Life is Golden

After losing our golden retriever Daisy after almost 16 years, we were not sure if we would ever be ready for a new furry friend. However, we did know that we wanted to help a golden in need and give them a great life. So, we took the first step and signed up with Rescue A Golden of AZ.

After eight months and five days before Christmas we got the call of a golden in need of a forever family. His name was Parker and he needed a new home as soon as possible. Well, let’s just say, it was a shock for us and we were hesitant at first, a boy dog, twice the size of Daisy and with medical issues (seizures). Would he be a good fit with our seven month old son? This was a lot for us to take on, but it was what we signed up for and after four months of fostering him we couldn’t see our lives without him. The love and bond that our son Chase and his “Clifford” share is unlike any other. Parker had found his forever home! We want to send a big thank you to Rescue A Golden of AZ and all of your amazing volunteers who made the process so easy and cared for Parker and us along the way. This rescue means a lot to us and will forever have a place in our hearts.

Hi, my name is Penny. I came into RAG of AZ in the first week of May 2022. When I arrived I had a serious problem, I couldn’t walk. I was taken to a very nice veterinarian and after labs and x-rays, it was determined that I had a mass on my spine. I was given pain and anti-inflammatory medication and the next day I was up on all fours! My back legs were wobbly, but I was walking again!

The tests showed I had valley fever and the mass was a valley fever lesion. I was put on Fluconazole and I started feeling better and wagging my tail. My mom says that when I wag my tail my whole back end wiggles, so she sometimes calls me “wigglebutt”. I am one of the Special Needs Goldens in the calendar, which I don’t understand because I think all Goldens are special.

I have a new sister Mia, who came all the way from China. I can’t speak Chinese, but it doesn’t matter, we are getting along great. I love tennis balls and chasing the bunnies in the back yard. I went to my first official RAG event and met lots of other Goldens, it was so much fun. Mom said there will be more events in our future. Woo! Hoo! as I love being with people and meeting new friends.

Thank you RAG of AZ for rescuing me, saving my life and finding me the perfect forever home.

Zoey came to Kate, Gary, Aimee and Alex after the loss of their RAG of AZ Golden, Kira and her sister Shadow. Kira and Shadow were loving companions, have been missed and as a family, we never thought we could find the same kind of love again.

Then, we met Zoey. When I first picked her up as a puppy, she snuggled into my shoulder and seemed to choose me. Zoey is a breath of fresh air. She is a strong, loving dog and seems to understand most things we are trying to communicate. She loves us and her “baby” that she carries with her everywhere and sleeps with at night. Her “baby” was her heartbeat sleeping companion that she slept with as a puppy to comfort her and is in the current photo with Zoey.

We are so happy to have been able to share love with such wonderful pups and thank our good fortune every day!

Howdy y’all!

I’m Abby, Ms. September. Mom calls me her Abbster, the Nagster, cuz I luv to walk and of course, she tags along. Our WoofTrax walking steps go to RAGofAZ.

I’m also her ‘wild child’. Dunno why, I just like to cavort and play! Now I can run wild on the plains of Texas! We moved here with Mom’s family; 2 boys that think I’m swell, 2 kitties (they’re ‘ok’) and our FMP, the T Dogg!

Tigger is our ‘Favorite Male Pupp’. I’m getting him to walk more, but he’s kinda old at 14. I’m just a kid at 10 years.

I am kinda bossy, I guess. That’s the Border Collie in me. Don’t trespass on my property or I’ll bark! Protective. Yeah. That’s it…. But I’m also a Golden, so y’all gotta know and agree, I’m sweet, gentle and loving too. Even strangers come up to me when we’re out and want to stroke me. If I know them, I might even roll over for a belly rub! Ooooh, Yes!

Well, it’s almost bedtime. I’d better scruff up ole Walter (that’s my blankie, named after another Golden, who also slept on him) then plop on Charlene (a most comfy stuffed puppy that’s bigger ‘n me!) I need to get some shuteye. A well rested pupp can sure have fun in life! I feel the Luv.

Y’all take care now. Slurps and tail wags to all my AZ Golden buds. Adios! –Abby

Hi, my name is Flynn and I was born on February 11, 2020. I came to my forever home 8 weeks later and six months after my family’s other beloved Golden Retriever crossed the Rainbow Bridge. My mom says I saved her broken heart and immediately brought such joy and happiness into the home. One look into my copper-colored eyes and you can’t help but fall in love with me.

My family was set to travel to Ireland for the first time that summer, but things got crazy that year and their trip was canceled. I became the perfect addition and was given a fine Irish name.

I am a huge love bug and like to lay in everyone’s lap and snuggle. Sometimes I forget I am not little anymore! I have an obsession with tennis balls and pushing them under the couch and will play fetch for hours if you let me. My absolute favorite thing to do is swim in the pool and I swim everyday all year long. I look forward to our family’s many trips to our beach house in Port Aransas, Tx and love the salt, sand, and surf. I have been traveling by car with my family to Texas since I was four months old and have become quite the pro at the sixteen hour drive and mom says I’m the best boy. The ocean is always calling my name and nothing better than frolicking on the beach all day.

