The Golden Gazette         August 2013
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Adoption Day
Sunday, August 4 at The Pet Set in Loehmann's Plaza Noon - 2 PM 
Recent Adoptions
Congratulations to all of our pups who found forever homes during July!
 
Jake Anderson
Ranger
Sassy Doodle
CoCo
Lukey
Lexie
Jag
Nugget
Sadi
Duke Douglas
Rocky GP
Alexander
Lukey
Princess
Tillie Pup
Macaroni
Buttermilk 
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Upcoming Events

 

Wednesday, October 2 

Fundraiser at Woo 

Skincare & Cosmetics

 

Sunday,

October 20 Goldenrama

 

Saturday,

December 7 

Children's Christmas Parade

 

 

Letter from the President
Our Senior Orphans Must Be Our Top Priority
 
It distresses me when I hear people say, "We can't adopt a dog that's older than 2-3 years because we just lost our dog and we can't go through that again," or "We want our kids to grow up with the dog so we can't adopt an older dog." Unfortunately, this mindset leaves our older dogs searching for homes while potential adopters wait for the "perfect" young dog for them. As we all know, there is no such thing as a perfect dog, and our senior orphans may very well be the best match if only given a chance.
 
Our senior goldens must be our top priority. Take a look at our Orphans page and read the bios for some of our older dogs - dogs like Sadie & Tater whose owners have died and left them searching for a new home. No rescue organization in this state would take these beautiful purebred labs, let alone keep them together, but we did! Sadly, that was in May, and we are still searching for a foster home for them. It costs us over $250 a week to board them while we try to find them a home. Is it because they are labs? A pair? Or seniors?
 
People have told us, "We're looking for a younger pair." Why? Wouldn't you want someone to adopt your older dog if something happened to you? Of course you would! Until we spread the word about how delightful these dogs are and how wonderful they are to take for a stroll, they will continue to be without a loving home. It is not good for seniors to stay in boarding without a comfy bed and someone to pet them regularly, so this is something we must work hard to change.
 
Take a look at the other senior dogs we have: Blondie, Emma, Scotty, Amber, Maggie, Lewis, Lucky, Sophie, Tommy, Stitch, Jessie, Storm, Henry and Kobie. For everything they have been through, they deserve to be our top priority and, more importantly, your top priority.
 
On our orphans page, we have a story about why it's good to adopt a senior. I ask that you read it and pass it along to anyone searching for a companion. I also ask you to open your hearts and homes to one or two of these wonderful dogs. Let's come together and help these senior orphans make some new happy memories in loving new homes.
 
-Lauren Genkinger
President & Founder
 
Orphan of the Month:
Tommy George
 
Meet Tommy George, our August 2013 Orphan of the Month. He is a 7 year old boy golden and weighs 62 pounds, which isn't too big! He is healthy and has great house manners. A really nice man found him lost and alone on a rainy night. He found the owners and they said that ever since his Jack Russell buddy died, Tommy would not stay in the backyard by himself. So, Tommy came to AGA.
 

Tommy just wants to be in a house where he can be safe and hide when a thunderstorm comes. We think he would like to be King of the house and be the center of attention. He will stick to you like glue! Tommy needs a yard and safe fence because he does get scared by other dogs. He also would like a family where someone is home with him and he isn't alone all day. He is ready to join a loving family! Come meet this sweet guy at Adoption Day on Sunday, August 4.

An AGA Milestone
 
AGA reached a huge milestone when we rescued Macaroni this year, making him our 3,000th dog saved! This amazing accomplishment was reached in less than ten years. This could not have been done without all of our incredible volunteers, fosters and adopters. Saying that we are proud is an understatement!
 
Adoption of the Month:
Max
Hi there! Thanks to all of you, I now know what it's like to be treated like a royal dog. My new home is so wonderful and I love my family, and they sure love me. My old life wasn't much fun; some people were mean to me and I also had to live outside. Now I have my own palace! Well, it's what I imagined a palace would be like.
 
