Golden Retriever #26

Rolo the Retriever

owned by Adrian Milledge and Joanne Bednall

from near Lichfield, Staffordshire, UK – www.roloretrieverblog.co.uk

“He’s rioting! He’s rioting!”  was commonly used by family and friends to sum up the antics of our eight-week-old Golden Retriever puppy Rolo, who 11 years later, still hasn’t managed to shake off this description.

While every area of his body apart from his hips (how ironic!) is now ravaged by arthritis and he’s succumbed to some typical canine pensioner afflictions, he is still a puppy at heart.

At dog training more than a decade ago, Rolo was as nice as pie for our trainer Will, who regaled us with tales of his canine charity fund-raising missions to France across the English Channel balanced on a cluster of wine boxes lashed together with string, while our pet sat patiently at his side and gazed adoringly into his eyes. 

But at home the young retriever could only be described as a teenage tearaway, a delinquent who did his own thing on his own terms. He soon learned he could get a lot past his first-time dog-owning ‘parents’ and behaved accordingly. In fact, to be honest, recall still hasn’t been nailed, unless “Rolo! Come!” is accompanied by copious stick waving and yells of “What’s this then?”, “Pussycat – look!” or “Grandma grandpa’s here!”

He would happily retrieve a stick or ball once but would give you a “go get it yourself” look if you dared be so careless with the object again.

And so the years went on and Rolo’s character became more entrenched – and we loved him more for it. If you weren’t 100 per cent on your guard, he’d take himself off to personally meet everyone in the vicinity, inspect every corner of their homes and introduce himself to their children and pets. He’d open every door or gate – he knows which type of latch or catch requires a downward nose movement or an upward one – and tiptoe over cattle grids. “NO!” was just a word he never seemed to grasp.

We’ll never forget the time about eight years ago when we were between homes and staying in a relative’s house. Rolo was firmly ensconced in the new extension, courtesy of a child-proof gate. Or so we thought. On returning  home, there was that familiar ‘dog on bed landing on floor’ sound from above our heads and that intelligent face would appear at the top of the stairs. “You forgot to shut the gate,” we’d each argue furiously at the other. Until, one day, when we pretended to go out and spied on him through a crack in the door. Sure enough, out Einstein-esque retriever had learned to squeeze the top bar between his teeth – as a human hand would – and push his weight against the gate at just the right moment to swing it open. Film companies would spend hours (and pay a handsome fee no doubt) training a dog to do that – and our boy worked it out for himself. We had a new admiration for him after that. And only yesterday, despite his advancing years and painful joints, he insisted on dragging his brand new bed and its entire contents of doggie duvet and covers all the way up the stairs – just because he could. Talk about being doggedly determined. 

Everyone of course says that their golden is special. As far as Rolo is concerned, though, they threw the mould away ages ago. And maybe that is a good thing – could the world cope with Rolo II – The Return? We doubt it!

Golden Retriever #25

The 'Tail' of Steve

by: Chad Burgess

Disclaimer: Names/conditions and other personal information from a Therapy Visit cannot be shared. Chad Burgess, Carla Donovan-Burgess and Gopher are volunteers and do not officially represent any institution mentioned in these visits. The experiences, conversations are true and really took place the names of persons, if given have only been changed to protect the privacy of those we visit.

Carla and I were both warned that at some point in our therapy visits there would be one patient that would really touch us. This is not to say we aren’t touched by all the people we visit, it is that at least one would cause you to look past your objectivity, get close to your dog, and make you stay longer than scheduled. The time has come and for the purpose of this story we will call him Steve.

Steve is a shy little boy who is extremely ill. He is undergoing a dangerous treatment to help him fight a disease that could take this life before he gets the chance to grow up. Steve is only seven and is a typical little boy at first appearance. He is terribly shy and when he talks with you it he never looks at you, always down or through his mother. When I wrote this I had three wonderful opportunities to learn about Steve.

