Kota AKA Kingston 10-85 AKA Jake/Scooter 10-85

Hi, I’m Kota. You may have known me as Kingston or Jake or Scooter, but my new name is Kota and I’m so glad that I have just 1 name that I come to it every time! I’ve been in as many places as I’ve had names, so when GRRIN took me in and I went to live with Terry and my new foster family, I was glad to get some stability in my life. Terry worked with me for awhile on all those things stray dogs don’t know – how to eat your own food (out of your own bowl!), how to sleep in a kennel and all the basic commands. Then one day at a GRRIN event, I met these two great people and their CRAZY dog Delko. I knew right then that they were my new family! Just 2 days later my new parents Jeris and Nikki picked me up and took me to my new house – and my new brother, Delko. Jeris and Nikki are teaching me all kinds of new tricks and taking me on daily walks – which I love! Delko and I play for hours and hours every day and chase each other all around the house and yard – we’re like 2 peas in a pod. Thanks GRRIN for finding me the perfect forever home!
Adopted Feb. 2011

Delko and Kota watching over their yard

Kota, Nikki and Delko walking around the neighborhood

Liberty 10-84

Hello there, I’m Liberty! I’ve got a great life story to tell, would you like to hear it? Let’s start at the beginning. My family got me when I was just a puppy. Since I was born close to the 4th of July, they named me Liberty. They loved me dearly and taught me many things. I know sit, down, come, stay and even shake. I love to greet people but I know not to jump up on them, I can be trusted alone in the house, I don’t have accidents, and I know you humans frown on begging and stealing food off the counters so I don’t! I lived with young children and know how to be very gentle with them. Sadly though, things changed for my family and they weren’t able to give me the time or attention that I deserved so they asked GRRIN to find me a new forever home. I went to live with my foster family until the right family came along. I loved playing with the 2 resident dogs. We got along great and shared toys and even food. The only things that I put dibs on are my bones! A girl’s got to have something to call her own doesn’t she? I kept a watchful eye on Evan and we had a great time playing dress up. One day, Nancy, my foster mom, told me I was going to meet a family that was looking for a lovable golden. I knew the minute we met that this was where I belonged! Bryce, Tiffany, Lauryn and Jacque loved me instantly. Things happened very quickly and two days after we met, I was theirs! I love to play ball and go for walks with my new family. I have so much fun when the girls chase me around in the house. I do my best to wear them out! I stay pretty close to my humans and follow them around when they are home (I’m Tiffany’s shadow!). Bryce furminates me at least once a week but hey, along with the hair that I give them, I also give them lots of love! It is so great having a new dog buddy to play with too. Life is good once again. Thank you GRRIN for giving me a second chance to have the love of a good family and the kind of home all Goldens deserve!

Tiffany adds…
Liberty is the best! We are glad to have her. She has adjusted very well. Our other dog, Jake, and Liberty get along great. Jake is 14…and they lay by each other and chew bones together. Liberty decided to sleep on a pet bed by the foot of our bed. She has adjusted well to the routines. We have many kids that come in and out of the house…and she is happy to see them….and so gentle. She follows me (Tiffany) around a lot….they all seem to thinks she is “my dog”….she is my shadow! Maybe b/c I am home more than anyone!
She listens to commands well. We had a lot of dog toys left from our Meg….and she favors this white stuffed bunny….she took all the stuffing out of it…and carries it around all over…she even knows that we call it “bunny” and she’ll go get it when we ask her! She loves to take the stuffing out of the toys….not eat them….but just unstuff them and carry them around.
She loves walks through the neighborhood….our oldest daughter runs with her often. She gets “Furminated” with the Furminator brush by Bryce once a week at least….she sits and loves it! She does shed a lot…but we have decided that we’ll take that one negative with all the joy she brings! We could not have asked for a better dog. Her former owners must have spent a lot of time with her…she is so well behaved. We feel blessed to have her!

