Jane
I am new to the forum and I just read through all the pages of this thread. Let me say I am so sorry for your loss of your beautiful Golden boy Jasper. Like you am still reeling from loosing my Sadie this past August. My wife and I decided after Christmas to go to a Golden rescue here in the northeast (Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue). We are in the middle of the adoption process and I am excited and anxious about having a new dog (or dogs if they have a bonded pair) in the house. We decided not to go the puppy route..we went through that with Sadie, and it was a long tough journey..but it was worth it in the end. We just don't have the time to bring up a puppy now, and I really feel there are so many great goldens that are given up that need loving homes, so we decided to go that route this time. Good luck with your puppy..there is nothing like having a little golden in the house! I think you and your husband are ready for a pup..and don't worry about what happened before..it wasn't anything you did or didn't do..gota get back on the horse if you fall off! Make sure to keep us deep in pictures!

Oh and ..Me Too! I am glad I have found this great place full of people that have the same love for this breed like I do!

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4/25/2003-8/25/2012 R.I.P. Sadie
"Don't shop....Adopt!"

David,

I am so very sorry for your loss of Sadie. What a lovely, sweet, whimsical picture of her. The end of August is not so long ago. You are very brave in going out there and getting a new dog--actually, I think we all are, it is so painful to lose one's dog. I especially applaud that you're rescuing. Our Jasper was a rescue puppy. I would like to be a foster mother for GR rescue after our puppy grows up. Maybe one will stay with us permanently...

Don't know why we're doing the puppy route again. Maybe because, at 60, this is the last time I think we'll be able to do it. And we had Jasper as a little, 8-week-old puppy. I remember his puppyhood so fondly; all those puppy things he did (like eat the sofa). I even smile at the barium x-ray bills we had every time we were worried that he'd eaten something that would give him a blockage. Running out and buying all new wastebaskets with lids...all those funny things he did during training, like offer a compromise to a "down/stay" at his dogbed (he'd creep a few feet and then resume the down/stay, making slow progress toward the dinner table). We called it "puppy creep."

Please, please post pictures of your rescues. You know, I worry that I loved Jasper especially because he was a rescue, and that I won't be as head-over-heels with a non-rescue pup. I think this is an irrational fear, but still, it's there!

This really made me smile...it brought back all the puppy memories I had with Sadie..especially with the wastebaskets. Sadie had a fondness for dryer sheets. We had to be careful to pull them out of the laundry before we brought it upstairs, or she would chew them up..and sometimes swallow them! I can't tell you how many times she would get in my face and I could smell rainbow fresh Bounce on her breath!

I am waiting patiently to hear back from YGRR, hopefully we are accepted and in the pool. The interviewer brought two beautiful Golden's with her to our house..one of them ended up asleep in my lap..or as much as a 90lb Golden can fit in your lap..so I think we should be getting approved. Then it's wait time..they don't do first come first served..they interview a bunch of candidates, then they have the pool of dogs they thoroughly vet..then the adoption coordinator matches up the humans with the dogs. The fewer restrictions you have (color, sex, age, disabilities) the quicker you usually get a dog. I don't care about all that..as long as I make a connection with the dog(s)..thats the most important thing for me. I also indicated that we would be willing to take a bonded pair...what the heck right? What could be better than one golden...TWO! So we will see..I will certainly post lots of pictures and info as I move forward in the process.

The puppy route is great..you get to start from a clean slate..and the cuteness factor is high..but it's a lot of work. I think you mentioned you were retired in another post..thats perfect..you can be home with the pup..thats the biggest problem with raising a puppy. Rescue or not..you will love that puppy the minute you get it in your arms!

David

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4/25/2003-8/25/2012 R.I.P. Sadie
"Don't shop....Adopt!"

Jane

Don't feel at all bad about getting a puppy! My hubby has always wanted to get a Samoyed puppy and especially this last time, as we are in our 60's. We
got an 8 month old Samoyed pup. The potty training stages were over.
Other than the Samoyed pups we've had, we adopted two Golden Retrievers.
You can always adopt a Golden when you are ready.

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010

Fella

I am so excited that you are waiting to hear back from YGRR!!
They are wonderful. A pair would be great, you are right!
My Hubby's sister and her husband, adopted Princess (Golden Retriever)
through them! They adore her!

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010

Thanks Karen...I am looking forward to the day I have Golden fur tumbleweeds in my house again! I think they are a great organization in my dealings with them so far and the research I have done. Waiting ...impatiently!

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4/25/2003-8/25/2012 R.I.P. Sadie
"Don't shop....Adopt!"

I know what you mean about IMPATIENTLY!!
Is there another Golden Ret. Rescue near you you can go to, if you don't hear from them soon?

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[IMG]http://i265.photobucket.com/albums/ii215

Tonka & Tucker

SNOBEAR at the Bridge
Dec. 23, 1999-March 27, 2010


SMOOCH at the Bridge.
Feb. 14, 1999-Dec. 7, 2010