Gracie came to us in August 2024 at just four months old. Her mom had been rescued from a puppy mill in Ohio. When RAGofAZ called to say this puppy was available for adoption, they warned us that she was a bit feisty. That turned out to be an understatement. Although Gracie arrived a bit sick from a parasite she had gotten from her mom, she recovered quickly. From then on she has always been full of energy.

At a RAGofAZ event, we met the wonderful “midwife” who had cared for Gracie’s mother, and she told us with a smile that Gracie was always in the middle of trouble with the other puppies. We had to laugh because she is still that way. She can occasionally be ornery but she is super smart and loves to learn new things. We have had her in lots of classes from star puppy to agility and games. She likes meeting new people and dogs and enjoys everything she does.

Gracie now has a sister, also a rescue from RAGofAZ, and they love running and playing with each other. We are so thankful that RAGofAZ rescued Gracie’s mother, and that Gracie is with us and not in a terrible breeding facility. We love her very much and feel so lucky to have her.

Pretzel has filled our lives with love, joy and shenanigans for three years. She is full of energy when she isn’t napping. Pretzel is always happy to bring you her toys, but not to play fetch – only for attention. She still loves tug-of-war and daily walks. She didn’t get the memo that she’s a Golden Retriever, though … she does not like water.

Pretzel makes a great watchdog with the occasional bark at delivery drivers, but as far as being a guard dog, she would most likely ask a stranger to play and instantly become friends. She hasn’t met a human or dog she doesn’t like. Honestly, love.

Her new favorite snack is cucumbers, and she still comes running as soon as we open the cabinet with the peanut butter. She waits by the freezer door for an ice cube to be dropped in front of her.

Her latest forms of communication include what we call “snorkles” and grunts. This is how she says, “May I please have that snack?” and “Do you love me as much as I love you?” Tail wags, kisses on our feet, and stealing tea towels and decorative pillows (only when Dad isn’t home) have become our normal routine.

We love her very much, and she has truly become our third child. We can’t imagine our life without her.

Sammy came into rescue scared, emaciated, with numerous ticks, and a baseball sized tumor in her abdomen. She had a rare type of cancer with a 30 to 50% chance of returning, so the tumor was quickly removed. However, post-op Sammy developed severe nose bleeds, requiring two blood transfusions and hospitalization. A specialist determined she had Tick Fever, which necessitated a month-long regimen of medication, good food – and constant love. She gets scans every six months to make sure the cancer hasn’t returned, and so far they’ve been clear. Sadly, there is no treatment if it does resurface.

Yes, we were foster failures! After what we’d been through to save this sweet girl’s life we knew she was home. In the first week of her Tick Fever treatment, our alarm was set for every two hours to be certain the nose bleeds were still at bay.

Today, Sammy is slowly learning to trust again. Her crate used to be her safe spot; now it’s the couch or snuggling in bed with Mom. Eating and getting treats is also a favorite with her ears perking every time someone enters the kitchen. Sammy loves her sister Lilly, another RAG rescue, who is teaching her the joys of being a dog.

We adore Sammy and are so thankful to RAGofAZ for saving her life. Our family takes each day as a gift and an opportunity to shower Sammy with love for as long as we can.

Hello, my name is Jake. I came from Rescue a Golden of Arizona to live with my mom on September 16, 2017.

A nice couple came to pick me up, and I knew it was going to be the most exciting day of my life. Apparently, I was a little rambunctious on the drive to my new home, but I couldn’t believe this was my lucky day.

Wait until I tell you about the swimming pool! I had never been in a pool before, so I was really excited about this new experience. My mom would throw a ball, and I would jump in the water – all day long.

One day, my mom told me I was getting a new brother. His name is Milo. He is just a little guy, so I can teach him all kinds of things—like following me on my “walkabouts” (or maybe not).

I didn’t realize that my adventurous spirit would cause my mom so much stress. If I saw an open door, I thought it meant it was time to explore the world. But no matter what, I was always greeted with unconditional love when I came home.

My mom would just snuggle with me and say “Jake, I don’t know who rescued who.”

Mom, after almost nine years together, I think the same thing every night.

Phoebe came into rescue in 2023 from a puppy mill in Ohio at around six years old. Her breeder had taken her to a vet to be put down because he was “done with her.” Fortunately, the vet talked the breeder into surrendering her to a rescue. We had just lost both of our boys within three weeks and needed some Golden love.

