Fostering a Golden Girl

[Logan]

I received this email this morning and promptly forwarded it to Scott, in Ohio, to see what he had to say.

"FHGRR has had a very busy summer with intakes...and our applications
have been fewer than normal. In fact, a few weekends ago, 2 members
transported 7 of FHGRR's goldens to a rescue in the northeast that
is in just the opposite situation.
Our situation is so desperate at the moment that we are referring
most of our owner surrender dogs to other rescues and only taking in
shelter dogs and emergencies. We currently have 4 females, from 7
months to 6 years that are in shelters with their time running out
and we need fosters for them. If you can help us and open you heart
and home to foster one of these gals, please contact... I took out the contact information

Desperate times call for desperate measures.. we certainly do not
want to shut our rescue doors to all goldens, but we desperately
need help.

Thank you....."

This is a similar situation to what there was when Zipper was pulled from animal control and came to stay with us for a while. Well, he stayed, permanently, and I don't think I can let that happen again, right now, but Scott agreed that if we can save a life, we need to do it, bless his heart. Because of us having the puppy (Mack) and Butter (kitty), and these Golden girls have not been temperment tested, it looks like we will not be taking one of these new ones, but will take over fostering of "Gracie", a one year old Golden girl, whose foster dad has to leave town next week for a while. I really don't have any doubts about Honey and Lilly, as they have always been so gentle and good with any foster we have had. As long as Gracie can be kind to them, we will welcome her into our home. You can see Gracie under "Available Goldens" at www.fhgrr.com .

I don't know how many members we have within driving distance of Greenville, SC, but if you are out there and would consider becoming a foster home for our Golden Retriever Rescue, please let me know. They desperately need help in order to save these Goldens.

Logan

[Rachel]

Be careful, Logan. Gracie is beautiful and looks like she has all those golden attributes which makes one IRRESISTIBLE. That look already seems to say, *Please, can I stay? I promise I'll be good.*

Good on you for once again stepping up to the plate. Just wish you could make this your full time calling.

[Pam]

Logan bless your heart (and Scott's too). How could you say no, but as Rachel said, you'd better be careful. :p Gracie looks like a keeper. ;) I personally was drawn to Pammie, and it is not just the name. teehee! She has the same look on her face that I often see on Bella. I hope all of these precious dogs find homes.

[Logan]

I always have said that I know my limits, but, you know what happened with Zipper! :p We just have to help them out, though. We just HAVE to.

[Cincy'sMom]

What a great looking group of dogs!! You are amazing to be helping out.

Send me that cute little fluff ball Carson...I'm sure Ralph couldn't turn him away if he was on our doorstep :D

[BC_MoM]

http://www.fhgrr.com/Availabledogs/Gracie3.jpg

Eeeeeek! What a cutie!! :D

[K9karen]

Ugh. I'm saying that because now I'm feeling guilty in my current situation for not being able to foster. :(
Pammie, my friend, I chose Pammie too, and not because of the name!!! :p :D
Logan, Gracie is ADORABLE! Look at that tongue! Honestly, I'd have a hard time choosing any of them! You and Scott are such good souls.

[lizbud]

Logan,

What a kind and loving thing to do. :) Gracie at 1 yr old might make a
good playmate for Mack. :) I am so glad you were able to help out even
though you have a house full of furries already. :D Best of luck with the
fostering.

I was drawn to this guy Bourbon, Doesn't that picture make you want
to hug him?


http://www.fhgrr.com/Availabledogs/Bourbon.html

[Logan]

Liz, you know me well enough to know that those gray faces captured me, immediately!!! Bourbon and others........

But I appreciate the fact that the rescue is trying to find the right foster for me, without surprises. I think Gracie and Mack will do great. And maybe, just maybe, Honey and Lilly will get a break. I hope so! LOL!!!

Logan

[zippy-kat]

Good luck with your foster - she sure is a cutie and she sure did end up at the right foster home! For me, it was a tough pick between Gracie and Wilson... they're both beauties!

Not to hi-jack the thread but a quick question: have you always had goldens?

Keep us posted on the lil' one!

[Rachel]

Not to hi-jack the thread but a quick question: have you always had goldens?



