Golden Retriever Dog Forums banner

Goldens from Turkey

19K views 123 replies 19 participants last post by  Peri29 
#1 ·
#4 ·
Thanks for posting the article. I read the original story 2 months ago and didn't realize that they brought an additional 15 dogs to the US. Too far for me but it is heart warming to read these stories. Lots of kudos to the Atlanta rescue that has given these beautiful dogs a new lease on life.
 
#5 ·
AGA is an amazing GR Rescue, here is their website link and a link about the Goldens from Turkey.

Adopt a Golden Atlanta - Golden Retriever Rescue Organization Serving the Southeast

http://www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com/turkeydogs.asp


AGA still needs donations to help care for these dogs, you can make a donation at the above link.

Here's a link if anyone is interested in adopting, you can see the available dogs here.
AGA also has their Adoption info, policy, requirements, process and adoption application on their website.

Orphan Golden Retrievers at Adopt a Golden Atlanta - Golden Retriever Rescue Organization Serving the Southeast
 
#6 ·
It looks like they are still bringing in dogs from Turkey. GRRI-NJ has information on their site about adopting from Turkey and I believe DVGRR in PA is also bringing some in.

Does anyone have any experience with the dogs brought from Turkey? Have one? Know someone who has one?

We lost our Belle on 6/6/16 to Hemangiosarcoma and we have begun to look and would like to adopt. Finding a Golden to adopt in the Northeast here seems almost impossible if you have dogs in the home already. Many available dogs are "need to be the only dog in the home" types. Gunner at 2 is active for Georgie (who could be anywhere from 9 to 12) and they just don't have the same relationship Gunner had with Belle - she was his cuddle and wrestle buddy, we need to find dog who is up for that with him.

Many rescues want you to commit to a dog before they bring them over and there is no "meet and greet"... I'm afraid if we sign up and get a dog that hates our dogs or ignores Gunner we (and he) will be heartbroken...

I search petfinder everyday, we are fine with a Golden mix (heck we call Georgie our tie-dye Golden even though we know she has NO Golden in here) but even those seem hard to find.

Anyone have any thoughts on what these dogs are like?

We know we can't replace our girl and that all dogs are different, but we need a cuddler... like our Monkey (Belle).
 

Attachments

#9 ·
Belle



I am so very sorry to hear about Belle!! I don't know about the Turkey Goldens, but I don't imagine they would be much different than any dog that is adopted. I have had two adopted Golden Retrievers, a female from an Illinois Golden Rescue and a male that I adopted from someone giving him up. Both have been very loving and good dogs. I would think the rescue could tell you something about how the dog gets along with other dogs, or if they are affectionate or not.

I added Belle to the 2016 Rainbow Bridge List:
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com...y-list/395098-2016-rainbow-bridge-list-4.html
 
  • Like
Reactions: jennretz
#7 ·
I second Sandy's recommendation of Adopt a Golden Atlanta for a Turkish Golden. Read their story. These dogs are in great need for a home and should be seriously considered.

Max
 
  • Like
Reactions: swishywagga
#8 ·
I lost my girl in March, I adopted her through CFGRR that was based in Wilmington, NC.
They are no longer operating, I've been casually looking for a girl to adopt.

I checked AGA's adoption requirements, I was interested in a girl they had available. They give preference to GA Residents, do make exceptions at times. However, they need to have a volunteer in your area to do a home visit or a volunteer from another Rescue Group that is willing to do a home visit for AGA in order for the applicant to be approved.

Not trying to discourage you, but you may want to check into GR Rescues in your area. There are several GR Rescues that are taking in Turkey Dogs. You can contact AGA and ask them if they would consider your application.

Here is the link for the National listing of GR Rescue Groups, I would contact the one closest to where you live.

National Rescue Committee of the Golden Retriever Club of America


Check your local shelters, I found my current boy listed on Petfinder. com, he was at my County Shelter. He's been with my 6 years now-I got really lucky with him. He was turned in as a stray but he had to have belonged to someone prior because he knew basic commands when I got him. He's been the easiest dog I've ever had.....
 
#10 ·
Thanks everyone!
http://www.grrinj.org/ here in NJ says that it is bringing in Goldens from Turkey and I think they may actually work with the Atlanta Group.

