Margie
March: Meet Luke
Margie
I adopted Luke 13 years ago from Rescue A Golden of AZ, at a time in my life when I needed a companion. I wanted a female Golden but the wait was so long. They brought me Luke and told me I had several days to see how we interacted and if it was a good fit for both of us. I called them back in less than two hours to say I am keeping him. It’s the best decision I have ever made.
Luke feels and cares for his daddy. I had medical issues and wasn’t in a good head space. We always had Goldens growing up, but Luke is my first dog. He saved me as much as I saved him. He truly is my best friend and the best dog in every possible way. We have moved states, driven cross country, had heartbreak, lived through a hurricane and even flew private once!
Luke is a celebrity to my friends and co-workers. He is a gift from god. My house is owned by Luke and I just live here and that’s the way it should be if you own a Golden.
Thanks to RAG of AZ for bringing this wonderful boy into my life!
February: Meet Pretzel
Margie
Our daughter had wanted a dog since she was about 2 years old. Our friend introduced us to RAG of AZ and the summer before our daughter turned 10 we decided to fill out an application. We told our daughter it could be a very long time before a dog under a year old would be available. But soon after we received our approval we learned there were several puppies needing to be rescued from a mill in Ohio. RAG of AZ contacted us and we gladly accepted!
We had the name Pretzel picked out long before the adoption. Little did we know at the time they were cream colored goldens. When we met Pretzel she didn’t quite look the golden color we were anticipating but we kept the name anyhow! We love her beautiful cream color.
Pretzel loves eating sticks, chewing things (sometimes our things instead of her toys), walks, being petted, and playing with people and other dogs. However, playing tug-o-war is at the top of her list of favorite games. Our daughter was beyond thrilled to finally get a puppy and we were all overjoyed when we met her! Pretzel is the perfect fit for our family. She’s a little salty, a lot sweet and we love her very much!
Thanks to RAG of AZ for bringing the perfect golden girl into our lives!
January: Meet Waffles
Margie
Waffles is proud to be a part of this year’s calendar! Waffles is 7 years old, and will turn 8 this month. She is now a proud Arizonan and really loves the Phoenix Suns basketball team. Waffles and her family moved here from Kansas City, so she is also a huge KC Chiefs fan.
Waffles was a part of an “unexpected litter.” We received a call from a neighbor letting us know that a family was looking for a home for their new puppies. Waffles has triplet (human) brothers, and at the time they were in their early years of college. It ended up being the perfect time to add her to the family.
We wanted a name that would evoke JOY for the family and everyone she met. Her now sister in law, Libby, had the winning name with “Waffles”. Now, Waffles happily spreads joy wherever she goes!
Happy January to everyone! Love, Waffles
Cover Dog Teddy
Cover Dog Teddy
Introducing our 2025 Calendar Cover Boy
Teddy!
Teddy’s story is one of humble beginnings. His mom was found on the streets and was expecting a huge litter. Teddy is one of ten puppies from that litter. Rescue a Golden posted the puppies and when I saw Teddy that was it! Love at first sight! I had recently lost my only pet (an English Lab) after nearly 13 years together. My family was reeling from the pain and when I saw Teddy I felt hope.
Teddy has brought much love, laughter, and joy to our home. He is very well-behaved except when it comes to socks or perching on furniture. He sneaks socks any way he can and likes to perch up on the coffee table like a cat. He enjoys hanging out with the family and likes to sit right on us so we can’t move. He tries to sneak up on any bed he can in the middle of the night. Teddy is definitely an affectionate dog and humorous as well. He loves to chase his long, bushy tail until he becomes dizzy and falls down.
Teddy Bear “Teddy” is a character and we love him dearly. Thank you to the RAG of AZ volunteers who cared for him and bottle fed him for weeks. Teddy is a forever member of our family.
The Summer of “Puppypalooza!”
The Summer of Puppypalooza!
Mama Gray and her puppies
When it comes to birthing little ones, the popular British television series “Call the Midwife” cannot begin to challenge the dedicated members of Rescue A Golden of Arizona (RAGofAZ)!
