Retriever Rescue

Hi -I thought it was about time we said hello.
Our Golden Retreiver experience started some 20 years ago when we got a pup named Charlotte - we had her 14.5 years and she did everything with us, went everywhere ( including Water Skiing) She loved sitting in the observers seat much to the amusement of everyone. We lost her very quickly to liver cancer it was inside 2 weeks and it broke our hearts. The House was empty no thumping tail, nudges expectant looks at walkies time, she wasnt down beside me when i was at my desk - it was awful. I know a lot of you will relate to what we went through.
I couldnt sleep or think straight and spent a ot of time on the Net wondering how to fill the void. I emailed Jan and she sent me a lovely response back which helped me clarify my thoughts. We knew we had to have another dog soon, but didnt want to be dis-respectful to Charlottes memory - then we realised she would have wanted us to help a dog in an unfortunate position - we lasted another 2 days, I rang Jan back asking if she had a young bitch available, no came the reply but I have an 11mth old dog called William. I rang Sharon my wife , she burst in to tears and put the phone down, then quickly rang me back asking what his name was - we went up to the kennels that evening and when Jan brought him out we were hooked - he was a bit dazed and confused and just sat down ( a trait he often exhibited when he wasnt sure about things) he sidled uop nudged me for some fuss walked down the road with us ansd we knew he was coming home with us. As Jan said he just needed feeding up and some cuddles - sjhe was totally right! We got him home he was totally house trained and we just left him to settle - we went to bed and he came upstairs and setled at the bottom of the bed ! then we discovered he could get up stairs but not down !! have you ever tried tio teach a dog to come downstairs ? the answer is Bonios !! He was a little apprehensive at first but that was 6 years ago he is universally loved by everyone and everyones mate, he has impeccable manners unless you happen to be a squirrel or a rabbit !!
We thought he needed a friend so two years ago I rang Jan up again, and to cut a long story short we went over to the kennels again with William and the result was Ben another 11month old dog. When I finally brought Ben back, William pounced on him, pinned him to the floor to tellhim he was the Boss, ignored him for a few days and now they are best of pals !! ( we also ended up unbeknowingly with BIll and Ben !)
I cant speak highly enough of Jan and the work she does for these beautiful dogs - all i can say if you are on the fence, talk to Jan she very rarely gets things wrong when it comes to placing dogs.

I'll get some photos up when I get a min

What beautiful photographs especially the 2nd one with the dog in front of the lake, can you put the name of each dog to the water photos please, as I've 'stolen' them for the 2009 N.W.G.R.R. calendar.
We can totally relate to your story after losing two within 11 weeks and Ginnie then being on her own with no pals, 6 days after Abigail had died and many calls to Jan, we collected Cobi, she wasn't house trained and thought she had to do whatever on the rug after she had come back into the lounge, but with plenty of love, patience and understanding it soon falls into place, likewise with travelling, we don't think she had been in a car or the previous owners had given up, rubber gloves, disinfectant etc., and now she leaps in without hesitation, everyone on this website understands that rescue retrievers need special love.
I was talking to a lady yesterday who delivered a parcel, and who takes possession of a pup shortly (not a retriever) and she has had dogs before and thinks that it is Ok to leave the dog in a garage for over 8 hours and ok for dogs to live outside and woe betide the dog if it damages or messes her house about, I couldn't hide my feelings and without being rude asked her why she bothered if she thought more about her possessions, than a living animal, needless to say our conversation didn't last that long, she'd have had a fit if she'd have seen Cobi full stretch across our bed (there is a cover on top) not allowed in bedroom if covered in mud or soaking wet!!! as it seeps through.
Going back to the story of getting a dog downstairs with bonios, Maddie my friends golden who stayed with us was nearly 17 and would somehow make it upstairs but getting her down was more difficult, step at a time and stand in front of her in case she fell. Maddie's eyesight wasn't wonderful and your fingers could get chobbled when giving her biscuits.

Hiya Mark and welcome.

What fantastic pictures of William and Ben. Ahh that walk from the kennels down the lane , we did our first one over 5 years ago when we adopted Ben (or did he adopt us??). We then adopted Anna (an old black labrador from labrador rescue) so from calling out Ben and Anna the kids used to call Banana (they thought it was funny).

Now unfortunately both have died - it wasn't long before we made the call to Jan and we now have Amber and Alex from the rescue, Toby who is an 18 month goldie and Ben and Chloe from Lab Rescue. Life is hectic but fantastic.

Hope to see some more pics soon.

Carolyn

Hi Mark, and welcome to the site.

Lovely story, and the photo's are beautiful, especially the one from behind the tree.

Our first golden, Leigh, we had from a pup. She was'nt from the rescue but it was Jan who referred us to the breeders. She was with us for 12 yrs and it broke our hearts when she left us. It took 5 years and then Jan and that " walk down the lane " opened the door for us again. We took home our beautiful golden girl, Ella. She is 6 and a half and we've had her 3 years and like your William, she is kind, gentle and well mannered and has given us so much.

As we give, so we receive

Welcome to the site Mark and family, Bill and Ben'.

What lovely pictures of 2 lovely dogs. Being new to the site, you will no doubt have gathered that we're a totally besotted bunch by now
Yes, we've all done the WALK, must be one of the best ones' we're ever likely to do.

All the best, and please keep us updated with photos and news

Lynn

Well turn my back for a moment and look what happens. Couldn't believe all the postings.

Lovely photos Mark what super dogs thank you for your story and the nice comments.

[quote="Cobi & Ginnie's MUM"]What beautiful photographs especially the 2nd one with the dog in front of the lake, can you put the name of each dog to the water photos please, as I've 'stolen' them for the 2009 N.W.G.R.R. calendar.

The Photos are 1. William on the top of the fells above Ullswater
or '' Now this is what i call a walk !!''
2. Ben in a Lakeland river I think it may have been Eskdale
or '' Me ? "

Thank you all for the very nice welcome - we probably saw some of you at the last Retreiver fun day - William got 4th in class in the 5-7 year old class, and Ben, well lets say his forte isnt the show ring !
Unfortunately we cant make this years show because we're away so I hope you all have a great time

Great story and wonderful pictures,goldens do get under your skin dont they? just couldnt imagine life without one, in fact it wouldnt be a life....

I thought your story was lovely, and so heart warming so nice to hear you found happiness again with these 2 boys...

The photos are beautiful...welcome to the site...