Gus 06-212
CLICK ON THE THUMBNAILS TO ENLARGE.
GRREAT's Forever Friends
Bella
Bella (GRREAT #03-148) aka Beanie, my kindred doggie spirit, loved nooks and crannies, being underfoot, squirrel sightings (then followed by chases), bones, head scratches, hugs, kisses, songs, walks in the park, nudging, hogging the bed, and psyching out the cat next door. She did not love the dastardly vacuum cleaner, loud noises, baths, rain, ear cleanings, thunderstorms, or having her bed moved during vacuuming. I loved her indescribably and think of her every day. I was blessed to have her and am so grateful to GRREAT for making it possible. (130716)
Dutch Dehmlow
I first met Dutch (GRREAT 03-266) when his foster parents were walking him, and it was love at first sight. I knew we would adopt him. Dutch was the most loving Golden boy with the biggest smile. He preferred to be with his humans more than anything else, well maybe not more than eating, but close. He loved to taste whatever we were eating and made us laugh as he munched on corn on the cob, watermelon, and mango. He loved car rides, especially the convertible, and starred as Mr. July in GRREAT’s 2006 calendar. He was a blood donor for EVBB for many years. Dutch lived a great and happy life and was well traveled as we criss-crossed the country in our RV. The great outdoors was
the place he loved to be and we enjoyed so many adventures together. We were so fortunate to be Dutch’s forever family for almost 9 years when cancer reared its ugly head and we helped him to the Rainbow Bridge on February 8, 2013. Our hearts are filled with sadness as we mourn his loss, but the wonderful memories he gave us and all who knew him will last forever. Dutch, you will always be missed and forever loved. Sharon & Jay Dehmlow
Denali
Our beloved dog Denali was a rescue from Long Island Golden Retriever Rescue in 2001. He died peacefully in his sleep at 14. He was very loved by his family. He never met a stranger and always was up for a belly rub. He loved to roll over on his belly and close his eyes and be pet by anyone who would succumb to his demands. He loved to eat doggy ice cream and to wrestle with his brother T-bone. We will miss him dearly.
Bailey Palais-Stevens
October 2, 1999-December 17, 2012. Bailey was not a GRREAT dog but she was a great dog, and she shared her entire life once she arrived in the States from New Zealand with one GRREAT dog or another (including several foster dogs some of whom became residents of the Palais-Stevens household). Bailey volunteered for over 10 years as a therapy dog (registered first with TDI and then with Delta Society (Pet Partners). She was also a certified crisis dog with National Animal Assisted Crisis Response (NAACR) and helped on several local events where crisis dogs were needed. When she was not volunteering at the Capital Caring Halquist Inpatient Center in Arlington, she was enjoying swimming in the pond at Golden Meadows Farm in Louisa, VA. Bailey’s first GRREAT sibling was Sundance (95-085), followed by Sassy (02-042) and then Buddy (06-177) who is in the 2013 GRREAT calendar. Bailey was dearly loved by her family and by the many people who met her. Bailey was also featured on a Dogs Purpose web site several years ago in a write-up about her work as a therapy dog.
Nick and Emma
In memory of our beautiful girl, Emma, and our sweet boy, Nick. These two loved the beach and we’re so happy they were able to enjoy their last year actually living at the beach. Emma loved to swim and, in her younger days, it was amazing to watch her time it just right and jump the waves to retrieve her favorite stick. Nick, our Butter Bean, preferred to wait for the hard retrieval work to be done and then “help” Emma carry the stick to shore. After 13 1/2 years, Emma decided she was done and we gently helped her to the Rainbow Bridge on April 17, 2012. Nick grieved Emma’s loss and then gradually learned to relish the role of “only” dog – accepting all the love, all the hugs and all the treats for himself. We enjoyed a great summer with our boy and on September 14, 2012, Nick very unexpectedly passed over to the Rainbow Bridge. He was only 6 years old. We miss our guys so much but loved every moment with them. As we try to find our peace, we know they are now at peace, carefree and happy with all their friends, new and old, at the Rainbow Bridge. Barb Hals & Sharon Dyke (1301212)
Murray
Murray joined our family on June 10, 2008, after having been rescued and lovingly cared for by his “foster mother,” Connie Trivits, a volunteer for GRREAT. He came to our family and filled a void in our hearts and home. He quickly became the gentle giant for our neighborhood kids and was even welcomed into our childrens’ elementary school to participate in a unit on volunteerism and animal rescue. He was so gentle that our rabbit and guinea pig, as you can see from the picture, found comfort nestling in Murray’s coat. We lost our wonderful companion of four years on October 27, 2012.
Barkley Boykin
Golden Retrievers will teach you that sometimes it’s more important to roll in the snow than shovel it. When you’re traveling, sometimes it’s more important to stop and sniff things than hurry to your destination. When you start to get frustrated, or lose your temper, sometimes everything comes into focus when you get a wet nose pushed into your palm. When somebody yells at you, most times you need to just go pout for awhile, then come back and be friends again. And always, always, always, it’s better to wag more, and bark less.
Barkley (GRREAT #00-080) went to the bridge in November of 2012. She was the greatest airport dog ever. For her, hanging out at the airport meant making new friends, and getting in the airplane meant new adventures at the other end. If you could pin wings on a dog, she’d be wearing ’em right now.
