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GRREAT DOGS
LOOKING FOR NEW HOMES
Last updated on
Wednesday May 16, 2012
These are some of the dogs we have available for adoption. There is no guarantee as to how
long each dog will remain available, but the list is typical of the dogs normally
available. We have dogs coming into the rescue and being adopted out every week, so it is
impossible to keep this list absolutely accurate. Although we have scheduled
Adoption Days each month, most dogs are matched with new families in between
these public events. If you are going to attend an
Adoption
Day, be sure you have
your application submitted at least four weeks prior. We cannot approve adoption
applications on the spot because GRREAT policy requires a home visit before applications
approval to be sure we find the best possible match between dog and family.
Adoptions are made to qualified candidates within the
geographic area serviced by GRREAT. If you are interested in any of these dogs you must
submit an application. You can download adoption
information and an application right here. Completed
applications, however, must be snail-mailed back to us because original signatures
are required.
In order to adopt a GRREAT dog, you must live within our
service area--which is limited to Maryland, Virginia (north of Richmond), the District of
Columbia, Delaware, and south central Pennsylvania and adjacent portions of West
Virginia. Please note:
Submit
your adoption application at least four weeks before a
scheduled Adoption
Day. We
cannot approve adoption applications on the spot during these events.
Why does it take so long to process
applications?
You'll
notice that some of our dogs have the "No Kids" symbol. This means that
these dogs have histories, behaviors, or personalities that make them a better
fit for "adult only" families or families with kids over the age of 14.
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Special Needs Goldens Who Need Your Support
- - From
time to time, GRREAT has Golden Retrievers that have special conditions
or issues above and beyond most of the dogs that are more easily
re-homed. Even so, once GRREAT commits to a Golden Retriever in need, we
endeavor to overcome any obstacle--medical or behavioral--in order to
help them find their Forever Home. This kind of care can become very
expensive and your support is needed. |
RADAR (11-109) is a handsome 9 year
old Golden mix with striking eyes. He is a gentle and quiet 73 pound boy
who loves to be close to people. He enjoys playing with his tennis balls
and toys for short periods and is then content to watch the world. He
loves to look out the windows and will go from window to window watching
the squirrels and birds in the back yard. Occasionally he likes to chase
the squirrels when outside, but he does not like to be outside for a
long period of time. Radar has had a run of ear infections due to
environmental allergies, but these appear to be getting better since
being on easily administered allergy shots to build up his resistance.
We're also using a special low-allergy food right now. He is fully house
broken and when he needs to go out, he will go to the door and then come
back and stare at you with an intense look in his beautiful eyes. While
capable of going up and down the stairs to go to the back yard, he does
not like to climb up the stairs to the second floor to sleep. He is
content to sleep on the first floor, and greets you at the bottom of the
stairs when you come down in the morning. He ignores the cat he lives
with and is interested in other dogs. He loves to ride in the car, and
is learning about walks. He adjusted to the crate when he first came to
us, but there has not been any reason to continue to use it. We
recommend a fenced yard since he does periodically run after squirrels. |
NEW!
HARLEY (11-212) is a 10 year old
male that weighs 80lbs. He is a sweet older guy with a heart of gold and
everyone who meets him just falls in love. He is great with children of
all ages and and he loves to be in the house right next to you. He also
loves to go on walks and is great on a leash; no fence required. He
loves to sleep most of the day but his puppy-like energy comes alive in
the evening. Harley knows all the basic commands and has free roam of
the house without incident. He's always eager to meet you at the door
and will "speak" for quite a while expressing how much he missed you.
Harley gets along well with cats and other dogs. Steps can be a little
challenging first thing in the morning so a house without too many steps
would be appreciated. Harley is our "car-pool" dog because he loves to
go in the car, anywhere, anytime. His happy disposition makes him very
lovable. Unfortunately Harley came into rescue with a skin condition
called sebaceous adenitis. He does not have a thick, full coat and
requires frequent baths for his scaling skin. This problem is purely
aesthetic and does not bother Harley, and he is an angel about bath
time. He takes a dietary supplement twice a day, eats a dog food for
sensitive skin, and get a topical medication twice a week. |
LIBBY (11-221) This is one sweet
girl who just wants to be loved and spend time with people. She has been
completely vetted and the paperwork indicates she is 8 years old. Libby
has an adorable, smiley face. She has a beautiful coat and would
probably be happy to spend hours being brushed. If Libby could tell us
her favorite thing, we bet it would be to get a belly rub (as she
frequently flips right over on her back). She is ready to go at a
moment’s notice and thoroughly enjoys taking a walk. Her leash manners
are good unless something catches her attention. Libby is a full figured
gal so she and her foster mom have been taking lots of walks to work off
some of their holiday weight gain. Even so, stairs are not a problem.