I would think that a rescue would want to make sure the adoption isn't a fail so filling out an application and talking to them can't hurt right? I'm sure the folks on the "sending" end spend some time with the dogs and could recommend one they think would fit into our family... at least those are my hopes.

I miss Belle so much. I know we can't replace her - but every "mix" dog we're looking at is already adopted and just not taken off the site yet... the leads keep drying up - can't help but to wonder if the dog Belle wants to send us is in Turkey?!?

On a positive note, my friend asked me to watch her two dogs next week - so I will have an extra Golden in the house and his doxipoo brother. Gunner has known them since he was a puppy and loves them so I am happy to provide him some company for the short term. They were here a few weeks ago as well and he was thrilled, so I'm so excited they are coming back for another week!
 
#11 ·
Great to hear you're going to apply for Adoption. The group I helped and got my girl from did a great job matching the dogs with the applicants. They had a thorough questionnaire asking about the family members, their lifestyle, interests, etc.

You'll get a chance to meet the dogs too, maybe several. I met a few before I decided on my girl.

Keep us up to date on your progress, best of luck to you.
 
#12 ·
So glad

So glad you'll be adopting, so many wonderful dogs need homes so desperately. You could also foster a needy Golden, if one is in need of fostering. All of the rescue groups you mentioned are wonderful!
There is a lady on here, Jennretz, who adopted a male Golden from As Good As Gold in Illinois, and I believe he came from Puerto Rico. She adores him!

Happy for you and your dogs that your friends dogs are coming back for awhile. I know how much you miss Belle!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: B and G Mom
#13 ·
Congratulations on your decision to adopt. I adopted my rescue, Charlie, from As Good as Gold in Illinois. They have a partnership with Love Puerto Rican Goldens, as well as, DVGRR. Both are well run organizations. AGaG did careful screening, home check, vet check and really wanted to understand what type of dog would work in our family. For us, the process was pretty fast. We did a meet and greet at the foster home and had to bring our other Golden to meet Charlie. They were completely upfront about his strengths and weaknesses (loving, cuddle bug, anxious, counter surfer...LOL). They wanted to take the time to make sure he was going into a home that understood what they were taking on. I believe DVGRR is similar, but I'm not 100% sure.

As far as adopting a dog from outside the US, I don't think there's really any difference. There's an adjustment period for any rescue (some faster than others). It just really depends. Charlie is a deep red Golden and gets more compliments on walks than my Golden I got from a breeder :) I can't wait to see who you adopt and follow your story.
 
#14 ·
Thanks for all the encouragement everyone!

I think about how lucky we were to find our first female golden Blossom in the local dog shelter! I saw her photo on their website, sent the picture to my husband and the next day waited in the parking lot until they opened. I was the first one there for her, but people showed up right after me. They were rude to the shelter staff because they were not trained yet on "showing dogs" to adopters and the rest of the staff was in a meeting. I knew that other couple wasn't going to be getting her lol. Now even when I search for a 100 mile radius of our zip code on petfinder there just are very few goldens to be had in our area and most of the available ones are "needs to be the only dog" dogs.

DVGGR is a great organization, but they would be a very long drive and I know we would have to go twice. One of those trips with Gunner and Georgie and Georgie doesn't travel well (she gets very car sick). It would be VERY worth it for the right golden, but the NJ Golden group said that their dogs from Turkey end up in Ossing, NY which would only be about an hour for us - much easier on Georgie. But my vet did say she found a great med for car sickness, so I have that in my back pocket as well.

I figure I will start with GRRI in NJ and see where that takes us. Belle will bring us who she thinks we need... and I don't mind doing the work or making the trips to make it happen.

Here is Chewy who is staying with us this week. He's 10 and such a sweetie, he's a great hugger! Gunner loves to curl up next to him and Chewy doesn't mind at all... he has a 2 year old Doxiepoo brother named Harley that is Gunner's best wrestling pal.
 

Attachments

#16 ·
Sunny Sue Moonshadow

haven't been on in a few years..life gets in the way sometimes..here is my girl adopted from Adopt A Golden Atlanta. I lost my Sadie suddenly 5-18-16 to cancer, she was just shy of 10 years old. I needed to find another pup that was needy like she was. There were no goldens in the state of michigan to rescue. rescues in neighboring states would not adopt out of state. i had previously read about the Turkey dogs and contacted AGA. They did say they would adopt out of state, however in state residents came first. application,vet and references checked,phone interview,home visit via pictures for us, talk with foster family. Although i was not into doing the puppy thing...sunny was such a doll..she had been found on a balcony living in her waste and had been abused...she arrived in Georgia on 6-12-16 with 17 other lucky pups. When we were approved we had to travel to Georgia with our other pups for a meet and greet...we fell in love, however we did meet a couple other pups and if we had room we would have packed them all up....She arrive in Michigan 7-7-16, she is 1 year old today according to her passport. They are a fantastic group to work with and the follow ups are great...
 

