(An update on Mitch, nka Finnigan, follows his Golden Angel story.)

Hi everybody, it’s me – Mitch!  I came to GRRR when I was just 10 months old (I’m 13 months old now).  It’s been quite an eventful 3 months, that’s for sure!  Some puppies are born happy and healthy.  I was born a very happy, good natured boy.  I’m full of life, love and enthusiasm, and I have a great outlook on life.  But the problem is I was also born with the elbow dysplasia gene – not just one elbow, but both of them!  I can tell you first hand that dysplasia is a very painful, crippling disease.  When my family found out why I limped so badly, they were heartbroken because they just didn’t have enough money for the expensive surgery I needed.  Without help, I would never be able to live a normal Golden life.  In fact, without the surgery just having a life might not be possible.  They were beside themselves about giving me up, but we all knew it was the right thing to do.  I felt very sad watching my family cry as they left me with Mary Kenton.  I wanted so badly to run after them to give them an extra goodbye kiss and tell them everything would be okay, but my knees just wouldn’t let me.

I’ve been staying in a terrific foster home with Gwen Mann and her family. They rave about what a great guy I am.  I think I’m just a regular fellow, but they tell me I’m quite special.  I’m a big sweet boy with loads of personality.  I’m very affectionate and always have a smile on my lovable face.  I fancy myself as a cuddly lap dog, but I just don’t quite fit in on someone’s lap – but hey I’ll try anyway!  My paws look like a huge lion and I’ve got gorgeous golden eyes.  When I wake up in the morning I love on everyone, and whoever I choose gets to have an early morning conversation with me.  I think they understand what I’m saying, too, because I always get scratches, attention, love, food – you know, all the things a big teddy bear of a fellow like me craves.  I like to pretend I’m a shadow and I’m always there doling out kisses to whoever is in range.

My foster mom has tried to take me on walks with the rest of her “herd” but my limping legs just can’t take it.  Often her husband has to come for me with the truck because, in spite of my best efforts, I can’t make it back home on my own.  Isn’t it hard to imagine that my knees could have robbed me of a life of love and fun?  There would be no ball fetching, no romping, no hikes, no swimming – just lots of expensive pain medication until the day came when I could no longer walk.  Sigh.

But, back on a happier note (wag wag), since Dr. Peterson would be the wonderful surgeon to perform my surgery I made many trips all the way from Parker to Wheat Ridge for my appointments.  Uncle Bill (Bill Urbanowski) would meet Gwen part way and they would do what became known as the “Mitch Switch.”  I’d get to spend the night with Uncle Bill before each appointment.  I even got to stay with him while Gwen was on vacation.  What fun!

Well, I’ve had my first surgery and Dr. Peterson (and whoever invented dysplasia surgery) is a GENIUS!  One knee is doing well.  The other knee was in worse shape and I might need another procedure done on it.  I’ll need to be confined for at least ten more weeks while I heal.  Gwen keeps me gated off in the kitchen, so now her family calls me “Kitchen Witch Mitch.”  We’ve all managed to have some fun with this, and I still can’t believe how wonderful everyone is to me.

All of you at GRRR have given me the best gift ever!  Because of your donations to the Golden Angel Fund, I’ll soon be able to romp and play to my heart’s content just like the other Goldens.  And I’ll find a loving forever family to share my new lease on life with.  Thank you, everybody, for your generous love and care for one needy little boy with a great big heart of gold.