I hardly know where to begin. My name is Millie, and I’m so grateful to become GRRR’s newest Golden Angel. My story is a bit of a mystery to everyone, including me. How is it possible that a sweet little Golden girl ever ended up in a shelter in such terrible condition? My picture probably has you thinking I’m a senior. Most people guess me to be about 13, but Dr. Carpenter is estimating that I’m only 7 years old. Life has been very hard on me, and it shows in my face and my frail body.
A kind man found me wandering alone, very frightened and nearly starved. He took me home with him and tried unsuccessfully to locate my owners. He did his best to get me to eat, but I just couldn’t. Realizing I needed more help than he could provide, he took me to the shelter. They called GRRR immediately, and it wasn’t long before I looked up and saw the loving but concerned faces of Bill and Gail Korin. They had come to take me “home” to GRRR. They were heartbroken and appalled when they first saw how thin and sickly I was. My coat had been trimmed down to nothing to remove the mats and dirt. Even the feathers on my front legs had been clipped off. I had been sitting and sleeping in my own “messes.” I was too scared and sick to be embarrassed. I knew they felt like crying, but instead they gathered me up, gently put me in their car and off we headed to Golden.
I arrived on a Sunday afternoon and was given a bath and lots of love from Dee Gray, a wonderful groomer at Sage Valley Pet Center who is also a GRRR volunteer. It was the most incredible, luxurious thing I had ever experienced. I enjoyed the warm dryer and the great feeling of being clean all over. Then I curled up and took a long nap. When I awoke Mary Kenton was there to take me home with her. I could tell when she knelt down to meet me that she already understood everything I’d been through – the loneliness, the neglect and the fear. I knew when I saw the look in her eyes that an incredible new life was just beginning for me.
More wonderful and amazing things were waiting for me at Mary’s house. I had never been inside a house before! Of course, I wasn’t housetrained, but Mary was very patient with me. She even came outside with me to reassure me I wasn’t going to be abandoned out there. I had a wonderful dinner, and then I was shocked when Mary picked me up and carried me to her bed! It was big and warm and soft and felt so good under by boney little body. She gave me a massage while she talked to me. Soon I drifted off to sleep hoping this dream would never end.
In the morning I went to visit Dr. Carpenter and all the wonderful people at Arvada West Veterinary Hospital. I never had one person pay attention to me my entire life, and now I was surrounded by many people who loved me already. All I could do was stare at them in amazement at the outpouring of love and kindness. The first thing Dr. Carpenter did was give me a thorough exam. Then he did a dental and extracted three horribly abscessed teeth that were making me miserable with pain. He also stitched up a bite wound under my badly bruised eye. Everyone held their breath for the results of my blood tests, hoping the poison from the infected teeth had not caused damage to my kidneys or other parts of my body. It was huge relief to find out my blood work was fine – except for one thing. Heartworms had invaded my heart and I would have to go through the painful treatments. I wasn’t worried. Nothing could be as bad as my previous life, and I got to stay right there at the hospital during the treatments. I was very brave.
I’m back at my foster home with Mary now. I’m getting stronger every day and I’m starting to eat more of the delicious food she gives me. I’m still working on my housetraining. Mary has a way of knowing things that I can’t explain to her. She’s already figured out I lived in confinement because I always take just a few steps after eating and go potty near my food dish or where I sleep, just like I had to do when I was in a pen or tied up on a short rope. Mary was delighted to hear me utter a little bark for the first time. I’m starting to watch the other Goldens and imitate their behavior. I can even make the hair on my back stand up in a little Mohawk just like my foster brother, Jasper, does when strangers go by. I’m trying to trust, but sometimes I just run away when Mary puts her hand toward me to pet me or put me on the bed. I have so much to learn about being a member of a real family, and there is a whole new world out there for me to discover.
I can’t wait to find my new forever home. Because of the kindness of all of you – the donors, the volunteers and everyone who loves and cares for Goldens in need -- I’m going to have many wonderful years of love as a happy, healthy, treasured Golden. I’ll have freedom to run and play. No more solitary confinement for me.
I just have to share what Mary says about me. I think it’s the perfect way to end this story and begin my new life: “If you saw this little bird, you would fall in love with her. She grabs your heart right out of your chest when you see her and she begs you to just touch her. She has already learned to use her nose to encourage your hand to pet her. All 43 lbs. of her will steal your heart.”
Dear Mary,
Happy Thanksgiving. I wanted to write to thank you for taking such good care of me after I got to GRRR. I believe that you and Dr Carpenter are the reason I am doing so well now. You loved me and showed me how to be a sweet lady. You took such good care of me that I was able to leave your loving home and go to a family who really loves me too!!! I am settling in nicely with the McMahons. I have lots of toys, doggie beds, organic treaties and delicious food. Most importantly for me, I get LOTS of attention and SOOOO much love. I think I understand the whole going potty outside thing...I can even go out in the yard all by myself. They let me in after I am done but sometimes I have to bark to remind them I want to be in!!! I have chased a few bunnies in the yard and met my doggie "neighbors" through the fences. There is a golden doodle puppy behind us and a greyhound next door. I have had a lot of visitors and they have brought me toys, bones and treats! Mommy and Allie even took me on a "field trip" to the dog store where I was quite the superstar!! The man and lady there thought I was so cute and sweet and I behaved like a nice girl. I was scared to get in and ride in the car but Allie let me sit on her lap so I felt better. Oh yeah, I went upstairs yesterday and was so scared to come down daddy had to pick me up and carry me down. We can't figure out why I am so afraid of stairs...any help with that one? I am even getting better about staying put when someone gets up and moves around, although I still prefer to trot alongside my family. As you know, I am very curious and like to be where the action is!!!
I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving. Because of you and GRRR I was able to spend Thanksgiving with my new family who I love so much. They always tell me I am silly and that they love me....I am finally in my forever home.
My mommy has attached a couple photos of me. Oh yeah, they are a bit obsessive with the camera but I do take cute pictures....
Love,
Millie
Here's the most recent update from Millie's loving new family:
Despite her health issues, Millie is happy, active and very engaged and intrigued with all things "McMahon"! She is up to 54 pounds and eating her salmon and chicken as if it were her last meal. I have had to put a large rock in her feeding bowl so she has to eat slower...my vet gave me that idea...however she will only eat if someone is right by her side! She does not quite understand "walk" yet, but once she gets going she really enjoys all the scents outside. Millie had a third round of heartworm treatment in early December and was treated for giardia. She has yet to receive vaccinations because of the heartworm. When I think back to November 22 when we brought her home and where she is now, she has made so much progress. She is definitely more relaxed and comfortable being by herself. At times, she is even ok being in a different room than me...yay, showers without her little nose pressed against the shower door!
Anyone that meets Millie is touched by her "story"...it is so hard to believe she is the same dog that you received in early October. We are so grateful to GRRR for not giving up on her and so thankful for all the happiness she has brought to our family. She stole our hearts from the first meeting and continues to do so daily. We owe you a special thank you for taking her into your hearts because without you, we would not have the special honor of caring for and loving her.
Thanks to everyone who donated to the Golden Angel Fund. I honestly believe that if it were not for the kindness of others, Millie would not have received the medical care and attention she so desperately needed to survive and be given a second chance at life. Millie came into our lives when we were grieving the loss of Blue. She did not replace that loss but has quickly helped to heal that loss. Thank you!