Mama Ella and her puppies
There is not a scriptwriter anywhere who could have imagined that within a period of just one week, three Golden Retriever mommas would help 23 beautiful puppies make their way into this world. When these females were brought into rescue this past spring we soon learned that they were very much in a family way. Lady Gray – then Ella, followed immediately by Sunny – delivered puppies of every color and shade during a fun-filled week in May.
Mama Sunny and her puppies
Director of Golden Operations Bob Schillaci simply could not believe it was happening. “In 2023, we were all shocked and delighted that three female rescues – Pearl, Sasha, and Freya – delivered a total of nearly 30 puppies during the course of the year,” Bob observed. He added with understandable naivety “Thank goodness that will never happen again.”
Fast forward to May 2024 when the “puppypalooza” began. Thanks to the collective efforts of our own “Call the Midwives” club, Kass Black, Becky Buck-Wetzel, and Julie Corcoran, these new families began life in a safe and loving environment. Vet Team Manager Judy Smith worked tirelessly to supervise the dogs’ medical care and provide supplies (can you say pee pads?). While there were a few issues of concern (worms, yuk!), in the end everyone survived and thrived.
In preparation for the births, our volunteer teams sprang into action at breakneck speed.
As the adoption applications poured in, our Woof Line, Intake, Home Visit and Placement teams worked tirelessly to ensure the pups would go to wonderful “forever” homes.
The Vet Care Team oversaw appointments and medical care for the pups, and will make certain this continues in their new homes.
Director of Golden Rescue Kerri Crabtree rallied her Transport Team members to “give these golden nuggets a Lyft” to their new homes (affectionately referred to as the great puppy dispersal).
Behind the scenes, volunteers assisted with paperwork, contracts, social media, microchip tracking, behavioral support, and anything that needed doing.
And here we are, tired but filled to the brim with puppy cuteness overload – also with gratitude for the extraordinary leadership and teamwork of the volunteers who helped make this “puppypalooza” successful and unforgettable.
Finally, we say to the Sisters and midwives at the fictitious and much-loved Nonnatus House on our favorite PBS series … hold my beer!
Tribute to Bob Wood
FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF RESCUE A GOLDEN OF ARIZONA (RAGofAZ):
It is with profound sorrow that we share the news that Bob Wood, our longtime Director of Golden Rescue, has passed away following a brief illness.
Those of us who knew Bob found his commitment to our mission both inspiring and astounding. From the moment he made Golden Retriever rescue the centerpiece of his life, he devoted every day to saving these animals he loved so well. Bob was an energetic road warrior who would drive anywhere to give a Golden a ride in his “dogmobile” … and start that dog on its journey to a new life.
It is because of Bob’s leadership that RAGofAZ ventured into new partnerships with other rescue organizations to help save hundreds of adult Golden Retrievers and puppies from puppy mills in other states – work that continues today. Bob also led us through the difficult challenges of international rescue and helped to bring scores of desperate Goldens to us from China, Turkey, South Korea, and Mexico. He truly believed that hunger, sickness, and despair know no language, no culture, and no boundary.
Bob was a modest man, so not many know that Bob proudly served his country working for the FBI. He also served in the Air Force including special assignments with the Defense Intelligence Agency, White House Communications Agency, and Defense Nuclear Agency. Incredibly, following his “retirement,” he went on to work at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, where he did eventually retire … only to become a “Golden Hero” with RAGofAZ.
Bob will be honored with a burial at Arlington National Cemetery, a fitting final resting place.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to Bob’s wife, Darcy Wood, and their families. Their grief surely weighs heavily, but it is shared by so many at RAGofAZ who also loved and admired Bob. He has left big shoes to fill … and an empty space in our hearts.
Condolences may be sent to Darcy Wood at 17734 W. Camino Real Drive, Surprise AZ 85374. Darcy plans to hold a Celebration of Life for Bob in the fall.
What’s so special about this photo?
Meet Maisy, formerly known as Luca, who was surrendered to Rescue A Golden of Arizona (RAGofAZ) with her brother, Eddie (now Finley). Both dogs had been inbred and had limited movement of their jaws. For Maisy in particular, this made life not only challenging but life threatening. Intubation was nearly impossible and the threat of choking was terrifying.