Gopher and I arrived and we took our typical place by the fireplace in the little room where our visits are held. There was a mother and a little boy that were already there waiting for us. This was Steve and I couldn’t help but notice that he smiled at Gopher as soon as we walked into the room. In the therapy setting with a dog it is the opposite as in the public, when walking down the street you should always ask for permission to pet a dog. In the therapy setting you ask the person if they want to say hi and do not approach until there is an affirmation. Steve looked for a moment over his portable video game device then quickly turned to look at his mom who told him it was okay. Instead of getting up and coming over he seemed in sink deeper into the chair, covering his face leaving only narrow slits of his eyes looking over his gaming device. I could not help but smile when I noted the power light indicator was black and not the glowing crimson or jade as it would when this device was in operation. I looked down at Gopher smiling and gave him a pet. Steve stayed put in his chair.

After a few minutes a few more kids started to arrive and began visiting with Gopher. I couldn’t help but notice the gaming device had slumped away from Steve’s face and he watched closely how the kids were interacting with Gopher and how I was interacting with them. I am not quite sure when or how it came about but without me noticing Steve had moved from his chair and was thoroughly petting Gopher and Gopher focused his soft loving brown eyes directly on Steve and somewhat embarrassingly did not acknowledge the other kids as much. I don’t know if I can ever knowingly explain why he did that, Steve was not stroking a particular spot that Gopher desires he was softly patting his chest something done 100’s of times a day and a move that has never drawn his focus so intently. Did Gopher know Steve needed him ‘more’ than the other kids at that moment? Did he know they were beginning to form a friendship? I don’t think any of us will ever know. Here we were though, with Gopher, who as a canine will instinctively not look a stranger directly in the eye,  had those deep chestnut brown eyes, that appear to have a wisdom and knowledge beyond me, was staring directly into Steve’s eyes.

The other kids, many of them had seen and played with Gopher before, excitedly ran off to join in the arts and craft activity happening in the room adjacent to us. This left Steve alone with Gopher. I spoke with Steve a few times, and he would respond, but always kept looking at Gopher. Gopher decided to settle in and lay down on his side to take in the full massage given by Steve. This would continue for nearly thirty minutes when Steve suddenly got up. Gopher raised his head at the loss of his masseur. Steve went over to the chair and picked up his gaming device came back over and lay down on the floor resting his head on Gopher’s chest and shoulder. I learned at this moment that only the day before Steve had undergone a long and exhausting treatment. His mother asked him if he needed to go upstairs and go to bed, Steve looked at his mother and in a loud affirmative tone said “NO,  MOM!” His mother had told him how happy this time was making her that due to his illness and his innate shyness he was not engaging with anyone or anything. I looked back to Gopher and Steve during this discussion and discovered that Steve had turned the gaming device on this time and the glow of the screen illuminating his and Gophers face who had draped his neck over Steve’s shoulder and rested his head on Steve’s chest. I was startled at first and exchanged looks with Steve’s mom to see if this was okay or if I needed to move Gopher. She shook her head no with tears in her eyes watching her son interact with another living being for the first time in months.

Amazed by this I watched as Steve continued to play his game and noticed that he was talking the entire time. Gopher also did not go to sleep or close this eyes he just kept his eyes open looking at the gaming screen and Steve through the corners of his eyes, moving those Golden eyebrows back and forth. The time came for Gopher and I to leave came too quickly, and I ignored the clock fifteen more minutes passed this way, when Steve’s mom asked me if I wasn’t supposed to leave. I acknowledged that I was, and Steve sat straight up and turned to Gopher. He looked right into his face and said “I don’t want you to leave Gopher.” I told him I was sorry but it was time for Gopher to go home and get his dinner, Steve kept looking at Gopher and asked “Gopher, can you come back, when will you be back?” I told him we would be back in just a few days as we were visiting the facility twice that week. Gopher had moved into a sit and placed one paw on Steve’s arm not breaking the gaze. Steve then said “I will see you when you come back.” putting both arms around Gopher Steve gave him a hug, and Gopher reciprocated by resting his head on Steve’s back. Steve’s mom thanked me for my visit and bringing Gopher and I told her not hanks needed it is always a pleasure to come here. I grabbed Gopher’s pack and quickly and headed out the door before anyone could notice the tears I had in my eyes.

