Stevie was rescued from a puppy mill in the Midwest in the Fall of 2023. She was scared and confused, not understanding where she was going or what her future held. Her transporters named her Stevie Nicks and she decided to face each new day with confidence. 30 days with a loving and patient foster family and then she was placed in her forever home.

Her new family continued to be loving and patient as Stevie learned how to be a good golden. Slowly, she came out of her shell. Her family laughed at her antics and showered her with lots of love. Then it was on to bigger and better things: shopping, restaurants and her own Facebook page! She learned that all people are not bad and that most people are loving and wonderful.

Stevie knew that she had to pay it forward. She quickly learned about being an expert at home visits for RAG; identifying if a resident dog was open to another dog joining the household. After completing her training, she began her new career. At a new house, she meets the resident dog out front and they do the requisite sniffing; if all goes well they head to the back yard. They chase each other and explore every aspect of the yard. Stevie shares her love with the resident humans too. Giving back to RAG of AZ is something she cherishes. Stevie and her family are eternally grateful to RAG of AZ.

Grateful, thankful, and beyond blessed for Hunter. This beautiful big boy’s life suddenly changed when his previous owner passed away on Thanksgiving 2024. This tragedy ironically became a true blessing that ultimately saved this 6 year old Golden’s life. During the vetting process with RAGofAZ, it was discovered that Hunter had undetected testicular cancer that was successfully treated through surgical removal. How fitting to feature Hunter this November as the face in honor of Canine Cancer Awareness Month and all the fur babies lost to this horrible disease including my Golden Angels, Lucky and Bailey.

When RAG of AZ called me on December 23, 2024 and shared Hunter’s story, I instantly felt a bond and understanding as I too, had undergone a double mastectomy for breast cancer in October 2023. Hunter was delivered to us the following day on Christmas Eve and is the greatest gift of pure joy and love that keeps on giving each and every day.

We don’t have a large home and at 92 pounds, Hunter’s morning zoomies sound like a stampede rolling through the house. He learned very quickly how to go up and down the stairs and out the doggie door, but learned the hard way to pay attention to where he placed his big paws, otherwise he would land in the pool. Good news, he knew how to swim and found the steps! He loves his toys and shares the backyard with Freckles, our sassy 13 year old Jack Russell Terrier.

I was visiting the UK when I saw a Facebook video of the 15 pups rescued from Ohio. I called my husband to ask him to put in an application and a couple of weeks later we were told we were lucky enough to get to adopt one of the pups!

We named her Kirby and from the moment she arrived at our house she has been such a good girl. She loves her human and doggy brothers. Her favorite things are play dates at the PetSmart; weekly parties with her bestie Steve; watching the K-9 Cops TV show with Dad and eating carrots.

We are so happy that Kirby joined our family and we love her to the moon and back.

I first met Daisy as a puppy and a patient. It was love at first sight!

Daisy was surrendered to RAG of AZ in September of 2024 after being diagnosed with Puppy Strangles, which is an auto immune disease. Puppy Strangles is considered to be idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown, and the disease can appear spontaneously. This rare disease occurs mainly in puppies, hence the name, and is rarely seen in older dogs. The most common signs are facial swelling with hair loss and is treated with high doses of a steroid medication.

Daisy made a full recovery and is happily living the “golden life” with her adoptive family.

In all my years as a dog owner and vet, I never considered owning a golden, but Daisy has made me a believer! She is gentle, playful, frighteningly bright, and an absolute joy to be with 24/7. She has two canine companions at home, Rosie and Bagel. Rosie is 10 years her senior, but the two of them were BFF’s from Day 1!

My love and my family’s love for Daisy knows no bounds, she is the perfect dog at the perfect time! I don’t think I could imagine life without Daisy, she is everything I could have hoped for! Thank You RAG of AZ!!!!!!!!!

It had been over a decade since we lost our wonderful 14-year-old English Labrador, and after much consideration, we decided to open our home and hearts to another pup and applied. After being approved, it was several months before being notified that a breeder’s pregnant female was on her way to Arizona. Yes, we’d gladly adopt a female puppy! That was the start of a wonderful new chapter in our life.

When we first saw Bella at six weeks, we instantly knew we made the correct decision. It was only a matter of selecting a name matching her cuteness and preparing our yard and home for her arrival.

We knew Bella was meant for us since she was born on our wedding anniversary! What a fantastic anniversary gift.

As with all pups, she had a curious mind and loved to eat, play, and sleep in that order. We elected to send her to puppy school for two weeks, and she graduated with honors!

