golden oldies....

[oscar12]

hello all,
I am new here, having owned Goldens for 27 years and having my beloved 12 year old Oscar euthanised last November. I still have his housemate Bonnie, 13 years and who has now stopped pining for her pal [ together since pups], although less subdued she is becoming progressively more troubled by cauda equina.
I had intended to adopt a rescue Golden before Christmas, but Bonnie became more bothered by her condition and I thought that having to attend to her incontinent bladder whilst settling in a new dog would not be fair on either. I was also concerned that after becoming attached to Bonnie, our new dog would then have the problem of missing her once she passed away, which will not be too far off happening in the vet's opinion. I would love to have 2 dogs here again but I am more concerned with bringing one here at the right time.....it's difficult weighing the issue of 2 being company for one another against the idea of the new one fretting once Bonnie has left us. Wold be grateful for your thoughts and advice, folks.
Last week I saw a lovely dog named Beppo here in north Liverpool....his new owner told me he was a rescue dog from Chorley and it was wonderful to see his coat in lovely condition, his fantastic buikld...strong looking without carryin much extra weight and the obvious love shared between him and his new owners....he was so friendly and affectionate with his many admirers......
Much as I love pups, and my instinct would be to go and get another once we lose our Bonnie......having seen this site and spoken to Jan, I think it a much better idea to adopt one of these gorgeous dogs who are no longer with their owners for a variety of reasons. I know how much they are people dogs and being kenneled and having the trauma of separation must be hard for them. I lived close to a beach when I had my first dogs and recently moved but am 5 minutes away from parkland where lots of dogs go for a run. I look forward to taking a newcomer there as for the last 18 months my two were not up to running about due to arthritis. This meant one bonus for me....not seeing them disappear into the distance when they had run off to find a muddy puddle to lie in!

[Eastonwolfs]

First of all I'm sorry you recently lost Oscar...its a loss we all know so well here... and...WELCOME!

My view...and it is only my view...is that I could never have a puppy, I don't think I should when other dogs are in need of homes...I have only ever adopted unwanted dogs, never had one from new (so to speak)...thats the way it will always be in this household...

This doesn't mean I think any less of people that do have puppies...thats there choice...

If I were you I'd wait until you adopt (if thats what you decide to do)...Bonnie will probably need you more than ever over the coming months...I think thats where you should put your energy...again just my view...

You'll know when you're ready to take on another dog (or 2?)...and it sounds like you have a lot to give...so lucky dog/s when they come along...and some of the ones that need homes can be quite young anyway...

Susan
Best of luck with what ever you decide to do

[lynn wise]

Hello and welcome to the site.
So sorry to hear about Oscar, it must be a sad time for you all.
Pleased to hear that you are in touch with rescue, I'm sure I speak for everyone that uses this site, that it will be worth every minute. Our dogs are so loved, both by us and the people they meet (usually).
you will know when you are ready to adopt again, your head and heart will come together.
Good wishes. Lynn

[lenny]

Sorry to hear of your loss, we all know how sad it is to lose a much loved dog. I can only state my feelings ,at the moment I would probably wait a while,with your other dog being poorly.But can whole heartedly say that my rescue dogs have all been special in there own individual ways,and to have them has brought much joy into our lives.You will make your choice when it feels right for you and whatever you decide good luck.

[oscar12]