Phoebe doesn’t play, doesn’t do toys or balls, and doesn’t swim. She gets along with all dogs, although she has very little interest in them. Her favorite things in life are (1) food (she always thinks she is starving) and (2) Mom (for constant attention). She loves riding in the car and going for walks, the key word here being “walk,” not run. She is a BIG dreamer, day and night, and often wakes me up at night “talking” in her sleep. She doesn’t even “run” in her sleep, just talks. She is a stubborn girl, and it took her almost a year to learn to sit. She didn’t even know how to get on the furniture. However, last year, after dog-sitting for a friend for three weeks, she finally learned to get up on the sofa where she now takes her daytime naps. Thank you, RAGofAZ, for giving Phoebe a new life with us.

After losing our Big Boy Dozer to cancer last year (he was with us just 4½ years), we were completely heartbroken. We had never lost one so young, and so my search began.

Sir Winston is an English Cream Golden Retriever who began his life in Tennessee and found his way into our lives and our hearts. Winston is a very handsome boy with a great smile and the longest tail I’ve ever seen.

Winston is full of life and keeps our older Golden, Chase (12) on his toes. I think that all my past Goldens have talked to Winston and have told him what we like. He loves to swim, play ball, watch TV, get the zoomies, and chase birds. He is sweet and loving with a kind spirit and gentle soul.

He will lie on his back holding the ball in the air with his feet—he just might be trying to juggle. He will try to pull his bed on the couch only to fall off with the bed on top of him.

Winston loves going to training classes. At 11 months he has passed Puppy Class, Basic Obedience, Basic 2, Intermediate 1 & 2, and is now doing Rally. I think Winston will make a wonderful therapy dog one day.

Beware: Winston will steal your heart!

Howard is an energetic puppy that has brought nothing but joy, laughter, and love to my partner and me. Howard can jump a six foot fence if you’re not watching him and would live in the pool if we let him. He loves to cuddle, sit in chairs like a human and makes the cutest puppy noises when he sleeps.

We are as obsessed with Howard as he is with us. He gives the best puppy kisses and growls at exactly 4:45 PM even though dinner isn’t until 5:00. He has more attitude than both of his daddys do combined and we wouldn’t change a thing. We love Howard! 

Odin came into rescue with a host of health challenges. 

Odin was quickly diagnosed with Valley Fever, which was affecting his leg and shoulder muscle. He was limping noticeably, had a high VF titer, and may have been in some pain. The first veterinarian recommended amputation of the leg, but our vet team decided instead to see if Odin’s leg problem and overall health could be improved.

Thanks to a dedicated Foster and two excellent vets in Tempe and Tucson, Odin made great progress. By changing his diet and slowly increasing his exercise, Odin was walking within six months – even running without a limp or hop. While still taking medications for Valley Fever, Odin is happy, active, and a joy to his family.

Swimming is an active part of Odin’s recovery and rehabilitation, and he loves to retrieve in the pool. He now swims or goes on walks nearly every day.

A fellow Golden-loving friend who has owned nearly 20 dogs said of Odin, “he is the happiest Golden I’ve ever seen!”

Odin is the perfect example of what extraordinary volunteers, skilled veterinarians, and a devoted foster/adopter can accomplish. Odin’s owner smiles when friends and strangers say THEY want to adopt him. But they’re not giving him up because he is the greatest Golden ever!

Kirby has settled into our lives with a gentle sweetness that fills our home. She’ll happily chase a tennis ball, but her true specialty is simply being near her people. During the workday, she curls up at our feet as a quiet supervisor, making sure everything runs peacefully.

Evenings bring out her signature moves. If you’re watching TV and forget to give her attention, she’ll offer a soft paw tap – polite, persistent, and impossible to ignore. And when she finally rests her head on your lap, it feels like her way of saying, “I need some additional attention from you humans!”

On walks, Kirby greets every human like a long-lost friend … and they treat her the same way. She is known as the mayor of our neighborhood. A friendly person earns her full Golden Retriever charm. She’s barked maybe three times since we got her – each one a surprise to all of us, including her.

We’re hoping this summer she’ll decide the pool is worth exploring. Last year she wasn’t convinced, but Kirby tends to reveal herself in her own time. One thing she revealed quickly: she sheds enough fur to keep us vacuuming like it’s a competitive sport. Any vacuum sponsors reading this, let us know – we can do an endorsement.

A favorite memory is watching her proudly walk in the Fiesta Bowl Parade alongside dozens of other Goldens, soaking up every bit of attention. She’s lovable, quirky, and endlessly endearing – a great spirit with a few mysteries we’re still trying to unravel.