Gauge 11-11

Greetings from Gauge! I’m a 3 year old girl who is very sweet & gentle. I was surrendered to GRRIN by a woman who rescued me from her neighbor when she realized that I wasn’t being treated like I should be. She trained me and taught me how to love and trust again, but she knew she couldn’t keep me forever. Her two service dogs were great role models and I showed them all how smart I was! I have very good manners and am easily corrected if I do something wrong (which isn’t very often I might add!). I went to live with my foster family and loved playing with the two resident dogs and her daughter. I quickly put myself in charge of protecting my new foster family. Not much gets by this eagle eye….I kept pretty close watch over them, especially my new little friend, Evan. I really love kids!

When I met John and the kids, I immediately felt a very strong bond. The kids played with me and had a hard time leaving when the time came. When they left, I did something I had never done before, I sat at the door and cried like a baby! Where are they going, I thought we bonded! Then a few short days later, I sensed it was my last day with my foster family. I knew John was on his way to take me home FOREVER!!! It was great to see him again and I sat up proud in the front seat of the car on our way home. It’s great to have John as my new companion! I even help him with the yard work! We find lots of time for playing ball, going for walks or car rides, or just hanging out watching TV. I am always by their side and happy to be loved. I love to sprawl out on the coach for my belly rubs! My life is great now and I am very blessed to have found the love of a good family. I see lots of ball and cuddling in my future. So “high five” to GRRIN for another success story. You did it again!

Sky 11-09

Sky is the perfect name for me because I love life so much that the sky’s the limit!

I came into GRRIN because my personality was too much for a young family to handle. My energy used to get so pent up that I dug holes in my yard to keep busy. The good folks at GRRIN heard about me, and before I knew it I was in the loving foster home of Pat and Susie. I wasn’t bored there! They kept me busy and fine-tuned my manners. Life was great, but I had this inkling that this was a stepping stone to something greater.

One day I met Rob and Melissa and their son, Cole. I could tell right away that this was the family for me. I could just feel it in my doggy-bones! It wasn’t long before they asked if I’d like to join their “pack,” and of course I said YES! It was tough to say good-bye to Susie and Pat, but I was told that we’d cross paths again. When I got to my new home, I met a GREAT Golden Retriever by the name of Sam! At first he played hard-to-get, and I played it coy. Before long we started to stray into each other’s space…and of course it was wrestle time! That’s absolutely our favorite game. Things were a little rough at first while I got used to my new home (sorry about chewing up the couch). Before long I started to get the hang of things. I love my regular belly-rubs, and I get a kick out of chasing soap bubbles. My humans plan on taking me to obedience classes soon, and I can’t wait to show them how smart I am.

There’s plenty of sky in my life, and I love all the new adventures. I couldn’t have started this journey without GRRIN. I’ll never be able to thank them or my new humans enough.

Adopted July 2011

Lizzy (formerly Lilly) 09-54

I’m Lizzy, but you can also call me Lilly. I came in to GRRIN as Lilly, but I also got used to answering to Lizzy because my foster family had a house guest named Lizzie and my foster mom always got our names confused. This happened to work out swell because my forever parents have a grandchild named Lilly, and so we don’t get confused when they call me Lizzy. That’s kind of another story and I should have started at the beginning.

I was surrendered to GRRIN because I had torn my ACL, a really important ligament in my knee. When this happens it is very painful, I couldn’t use that leg, and the only way to correct the problem was to have surgery. There are many things that can contribute to this knee problem. One very important, and controllable, thing that increases the risk of an ACL tear is being overweight. I know we hear about obesity all the time in the news, and it seems that it isn’t always something we like to hear about. However, being overweight contributes to all kinds of health problems and can even shorten our life. Maintaining a proper weight isn’t really hard; you eat less and get more exercise. Dogs may act like they are starving when you cut back on our food, but we’d be just as happy with extra attention from you and walking is a great way for us to share time with you humans.

Ok, enough of that but you see all of us can be teachers and I really don’t want other dogs to have to go through what I did. When I came into GRRIN I had surgery for my knee, then spent a couple months recovering. It is hard work. I got to see the other dogs in my foster home running and playing and for 2 months all I could do was watch. What I didn’t know was that while I was working at figuring out how to manage on 3 legs and getting my bad leg stronger the GRRIN folks were watching out for just the right family for me.

I am so lucky, now I have been adopted by Patti & Chris. Chris didn’t get to be in the picture since he was taking the photo. Patti & Chris are special people and helped me with my last week of needing to be on leash. They have also helped me now that I am able to slowly begin off leash activity, just after that most stressful of holidays, the 4th of July. I have a lot of other pack members at Patti & Chris’ house. First there is Sadie who is an 11 year old Golden, next is Spud who is 10 and a neat mix of a variety of dogs, they are both in the picture with me. There are also 2 cats. One cat likes to walk between my legs while I watch, the other likes to just look at me while she’s on a chair. Cats are OK, but I really don’t understand why they do the things they do.

