On Feburary 5, 2009, we adopted Sophie, a 13 week old Golden Retriever pup from Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue. We adopted Josie, a coonhound shephard mix, from Bandit's Place in 2006.
I thought that it might be fun to take weekly pictures of Sophie, since pups grow so quickly, to record the changes in her appearance as she grows through her first year--a pictoral diary of sorts... Of course, Josie's in many of my pics too...
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Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue
has a beautiful website showcasing their dogs and providing information about this wonderful organization. If you are interested in adopting a golden or golden mix, please take a moment to hop over and check them out. You'll find all the information you need to get started!
Sophie at 12 weeks old This is the picture that began it all for us!
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Bandit's Place
In all fairness to our sweet Josie, rescued by Bandit's Place in East Hartland, CT, (and who you'll see if you peruse through Sophie's pictures,) I looked for her "Happy Tails" page at the Bandit's Place website. Though I couldn't find it, I did find this statement, which I think embodies the essence of rescue, regardless of breed...
"...We don't get the elegantly coiffed, classically beautiful, completely trained, perfectly behaved dog. We get the leftovers. Dogs that other people have incompetently bred, inadequately socialized, ineffectively "trained," and badly treated.
Most Rescue dogs have had it. They've been pushed from one lousy situation to another. They've never had proper veterinary care, kind and consistent training, or sufficient company. They've lived outside, in a crate, or in the basement. They're scared, depressed and anxious. Some are angry. Some are sick. Some have given up.
But we are Rescue and we don't give up. We never give up on a dog. We know that a dog is a living being, with a spirit and a heart and feelings. Our dogs are not commodities, things, or garbage. They are part of sacred creation and they deserve as much love and care and respect as the next Westminster champion.
So please, please don't come to rescue in the hopes of getting a "bargain," or indeed of "getting" anything. Come to Rescue to give, to love, to save a life -- and to mend your own spirit. For Rescue will reward you in ways you never thought possible. I can promise you this -- a rescue dog will make you a better person."