Attachments

#19 ·
Sadie and Sunny

haven't been on in a few years..life gets in the way sometimes..here is my girl adopted from Adopt A Golden Atlanta. I lost my Sadie suddenly 5-18-16 to cancer, she was just shy of 10 years old. I needed to find another pup that was needy like she was. There were no goldens in the state of michigan to rescue. rescues in neighboring states would not adopt out of state. i had previously read about the Turkey dogs and contacted AGA. They did say they would adopt out of state, however in state residents came first. application,vet and references checked,phone interview,home visit via pictures for us, talk with foster family. Although i was not into doing the puppy thing...sunny was such a doll..she had been found on a balcony living in her waste and had been abused...she arrived in Georgia on 6-12-16 with 17 other lucky pups. When we were approved we had to travel to Georgia with our other pups for a meet and greet...we fell in love, however we did meet a couple other pups and if we had room we would have packed them all up....She arrive in Michigan 7-7-16, she is 1 year old today according to her passport. They are a fantastic group to work with and the follow ups are great...
I am so very sorry about Sadie. I added Sadie to the 2016 Rainbow Bridge List.
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com...8-2016-rainbow-bridge-list-4.html#post6498434
I couldn't be happier for you and Sunny. I'm like you, the needier the better! Sunny is beautiful. Congratulations!!0:)0:)
 
#17 ·
I'm so sorry for your loss of Sadie.

Huge Congratulations on your adoption of Sunny Sue, she's beautiful. Love the picture, it's great.

I am glad to hear you were able to adopt her through AGA since you live out of state. I lost my girl in March and have been looking at some of their Turkey dogs. I too saw that AGA said they give preference to in state applicants. I have been hesitant to contact them, wasn't sure if I would be eligible or not.

Great to hear this info, I may contact them as I'm not seeing any Female GRs in the GR Rescues in my state.
 
#18 ·
please do contact AGA..you will not be sorry...it was approximately 6 weeks from filling out application to taking our girl home....now that the weather is cooling off they should be starting to bring the pups over again. i also admire this group because they are not "purist". you may see mixes, doodles,and labs. you will be assigned an adoption coordinator who will help you through the whole process. good luck
 
#20 ·
Thank you so much!!!

I'm happy to know they work with you so well and help find a fit, I'm almost certain GRRI in NJ here works with them so this is fabulous to know! Congratulations on your adoption!

I'm also so sorry to hear of your loss of Sadie - it never gets easier to loose these amazing dogs.

It's one reason we are hesitating a little - we know Gunner isn't our last Golden, but we lost Blossom, Bailey and Belle all to cancer, all at the age of 10, almost too much to take. Also another reason we were thinking of a Turkish dog - maybe we could get a cancer break.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Karen519
#21 ·
B and G Mom



B and G Mom: Hope you find a sweet dog to adopt!! As far as the cancer, I'm convinced it's in every breed.
We lost our male Samoyed, Snobear, at the age of 10. He was in the peak of health, except he got hemangiosarcoma.
 
  • Like
Reactions: B and G Mom
#22 ·
I know Karen, I know. I lost my Dobie/German Shorthair mix - my first dog that I had as an adult - to lymphoma.

Losing Blossom, Bailey and Belle all in a row (years apart) and last summer while I was babysitting for my friends Goldens (Chewy and his brother Thor) we lost Thor as well to Hemangiosarcoma. Poor Thor was only 8, and I may only babysit Chewy and Thor before he passed but I love them to pieces like my own.

But we know Gunner won't be our last Golden, we just love them too much! So this morning the application has been submitted. Two of the last 4 dogs on GRRI -NJ have been Turkey dogs, they aren't here yet but they have adoptions pending!

The adventure has begun. I don't know where it's going to lead, we've applied for a few other rescue groups as well - so maybe this road leads to a Golden, maybe to another Georgie. But I have faith in Belle that she's going to send us the dog we need. Either way I will share what happens with the Turkey route!