Friends and family say I bring joy, endless snuggles, and amusement to everyone I meet. They are always telling me I am so special and loved and I feel like the luckiest boy in the world!

Meet Levi!! Not only is he handsome but the personality on this guy is endless. He loves the camera, dressing up, doing tricks and can balance over 25 treats on his nose if mom stacks them right! Perhaps that’s why he has over 20K followers on his Instagram @life_of_mr_levi.

From the moment we brought him home at 8 weeks old we knew he was special. Completely opposite from all our previous Goldens, Levi wasn’t interested in swimming or obsessively fetching balls. However, he was extremely observant and interested in learning. I knew this guy needed a job!

We started training and socializing right away. He loved his classes, especially when the instructor used him as an example, so he could show off his skills. At 6 months old he had earned his AKC S.T.A.R Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Urban CGC and Introduction to Therapy Dog.

Still much too young to do therapy work we kept him busy and discovered he had many other interests. Levi engaged in Barn Hunt, Agility, Rally and his personal favorite Lure courses! He loves chasing a trash bag on a string so much we would take him to every dog festival in town that had a lure course. He even earned an AKC Fast CAT Novice ribbon!

Levi passed certification for Therapy Dog work at 2 yrs old and has been mending and stealing hearts ever since. Witnessing the pure joy, endless smiles and comfort he brings to others is truly a blessing.

Lola was one of seven beautiful puppies born into Rescue in May 2007.

While Lola spent her “puppyhood” in Arizona, we made the move to San Francisco a year later, where she quickly fell in love with chasing balls along the many sandy California beaches, making new friends at all the dog-friendly establishments (knowing which ones always had treats), and playing ball or lounging in the sunshine at Dolores Park (her favorite hangout!).

About 6 years later, we moved to Seattle. Lola loved the new environment – lots of hiking trails, new parks, and many more new friends. Lola is also well traveled – she’s been on several road trips – traversing over 9 west coast states and provinces, including trips to British Columbia, Yellowstone National Park, and several trips back to Arizona and the California coast.

Lola celebrated her 15th birthday on May 21, 2022 with a “quinceañera” – her friends – people and dogs alike – came by to celebrate in our home. Unfortunately, not too long after, Lola crossed the Rainbow Bridge, her aging body no longer able to keep up with her bright spirit. We were truly blessed to have had her in our lives for as long as we did, and wish the same for all Golden families.

Meet Tripp and Tucker, both from Rescue a Golden.

Tripp came to us in 2020 as a very young pup. His mother and all her pups were born with congenital cataracts and are mostly blind. He wasn’t with us long before we discovered he also had Parvo and had to be hospitalized for 4 days.

It was a bumpy road but thankfully he overcame that. Tripp is a very sweet boy but due to his vision impairment, also very timid. We hoped as he’d grow he’d be able to have eye surgery, but the specialist determined he’s not a candidate.

Unfortunately his senior housemate (Boxer mix, Wyatt) passed away suddenly in June of 2021 and Tripp became more nervous and very depressed. We knew we had to find him a companion. Soon after, the rescue called asking if we were interested in another special needs pup, Rhett (renamed Tucker). He was surrendered from a breeder due to leg edema. Despite lots of testing, no reason was ever found. Ironically enough, Tucker also had his share of eye issues- he developed cataracts suddenly when he was 10 months old so he needed surgery quickly. He has already bounced back and his vision has returned fully. He is happy and healthy. As he’s been active and growing, the edema has improved too.

We are so grateful for Rescue A Golden of AZ for placing these boys with us. They are best buds!

Hi, my name is Bella! I came to my new home Friday, September 13, 2020 and it was a very lucky day for me. I flew in from Mexico and my Mom was there to scoop me up from customs. I was 6 months old and pretty much a street gal. I was afraid to come in the house, when we arrived in Tucson. My Dad had to carry me in!

My 10 year old brother Brady, also a rescue from RAGofAZ helped me get settled. I’m still pretty shy of most folks except my Mom. She can hug me and I love giving her kisses!

I love my daily walks in the desert and seeing all my best pup friends including Tito, Juno and Chase! I’m not a great swimmer but do like to cool off when I get picked up and put in the pool. I also love vacations in the mountains where it’s cool and I can run like the wind. Life is good and I thank RAGofAZ for finding my Mom, Dad and Brady to love me!

Ra captured my heart on July 2, 2021 as a beautiful, loving 5 year old boy who was diagnosed with periodic, cluster epileptic seizures. Despite his diagnosis, we don’t allow those moments to curtail Ra’s life. He is an extremely loving, funny boy who enjoys his morning walks and he especially loves his time chasing smells and his tennis balls at the park.

The golden retriever smile definitely shows up! Ra makes me laugh every day, whether it’s jumping on the couch with his butt in the air or sitting with his legs crossed like a gentleman, my boy is a hoot. Then we have our quiet time when Ra loves to hug and lay on my lap for scratches and kisses. Ra and I are fortunate to have an amazing support system with a neurological veterinarian who has helped me manage Ra’s periodic seizures and adjust his medications.

RAG of AZ, I’m so grateful that you brought this sweet boy into my life.