Kassie

12/12/11:

Having looked after our nephew's Golden while he was deployed in Iraq and frequently having our neighbor's Golden spend the day with us,  we knew we wanted our own.  We learned of Gold Ribbon Rescue from a friend of a GRR volunteer, and after a review of the website, including its many photos and bios,  we were convinced of the organization's  professionalism and very caring nature.   Soon we were immersed in the exciting process of adoption.

We were especially impressed with our matchmaker, Paula, who also conducted our home visit. (Normally the home visit is not done by a matchmaker, but GRR was in something of a "crunch mode"  due to a recently busted puppy mill. )  From her questions and comments, we quickly recognized that Paula's title was right-on.   She was totally dedicated to the perfect match of Golden and home, and her obvious knowledge of the breed was both helpful and reassuring.

When we noticed a particularly appealing 5-year-old female on the website, we asked Paula about her.  Paula agreed that she might be the one, but they first had to determine how she reacted to other dogs, especially since our neighbor's Golden was part of the package.  A few days later Paula reported back that Addy was rather agitated around other dogs and probably was not right for us.  Knowing Goldens' typically  laid-back nature, we were both surprised and disappointed, but we fully respected Paula's decision.

Then Kassie came on the scene!  Just 3-1/2 and recently placed with a foster home following her medical work-up, she was heartworm positive but otherwise seemed perfect.  Paula arranged for us to meet her at the foster home, and it was love at first sight!  As we write one month later, we couldn't be more thrilled with Kassie and pleased with GRR. 

The heartworm issue is being handled (we are very fortunate that a supply of Immiticide just became available and that GRR covers the expense.)  We've emailed updates to both Paula and Kassie's "fosters" simply because we know they care so much, and we're looking forward to attending the various events that GRR puts on over the course of the year.  It seems that just as Kassie has joined our family, we've joined GRR's!

Age: 3 1/2

Recently Adopted
Heart Worm Positive

Updated 11/4/11

We just spotted the ad that Kassie placed in the classifieds, under (of course) “Dogs Seeking Families”:

Pretty Girl Loves People! Vivacious, well-mannered dark-golden blonde, age 3, looking for a family to call my own. I recently became part of GRR when my first family could no longer care for me and my pal Stoney. I’m HW positive, but my heart is still as big and loving as ever. Come meet me and you’ll see just what I mean! I would love to open my heart to you—the way I know you will open yours to me.

Kassie’s foster home adds a few more details:

We, along with our 14-year-old Golden Willa, welcomed Kassie into our home on Wednesday, October 19. The first couple of days she was a bit anxious, walking around the house and staying very close to our sides.  Then she began to settle in, lying down near us or Willa. She is always eager to be close to us, and she loves being petted. She enjoys bringing us toys and is perfectly willing to release them, too.

Kassie is very sweet and quite a pretty lady.  She comes when called, and she knows “sit” and “lie down.” She lets us hug her, groom her, brush her teeth, dry her feet, clean her ears and give her medications.  (We have not tried to do her nails yet!)  She walks nicely on the lead with Willa, pulling only occasionally. She is very good about pottying inside—she hasn’t had a single accident indoors. She enjoys our fenced backyard and does not dig.  She rarely barks, just whines softly if she wants something.  At night or when we leave the house, we leave her baby-gated in the kitchen, and she is fine—though she does like to lift the odd item from the counters (she hasn’t destroyed anything, though).  We haven’t yet introduced her to any children, but feel she will do well with them, since she did come from a home with kids. We’ve taken her on one car ride so far, and she did really well, settled down nicely for the trip.

Kassie will be a wonderful and devoted companion for some lucky family!

* Due to the nationwide shortage of immiticide, the drug used for anti-heartworm injections, our heartworm-positive dogs must wait to begin their treatment—for weeks or months, depending on when the drug becomes available again. In the meantime, they will start on a course of doxycycline, which may help (in conjunction with Heartgard) to kill adult worms more quickly.  But we’d love to find Kassie a home now! We will cover the cost of  injections with one of our GRR vets as soon as it’s possible to begin treatment.
 

Updated 10/20/11