She is very well house broken, has not had a single accident, and lasts
for a full workday and overnight. In the house she settles down and is
very quiet. Libby would do best as a single pet in an adult household.
Although incredibly sweet with adults and teenagers, she's not always
interested in getting along with other dogs. We've worked with a trainer
and she's come a long way on buffing up that one rough spot in her
personality, so continued training to make that part shine will be
recommended. If you are looking for a companion who will adore your time
and attention, Libby is ready for you. |
BENTLEY (11-226) is an adorable 1
year old male Golden Retriever. He came into our home a rambunctious
youngster, full of energy, and loving life. Bentley is clearly a smart
dog as he was quick to pick up on family traditions in our home such as
where he needs to be when being fed and that he has to go outside after
his meals. Bentley is fully crate trained and has no problem spending
the day in his crate, with a mid-day break, while you are at work. He
has been left in the house without supervision for brief times without
any problems so he's well on his way to being trusted for longer
periods. Bentley knows how to ask to be let out and we have not had any
accidents in the house. Bentley loves to go for car rides and walks on a
leash. He doesn’t pull on his leash, but neither has he learned to heel
yet. He knows the command “sit” and is working on “leave it” and “lay
down.” When he naps, Bentley prefers to sleep in your lap on the sofa or
lay on top of your feet on the floor. He is very good with children
although as a youngster he does jump occasionally when greeting people.
Bentley’s favorite game is “fetch” and he will often initiate this game
with you. We recommend a fenced in backyard with a fence that is at
least 5 feet high. Bentley is still learning the rules of polite play
with his foster siblings so will probably need a Forever Home without
other dogs for now. We have no idea what he thinks of cats. Bentley
needs a Forever family that can continue working with him to help this
youngster grow up into the wonderful dog he has the potential of being. |
NEW!
LUCAS (12-003) came to the rescue as a stray. He is
estimated to be about 13 years old and weighs about 50 pounds. Lucas
finding his way to GRREAT is one of the best things that could have
happened to him. You can read about his updates here on our
Home Page. In
short, Lucas needed extensive dental work, and thanks to the generosity
of GRREAT's supporters, he was able to have the much needed care. While
he may have had 38 of 42 teeth removed, instead of eating to live, he
now LIVES to EAT! Each meal is a real joy for him and if you're not
fixing it fast enough, he lets you know! When he's not dreaming of his
next meal or treats, Lucas loves to go for walks and, inside or out, he
wants to be where the action is. While he has lots of energy when he is
outside, he is happy to take nice long naps inside and can be left for a
normal work day. Lucas gets along with other dogs in his foster-home but
he may do best in a home as the only dog where he can be the center of
attention. While Lucas isn't saying much about his past life, what we do
know is that he has had a career that no doubt involved chasing cats--In
his foster home it is a favorite pastime, and so a home without one will
be a must. Also a must will be a home with children over the age of 10
because his history with children is not known. Lucas really loves
attention and will return it to his family tenfold and I think you'll
agree, he truly deserves a wonderful forever family to love him back. |
NEW!
JINX (12-005) is an adorable 10
month old, 50 pound cream-colored boy who is smart and playful, and yet
sensitive and velcro. He thinks he is a lap dog, rolling on his back for
belly rubs while you watch TV. He will follow you around the house and
be your shadow. He needs a good amount of exercise running around the
yard a few times a day. Jinx has been in his foster home for several
months as we work on his manners. He has undergone a wonderful
transformation with clicker training, and we would like the adoptive
home to continue this formally with a trainer. Jinx can learn a new
trick or game in minutes. Currently we are working on confidence
building to reduce his stress when left home alone. He needs a forever
family committed to bringing him along to adulthood while being patient
with this sensitive little guy, using positive reinforcement only.
