We are getting a record setting number of dogs this year.  Each and every dog has its own sad story, but the saddest ones are the dogs whose owners have died and no plans were made for them.  

I am sure if you have children, you have made plans for them to be taken care of and provided for financially. But sadly, many of us make assumptions about the dogs or simply overlook them.  We hear stories everyday of the people who didn't make plans and thought relatives would certainly take the dogs. It is those relatives who put the dogs in the car and take them to a shelter.  The lucky ones are goldens who get to come into our program.  Often times, we will take a non-golden who is pals with the golden being turned in because we can only imagine the confusion and grief the dog(s) are experiencing and separating them would be unthinkable (In fact, we currently have a golden and a bassett hound looking for a home where they can stay together).

We beg you to take a few minutes and think what would happen to your dogs if you are no longer here.  They are part of your family and you should have written instructions of where they should go and how they should be taken care of. I personally have a written document with very specific instructions and requirements.  We have an entire section on our website on "Wills & Trusts". Don't put it off any longer. Make sure your best friends are taken care of.

Lauren Genkinger

President & Founder  

The Golden Retriever Club of America Nationals are being held in Conyers in September and part of the festivities include a Rescue Parade scheduled Wednesday, September 28, at noon.  The Rescue Parade is a celebration in honor of all the rescued goldens in the world, all the selfless volunteers that help them along the way, and the new caregivers that share their lives and their love.  The Parade is limited to 30 dogs and the deadline for entering your golden in this parade is August 31st. 

We are not the only rescue invited to send entries, but we sure want a good showing!  To enter, you  submit a photo of your rescue and a 100 word (or less) explanation about how adopting your golden has changed your life.  A random draw will be conducted by the Golden Retriever Club of America to select the parade participants.  

The more entries we submit, the better chance we have of AGA having a good representation.  Please contact juliann@adoptagoldenatlanta.com to receive an entry form.

Mark your calendars! Goldenrama is scheduled Sunday, October 23, from 1-4 p.m. at The Field at Concourse Office Park. 

Bring your golden and the family for the afternoon. We'll have a pet psychic, Ask the Vet, games for dogs and kids, a bake sale, silent auction, DJ, food trucks for humans and dogs and more!

Right now, we're looking for:

• Sponsors: Sponsor levels start at $500.
• Vendors: Booths are $100.
• Silent Auction: We need donations of sports and entertainment tickets, restaurant gift cards, dog items, etc.

If you're interested in being a sponsor or vendor, or have silent auction items to donate, contact Juliann Kaiser, juliann@adoptagoldenatlanta.com.

We will also need volunteers to work at the various booths, like dog games, kid games, calendar sales and more. If you are interested in volunteering for one of more shifts, contact
 Carol Swenson at agaatlanta@aol.com.

AGA is participating in Macy's Shop for A Cause. Savings passes are available for purchase now for $5 -- and AGA gets to keep the entire $5.

The savings pass is good all day on Saturday, August 27 for 25% off purchases (10% off electrics/electronics, furniture and mattresses) and you can enter the drawing for a $500 gift card at the store where you shop.

We'll be selling passes at Adoption Day on August 7, or you can pay $5 on the website (go to Chip In, General Donation, and on note to merchant write that it's for Macy's Shop for A Cause and we'll mail your pass to you.)

Contact Walta Hill, nanawalta@bellsouth.net for additional info.

AGA is initiating a speakers bureau to provide speakers to business and community groups, schools and churches  to tell the AGA story as well as educate Atlantans about animal rescue and the benefits of spay/neuter.  If you know of such a group or organization who might be interested, please contact Speakers Bureau Coordinator Vince DiCecco at vdicecco@bellsouth.net

Chloe is a 5-month-old purebred golden retriever who just went through heart surgery. Chloe was diagnosed with Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA), the most common congenital heart disease in dogs. The disease develops shortly after birth as the structure in the fetal heart does not close properly causing blood to flow abnormally between the heart and lungs. Without Chloe's corrective surgery, she was predicted to only have a few more months to live. Now that Chloe has been given another chance, she is expected to live a completely normal life-full of running, jumping and swimming as any dog should. The surgery cost $2,200 and now we need your help! Please donate to Chloe's heart surgery fund and pay for her to have a heart and watch the video below!

Donate to Chloe's Heart Surgery