My new mom Patti is a teacher. Sadie, the 11 year old Golden, goes to school with Patti every day. This fall Patti & I will start training so I can fill in for Sadie when she decides to retire. In the mean time I need to practice walking and getting back in shape. It has been heaven moving in with Patti & Chris. I felt at home right away and am looking forward to the future here, forever.

Only three days since surgery and getting plenty of TLC as I rest with my foster sister, Chloe.

A visit to the vet clinic two weeks after surgery

Adopted June 2011

Storm 11-08

Yipee! I’ve found a new family!
Oh..I forgot to tell you it’s me, Storm! I was just so excited to tell you of my great news.
My new Mom saw my picture on the GRRIN website, went running outside and told my Dad to call right away and he did. Thanks Dad!
My new Mom and Dad got to be my 2nd foster parents as my 1st ones, Zach & Kate, were going on vacation. Well, when my Dad picked me up he called Mom and said “you’re going to love him” and he was right. It was love at first sight for all of them. They love me and I love them too!
I have 3 “brothers” – one a furry one named BJ (he’s a GRRIN dog too) then there’s Michael who’s 10 and Jason who’s 8.
We play and play —chasing the balls; I steal the ball when they boys are playing catch, then we chase around the yard. We play Frisbee, and I run the bases with the boys and Mom when they’re playing kickball. I’ve also been seen stealing the ball from BJ, but then I feel bad and take it back and drop it at his feet. I can do “high 5’s” but my neatest trick is that I can get 3 tennis balls in my mouth at once and it’s even better when I chomp down on them and they squeak.
I have play dates with a couple of other GRRIN dogs – Elli (BJ’s 2 year old puppy) and Parker – he lives 2 houses away from us. What fun we have running and playing all over the yard. We play and play then rest a few minutes and start all over again. We go for car rides, walks down to school to pick up the boys and go to the GRRIN greet and meets.
At the end of the day when we’re done playing for the day, BJ and I hop up on the bed to snuggle with Mom and Dad.
I’m just having so much fun.
Thank you GRRIN, Zach, Kate and Sarah (my caseworker). I love my new home and family.
I’m hoping that my former owners read this and know that I’m doing great and I’m loved greatly by my new family : )

Adopted April 2011

Murray 11-10

I am so lucky – it didn’t take long for me to find my forever home! Kimberly was so wonderful to me, but Patricia is my new, forever mom. We got off to a rough start – I was a little bored when she left for work the first day, and made a little mess. Then I decided to go visit the neighbors another day and forgot to tell her where I was going. But I am learning the rules quickly. No more walking by myself and no more using the trash as entertainment! Some GRRIN folks came over and helped Patricia and me to better work together and now we are really settling in! I love to snuggle with her, and really enjoy our time together playing in the back yard. A neighbor even comes and takes me for a walk sometimes! The neighborhood all knows me now, and I love seeing everyone when I can. My new mom is wonderful, and I really am glad we found each other. Thanks, GRRIN! You guys rock!

Farley 10-49

My name is Farley, and I’ve been on a very long journey. I started out my life in a Missouri puppy mill with 200 other dogs. Life was rough, and I never knew what it was like to be loved. One day a nice lady took me and some other dogs out of the prison. I was very scared because I didn’t know what was happening. Whenever a human came up to me, I’d lay flat on the ground and not move. We made our way to a place called Nebraska, and I entered an organization called GRRIN. At first there was more uncertainty as I met more new people. But these people had dogs - and I knew how to act around dogs! I went to the home of Dave and Michelle, and their Golden Retriever, Bo. Gradually I stopped laying on the floor and started to realize that humans were not the evil type that I grew up with, but were loving, caring, and patient. I made “half-baby” steps toward building my confidence and trust in the world around me. One day I met a man named Gary. The humans that knew me were very surprised because without being asked I went right up to him and put my head in his lap. I hadn’t done that before with a total stranger. There was just something about his energy that clicked with me. He was a quiet, laid-back guy, and so am I. It was pretty apparent to everyone that I’d found the right home. It was hard to say good-bye to Dave, Michelle, and Bo, but I was excited to start my forever-life with Gary. Now I’m a constant companion that is getting more confident every day. I love playing in the back yard and doing several “figure-eights” before running indoors. Walks are also a favorite activity, with Gary at my side. My life-journey continues, but I’m not scared anymore because of all the love that I’ve received from the volunteers at GRRIN. I’m a very, very happy boy.

Adopted April 2011

Grace 10-63

Hey, everyone! I’m Grace, another GRRIN success story! I was surrendered by a family who had a bit more activity in their home than I could handle. Although I know you can hardly tell it from my photo (I’m the one on the right), I’m 13 years young and at the stage where quieter is better. I’m thriving in what used to be my foster home – now my forever home! I have a wonderful life with my mom, a long-time, dedicated GRRIN volunteer and her two other wonderful female Goldens. Girls definitely rule in our household! It was so great to feel welcomed and loved from the start. My mom has helped me recover from some minor illnesses and I can always count on my canine sisters for companionship and even extra warmth and cuddling during chilly times of the year. Just today mom said she knew I felt at home. So much so that I patiently waited for my paws to be washed in a bucket of water after I decided to do a little “gardening” in the back yard. I bet Mom’s glad I know how to dig holes, right?