My new family had to say goodbye to their boy, who was a Lab. They drove a long way to meet me and asked me if I would like to be their new boy. I was a little nervous to think of leaving my fosters because they had been so good to me, but they assured me, "It's okay, Max. This is what you've been waiting for." And you know what? It sure was!
 
I live inside now and have my own bed for naps. When I go out in my yard it's for bathroom time and playing. There's a lot of water out there; I hear it's called a "pool". Swimming is supposed to be a favorite sport for goldens, so I think I'll enjoy it. It sure seems like a nice way to cool off!
 
I've always tried to smile whenever I could, no matter what, but now I smile all the time thanks to my new family! I am so thankful for everyone who has helped me.

 

Love,
Max
Volunteer of the Month:
Ali James

Ali has been a dedicated AGA volunteer since 2005. Ali is AGA's Dog Placement Manager and has been a critical player on our Dog Placement team for over 7 years. 

 

In addition to her role as manager, Ali never hesitates to jump in her Jeep and spend hours driving to pick up our orphans, cuddle with them and help understand exactly what these dogs will need in order to be placed in the best possible home. I guess you could call her the best "Golden Matchmaker" in the Southeast. Just this year alone, she has personally found homes for 31 lucky goldens.

 

Ali's experience and knowledge are proven time and time again. In fact, many of our previous adopters call her directly when they are ready to add to their family. They consider Ali their family friend and know she will find the perfect dog match again. 

 

Ali's dedication and love for Golden Retrievers can be summed up in one sentence: When asked why she does this, all she will say is, "I just do it for the dogs. You know I love the dogs!"

 

AGA would like to sincerely thank you, Ali, for your dedication and tireless efforts to help make every match a "golden" one!  

 

Foster Star:
Nancy Stowell
Nancy and her family have fostered for AGA since early 2009, and of the 19 or so dogs they have fostered, Rocky GP may have been the most challenging! Nancy has stood by Rocky through his two knee surgeries and rehabbed him after both surgeries. Rocky was recently adopted into his forever home, and without Nancy's loving and patient care (and some help from our president and founder), this could not have been accomplished! 
 
Throughout Nancy's volunteer days with AGA, she has been incredibly pleasant and always ready to share a smile. We can all easily see how much she loves her fostering "job". We love her attitude and willingness to get things done with as little disruption or stress for any of us as possible. She has been so great to work with and it's always such a pleasure to see how attentive she is to her dogs. Nancy has driven the Kennesaw to Russell Ridge route so many times to pick up Rocky and to have him seen by the great doctors at Russell Ridge. 
  
We sincerely appreciate you, Nancy, for your dedication, patience and attitude, as well as your commitment to helping AGA accomplish all that we can to make these dogs healthy and happy. Thank you for just being who you are!
AGA Looking for Loving Fosters

Pictured: Josh, Tina and Nugget

 

I have fostered many dogs, both independently and through various organizations, and fostering for AGA has been the best experience we've ever had. In my opinion, the biggest variable when it comes to fostering is the support you need. AGA is by far the most helpful and supportive. The people at AGA make sure the dog you foster is the perfect fit and that you and the dog are taken care of. The biggest thing we've noticed is how much AGA wants to make sure you're happy and never taking on too much. 

 

My husband and I aren't quite ready to adopt another dog right now, so fostering has been the perfect way to have a playmate for our resident golden, Ramblin'. He loves having new friends to play with, and we love getting to have another dog to love on. It's the perfect way to have it all! 

 

Our best experience was with sweet Miss Nugget. Nugget was found as a stray, and no one knew anything about her. She was the sweetest, most loving girl we've ever met! She was perfect with our kitties, she had great manners and she never got tired of getting love. Luckily, AGA screens for the best adopters. Tina and Josh were the absolute perfect family for Nugget. They are giving her the best home imaginable!