Tonya, I know prior to Lilly and Honey, Logan had a cocker spaniel named KAYCEE.

[Vermontcat]

Oh Logan, Gracie is such a cutie! :D
I had a feeling that you would eventually have another Golden in your house even if she's just there as a foster.
I think it's interesting that you took in another Golden soon after Kimlovescats got her Golden Kenny. :)
Is Gracie there yet? I would love to see photos of her and your crew together.

There are so many cute Goldens available on that link you posted.
I would want to take Pammie and her daughter Pressley! ;)

[zippy-kat]

Tonya, I know prior to Lilly and Honey, Logan had a cocker spaniel named KAYCEE.

Well, doesn't get any better than that does it? Cockers and Kaycee's/K'Cee's. :)
(I would LOVE to have another cocker. One day.... one day...)

I had thought I remembered Logan mentioning english setters for some reason.

Thanks Rachel!

Can't wait to see your pics, Logan! :)

[kimlovescats]

Oh LOGAN!!!! Gracie is beautiful!!!! :eek: Good luck being able to turn her back over!!! ;)

Thank you for fostering her .... I know better than to submit my name and address! ;)

Kim

[Logan]

I haven't heard anything else, yet, but I do hope Gracie will come. Honey and Lilly hope so, too, so that Gracie can be tormented by Mack, instead of them! Ha Ha!!! :)

Tonya, as Rachel said, I haven't always had Goldens. I had "Chuck", a yellow Lab, when I was married before. Then came Kaycee, Cocker Spaniel, who always reminded me of your darling Cocker, whose name has escaped me at the moment. Honey was our first Golden Retriever, then 5 months later, Lilly came. Then Scott and I got married and I got precious Murphy, a yellow Lab, then we adopted Zipper (who we were fostering), and was a Golden Retriever. He never left until he departed for the Rainbow Bridge in May of this year. And of course, there is now 5 1/2 month old Mack, who is an English Bulldog puppy. :) So Gracie will fit right in, at least for a little while. I'm not allowed to even consider keeping her. :(

Will keep you all posted.

Logan

[Logan]

She's coming on Wednesday night!!! :eek: :) :) :)

I can't wait to meet Gracie!!!! :D I hope that Mack, Lilly and Honey feel the same way! I sort of know how Butter will feel, but we will take extra good care of him.

Logan

[kimlovescats]

How exciting .... come ON Wednesday! :D

[CathyBogart]

Oh how exciting! I'm so glad you were able to help out, and what fun it will be!

[Lady's Human]

Do I sense another failed foster home? :D

[zippy-kat]

Then came Kaycee, Cocker Spaniel, who always reminded me of your darling Cocker, whose name has escaped me at the moment.

ButterScotch :)


Well, not sure why I had you associated with setters... sounds like you are retrievers to the core lol... with exceptions to Kaycee (but K'Cee's are always exceptions in my experience ;) ) and cutie-poo Mack, of course! (Although, I'm sure his sisters will turn him into an honorary member of the GR club in due time.)

Can't wait to see pics of Miss Gracie!

[Logan]

Butterscotch! :o I knew that! Something made me want to say "Buttercup", which is Scott's nickname for our cat and I knew it wasn't right. I'm so sorry I forgot that name, Tonya. I've always remembered the beautiful picture you posted and I think was also the "Dog of the Day" picture at some point.

I'll keep you all posted about Gracie.

Logan

[mugsy]

Logan,

Most of the rescues I work with would KILL to have Goldens. Let me know and I will see who has people to adopt them....

Molly

[pitc9]

Oh Wednesday is almost here!!!
I wish I could foster, but it would be very hard to do it long term.
Sierra will only allow Females in her yard/house and Buddy isn't too happy to let anyone in his house/yard unless the dog is totally unfazed by Buddy's barking at them. (As you can tell, I've tried and the only dog that was allowed in was a laid back male black lab named Jake that couldn't have given a hoot less about Buddy's "threats" :o )

I can't wait for pics of her and your furkids!
I'm sure Honey and Lilly will be the happiest!! :D

[Logan]

I'm leaving in one hour to go get Gracie......sure hope my household is ready for her! Ha ha! She will be here, regardless!!!

