The March/April issue of GRREAT News is available for downloading.

 

 

Pet Food Recall!!!

Diamond Pet Foods has voluntarily recalled some brands of dry dog and cat food that it manufactured in its Gaston, S.C. facility between December 9, 2011 and April 7, 2012 due to potential Salmonella contamination. The brands that were recalled on May 4 have not tested positive for Salmonella. The company is recalling certain batches of these brands, however, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety and well-being of customers and their pets. Brands include Taste of the Wild and Canidae among others. Please see the Diamond Pet Foods web site (http://diamondpetrecall.com) for their brand recall list, and the Food and Drug Administration web site (http://www.fda.gov/animalveterinary/safetyhealth/recallswithdrawals/default.htm) for additional brand recalls. Check the production codes and best-before dates on the bags of recalled food, and discontinue feeding it.

 

A Final Progress Report on Lucas, Amber and Pilot In our March/April edition of the GRREAT News and on our website, GRREAT reported the stories of three very special Goldens (Lucas, Amber and Pilot), all of whom required extensive medical procedures. We also requested, after much consideration, donations to help offset their medical costs and set a goal of $10,000. Within just two weeks we exceeded this goal, thanks to your willingness to help. The following progress report underscores the tremendous difference your generous contributions made to the lives of Lucas, Amber and Pilot. Lucas ultimately had 38 teeth removed and now appears to be completely recovered from his second surgery. There is no swelling of the gums and the tissue healed nicely. Lucas' final dental checkup is scheduled for the first week of April after which, barring bad news, Lucas should be ready to find his forever home. We decided to forego including a photo of Lucas' mouth since we're just "not sure seeing pictures of Lucas with only four teeth in his mouth will make anyone feel very warm and fuzzy!" Suffice it to say that his foster home reports that Lucas has become quite the chow hound - whereas before his surgery, Lucas only ate to live, he now lives to eat, which he does well even without those teeth! Amber's foster home reports that the incision from her surgery to remove the massive tumor has healed (see picture on left) and the staph infection seems to have cleared. Amber is scheduled to see the vet the last week of March and, hopefully, her sutures from surgery can be removed and her antibiotics, discontinued. Amber still exhibits itching, possibly due to food sensitivities. Similar to Lucas, Amber LOVES her food and is barely able to maintain her "sit" while her food is prepared. Now free to roam the house with her canine foster siblings, Amber isn't afraid to let her younger siblings know that she hasn't much interest in puppy play. She does, however, love to play fetch outside with her human foster parents, running hard to catch and return the ball. Afterwards, a weary Amber will settle for a long nap while sunbathing on the porch or curled up in front of the TV, emitting "charming snorts" upon awakening. Such a lady! Pilot has also improved "leaps and bounds" since his surgery, which has healed beautifully (see the grayed outline area towards his tail). Although Pilot has severe arthritis in his back, the pain is controlled with mild pain and nerve medication. Pilot also has a skin condition, which has improved with frequent baths and some Benadryl. Pilot gains more and more energy each day, and, like Amber, loves to play ball. His only request is constant love of which he will remind you often with little "nose nudges" under your hand, forcing you to pet him. Once again, we would like to thank all of you for your many generous contributions donated to help these three Goldens, and also to thank their foster homes for their time and commitment. To support other dogs in the rescue, please select the "Donate" button:

 

 

Help GRREAT with this Fundraiser GRREAT has teamed with GoodShop.com to raise funds for our rescue while meeting your shopping needs. GoodShop participants include Barnes & Noble; Amazon.com; iTunes, App Store, iBookstore, and Mac App Store; Target; and Neiman Marcus to name just a few. GoodShop.com also offers over 100,000 coupons. A percentage of every purchase you make through this site will be donated to GRREAT. If you don't find what you need, enroll in GoodSearch.com to search the internet for other alternatives. GRREAT will receive a penny for each search. And if you must brave the shopping malls to shop, take a break to grab a bite to eat after enrolling in GoodDining.com. Up to 6% of your meal purchase from one of 10,000 participating restaurants will be donated to GRREAT. Just be sure to enter GRREAT as your favorite charity before starting. Problems coming up with a gift idea? Consider purchasing Restaurant.com eCertificates or subscriptions to a favorite magazine at up to 85% off through our fundraising website. Up to 40% of each purchase will be donated to GRREAT. Spread the "grreat" word to friends and family by encouraging them to try these sites. Site donations go directly to support GRREAT's rescued Goldens. Happy Shopping !!!

 

 

Sign Up With Verizon to Benefit GRREAT By ordering certain new Verizon products, you may be able to help GRREAT with a one-time donation of up to $65 from Verizon. And if you already have the services you need, please pass the information on to a friend or relative. Click here for details.

