by Mary Kenton  Sparky and Oscar have both been adopted!  Be sure to read the wonderful stories provided by their new families following their Golden Angel story. Golden Angels arrive at GRRR nearly every week. These precious Goldens are the ones who need us the most, and we are always here to help heal their physical and emotional wounds and show them what a wonderful new world awaits them. This time the Angels came as a pair of 6-year-old brothers. Sparky and Oscar both came from “rental property” in New Mexico where their new owner inherited them when he rented the property. They had both lived their entire lives outside with little human contact or love. They had been severely neglected, and just when things were looking up for them, life threw them another heartbreaking hurdle. The propertyowner decided Sparky and Oscar must go, and he proceeded to evict them. Sparky was especiallyworried because he had been deformed as a puppy when his sire viciously attacked him and disfigured his muzzle. What would become of these sweet Golden boys?

Luckily Dion from New Mexico, a wonderful rescuer and friend to Goldens, rushed to get them and then contacted GRRR. Soon their transport to Colorado was arranged. Little did we know that both boys were COVERED in disgusting ticks. When they arrived, Sparky was the first one in the tub for his “welcome bath” and that’s when groomers Dee and Kolara discovered the ticks. Once he was wet, there was no way to treat him with Frontline. Dee and Kolara spent five long hours picking ticks off him and giving him a special flea/tick bath and grooming. Sparky loved every single minute of those five hours, soaking up all the love and attention and passing out sweet kisses to show his appreciation. In spite of his disfigured muzzle, Sparky sure managed to charm the ladies with his sweet smile and wagging tail. In fact, it’s probably that sad little muzzle that gets him all the attention. Just knowing how it got that way makes everyone want to shower him with love. Since Oscar was still dry, they were able to treat him with Frontline. Monday morning the boys were off to see Dr. Carpenter for their neuter surgeries and vaccinations. During their physical examinations, Dr. Carpenter discovered more signs of neglect. In addition to the parasites, both boys had itchy, untreated skin allergies, yeast infections and rashes that were making them miserable. They had horrible teeth and needed complete dentals, including removal of some broken teeth that were causing them pain. The Golden Angel Fund provided them with all the medical attention they had gone their entire lives without. While staying at Sage Valley Pet Center, Sparky and Oscar became the favorites of the GRRR VIP walkers as well as the staff. Their loving and sweet personalities were amazing to see considering the life of neglect they had lived prior to coming to GRRR. How could they be so sweet and still trust people after having been treated so poorly? It must be that kind, forgiving nature that we all love in our Goldens. Even though the rain kept falling, it didn’t stop the VIP walkers from coming out to spend time with these very special boys who needed their love and attention. And TOYS—it was so heartwarming to watch their eyes light up when they saw toys—probably for the first time in their lives. They played and played with these wonderful new-found treasures and happily shared them with each other, passing them back and forth with great delight (and not even a hint of grumpiness). Sparky and Oscar are now enjoying their new foster homes. Oscar spends his days running and playing in the sunshine and rolling around in the grass. He especially loves playing with the other Goldens at his foster home. He is dining on healthy, delicious food—and boy can he eat! Sparky is being spoiled rotten at his foster home and making new friends every day. He is constantly entertaining his foster mom with all his discoveries in the big new world that he missed out on in his previous life. Squirrels are a huge hit with him, and he just can’t take his eyes off them. He entertains himself for hours just watching these interesting creatures. Sparky went into “overload excitement” when his foster mom brought out stuffed toys and smaller size tennis balls that actually fit into his injured mouth. He even takes a toy to bed with him every night and gets to sleep right next to his foster mom in the big bed. Stealing socks is his favorite! Off he runs to put them in one of his own soft beds scattered throughout the house. GRRR’s wonderful donors and volunteers have made it possible for us to open our homes and hearts to these wonderful boys. Both are now receiving the best care of their lives. They are getting the excellent vet care, medications, attention, quality food, toys, soft beds to sleep in and most of all more LOVE than they could ever have imagined. That’s what the Golden Angel Fund and our rescue is all about—bringing comfort and care to the wonderful Goldens who need us. By joining together as a team, we are able to bring smiles to Sparky and Oscar’s faces and happy wags to their tails. We’ve been able to show them that life can be great, even for a pair of sweet and forgiving Goldens who spent their lives neglected and left behind in a backyard in New Mexico. When you’re a GRRR Golden, life is not only good—it’s wonderful! You can see how grateful they are just by the smiles on their faces and the twinkle in their eyes.

Sparky Update by Peggy Sciumbato  When Sparky came to live with me as a foster, he was taking medication for a skin yeast infection. Not long after that he got kennel cough. His skin infection cleared up and kennel cough went away. But he started scratching and losing hair. After a visit to Dr. Carpenter, he was put on a weekly dose of Ivermectin for parasites. After a month of treatments, he is doing great. The hair that was shaved due to the yeast infection is coming in so very soft. He only has to take a thyroid pill twice a day. I ended up adopting Sparky. We attended the Reunion Picnic and he was able to visit with some of the volunteers who helped him when he came into GRRR. He was so happy to see his many GRRR friends. Some of his favorite things are sharing a banana, getting me out of bed in the morning, showing off his toy tossing skills for the neighbors, squirrel watching, and relaxing on "his" couch. He is a typical Golden. He is now a healthy, happy boy living in a home where he is a loved family member. Sparky has a whole new world. He continues to learn and enjoy each day. Sparky sends Hugs, Kisses and his Thank You to all the wonderful donors to the Golden Angel Fund.    Oscar Update by Betty Coan  We have had several Goldens, and when our last one passed away, my husband and I decided we would not have any more dogs for a while. But I missed having a Golden in the house, so I found GRRR and decided to foster a dog. After having Oscar a month or so, I realized I could not give him up - he is so sweet! So we adopted him and he is part of our family now. Oscar was a Golden Angel with skin problems and a limp. His skin problems are under control now. His limp is caused by a missing toe, but it doesn't slow him down. Oscar lives on a farm and his favorite activities are following me around the house, being rubbed (he never gets tired of that), chasing rabbits, running in the fields, and burying his toys. He actually caught a rabbit the other day. I think he was totally shocked as he had been chasing them every day and did not even get close to catching one. Oscar and I were meant for each other. When GRRR got him, he had been neglected physically and emotionally. I had been dealing with a chronic illness. Together we comforted and helped heal each other. Thank you, everyone, for donating to help these amazing dogs live better lives.

Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies :: Phoebe's Place :: 15350 West 72nd Avenue :: Arvada, CO 80007
(303) 279-2400
GRRR is a registered 501c3 charitable organization