Wisconsin Adopt A Golden Retriev

WAAGR - In Memory
Sometimes, goldens come to WAAGR with ailments that can’t be fixed. While we do everything we can to help them, they cross the rainbow bridge. On this page, we would like to remember those dogs that have touched WAAGR with the courageous spirit, love and loyalty that goldens are known for.

Daisey - crossed the bridge 3-13-08
Daisey came to WAAGR on Feb. 23 with another puppy who was sick with Parvo. Parvo is very contagious, but the symptoms may not show up for three to 14 days.
Daisey was a tough little girl when she came down with it on March 10. Her foster family immediately took her to the vet and followed the protocol to treat Parvo. Unfortunately, Daisey went downhill throughout that week and passed away in the arms of her foster dad.

She was a sweetheart who will be missed.

*****

Powder- crossed the bridge in 1-13-08
In mid November we got a call from a shelter wondering if we could help with a 6-year-old golden that had to be surrendered because her owner had died. We were there the next day to bring in our beautiful Powder. Powder did not do well at the shelter as she had been a pampered dog her entire life. We wanted to put her into a forever home as soon as possible, so we looked at applicants that had signed up for our Foster With Intent To Adopt program. One really stood out as a good prospect so we called them. They were a little hesitant at first, but once they met Powder it was all over!

Powder did just great at her new home. She had a doggie sister, Gigi. Gigi was always a withdrawn type of dog, but she accepted Powder right away. Powder was actually teaching Gigi how to be a dog! Everyone that met Powder was delighted with her. She was beautiful, happy, and most of all, a big love bug. Everything seemed to be going just great for all of them. Powder appeared to be in great health. She was a little overweight on intake, but the exercise she got in her foster home was helping to shed the pounds. Many times her foster family would get home to find Powder and Gigi sprawled out on their bed!

We were all set to finalize the adoption when the word came that Powder was found dead. There didn’t seem to be any explanation as to what had happened. The day before she had such a great time playing and getting loved up. It was shocking to all of us.

In her short time with us Powder taught us that it’s not how long you have, but what you do with that time. She found love with this family. I guess in the end that’s what we all can hope for. We will all miss her dearly.

*****

Buddy - crossed the bridge 9-27-07
We said goodbye to our friend Buddy, otherwise known as our "You-Tube" doggie. Buddy crossed the bridge after he was diagnosed with bloat. This was a difficult loss for WAAGR, as two of our foster homes worked very hard to give Buddy a chance at a great life. Buddy came to WAAGR from an Indiana shelter with some type of virus/fungal infection. The two loving foster homes worked on making Buddy better and things seemed to be falling into place for this great guy's health!

Buddy was immediately taken to the vet once he got sick and surgery was immediately performed, but it was too late. Buddy was a sweetheart who touched many lives while he was with WAAGR. Here are some of the things one of his foster moms had to say.

"Buddy was sweet, wonderful and very loving. He was a typical golden and always wanted to be by your side. Even though he was with us such a short time, he is dearly missed. I asked for a private cremation and will bury his ashes in our memory garden out back. Buddy's spirit is now is a much happier place, he is out of pain and I am sure wishing all of us well.

"Life is so fragile and so unpredictable, and our fur kids are with us for such a short time. Take time today to give all of yours a hug and kiss and tell them you love them. Thank you to all of you who were involved in his rescue. Buddy was well loved and cared for while he was with us."

*****

Autumn - crossed the bridge in early 2007
Autumn was adopted by one of WAAGR's members who had fostered her. She was so special the family decided to keep her! According to the family, "it was very tough to let her go." Autumn had been abandoned twice and lived in a shelter for over a month before WAAGR rescued her. Her foster dad said, "I know that's nothing compared to some we rescue, but she was SO nice.   We couldn't find a home for her because of her hip problems so I finally adopted her after six months.
"All she ever wanted was to be loved and to belong somewhere.   She was the nicest dog I've ever had or known. I think she even felt like she was letting me down when she got sick, like it was her fault."

Autumn's dad is happy that the last year of her life was comfortable. He has owned many dogs in the past, but Autumn held a special place in his heart. "There will never be another one like her," he said.

*****

Hero - crossed the bridge 2-22-07
Hero and his sister were rescued from a puppy mill in western Wisconsin in February 2007. Unfortunately for Hero, he was not in good shape when WAAGR got to him. WAAGR made sure this golden guy was loved in the short time that we knew him.
One of WAAGR's members who worked with him was with him when he crossed the bridge. She submitted the following on Hero's behalf and it reflects the thoughts he probably had (if only he could have shared them with us himself). In the short time he was with WAAGR, he touched our lives. This is just one reason why WAAGR volunteers do what we do to help goldens in need.