[k9krazee]

Wooohooo!!! How exciting...I can't wait to see pictures :D

[Logan]

Gracie has done great so far. Lilly rode with me, yesterday, so that was one introduction taken care of. Honey is fine with her and so is Mack. Mack is just crazy, though! :) Honey and Lilly are enjoying the break.

Lady's Human.......don't go there. I'm not allowed to, either! :D But she is darling and will make a wonderful pet. I want to get her away from the other dogs and spend some time, one on one with her, but it will probably be tomorrow before I can do that.

No pictures yet, but I will get some, I promise!!! She's a blonde beauty and looks very much like our Honey. They are even about the same size.

[gini]

Oh Logan, you are just the best. Give Gracie a smooch from me please.

I am glad that your own fur family accepts Gracie so easily.

[Rachel]

She's a blonde beauty and looks very much like our Honey. They are even about the same size.

That was my reaction when I saw her picture, but then pictures can be deceiving at times. I'm so glad you had a safe trip and everything went well with the other kids. She is sure to enjoy her time spent with all of you. I will wait patiently for those pictures. ;)

[anna_66]

Oh Logan I had no idea you were going to be fostering a beautiful blonde girl! Sounds like it's going to be fun for Mack that's for sure;) Lets hope this gives your girls a much needed rest!
I'll be waiting to hear how things are progressing and of course waiting for some pictures when you have the chance.

Bless you and Scott for doing this.

[kimlovescats]

Can't wait for the pics!!! :D

[Logan]

They have become great friends!!! :) I swear, this is an active house, with Gracie in the mix, because Mack thinks she is his toy!!! LOL!!! I'm embarassed to say that this is the only picture I have of them, right now, and they are begging to come inside after one of their famouse wrestling matches. Things have calmed down a lot since she arrived last Wednesday, and both of them know, now, that is ok to lie down and take a rest from all the play!! I was beginning to wonder about them ever resting again! Ha Ha!!!

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/lbagley/P9230392.jpg

[anna_66]

LOL! I love the picture Logan:D I bet with two young ones it's really hard to find time to take pictures...I know the feeling, that's how it was with Bon. Never still for a minute except for when he was sleeping.

Glad to hear things are going so well...thanks for the update and cute picture!

[pitc9]

You're a tease!!!
ONE picture of that blonde beauty? That's all we get?!?
LOL!!
They are probably buzzing around you so quickly 24/7 that you aren't able to snap any!! :D
Oh she's a cutie pie for SURE!

[lizbud]

Great news. I had hoped this would be the case. :) I love the picture
you did get of the daring duo.It will be good for both of them,

[Daisy and Delilah]

Gracie is absolutely beautiful!! Sorry I didn't see this earlier. I just love her. Thanks for taking her in. I know she's super duper happy!! :)

[Logan]

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l129/lbagley/Gracie.jpg

Scott got this sweet picture of Gracie over the weekend. She was begging across the gate, wanting to be where he was!

Her head is filthy because she and Mack have dug out every single potted plant I had on my deck, plus they slobber on each other, constantly! :p

She will probably be here for a while. No updates on potential families for her yet. But all is well.

Logan

[gini]

Scott? Taking pictures of Gracie? Hmmm, sounds very encouraging to me!!

She is a real sweetheart isn't she?

[Logan]

She is a sweetheart, Gini, but she needs to go, and soon! If not, she is going to be so attached to us, and us to her, that it is going to too hard to let her leave us! :o She needs to go. We need our 3 so that we can foster again and I can fall in love, all over again, you know. :p

If he said he wanted her to stay, I would say "thank you" and send my money to the rescue, but I think they would prefer to see a youngster like her placed in a forever home and hold out for us to take in an older one, eventually, which would suit me fine. My only problem is that I see how well she has done in the last two (almost two) weeks, and I worry about another adjustment for her. She was an owner turn in and had one foster home, prior to us, for less than a week. That's a lot of adjusting for a young girl like Gracie.