A year later, she has grown into a beautiful golden girl. She loves being outdoors, chasing quail from our yard, or watching the golfers behind our home. She’s become best friends with many dogs and people in our neighborhood. She particularly loves one neighbor who welcomes her with a biscuit.

Topping off her first year, she was selected as Miss July and named the official mascot of our favorite Italian restaurant, Ciao Bella. We named her after the restaurant.

Thank you, RAG of AZ!

Teddy Bear, now almost 2 years old, came to us when he was barely nine weeks old and has been a complete joy. He loves to chase the shadows of the summer butterflies on the ground and swim in the pool. I think his favorite season is definitely summer!

He has done so well with all his training and behaves around people, other dogs, and in the house. He does occasionally still have a case of the “zoomies” but we tire him out with fetch, swimming, or a game of chase. He also plays with his toys independently which is hilarious to watch. He has learned to throw his toys for himself and sometimes he just holds a toy between his paws whilst chewing on it.

Teddy Bear is a great joy and we love him very much. We are very grateful to the RAG volunteers for bottle feeding Teddy Bear and caring for him his first nine weeks of life. He has a forever home and family.

My name is Buddy. I am four years old and I am a really good dog.

My first two years of life were hard. My previous adopters did not understand me and returned me to Rescue A Golden. The volunteers at the rescue did not give up on me and saved my life.

I would not eat indoors, and I spent a lot of time circling the backyard. I spent most of my days preferring to be alone.

In May 2024, I was fostered by my new humans but, after two weeks, they knew they could never let me go and promised they would never let anyone hurt me again.

Slowly, I am coming out of my shell and learning how to trust humans. I eat all my meals inside now, and I am always ready to snuggle. I love going on long walks and meeting new dogs. I am still fearful and am working hard to be the best dog I can be. And what’s with all the yellow balls they keep tossing to me?

The volunteers at Rescue A Golden did not give up on me, and I know my humans won’t either. There are so many dogs who just need a chance. Please consider supporting Rescue A Golden of Arizona to help make life better for dogs like me.

Love, Buddy

Pretzel has many nicknames, Sweetie Belle, Pretzie, Pretzel-tina, Tina, P-dawg, Teeny tiny, Smoochie and Nugget, to name a few. Her middle name, Marietta, is the Ohio town where she was rescued.

When guests walk in, Pretzel grabs a toy and runs to them. If she could, she would say, “Hey there, wanna play with me, wanna play?” Pretzel’s favorite game is Tug-o-war. Only the strongest most durable toys can survive!

She gets the zoomies at least once every day, then promptly takes a nap.

She obeys daddy and is always sweet for him. But for mom and siblings she shows her salty side grabbing shoes, tea towels, pillows or decorations and holds them in her mouth looking as though she is saying, “Wanna play?, wanna play?”

She enjoys walks. Sometimes we have to spell, W-a-l-k, so she doesn’t know what we’re saying. However, we think she is catching on to that!

Pretzel gives the best kisses. She lovingly licks salt off our legs and feet all the time. If you think that’s yucky just imagine our son, who lets her kiss him on the mouth!

She loves her daily Greenie and various dog treats. As for human food, she likes frozen mangoes and green beans, yogurt, bananas, blueberries and peanut butter. She also loves refreshing ice cubes!

You usually find her happily chewing on a stick or just holding one. She’s our best furry friend and we love her tons…which reminds us, time to vacuum up more fur!

Hi, 2-year-old Biscuit here!

I was born in Ohio with a breeder and my future seemed uncertain. I didn’t know how long I had to wait for someone to love me and to give me a place to call home. Then, the best day of my life came in August 2023 when I was 5 months old! Grateful to RAG of AZ, I found my forever home here! But why was I still there at that age?

Well, people must have thought I was too petite, timid, fearful, or simply not as sweet or cute as my siblings. Having been here with my family for almost 2 years, I still bark frantically at any human (except my mom who works from home and is with me 24/7), any noise or anything new to me. I am still too afraid to leave my house, not even stepping out to the garage or front porch. But she guarantees me that I will overcome my fear one day. So, I am really taking my time now, enjoying my privilege of still being a “puppy”! Despite all this, I am super SWEET and CUTE now and have even won myself a calendar page!!!

Now, every day I snuggle with my Golden sister, Ginger and roughhouse with my Golden brother, Butter. This is the kind of life every Golden should have. Thank you, RAG of AZ, I am forever grateful to you for choosing the best family for me and only me!!

Love,
Biscuit