Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon

Adopted November 28th, 2009

My friends laughed when I said I was volunteering to provide a foster home for Golden Retrievers. I knew I could do it without growing too attached, but they didn’t believe me. Well, I still think I could do it, but Shad (#1878) just wasn’t the right dog for this first time foster mom. He’s eleven years old. He doesn’t do stairs. He has to be lifted into the car. He has chronic allergies. Almost all other dogs smell better, even when they’re wet, than Shad smells dry. He doesn’t know even the most basic commands. He barks incessantly at feeding time. Oh, and then he tore his ACL and had to have surgery. Sure, I can give him up anytime . . . or not.

Shad is, after all, about as sweet as any dog could possibly be. He’s already had two long term homes (one for six years and the other for five) and he doesn’t deserve to be passed off yet again when he tries so very hard to please. He gets along great with my other dogs, even the crazy old one. He does do a precious little dance whenever he wants something. Commands like sit and stay can be worked around with the help of a fenced yard and a leash. Besides, shouldn’t one do something extra special for herself on her 50th birthday? I think so. That’s why I adopted Shad for myself, thus adding my name to that ever-growing list of foster failures. I couldn’t be happier about my decision either (unless my friends hadn’t been right about my doomed attempt to foster in the first place – that still bothers me a bit).

Thank you, GBR, from the whole happy family! -- Shad, Maggie, Winston and me (the FF)