So this is Chewy (who was here last week), Gunner, Belle and Thor. Belle and Thor are the bridge together, at least I know they're having a darn good time!
 

Attachments

#24 ·
Had a phone interview yesterday! She said they have two females coming in from Turkey in October.

She also said that they do get a lot of information from the groups that house the dogs in Turkey. When they are taken off the streets they go into a shelter that is more "group home" - many dogs living together - not quite in a home (like a typical foster situation) but not a shelter in individual runs. She said of course they try to send the most adoptable dogs to the US so that they can continue to send more and so far all the dogs they have gotten have had pretty good temperaments. So they could certainly steer a dog who likes other dogs a lot our way for our Gunner. I'm nervous and excited at the same time...
 
#27 ·
Got contacted about a home visit - things are moving along! I also see they have a new Turkish golden on their website - it says "adoption pending" so I don't know if this is one of the ones the interviewer mentioned or not.

Looking for "signs" and yes it's a stretch - but maybe two weeks before Belle passed there was a wild turkey in the neighbors yard. Belle went totally nutty over it - much more so than Georgie or Gunner - running up to me on the deck, running over to the fence, barking, spinning, going gaga over it. I kept saying to her "Mommy is NOT going to catch you a turkey and she's certainly not going to de-feather and skin it for you". I had forgotten about it mostly until this morning - I passed a farm stand on the way to work (traffic was bad so I took country roads instead of the highway) that had a sign out front "our own fresh turkeys", that story about her came flooding into my mind. Wrong "turkey" but funny connection.
 
#28 ·
So happy



So happy you have a home visit!! When is it? I think that maybe gave you sign with the Turkey! I think it might be more than a coincidence, Belle probably has her "paws," all over this!
 
  • Like
Reactions: B and G Mom
#30 ·
Thank you both!

Karen, they haven't set it up yet, just sent the email that we have passed the phone interview and the reference check so we are on to "home visit". I'm anxiously awaiting the phone call. We firmly believe the dog who passes sends us the dog we need next so it just seems odd that every lead I've had on other fuzzy mixes hasn't worked out. I think Belle wants the next dog to be a Golden.

Thanks Charliethree! I've been reading about your rescue and it's helpful since we don't know what kind of backstory this dog may have, I appreciate the stories so much and the well wishes!

And for a nice story from Turkey... The Golden Retriever man of Bodrum... he cares for 13 Goldens in Turkey who were abandoned!

Meet 'the golden retriever man of Bodrum' and his 'Golden Crew' - Daily Sabah
 
#31 ·
Best of luck to you B and G Mom, don't sweat the home visit. I use to do them for a GR Rescue I helped.

Basically what the Rescue volunteer is looking at is if your home is a safe clean environment for the dog they may be placing with you. They are also wanting to meet you and any dogs you may have in your home.

Looking at your Sig pic and the one you posted of your Golden family, you shouldn't have any problem at all. You have a great looking family of Goldens, they're beautiful!

Great to hear things are moving along so quickly for you, best of luck with everything, looking forward to your update.
 
#32 ·
Thank you Carolina Mom, we have previously passed the home inspection for Sunshine Goldens after Bailey passed - but they didn't have any dogs available at the time and Gunner fell into our laps. The other two rescues we have dealt with didn't do home inspections. My husband is worried a little - only because we had friends who went through a husky rescue and were told their 4 ft fence wasn't tall enough and that's what we have... our home is more or less operated for the care and comfort of the dogs so hopefully that will be seen by the interviewer, my kitchen floor hasn't been dry in about 14 years and there is always a tumbleweed of hair under the kitchen table (even if I JUST put the vacuum away in the hall and walked back to the kitchen). I consider those things part of life with big dogs - hopefully a reviewer agrees.

"Dog people are not house proud, they know there is more value in a trusted retriever than in a perfect couch". I read something like that somewhere (I think from an Orvis catalog once lol) and always felt that it is so true, especially when I find nylabone bits stuck to the rug (and step on them with bare feet - ouch!).

I can't bring myself to edit my signature and indicate that Belle is at the bridge. Just not ready yet, thank you for the compliments on my little pack (and my extended pack) - just don't tell Georgie she isn't a Golden - she really thinks she is.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top