Adopted Jan. 2011

Kanai 10-75

Woof! My name is Kanai! I will be turning 2 years old in June. I was living with a family on a farm, spending all my time outdoors. My old family decided I needed more attention than what they could give me. I was rescued by GRRIN and went to live with some of the greatest foster parents! I became good buddies with their other dog, Buster. It was sad to leave my foster parents but GRRIN found me a new family that I love so much!
My new family is Chris and Nikki. They are getting married this summer! I live in a nice home with a big backyard! I love to go exploring around the yard! I also love to play in the snow (and eat it too)! Nikki takes me for walks around our neighborhood. Since I come from the farm, I have to get use to all the sites and sounds of living in the city. They all said I needed some work when walking with the leash. I think I’m getting the hang of it! Chris is teaching me to “shake” and play catch with the Frisbee. I can’t wait for spring to finally come so I can go along when he goes fishing!
I’ve also been able to make some new buddies! Chris’ parents have a Golden named Jake and a Goldendoodle named Ruby. I have so much fun when I hang out with them! I look forward to making more friends when Nikki and her friends have doggie play dates when the weather gets nicer!
I’m loving life at my new home! I can’t wait to go to all the fun GRRIN events with my new family!

Adopted Dec. 2010

Zeus 10-62

Hi, I’m Zeus. I started out as a stray in Sioux City. GRRIN volunteer, Rebecca, found me at the shelter and thought I would be a great GRRIN dog. My foster home was fantastic. Jim and Theresa and their three daughters were the nicest people. They gave me lots of love during my stay. I was very thin from being on the run. But Jim and Theresa worked on bulking me up to get ready to meet my forever family.

Most dogs would be overwhelmed with all the people in my new family. There are nine of them. Julie, the pack leader, sings me the Mary Poppins song about how I am “Practically Perfect” and tells everyone how I came to live with the family. Meredith calls me the greatest puppy dog in the world. Madeline lets me cuddle with her in her room, even though she knows I’m not supposed to be in there! Jacob gives me treats after I sit for him. I am Zachary’s favorite cuddle partner. Sam takes me on a walk every day. Caroline and Clara brush me, and Skip is my favorite running partner.

I have to agree, I really am terrific. I have a big backyard for playing fetch. I am such a good dog I get to go in the car whenever they are dropping off or picking up, which is all the time. I am always ready to do whatever my family is doing. In the house I have my favorite spots, depending on where people are, under the dining room table, under the piano or right beside the school table. I am always calm and very relaxed inside, but when my family is ready to play outside, I am the craziest puppy. I love the snow and to play fetch. I’m super-fast. I caught a rabbit and a squirrel. Julie told me she thought I was super before but after catching those critters, now she tells me I TOTALLY ROCK!

My family took me to puppy class this winter. You probably won’t be surprised to learn, I was the star of the show. The instructor would tell the rest of the class to just watch Zeus.

I am a very happy puppy and love my new home. My family plans to take me to the Farmer’s Market on Saturdays when they play their violins. I will be there, looking oh so handsome with my GRINN scarf. Stop by and say hello.

Daisy 10-81

I’m Daisy, remember me? I’ve been getting settled in my forever home and having so much fun playing, but wanted to sit & stay long enough to tell you my story. It has been a big adventure. I’ll start from the beginning.
When I was a pup I went home with a wonderful woman. She taught me all the things I had to know to get along in the world. She and I got along well and enjoyed each other’s company a lot. Unfortunately things in our life changed and my friend had to move to an apartment and couldn’t find one to accept me. My friend wanted what was best for me, so she trusted the people at GRRIN to find me a new home.
After spending a little time in foster care my foster mom was able to describe the types of homes that would be just right for me. I met Chris, Vicky, and their 2 girls and I think we all knew it was a good match for us. The next day I got to go to their home and meet Peppy, a 12-year-old dog, and Pumpkin, a 2-year-old cat. I liked both Peppy and Pumpkin, and they liked me, too. I was a little surprised, but since we all got along it was a unanimous decision that I would stay at Chris and Vicky’s house.
I’ve been with Chris, Vicky, Amanda, Rebecca, Peppy and Pumpkin for nearly a month now. I have been having a good time playing in the house, playing in the snow, and just hanging out with my new family. I have new toys and a bed that is just for me, but I’ve decided I really like sleeping with Amanda. Life is good, isn’t it?