Dr. Mele, a highly regarded dental specialist at VCA Valley Animal Hospital and Emergency Center in Tucson, did some ground breaking surgery on Maisy wherein he used a computer generated 3D replica of her jaw to identify the problem and remove the defective part. He is going to Japan for a conference where Maisy and her story will be front and center.
Between Dr. Mele, RAGofAZ and the most dedicated of adopters, this little girl and her brother have brighter futures. Both Maisy and Finley will be featured in our 2025 Hearts of Gold calendar as part of our focus on special needs dogs.
You may find your jaw is open as well with surprise and awe at this amazing accomplishment!
Some Special Goldens are here to Paw it Forward
Lexi & Cooper
Lexi & Cooper
Riley
Our Riley
Some years ago, a gentle, loving, oh-so-sweet Golden Retriever named Riley came into the lives of our Mom and Dad and brought them so much happiness and joy. When Riley journeyed on to Rainbow Bridge, Mom and Dad were so shattered, they thought they might never love another dog in the same way. But after about a year, Riley decided to send me to them – I’m Lexi – followed by my bro, Cooper. Turns out Coop was stuck in China waiting to make his way through red tape hell but eventually he showed up.
We are quite the pair, Cooper and I. I’m a sweetie pie, a carbon copy of adorable Riley. Cooper is a bundle of energy, just wants to play all the time except when he’s begging for belly rubs. He is a little bit naughty, a little bit devilish, but wicked-smart and hilarious. Things have never been the same since Cooper arrived, and life is perfect now. We are the wild man and the love muffin, the yin and the yang, the best and the bestest.
Mom and Dad heard that it costs Rescue A Golden of Arizona about $1,200.00 to rescue a dog and provide veterinarian care like vaccinations, screenings, medicine, and even life-saving surgery. So in gratitude for Riley, Cooper and me, they’ve asked us to pay it forward with an annual donation of $3,600.00 to help save at least three more Goldens. I had to remind them that Cooper and I do not have opposable thumbs so we will have to “paw it forward,” but you get the idea.
We hope this annual gift will help RAGofAZ take good care of those 15 puppies and 7 big Goldens they just rescued. I’m pretty sure someday those pups will grow up and they’ll want to paw it forward too.
Love, Lexi, Cooper, and Angel Riley
Cooper
Lexi
after enjoying the jacuzzi at Auberge de Sedona
Lexi
Welcome our 4000th Rescued Golden Retriever!
More than twenty five years ago, a devoted animal lover named Joyce Hubler founded Rescue A Golden of Arizona (RAGofAZ), a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue, care, and re-homing of abandoned, lost, or displaced Golden Retrievers. Since that day, RAGofAZ has grown into one of the most prominent and successful animal rescues in the state, with more than 700 members. We have even expanded our mission nationally and internationally in support of other rescues in the midwest and several foreign countries.
Now, another milestone … the rescue of our 4000th Golden Retriever!
In February of this year, a beautiful six-month old pup named Charlotte entered our rescue in need of a new forever home. Now renamed Zoey, she possesses all the beauty and charm that make this lovable breed of dog so special. And she will forever hold the title of 4000th rescued Golden Retriever.
On behalf of the hundreds of volunteers who have worked tirelessly for a quarter century to offer 3,999 other Goldens a second chance at life, we welcome Zoey to her forever home.
All for the love of a Golden …
Need lower cost vet care?
For some time, Rescue a Golden has been sending our rescued Golden Retrievers to Dr. Kelly’s Surgical Unit whenever possible for spay/neuter procedures. They have provided excellent service and care, and their prices are very reasonable. Dr. Kelly’s is also open to the public. They have 3 clinics in the Phoenix area and one in Tucson. If your furry friend needs surgery or dental work and the prices at your regular vet take your breath away, check out Dr. Kelly’s.
As they say on their website:
“Dr. Kelly’s offers affordable surgery, low cost and dental care for pets in the Phoenix, Peoria, Mesa, and Tucson, Arizona areas. We are a team of pet owners and veterinarians who believe all pet owners should have access to affordable care for their companions. Our team of qualified veterinarians loves animals. You and your furry companion are in good hands with Dr. Kelly’s.
With thousands of 5-star reviews, you can trust Dr. Kelly’s to take exceptional care of your precious companions.”