Phoebe in foster care, in the only place she felt safe: on the bed.

6/1/11: It is with heartfelt sadness that that we must inform everyone that Phoebe crossed over the Rainbow Bridge today. Phoebe joined the other mistreated and then rescued GRRR Goldens who had a rough start in life but were then worshipped by their forever families. Phoebe's passing makes it more important than ever to make sure that GRRR's new forever home, which had been nicknamed Phoebe's Place prior to her untimely death, is a success so that we can pay tribute to this incredible Golden.

Phoebe’s story is a tragic one but, unfortunately, it is not unlike so many other Goldens rescued by GRRR.  Phoebe came to GRRR with her brave, but very fearful Golden mate, Joey.

GRRR was contacted by Phoebe and Joey’s owners after Phoebe had a litter of precious puppies that had already been sold. Joey had been given to a friend but was “repossessed” by the owner because he wasn’t being cared for.  We can’t imagine how horrible his situation must have been at the friend’s house considering the kind of life Joey and Phoebe had when they were living in their owner’s backyard.

When we first arrived to get them, Joey was barking like crazy, so nervous that there was an intruder in his yard, but so curious about us, too. Phoebe was beside herself with panic and frantically ran underneath the storage shed where they had dug a “den” for themselves.  They had been living in the backyard with no doghouse for shelter and very little human contact. They were very much like wild, untamed animals. Our guess is that poor Phoebe probably had her babies right there in that hole.

When we went over toward the shed Joey, who was still barking like a maniac, would come up and then run away. It took some doing, but he finally came around to sniff us and we were able to slip the leash on him. Then it was time to get his girlfriend out of that hole. Phoebe was terrified, but we were able to get a leash around her neck and gently coax her out. Both of them had to be carried to our vehicle because they were paralyzed with fear.

First stop – baths! They both seemed to love it. Most likely the attention and being touched gently was what they enjoyed the most. Joey immediately came around and became a Golden Retriever. He was off and having a great time with the other dogs, running in and out of the dog door, playing with toys, etc. Joey was a lot easier to rehabilitate to this new wonderful life he had been given from GRRR and he soon found a wonderful home where he enjoyed many hikes, and outdoor adventures where he returned to the loving home he had been promised by GRRR. Phoebe, she was much more sensitive and needed a lot more assurances and time to heal from the terrible conditions she had been living in prior to GRRR giving her the promise of a loving life. Phoebe wanted to trust, but it took so much for her to do that. She needed to be leashed to her foster mom whenever she was home so she could learn that being with a human is a good thing and that she wasn’t going to hurt her. It also gave her a chance to get some exposure to being a loved and cared for Golden and not a puppy machine. Phoebe quickly found her safe place was her foster mom’s bed and that is pretty much where she stayed whenever her foster mom was away. Can’t you just imagine how warm and soft and safe that bed felt after living in a hole under the shed? 

Phoebe eventually learned that a hand was for giving affection and food. That other dogs were not going to hurt her and they all seemed to love these “humans” that were forcing their love and care on her. Phoebe would watch these other Goldens romping and playing together with toys. Phoebe went to live in another foster home to learn that not just a few humans were good, but most were good. The more people who were kind to her, the more dogs who interacted with her to show here how life of a loved Golden really should be were all lessons Phoebe had to learn.  Then there was the big day when her true loves came into her life, Mitchell and Pam. They came to meet Phoebe and offer her the love and care that were promised to her when she was brought into GRRR. Mitchell and Pam have not only fulfilled this promise to Phoebe, but to other GRRR Goldens. Pam and Mitchell have adopted two other lucky Goldens to win their hearts. In addition to the Goldens who have become family members, Pam and Mitchell have been ongoing supporters of GRRR financially. Mitchell and Pam believe in GRRR and the future of GRRR. In honor of their Phoebe, their generous donation to Bark To The Future will help ensure the promise of the future to many Goldens who like Phoebe may never have a chance at that loving forever home that they so deserve.There are many Goldens in our future who will need GRRR, many from similar or even worse situations than where Phoebe came from, and many from homes where they are loved, but the family can no longer provide that care and love they want for their Goldens. GRRR wants to be there for each and every one of them; to have a place where they can come and continue to come to celebrate their new life with their new family at our events and gatherings.   

The first time Mitchell and Pam brought Phoebe to a GRRR event, poor Phoebe was scared to death and had to be placed on the GRRR float because she refused to walk. Eventually, Phoebe was comfortable enough to attend the GRRR Halloween Party, and she proved to be so much braver than anyone thought she would ever be capable of being. Maybe her new sister brought that out in her. It was truly a day of celebration for Phoebe!  Phoebe was one of the prettiest Goldens at the party. She had come a long way from that life of fear and terrible neglect that no precious Golden -- especially a mom with puppies – should ever have to endure.

Phoebe is still scared of public places but has found a safe and loving home with Mitchell and Pam.  We know she is very happy in her new forever home, and we hope that time and love will help erase the terrible memories of her past life.

Phoebe’s picture is one of the images that can be chosen for the GRRR Visa card that will benefit GRRR’s capital campaign. 

In Phoebe's honor, GRRR's new forever home will be nicknamed "Phoebe's Place."   

Phoebe now 

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