Did you ever see a adorable fluffy Golden Retriever puppy in a pet store or perhaps on the internet? So cute and cuddly, warm sweet puppy kisses. Did you ever stop and wonder where those puppies came from? Many come from places you don't want to hear about let alone ever see.

That's where I lived, my name is "Nobody."

I lived in a barn without ventilation, heat or air conditioning. The stench was overwhelming. Several of us lived in each pen or stall, not much room to stand and stretch, and no where to get away from our own waste. Here we spent our entire lives making puppies for the puppy miller. The food was barely nutritious and there was no vet care for the horrible condition we are in. My teeth are so rotten I can no longer eat. My old legs are so broken down with poor nutrition and arthritis I can barely walk. My eyes are sore and my ears have been infected for several years. I am depressed and oh so tired. One of my pen mates is sick too. She can no longer breed, so together we will be leaving here soon. We heard there is a Golden Retriever Rescue coming for us. I am hoping it's not too late for her. I am glad my passing will come with a kind lady from WAAGR holding my head and singing to me, the Vet is really nice too..............

From our WAAGR member - "Nobody" passed with dignity to the "Rainbow Bridge" February 22nd, 2007, surrounded by the first people to ever care for him.

The next time you consider the purchase of a Golden puppy, please demand to see the puppy's mother and father, where they are housed, and in what condition they live. Are they welcome members of the family living in the home? Are they clean and well cared for? Happy and eager to greet you? Don't accept excuses for their absence, please remember "Nobody."

*****

Shadow – crossed the bridge 12-28-06
Shadow came to WAAGR on Dec. 9, 2006. While volunteers were told she was between 8 - 10 years old, what we did know is she was a beautiful girl! In a visit to the vet for a check up, the vet revealed some sad news for the holiday season: she had a very large tumor near her uretha. The prognosis was not good for this golden girl, and her foster family decided to keep her with them for the remainder of her time.
From the updates we received, she was a happy girl and loved all her doggie siblings! Below are some thoughts from her foster family after she crossed the bridge just three days after Christmas.

Shadow came to us about two weeks ago....I picked her up on a Friday night and took her to the vet right away, as she was having a problem. The vet determined that she had a tumor that was very aggressive and not something that could be cured. The vet gave her two months. We took her home. It was hard to believe that such a sweet young lady could have such a terrible disease.   She played with the boys; her favorite was Cooper. He was her pal. She didn't play to much with the ball, but that was ok. At dinner time she would do this little dance with her front feet, just waiting for her turn. At night she would get into a kennel in our bedroom and snore to beat the band. On Christmas Eve we had our own little doggy Christmas party. The pups got treats, frosty paws, cookies and a brand new toy. Shadow was so excited! Things were going OK, but this morning we noticed that she was having problems and the vet had said when that happens it would be time. We couldn't believe that our two months were going to be over in just two weeks. Shadow was a love - she was so sweet. But now she is in a much better world. I know the Sheriff and the Deputy are going to watch out for her.
It was a pleasure for us to be able to enjoy her if only for a short time.

Our love be with you Shadow
*****

Patrick – crossed the bridge 7-19-06
On July 13, 2006, WAAGR got a call from a local shelter asking if we could help with a blind golden who was approximately four years old.   Our assessment team was amazed with this dog named Patrick. Patrick was scared and appeared to have some type of pain in his head area. We decided to bring him in and get a good veterinary work up on him to possibly give him a chance at a good life. Occasionally we were able to get his tail wagging and got him to give us some kisses.

We took him to a local vet, to the Emergency Vet Service in Waukesha, and finally, to UW-Madison to have an MRI. At each stop and under the care of compassionate doctors, he had tests performed to find out the cause of his pain. Unfortunately at UW-Madison, the MRI revealed his condition as hydrocephalus, which the doctor equated as a person having severe Alzheimer’s.

Patrick was the 72nd dog that WAAGR took in and the first dog that crossed the rainbow bridge while in WAAGR's care. In the six short days that WAAGR worked with Patrick, he touched many lives. This wonderful dog will be one we will always remember.

Thank you Patrick - We will miss you.

	*Providing Bright New Beginnings To Displaced Golden Retrievers*