Adopted Jan. 2011

Monty 11-01

So, if you ever feel you can’t love again or that you may never be loved again, take heart and listen to my story. I had a wonderful life with my previous owner. We were pals, buddies, and best friends, but it didn’t work out for me to stay, it was just not meant to be. Wow, that was a pretty sad day for my former master and me. I was strong on the outside but, boy, was I sad on the inside. That’s how I got to my GRRIN foster home. Fortunately for me, I got to live with Tricia and Brent and their girls. They were amazing. They even had another Golden named Jake that I got to play with. I really liked that. They spoiled me rotten. But they also taught me a lot of good manners too. I was thinking maybe I’d live with them forever. But, deep down, I knew that Brent and Tricia were meant to be fosters for GRRIN and if I was adopted by them, they probably couldn’t foster any more. And being a foster is REALLY important. Trust me, I know. Plus, I really wanted my own “forever home”. Then, one day, Troy and Shelly and their daughter came to meet me. They had recently lost their Golden and were looking for a new guy to complete their family. Guess what, that guy is ME!!! I’ll really miss my foster family and I know they’ll miss me. I watched as they all had tears in their eyes when they brought me to my new home. But, I know that they were not just tears of missing me, but tears of joy for me that I am finally home. Thank you Brent and Tricia! Thank you GRRIN! And thank you Troy and Shelly! Like I said, take heart, there is always enough love to go around!

Monty

Adopted Feb. 2011

Arthur 10-83

I found my forever home! I am such a lucky boy!. My foster parents turned into my forever parents! Vern and Karen are so wonderful to me, and my sister Golden, Hera is a really doll! She is a comfort to me and fun to be with. We go for rides in the car together and hang out at home together. Vern and Karen are so good to me – even when I had a seizure, they were right there, taking care of me until I returned to normal. They rushed me to the vet, but luckily all my tests came back negative. I have not had another seizure. I cannot believe I am living such a charmed life! Thanks to GRRIN and Vern, Karen and Hera – I love you all!

Jesse AKA Purple Prince 10-74

Hi, Guys, my name is Jesse. Some of you who followed Gracie’s pups might know me as Purple Prince. My forever-home is the coolest! Not only do I have the bestest parents, I have the bestest kid, and the bestest dog-playmate! Lindsey and KC give me great structure and love, Michael loves to play with me, and Ellie Mae is my wrestling partner! I was one of the 11 GoldenDoodle pups from my Mama Gracie. I loved my puppy brothers and sisters, my first humans Tim and Nikki, and my great foster parent Danielle. But when I met my soon-to-be forever-family, SPARKS flew! Now I’m experiencing the sweet life. I’m a water dog - I love playing in it, lying it, or falling asleep next to my water bowl. Michael, Ellie Mae and I play so much that my Mom calls us the Three Amigos. I recently learned that sleeping on the bed beats sleeping on the floor. Thanks for teaching me about that, Grandma! TV time is great. I especially like nature shows (bird calls are my favorite). When my parents set up the video player, there’s a Doodle that looks just like me playing with a dog that looks just like Ellie Mae! How cool is that? My nickname is Fluff-A-Muffin, but I should be called LUCKY because that’s how my life has turned out!

Jesse, Michael and Ellie Mae

Ellie Mae and Jesse

Hurley AKA Purple People Eater 10-73

Hi my name is Hurley AKA Purple People Eater. I have had a great start in life with my wonderful mom (Gracie) and the best foster parents ever, Tim and Nikki. Now I have found my forever home with Jill and Jason and my best friends Jackson and Jameson. Jackson and I are the best of buds! He helps me burn off my puppy energy by running around with me and playing ball all the time. I remember what Nikki told me about sticking close to that little one, he drops lots of tasty treats. My forever home is amazed at my retrieving abilities. It seems that at least once a week I come home with a new ball that I have found in my explorations in the backyard. Did I mention how much I love to play outside? Especially when it snows! On the weekends we go to the park and play with my new dog friends. I am so smart and love to show everyone how well I sit, I’m still working on that stay thing. Life is good!

Chloe AKA Pinkie 10-66

Hi, I’m Chloe, and I used to be known as Pinkie. I was one of Gracie’s 11 puppies, and one of only two girls in the litter. My sister and I spent a lot of time keeping the boys in line. One day I met Mike and Rose, and their Golden Retriever, Cooper. It didn’t take but a second for everyone to realize that this was the forever-family for me! Shortly after I arrived in my new digs, we were told that I was a GoldenDoodle! Surprise! I knew there was something French about me…my bark has an accent! Everyone loves me for the pup that I am, and I try to show my gratitude by giving a lot of affection. Rose says that I’m very unique. My favorite things are diving in the snow, playing with my brother Cooper (and sometimes my littermate brother Jessie), and trying to make friends with the cat. She’s a hard nut to crack, but I know that I’ll win her over someday. Life for this Doodle is Golden!

Chloe and Cooper

Chloe and littermate Jessie