 

 

Dollars for Doers
Easy Cash for GRREAT
 

Do you know that your volunteer efforts can be turned into cash for GRREAT dogs?  Some companies offer to donate money to non-profit organizations for the volunteer work done by their employees and retirees. The donation is based on the number of service hours the employee/retiree has performed for the non-profit.

Through the Dollars for Doers program, GRREAT benefits twice: once from the volunteer's contribution of time and again from the financial contribution made by the volunteer's employer.

If you are a GRREAT volunteer, please ask your employer if they participate in the Dollars for Doers program.  If they do not, we would be so grreatful if you would ask them to consider it.

Here is a suggested Dollars for Doers policy you can give to your employer to help set up a program at your company. 

 

Sponsor Me!

Many of us have the ability to open our hearts to a Special Needs Golden, but not necessarily our homes, so GRREAT has initiated a "Sponsor Me!" program.

Of the 250 dogs we take in every year, many require extensive medical attention before they can be adopted into their forever homes.  Unfortunately, there are some whose medical conditions and/or age make them unadoptable, and they must remain in GRREAT foster homes on a permanent basis.  The medical needs of these Long Term Foster dogs are provided for by GRREAT for the rest of their lives, and the love, attention, and daily care they deserve are provided for by their forever foster homes.  Each year, an average of 3-4 dogs become Long Term Fosters; some are considered hospice care dogs, and others may live comfortably for several years.

We invite you to look at our Special Needs Dog page to learn about each of our Long Term Fosters, and to consider becoming a sponsor for one (or more) of them. As you read about each of the dogs, just click the button to select those that you wish to sponsor. You can sponsor a Golden with a one-time donation, or you can set up ongoing support through a monthly donation. Become a part of ensuring that these dogs will live in comfort and dignity for the rest of their lives.
 

 

HELP WANTED!
We have wonderful dogs coming in all the time,
and you can help them find their forever homes
by becoming a GRREAT Foster Home.

There are many families in our area waiting to adopt Goldens but GRREAT is in need of foster homes who can provide a temporary home for these dogs  (over 250 every year), usually for a 3-4 week period, during which time the golden can be evaluated and cared for medically, its behavior and temperament can be assessed and then the foster family can match this dog with the right adoptive family from the hundred or so approved applicants that we have. GRREAT pays for all pre-approved medical expenses, provides leash, collar, heartworm preventative, and will gladly work closely with you should any questions arise. If for some reason the foster dog just doesn't seem to be able to acclimate to your home, we will move the foster dog. You are not stuck with a dog, nor do you have to take a dog if the timing is not good for you.

If you would like to be part of the solution to the problem of the thousands of dogs that are killed in this country every week because of lack of homes, this may be the answer for you!!!!! Just send Denise Malczewski an e-mail and we will contact you with more information.

Take the Foster Quiz.
 

 

Virginia "Golden Retriever Rescue"
  License Plates

GRREAT and our partner to the south, Southeast Virginia GRREAT, are gauging interest in a Golden Retriever Rescue license plate for Virginia drivers. The basic program requires 350 prepaid applications. As 501(c)3 organizations, our rescues qualify for Revenue Sharing. With our combined memberships, we should be able to meet this criteria. Plates authorized for revenue sharing cost $25 annually. Personalization is an additional $10 annually. Revenue sharing provides $15 of every $25 paid to the DMV to be shared with the qualified organization after the sale of the first 1000 plates. If you are interested in this program, please contact Lona Gordon.  (Note: Golden Retriever Rescue plates have been available in Maryland for several years.  Here's how to get one.)
 

 

Update Your Contact Info        
                For Your Dog's Sake

All GRREAT dogs should microchipped (if not, you need to get that done as soon as possible).  But a microchip doesn't help your lost dog get home if GRREAT doesn't have your current contact information.  If you have moved or changed phone numbers since your dog received his chip, send your updated information to membership@grreat.org.  Then we'll be able be able to contact you if we are notified that your dog has been found by someone. 
 

 

Forever Friends

We are pleased to announce a new fund to honor your special pet that has gone on to the Rainbow Bridge. This memorial fund will allow you to pay tribute to your dog, cat, or other special critter, and at the same time help our GRREAT Golden Retrievers find their forever homes. Please visit the Forever Friends to read about Gus 06-212, the first forever friend and all the other friends that are listed.  While you're there, you can find out how to list your special forever friend.
 

 

It Takes Dozens of Volunteers to Keep
GRREAT Operating

GRREAT has no paid staff.  Everything we do to help homeless Goldens in the mid-Atlantic area is done by volunteers.  Some of our volunteers spend several hours a day and others much less.  Can you afford some time each week to be sure all of our dogs find new homes?  Check out our updated volunteer page to see if there isn't something you could do to help.
 

 

Your Donation Dollars at Work