Logan

[lizbud]

I admire your foster skills Logan. I would love to do foster work, but I
know myself to well by now. I'd probably just get attached & want to keep
everyone.

[Logan]

Liz, this is where I got to, mentally, tonight, while Lilly and I were on our very first "therapy" visit, which has been too long coming.

It is hard to even think of letting Gracie go, but she needs to go to a family where she can be active and the center of attention. I know this sounds crazy, but I'm ready to have Honey and Lilly be the center of attention for a while. They have waited, patiently, through a multitude of fosters before I met Scott, then Murphy, Zipper, Mack and now Gracie (and of course the addition of Butter, years ago). They deserve some "Mom" time.

I would keep Gracie in a heartbeat, but what I know is that there is another Golden Retriever out there who will be harder to place, who is older, or has a health problem, who needs us much more than Miss Gracie does. Maybe I'm getting a little wiser in my old age, but I'm learning about this fostering. Will I cry when she leaves? You'd better believe it, but I know she will only be placed in a home where everything has checked out, perfectly, and where she fits. And then when they need us to foster again, we'll have room. If we keep her, we can't help them anymore, because we would truly be at our limit.

Y'all just say a prayer that Gracie finds her perfect home, where she will be loved just as much as she is loved here. If that happens, then she will be just fine!!!! I have to believe that or I couldn't do this. :)

Love,
Logan, Mack, Honey, Lilly and Gracie

[Logan]

I am updating this thread, not knowing if anyone is even reading it.......

Gracie will meet her potential "forever" family, tonight, at 5. She will be spayed tomorrow, and if this family wants her, which I think they do, as soon as she is recuperated, she will head to them. :)

[gini]

Bless your heart, Logan. I know you will miss Gracie, but just think of what a wonderful thing you have done for her while she waited for her forever home.

[lizbud]

Who could forget that Gracie? Great news for the little girl. I'd love to
hear about the family that gets her.Such a sweetie deserves an active
family. Hope all goes well tonight. :)

[Logan]

Thank you, sweet friends. I will let you know what happens tonight, and how the sweet girl does with her spay, tomorrow. :) She is a precious girl and deserves a special home. :D

[GoldenLuv]

i hope that she go's to her furever home soon.. she is a cutie pie.. she kinda looks like my madison

[Logan]

Gracie will be going to her forever home on Sunday, if all goes well with her spay and recovery, tomorrow. I am heartbroken and happy, at the same time, if that is possible. :( :)

I sat in the driveway, with Lilly on the leash, and Butter, at my feet, while they walked her down the street, and even Butter didn't try to follow, as I called him back, and he actually listened. They loved her, immediately, although she was as wild and crazy as I have seen her, when I took her outside. They saw her interact with Mack, Butter and Lilly, and still loved her. They saw her at her worst and at her best. I took Lilly inside and traded her for Mack, while they walked. Gracie and Mack did their tackle moves for them, and they saw everything! LOL!! :eek:

Please send good thoughts and prayers for Gracie, tomorrow, as she goes through her spay. We will put her in the crate, tomorrow evening, and for the next few days, to make sure she has the opportunity to recuperate in peace.

I'm going to miss my Gracie girl......but I know this is the right thing for her and she will have a new best friend in Guiness.

Logan

[Cincy'sMom]

Best wishes for a successful surgery and happy new life, Gracie!!!

[shais_mom]

I totally missed this Logan!
Doh!
after my short term involvement with a dalmation the other its just a drop in the bucket to this!
I am in tears reading the story - course it doesn't help that I'm watching Animal Miracles and the first story is of a Rottie named Cesar that was killed in the line of duty.

{hugs} to all of you!

[Logan]

Gracie is at the vet now, being spayed, getting her annual shots and her microchip. She was scared of the traffic on the road in front of the vet's office, and to tell you the truth, I was too! It is WAY too close to the road.

The family who is adopting Gracie has an older Golden, whose name I think is Barclay. They adopted "Princess" from our rescue last year, and she is about 2-3 years old they think, and very playful, and drives their older dog crazy. Princess is now "Guinness". They had already fallen in love with Gracie based on a description they got of her from one of their friends, who oddly enough, happened to jog by me one day, last week, when I was walking Gracie. It just all worked out, perfectly. They inquired about her on Friday, and then came to meet her, yesterday. They are going to be very happy with this beautiful, 55 pound, active girl, and I imagine, that Barclay is going to be happy, too, because he will get some peace! :)

I'll check in tonight or tomorrow and let you know how she is doing.

