Rescuing Golden Retrievers & Golden Retriever Mixes Since 2003 |
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A Message from the President and Founder,
Lauren Genkinger
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Dear AGA friends and supporters,
I hope you and your family are enjoying the sunny weather we have. I am reaching out this month to think about becoming a foster family for AGA. To do our work, we must have fosters to help get our rescued Goldens ready for their new forever homes. Fosters play a vital role within our rescue process as we do not have our own facility for them to go to in transition. When a new dog comes in and needs a foster, our pups that are waiting are in limbo and likely hangin out at the vet (no one wants to do that!), or in a pen at Pet Lodge - these dogs need love and attention as soon as possible. This is one of the most rewarding jobs you can do for us, you will witness a scared golden blossom before your eyes with just a little TLC. If you have restrictions or questions, ask them before you make any commitments and we will work with you to find the right dog for your home and family. AGA has an excellent foster team who will work directly with you. Our process, in part, is showing you the Golden in need that we believe is best for you, followed by a touch base the next day to ensure all is working out. You will then help to decide when your foster dog is ready for their new family. Please I beg you to volunteer.
Thank you so very much for considering becoming a foster today!
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This week we were called me about an owner surrender. They had filled out a report that said the dog was ill. We proceeded to call the owners and let them know that we would take him and to get more information about his illness. It was pretty serious so we included our AGA head of medical on the call as well. Almost 4-month-old Leo was taken to Banfield on Wednesday by his owners, because he'd been throwing up for 4 days, not eating, and was lethargic. Banfield said they needed to do X-rays and if there's an obstruction he may need surgery. The family couldn't afford the X-rays, never mind the surgery. So Banfield said you need to turn Leo into a rescue or euthanize him. Thankfully, they turned him over to AGA. We worked it out so they would meet me at VEG in Alpharetta and we would take the dog from there. They knew we were coming. Needless to say, it was a very busy evening at VEG. Leo and I just hung out on the sofa, he was making friends left and right because as you can see from the pictures he's adorable. Every time he met someone the tail wagged! About 2.5 hours in he got x-rays done and the doctor said he has a pretty large blockage and this is serious surgery.
We hung out for another hour and a half and with the number of patients that were in there, she said it could be after midnight before they even get to Leo. I went home at 11:00 pm and we waited. Fast forward to 2:30 am when a text comes in from VEG as follows:
"I have terrible news about Leo. His intestine is perforated. The vet doesn't recommend going further with trying to locate the foreign body. It would involve infringing on the pancreas which is an organ that he can't live without. She said that even if they were able to get the foreign body, his quality of life would be severely compromised because of the damage to the intestine and potentially the pancreas. I made the decision to let him go. I'm so so sorry. I wish we could have saved him."
A very heartfelt Thank You to our volunteer for taking the calls from VEG until 2:30 am. To say we are devastated is an understatement. Our volunteer spent 4 hours with this sweet, adorable boy at VEG where everyone fell in love with him, and I still can't believe he's gone. It's crazy how attached you can get in just 4 hours. I'm so thankful for the time I got with Leo and so grateful that a rescue like AGA steps up to save these sweet souls all the time! I've shed many a tear over Leo today as I do while writing this email. There's the easy and hard side of rescue, which is definitely a hard one! Sweet Leo didn't make it to his 4 month birthday but I sure hope he had a hell of a time while he was here. Run free sweet boy ❤ Hug and kiss your babies and keep them safe this 4th of July!
If you would like to donate to help cover the cost of Leos's time in medical, we would greatly appreciate any support possible.
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Orphan of the Month
Meet Tee Doodle
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Well, wouldn’t you be nervous too just coming from a place you have lived for a year and a half into a brand new situation? Thank goodness for my AGA foster who is helping me get used to a lot of new things. I still forget you have to go outside for some things so you don't have accidents inside the house.
(HINT) You have to go to the door and then look at the person. They usually catch on. Sometimes you might have to whine a little.
You can read more about me here.
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How to Help Keep Your Dog Safe on July Fourth
Although a celebratory day for humans, the July 4th holiday brings multiple threats to our dogs’ health and happiness. The American Veterinary Medical Association warns that fireworks, picnics, cookouts, and other Fourth of July traditions can be frightening and even dangerous for pets. Up to half of dogs react fearfully to fireworks, according to owner surveys.
There are some steps you can take before, during, and after the holiday to keep your best friend safe.
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Nothing makes us happier than finding the perfect fit for our rescued Goldens. Here are some of the new families formed in June.
Congratulations to all of our pups who found their forever homes.
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A HUGE thank you to all the volunteers, especially the foster families that helped these orphans find their forever families.
None of this happens without fosters and volunteers!
Have an interest in helping out? Fill out a volunteer application today!
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CHECK OUT OUR AGA
GOLDEN STORE!
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Who doesn't want Cool Stuff for the summer like this amazing Don’t Stop Retrieving T-Shirt! We have JUST what you're looking for so you and you and your pup are the envy of the summer - trust us!
Check out our AGA Store today for one-of-a-kind items and if you're like us and love sale items, we have some of those too!
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Looking for additional ways to support AGA? Here are just a few ways you can continue to help!
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If you would rather buy something specific that our dogs need,
look no further than our Amazon Wish List!
We've compiled a list of items like bowls, beds, and toys that our pups would love to have.
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Before you begin your Amazon shopping, use this link and shop like normal. AGA receives a donation from every dollar you spend while using our special AGA Amazon link. Please bookmark for future use.
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Shop at Kroger?
Select AGA as your charity and Kroger will donate.
Register your card here using our NPO number 67180. From there, shop like usual to help support AGA (at no additional charge to you!)
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Walk your dog?
Don't just take your dog
for a walk . . . Take your
"Walk for a Dog!"
Visit wooftrax.com, download the app, and support AGA every time you walk your dog.
(Golden Retriever not necessary)
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You are the driving force behind AGA saving goldens. Honor a golden, memorialize a loved one, and help with Heartworm treatment; every dollar counts, and no donation is too small! |
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Other Ways to Donate:
Venmo: @AGARESCUE
PayPal: Adopt A Golden Atlanta
Check: Adopt a Golden Atlanta | P.O. Box 420256, Atlanta, GA 30342-9998
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Looking for a reliable organization to help care
for your Golden? Look no further!
Visit AGA's preferred vets, dog trainers, and boarding facilities
through the links below.
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