Fenced yard required. Jinx is house trained, but not ready to be left
home alone all day. He still puppy nips and jumps when excited, so he is
not a good choice for a family with young children. He is very playful
with other dogs, but chases cats when given the chance. |
ELWOOD (12-010) is a gorgeous,
strong and energetic boy who will charm you in an instant and bring you
nothing but joy. Elwood is approximately 5 years old and 75lbs, but
don’t let the age fool you, he acts like a puppy all day long! He will
chase a tennis ball as long as you will throw it, but settle down into
your lap for some much deserved attention and ear rubs at night. He has
the sweetest face and the most gorgeous coat that he is happy for you to
groom and brush. Elwood gets along well with other dogs and is an
energetic playmate. He is very powerful and needs some leash manners so
a trainer is highly recommended. He is perfectly behaved in the car and
is free in the house while we're away at work. He loves the outdoors,
especially when there are sturdy kids or other dogs to play with. A
fenced yard is recommended for safe, off-leash play. Elwood does
have allergies. He has been tested and is currently receiving a
relatively inexpensive weekly allergy shot, which is very easy to
administer. Elwood is sure to win your heart and you will melt once you
see his face. You won’t believe that he is 5! |
NEW!
SEAGRAMS (12-023) is a very special
golden mix, approximately 3 years old. She came to GRREAT as an
emaciated nursing mother of ten 3-week-old puppies who had been
surrendered to a shelter. She has gained 14 pounds since living with her
foster family and is in good health now. She has been spayed and is
fully recovered. We suspect that she was kept as an outdoor dog as she
was not housebroken, but she quickly learned the ropes and no longer has
accidents in the house. Now she is allowed free roam. Seagrams gets
along well with other dogs but should not be in a home with cats. She
did not know how to “act” like a dog when she joined her foster
siblings, but they have taught her how to play. Seagrams does need a
home with a fenced-in yard as she can be a bit of an escape artist and
also needs some help with her leash manners. Seagrams does know the
“sit” command but would benefit from obedience training. Her favorite
thing to do is to snuggle up against you and she loves to go for car
rides. She seems to get along with kids but we don't know if she
has ever lived with them. She has been an excellent mommy to her ten
puppies and now she needs the loving home she deserves. |
LEXI (12-040) is a very playful,
happy puppy. She is about 16 months old and 55 lbs. She is beautiful,
long and lean. She is housebroken and enjoys cuddling on the couch. Lexi
is getting used to living in a house and learning to interact politely
with her foster siblings. She is friendly with other dogs, but some
supervision during playtime helps Lexi understand how to play nicely and
also when playtime is over. Lexi has been clicker trained and she
responds well to basic commands; come, sit, stay, lay down, wait. She
walks well with the front lead harness and is getting used to walking on
the leash. She is still somewhat shy of traffic, especially pick up
trucks, so we are working on building her confidence. She is learning
how to ride in the car and seems to enjoy it. Lexi would do best in a
home with a fenced yard since she loves to romp and chase birds. She
seems to enjoy water play, being washed in the bathtub, or being hosed
off. Lexi will make a nice addition to a home that can give her the
attention she deserves. Because she was a stray and we have no history
for her, we will be looking for adult households or those with kids over
14. |
NEW!
TUCKER (12-043) is a big, lovable,
muscular, blonde 4 year old golden weighing in at 85 pounds. He is good
on a leash until he catches sight or scent of a smaller critter (cats,
squirrels, rabbits, etc) and then he has a hard time remembering his
manners. He is very strong and has a stubborn side so he still needs
work in this area. He is accustomed to being exercised for an hour each
day and he likes to go for fast walks or jog with his people. While he
is active outside, he is pretty mellow inside the house and loves to be
petted anywhere he can get the attention. He's fully housebroken and can
be left for a full work day, but he appreciates a midday walk. He has
been to obedience class and knows the basic commands, but is selective
about responding so an obedience course with his new family will be
required. Tucker loves riding in the car, taking baths, and swimming. He
loves all ages of people and has been around kids, from babies through
14. While Tucker loves people, he still has a hard time interacting
appropriately with other dogs and animals so we're looking for a home
with no other 4-legged members. His only health issue is an occasional
mild seizure for which he does not need to take medication. Tucker is a
wonderful, fun-loving dog and he will do very well with an active family
who is willing to work and train with him to help him become the best
dog he can be. |
| ...and we have
many more dogs in foster homes being evaluated. |
UPDATED 2/7/12!
Here are other
Goldens available for adoption through other rescues. |