Logan

[Rachel]

Just a prayer and thought for Gracie's well-being right now. All these things done for her long term health, but it still makes us a bit nervous, doesn't it. Okay, more than a bit! :rolleyes:

[Logan]

The sweet angel is back home now and I am amazed at how well she is doing. :) Lilly was a mess after her spay, throwing up, constantly, and so wiped out that she couldn't even walk. Gracie just cried and cried when she saw me. She is lying at my feet, right now, and I can tell, she is ready to go to sleep. She's having a hard time keeping her head up. Butter is sitting about one foot from her head, so I know she must be tired because she isn't even reacting to him! LOL!!

We have volleyball tonight, so I will crate Gracie or I might gate her in Mack's bathroom, so she will have more space.

Thanks for the prayers, everyone. They worked, and although our girl has a bald belly, she is going to be just fine!! :)

I love her so much.

Logan

[lizbud]

Well, it's finally going to happen. Gracie's forever home. :D Prayers and
best wishes for this sweetheart to have a good surgery & uneventful
recovery.

[pitc9]

{{{tears}}}
Oh I feel for you....
I can't imagine how hard it will be to let that sweet little golden face go.
But like you said, it's for the best for everyone!
Many hugs to you and gentle hugs to Gracie. I wish her a full and speedy recovery and I wish her all the luck in the world in her Furever home!
You've done a great with Gracie!
You should be very proud of yourself!

[Rachel]

Gracie just cried and cried when she saw me.

I love her so much.



Oh, dear, the future separation might be more difficult than I anticipated ...for both of you. Sometimes I feel like I'm living through this myself. I guess they call that empathy.

[Logan]

Well, I can tell you one thing, for sure, no one would know that Gracie had any kind of surgery, yesterday, if they didn't flip her over and look at her little bald belly and little incision. She is a ball of fire! They gave me pain meds for her to take for 10 days. I gave it to her this morning, but it certainly isn't one that makes her drowsy! :eek: I am playing "musical chairs" with Mack and Gracie, trying to keep them away from each other because each of them is ready to play. Geez!!!! She wants to initiate as much as he does! I have been grabbing collars and switching them every few hours, when I come in to check on them!!! LOL!!!!!

Gracie's new "mom" called last night to check on her. I thought that was sweet. :) Hope I can deal with this confusion for a couple more days until I can let them play again.

Logan

[lizbud]

Bless her heart. :) I'm so glad she's not having any complications at
all. Youth does have it's advantages doesn't it. :) I hope Gracie bonds
quickly with her new family.Hang in there logan. :D

[Vermontcat]

Logan, I am so happy that Gracie came through her spay surgery so well and that she will be going to a wonderful new forever home soon.
You did a great job fostering her. :)
I hope you can post at least one more photo of her for us before she heads off to her new home.
Do you plan to take in another foster dog in the near future or do you plan to wait a while before you foster again?

[Logan]

Zoe, to tell you the truth, until tonight, I thought that "sure", we can do this again, sometime soon. But, I spent several hours with Lilly at the emergency vet and until I know that she is ok, I simply can't even think about fostering again. I am feeling a bit overwhelmed right now. :(

I posted in Dog Health about Lilly.

The main thing, right now, is that our Gracie is doing GREAT, and she's lying beside Lilly, sleeping, right now. :)

We'll do it again, maybe just not for a while.

Logan

[Logan]

Gracie will go to her "Forever " famly tomorrow at 1 pm. Scott and I were in Petsmart this morning, buying a small bag of the food she has been eating, to send along with her tomorrow, and in walked her new family, coming to shop for Gracie! LOL!!!!! They snatched that bag and said "we'll take care of that". And then we went to Target, a few doors down, and bumped into them again, with a huge bag full of tennis balls! :) I think our Gracie is going to be just fine!!!!! :)

Logan