 

It is hard to part with these dogs, but the sting doesn't last long at all when you look at the smiles on the faces of both the new family and the dog. When it's the perfect match, you know it, and how can you be anything but happy? 

 

-Ashley & Matt Dunn

 

Golden Retrievers Flock to Goldenrama on October 20

 

Mark your calendars! It's about 80 days until one of the best (and largest) golden retriever celebrations in the country. More than 600 humans and 350 golden retrievers are expected to attend our 10th annual Goldenrama on Sunday, October 20, from 1-4 p.m. at the Atlanta Athletic Club. We have started planning and need your help volunteering, obtaining silent auction items and suggesting sponsors and vendors.

 

Volunteers: We need about 100 volunteers to help with registration and running the booths. Those of you who have volunteered in the past know what a great experience it is! If you can volunteer for a shift, please contact [email protected]
.

Silent Auction: Since Goldenrama is a dog and family event, we are especially interested in the following types of donations:

  • restaurant gift cards
  • event tickets (sports, theatre, concerts)
  • dog items (specifically golden retriever items)
  • doggie gift baskets and/or gift cards for your favorite pet stores
  • gift certificates for dog services such as groomers, pet sitting and boarding
  • family activities, such as miniature golf, movie tickets, bowling, roller/ice skating, party rentals and games.

If you have items to donate, contact [email protected].

 

Sponsors and Vendors: If you are interested in being a sponsor or vendor for the event, or have suggestions on companies that would like to participate, please contact [email protected].

 

Ask the Vet
How do dogs get heartworm?

Dogs can only get heartworms through the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no other way dogs can get heartworms. Unfortunately, there's also no way to tell if a mosquito is infected. That's why prevention is so important! We are about to see the worst mosquito infestation in years due to the rain we have had. The bite of just one mosquito infected with the heartworm larvae can give your dog heartworm disease, so prevention will be critical in the coming months.

 
It takes about seven months following the bite of an infected mosquito for the larvae to mature into adult heartworms. They then lodge in the heart, lungs and surrounding blood vessels and begin reproducing. Adult worms can grow up to 12 inches in length and can live 5 to 7 years. A single dog can have as many as 250 worms in its system. 
 
Please take your dog to the vet and get a simple heartworm test (blood sample), and put your dog on a heartworm preventative now. Be sure not to skip months! Dogs need to be on it year-round.
 
Curing a dog of heartworms is an expensive proposition. Just take a look at our Orphans page on our website. But with one tablet or pill per month, this terrible disease can be prevented!

Ask the Trainer
Why does my dog paw at me?
 

The main reason dogs paw is for attention!

 

Along with its tongue, a dog's paws are its link to the world. With its tongue, the dog can communicate a variety of things. One of the main reasons a dog paws at you (your arm, face or leg) is simply for attention. It just can't get enough petting! Often, when you stop petting a dog, it will immediately raise its paw and touch you with its paw to get you to pet it again.

 

Like most people, you've probably taught your dog from an early age that crying and whining to get human food is a huge "no-no." One thing many owners forget to teach their dog is not to use their paws to ask for food. If you're eating near your dog's eye level, your dog is more than likely to paw at your face to ask for food. This can be annoying, especially while eating, so try sitting above and away from your dog while you eat so he or she unable to reach your face.

 

And remember, if you have little kids in your home, your golden is about the same height as your toddler who may have a cookie in his hand. Your golden can easily paw the child and unintentionally do some damage to their delicate skin. Start training as soon as possible!

 

2014 Calendar Contest

The deadline for our 2014 AGA Calendar Contest was July 31st. If you have any lingering pictures you would like to submit, we will accept any entry sent to [email protected] before midnight tonight.


Adopt A Golden Atlanta | | [email protected] | http://www.adoptagoldenatlanta.com
P.O. Box 672155
Marietta, GA 30006-0036

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