Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon

Crossed the Rainbow Bridge February 2, 2012

Hemlock #2135 (we called him Archie) wanted me to tell you all "good-bye." He wanted all of his dear friends to know how very much he appreciated being loved by you all. He wanted you to know that he just hurt too much to even go out to "the shop" with his best friend Howard and even go in the car with him. When he couldn't get up to even get a drink of water he would give his hoarse bark to let us know he needed help.

He made his final trip to the vet today on his own four feet and made it in the door and laid on a lovely, soft blanket to say his farewell. Archie was able to go on as long as he did through the loving care he received at Canyon Pet Hospital. Archie was one of the best Goldens ever to come into our lives. He was quite the trooper as he survived on the streets of Eugene until he was found and brought to GBR. He lived with Diana for a while and when we lost Howard's Sarah, Diana just knew he would be the replacement for his aching heart. I don't know how Diana knew that, but Archie was devoted to Howard from the day he walked in our door. He followed him everywhere and just tolerated me. We took Archie on all of our walks, even when they had to be at a snail's pace and also on all of our camping trips. His fall trip, his last, was to the Tetons. He took everything in stride and never gave up until his eyes just told us it was time for him to lay down his head for the last time.

Archie was one of a kind and we were honored to have him here in our home for the past 8 months. We returned home to all of his toys out of the basket and spread around the room. I will put them back tomorrow knowing he won't be here to sort through all of them until he found the one he wanted.

Good-bye dear boy, all of your friends will long remember you and Howard and Patsy will never/ever forget you

Permanent Foster May 2011

Hemlock (#2135) came to GBR as a stray through the shelter in Eugene in March of 2011. The shelter named him Hemlock but the name didn't seem right so Archie became his new name given by his first foster mom. He was taken to a vet in Eugene to check out the possibility of laryngeal paralysis since he definitely had breathing issues.

Archie is at least 12 years of age with severe arthritis in his rear legs, so much so that he walks bow-legged and has some problems getting up but once on his feet he is great. He can get cranky when he is hurting and blood work determined a thyroid deficiency as well. Now that he is on Previcox and thyroid meds, his temperament is much improved. The vet in Portland determined he definitely has some breathing issues but more due to allergies, food and environment.

Due to his age, breathing issues and arthritis it was determined he would not be adoptable so was made a permanent foster in May of 2011 and is now happily living with Howard and Patsy and dogs, Bailey, Barstow and Justin.

Hemlock's Available Story

Hi everyone! My official name is Hemlock (#2135), but people call me "Archie," and it fits me really well. You can see that I am a handsome older gentleman of 10-plus-years, and a gentleman I am! I have excellent house manners, come when I am called, walk well on a leash, listen when told "no," and get along with everyone.

I have not been tested around cats, and since I am a shelter dog with an unknown history, no kids please. I weigh in at about 75 pounds. I love to lie outside in the sun and just enjoy the day wherever I am. I am also totally housebroken and sleep through the night. My mom is working on my one bad habit, which is not taking treats gently. I really don't see all that well, so that is probably why I do it. Again, mom is working on it.

I get along well with the dogs in my foster home — unless someone walks by with a stuffed toy I want; then I will grab it out of their mouth. One day, I got into a scuffle when one of the dogs didn't want to give up their toy. So my foster mom is working on this, too. I have been improving since starting my training, but I am still not perfect.

You may wonder about my nose. There seems to be nothing wrong other than the fur has been worn down, perhaps from pushing things. I do love to push doors open, so shut them tight!

I am a joy to have around, but I do have some medical issues. I was a stray, so no background information is known and we have no previous vet records. I have very arthritic hocks; my ankles are quite swollen with arthritis, so I walk quite bow-legged. I am on different medications for arthritis. I also am on allergy meds for my "reverse sneezing," which really is getting much better. One last thing is that I am old, so I have old lungs. I breathe heavily much of the time through my mouth. But my foster home has gotten quite used to it, and I don't think it bothers them.

One other thing about noise: I love to go along with people, whether it is outside, in the car, or just hanging out. So if you leave, I will stand inside the door for a while and bark to let you know I want to come with you. It's just a reminder that I love to go along.

Everyone says I am a good boy, and I agree with them.