Judy and Cinnamon are in the picture with me.

Adopted April 2011

Roxie 11-07

Hi, everyone. I’m a Golden Retriever by the name of Roxie. Life before GRRIN was pretty uncertain for me. Then along came a great GRRIN volunteer, and my life changed a lot! First I stopped at the vet to get my health maintenance checked out and caught up. Then I spent time at a great foster home where I got plenty of exercise, learned consistent structure, and received lots of affection! One day I met Mike, Colleen, and Kyle. Did you ever have one of those moments when you just “knew”? Well, I just knew that I was supposed to be part of their family! Don’t get me wrong…I loved my foster home, but I was supposed to be somewhere else! They knew right away that I was supposed to be with them, and before long - POOF - I’m in my new home. My Mom says that it feels like I’ve been there for years, and I couldn’t agree more. I’ve had a few “personality moments”. One day Mike had taken some ground beef out to thaw. My humans had to go and get some extra groceries. When they came back, the ground beef (with the exception of the squeaky clean Saran Wrap) had gone missing. The lesson learned was they shouldn’t leave something so tempting in a place where I can see, smell, and EAT it! Luckily they weren’t too mad at me. Life is special, and I couldn’t have done it without the good folks at GRRIN!

Gracie 10-50

I’m still marveling at how much my life has changed. I started out in a Missouri puppy mill - without a name and without affection. I was just a puppy-producing piece of agriculture. I was stuffed into a small cage, and my grooming was so poor that I lost the fur on my ears and my toenails curled under.

One day I was taken out of this prison by some very nice humans. I never knew that people actually cared about me! I made my way into a group called GRRIN. My former captors had left word that I might be pregnant (again), but a pregnancy test was negative. I moved into a wonderful foster home with Danya and Patrick, and was treated like a queen. When it came time to be spayed, the veterinarian discovered that I had puppies inside of me! Since my puppies and I were classified as a high-risk that needed constant supervision, I went to the foster home of Tim and Nikki.

On October 2, 2010, I delivered 11 perfect puppies that looked like Golden Retrievers. The next weeks had their ups and downs, but everything turned out great. We eventually found out that my pups were GoldenDoodles - their Mama (me) is a purebred Golden Retriever, and their Dad is a purebred Standard Poodle. I’m told that all of the pups found wonderful forever-homes.

One day I met a great couple named Jeri and Jim. Because of my neglected past, I’m always hesitant around new people until I learn that I can trust them. But I could tell that they were good humans. It didn’t take long for them to decide that I was the dog for them, and I moved into their home.

I’m feeling a lot more at home now that I’ve been with Jeri and Jim for awhile. I really missed my foster parents, Tim and Nikki, when I first got here, and cried whenever I was alone. I just wasn’t sure what my new place was going to be like. With all the changes in my life over the past few months, I guess I’m just super-cautious. But now I know this is my home, and it’s a lot easier being myself. I’m even starting to trust people enough to take treats right out of their hands. But only if they offer it of course. I’m so well taken care of that the hair on my ears has completely grown back in and my coat is looking good. I’ve met lots of new people and some of the dogs in my new neighborhood, and we all get along great. I have been out on walks to explore my new neighborhood, and although I still have some trouble walking, it’s getting a little better all the time. Of course I can always hang out in my new back yard and roll in the grass or just watch the world go by, which I love to do. And when I’m home, I have the perfect spot to relax in front of the fireplace. I know a lot of you have adopted my kids. I’ll bet they’re getting big. I hope someday I’ll see some of them at a get together.

I couldn’t be happier with my life. I’m treated like a queen by humans who care. It’s more than I could ever ask for. Thanks, everyone!
Adopted Feb. 2011

Harley 10-82

Hi everyone, its me Harley! I was surrendered from a family that didn’t have much time for me. I wasn’t used to living inside so boy was I happy when I met Misty and her Golden Retriever named Hawkeye. I have to admit that I really didn’t have the best manners when I first joined Misty’s pack. I may have tested my limits and chewed on a few things just to let her know I was there. Thankfully Misty is quite saavy when it comes to teaching dogs like me. Both she and Hawkeye taught me manners, patience and most of all how to be part of a loving family. I’m especially thankful that Misty took me to a GRRIN event in Omaha, because it was there I met my forever family. I think we both knew right away that I didn’t belong with anyone else! I love that Sarah and Mo immediately made me part of the family. I love my tennis balls and kong toys. I get to go for walks, help with chores around the house and even go pick up the kids from school. I like helping Hannah study, even if its just snuggling up next to her. I also love playing with Walter and I take turns sleeping near everyone in the house. My foster mom always knew that I was loyal and had soooo much love to give and I am so thankful to be where I am now. Thanks GRRIN for making me happier than I ever could have imagined!

Walter and Harley taking a snooze.

Harley helping Hannah with her studies.