hi and thanks for your welcome to the site and your replies. you all seem proof that a gut instinct is always to be trusted and that I am wise to go with my instinct to give my undivided attention to our Bonnie in what may prove to be her final months with us and to wait to adopt. I really think its fairer and wiser all round not to have a newcomer at this time.
I have read all the posts about rescued dogs and dont they all look healthy happy and gorgeous? Mind you, they are a very handsome breed so it would be rare to comment that one was anything other than lovely to look at.
When we got Kizzy, our first Golden, I had 2 young children and until my marriage had always had a dog in the family home. I saw a Mum pushing a pram one day with a toddler on the pram seat and one hand on the pram also holdign the lead of a beautiful dog with a deep crream coat and asked about their bitch...a Golden Retreiver aged 2 and wonderful with the children. This prompted research from library books on the breed and within the year we had gone to Burnley Lancashire to see a litter and make our choice from a litter of 10.
Kizzy's ashes are buried beneath a beautiful yellow rose bush planted in her name after her death in 1996. I am looking at the box containing Oscar's ashes now.
A few months after Kizzy's death I decided to go and see a breeder on the Wirral, on the other side of the river Mersey. She had talked to me after we lost Kizzy, as I read an advert about pups but wanted her advice as a breeder sa to when would be a good time to get another dog...we all needed to grieve the loss of our special girl. I said I would keep her number and ring when things were more settled and the head and heart felt right......after some months I called her and she said she had a returned puppy. A young family had bought a puppy soon after the birth of their first child. The parents had never owned dogs before and had simply fallen in love with the breed after seeing one....easily done as you all must know! However the demands of a first baby coupled with toilet training and attending to a puppy's needs proved to be more than they felt thay could handle and the little dark golden bitch was returned.
The breeder was happy to look after her and the mother, however was concerned about a second bond forming with her which would be broken when she went to a new owner...she wanted to find a new home for her as soon as possible. That was that.....we went, played with her and brought her home. Oscar was purchased 6 months later. So it easyt to understand how subdued she was when he died.
I certainly do have a lot to offer an adopted dog. If I had known of any rescue centres when Kizzy died I am sure I would have adopted a dog rather than got a puppy. Thanks again for your kind words...

[hairydog]

Sorry for your loss we have all been there at some time or another, and when you aready I am sure you will know what to do.

I always think once a golden gets under your skin, they are there forever,and I know I would want to be without one or two, ! they make you laugh they make you cry,but we are all better people for having them in our lives...

[oscar12]

thank you very much for taking the time to write, i agree totally, i think all dog -lovers bond with their animals and I know goldens dont have a monopoly on a nice nature, but there is something so special about them. It is probably to do with the fact that they are the total package that makes us love them so much initially........handsome, lovely build, beautiful colours in the range of their coats, great temperament and so quick to bond with the family that owns and loves them.
I am feeling sad after losing Oscar 6 months ago and seeing the deterioration in our Bonnie. I rang Jan last December with a view to going to visit and see a dog needing a new home....Bonnie's rather stable and slow to progress condition began to accelerate and I felt it unfair on her and a newcomer to bring one into our home when they both would be in need of attention. As she is unlikely to be with us for more than another 6 months I was also wary of allowing a bond to form with a dog who had obviously had the upheaval of being rehomed and then who would miss her when she passed away. Not like Bonnie missed Oscar possibly after being with him for 12 years, but not nice all the same for a dog who had already been subjected to some sort of trauma through separation.
I will take the time if I can navigate this site [newcomer and not very computer -savvy!] to read about the dog you have...thanks again for getting in touch.
Danielle

[Ellas mum]

Hi Danielle, and welcome.

I am so sorry for your loss of Oscar, and having read your story, I agree with all that has been said. My situation differs, in that I have only ever had one Golden at a time. Bonnie..bless her..is going to need all your loving care and attention as her condition progresses, a traumatic time for you all.
We have had one Golden, Leigh, from a puppy, and Ella, who came to us at 3yrs old from the 'Rescue'. Leigh was with us for 12 happy years and Ella is a joy.
You will know when the time is right, to welcome another one of these wonderful dogs into your life and your home.

With all good wishes,

Jean.

[RUSSELL]

Hi Danielle

sorry to here about your loss, we cannot put into words what we feel and luv our jasper having had two golden Girls before we got jasper from jan at 10 months jan said to my wife a 10 month old bousterous one and was she right, but he his a right mummies boy and is settleing down now and still has his moments swimming pool extensions in the lawn bushes pruned to the roots. Missing in the woods for 20 minutes and returns with a golden smile with the expression on his face did you call me i think the golden smile and waggy tail sums jasper up. We would not be without him just for the cuddle he gives my wife every morning has we open the bedroom door. The year we lost our second golden girl and this was the same year
we lost my mothering law to cancer and my wife belives in fate and if jassper was sent to us from up above i am sure a lady up there put is in the direction of the rescue in chorley that a little boy needed a new home and he would give you lots of luv that she could'nt anymore, and the rest is history

Thanks Jan once again

Russell