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The After Picture
Oh my goodness, I have so much to tell you! I sure do! My name is Simon and I’m an 18-month-old Golden Retriever. I’m very proud of being a Golden! But you know, sometimes people don’t take very good care of us. I had a family once. They didn’t have a safe yard for me to play in and I pretty much lived outside all the time with my girlfriend, Lexie. Our owners wanted to breed us and make money selling the pups. While Lexie and I were in the yard I would get bored, as all puppies do, and figured it was easy enough to get out of that yard and so I’d go exploring. I was really skinny, so I could get out pretty easy. Instead of fixing the fence, they sent me to live with a friend of theirs. Well, one day that friend had me in their car with the windows rolled down. We were driving along when I spotted something interesting out there, and I jumped out the window to investigate. I never did get to do my investigating because I was hit by another car. Oh, the pain was terrible! It felt like my entire leg had separated from my body. I figured it was the end for me.
I was pretty much in shock out there in the middle of the road when a wonderful lady (I’ve heard her called Good Samaritan but I don’t think that’s really her name) picked me up, put me in her car and took me to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital. I never did figure out where the so called “friend” went. I was so frightened. My leg was badly injured and I was told I needed expensive surgery fast. Because I had a microchip, my family was located. They were called down to AEVH, but it ended up they could not afford the surgery or provide me the kind of home that I needed to recover. That is when AEVH contacted GRRR to see if they could help me. GRRR said, of course we will take Simon, raise money to help pay for the surgery and find a foster home to recover in, and then a wonderful loving forever home. Wonderful Dr. Stubbs at Alameda East generously donated his time to put an interlocking nail into my broken rear leg. Alameda East gave me a tremendous discount on my care and a fund called Helping Hands jumped in there to help me, too. Isn’t it amazing how all these kind people cared so much for one little Golden fellow?
I’ve been such a good boy through my recovery. My foster mom, Lorie, says I’m a “real trooper.” I patiently watch other dogs at the park across the street and dream of the day when I’ll be out there playing with them. But without everyone’s help, that day would never have come for me. Here’s what else she says about me: “I want everyone to know how special Simon is and he was worth every penny. When we go to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital he is like a celebrity. Everyone just loves him and is so happy to see him. Simon is a very sweet spirited guy who has a magnetism that makes people fall in love with him the very moment they see him. When you look into his eyes he seems wise beyond his years. Although he is a puppy, he seems to have an old soul.”
Even with all the help I have received, I understand that without GRRR’s Golden Angel Fund, I may not have had the opportunity to have a new life filled with love and care. If only I could repay everybody in dog cookies and kisses I would. Because of all of the wonderful volunteers and the Golden Angel Fund, I’ll get to hike in the Rockies, fetch a ball, swim and do all the things a Golden loves. One little mistake almost cost me my life, but now you’ve given it back to me. I’m so thankful to each and every one of you.
Love, Simon |
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| AN UPDATE ON SIMON FROM LORIE AND ANDREW BRUNETTE
Simon is doing fantastic! His 12 week visit with Dr. Stubbs was on May 30th. Simon received terrific news from the doctor—the leg has healed very well. So after 3 months of taking it easy he was ready to start getting around more. We had to gradually build his strength back up in the leg but it did not take long for him to be out doing all the good stuff that Goldens love to do!
On May 6th, Simon officially became a member of our family. After fostering him for two months there was no way that I was going to let this one go. We had been without a dog for a year and a half after losing our little sweetheart, so we decided it was time.
Simon made the trip to Canada with us for the summer. He was an excellent traveler and enjoyed all the stops along the way and all the people and dogs he met. We have been in Canada for a month and he is absolutely loving it! It is heaven for Golden Retrievers with a lake, chipmunks to chase, walking trails in the wilderness, and lots of people! To see him jump off the dock puts a smile on my face every time. He seems to try to jump higher and farther every time as he cannonballs himself into the water.
A big thank you to GRRR, Helping Hands Foundation, and Dr. Stubbs for everything they did to help give Simon another chance. We love him!
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