I loaded Gopher in the car and after I regained my composure called Carla and my father immediately to tell them the story. I added that if Gopher decided that this was it and he didn’t want to do therapy work anymore that I could retire him that night and still feel that all the work, time and money spent was well worth it. I am pleased to say that Gopher is not interested in retirement yet.

The time had arrived for Gopher and I to return and he began to whimper in excitement as soon as we turned the corner to approach the facility. We came in and logged in at the office passing the fireplace room on the way. I was disappointed to see that Steve and his mom were not waiting for us. We logged in and went to the fireplace room and took our typical positions. Kids and families started arriving and playing with and petting Gopher, before I knew it nearly twenty minutes had passed and I was concerned we had not seen Steve, when his mother arrived carrying a milk bone. She came right over to me giving Gopher a pat on the head.

“Steve isn’t feeling well today.” she reported to me.

“Sorry to hear that” was my response, keeping a close eye on the crowd of kids that were now surrounding Gopher.

“He has not stopped talking about Gopher since your last visit. He has created all these stories of things they were going to do today. Then last night he started feeling really bad, a side effect of his treatment. He told me this morning that he had to feel better soon ‘cause Gopher was coming to see him. When the time came for your visit he was upset and said he didn’t think he could go, he asked me to bring down this treat and give it to Gopher and tell him he was sorry. May I give him the treat?”

“Sure Gopher can have the treat, tell Steve thank you and that Gopher loves treats, and hopes he can see him next time.”

She knelt down gave Gopher the treat and a hug as well and whispered a “Thank you” into his ear and left. Gopher and I continued the visit and when it was time to leave we left, no less emotional than the last visit. This is truly why I chose to do therapy work, there is no pay it takes time out of your day, but rewards like this make all the difference.

Gopher and I would return again and this time Steve was waiting for us. Gopher and him played and interacted the entire time. At one point Gopher laid on his side while Steve and another little boy played with Dinosaur toys on his side, becoming his own Jurassic Park. When the time came for us to leave came Steve gave him another hug and told Gopher he would see him next time.

Now I am torn, I cannot wait to return to see Steve and Gopher interact again it is one of the greatest moments I have had the opportunity to witness. Equally though I will be happy for the day when Steve can go home recovered and get to be a child, perhaps even getting his own Golden Retriever to play with, since he asked shortly before we left on our last visits. “Mom, I know I can’t have Gopher, but when I am better can I get a dog just like him?” 

Thank you Steve for letting Gopher and I come see you and be a part of your life. I hope to see you again but more than that I hope to hear you have gone home and are awaiting the arrival of your own Golden.

Golden Retriever #24

Casey

by: Randy Schilling

We had lost our beloved Yellow Lab Nala to old age. Our Black lab Savannah was 1-1/2 years at the time. Savannah always looked to Nala as her mother and Nala accepted this from day one. Nala adored Savannah and loved her as if she was her own. When Nala passed, Savannah went into a tailspin. She was not eating, became lethargic, and was obviously mourning Nala. We became worried that we were losing Savannah also! 

I took Savannah to the vet to make sure nothing physically was wrong. The vet agreed that she was taking Nala's passing very hard. When I came out of the exam room, the girls in the office were standing waiting for me. They handed me an index card with a name and phone number on it and told me the story of a sweet golden who's parents were going through a nasty divorce and could not keep this sweet boy.

We called the number on the card and arranged a meeting with Casey's mom. She explained that all she wanted was for Casey to have a loving home. Casey tried to approach Savannah but she gave him the cold shoulder. As for Casey and I, we hit it off from the get-go and he never left that day. Eventually Savannah gave in to this sweet boy and being he was younger, became his new mom. With new purpose in life Savannah recovered and is now a healthy 8 year old. As for Casey, he is a 70 lb. lap dog who loves his family and new life.

Recently we rescued an older pug who goes by the name of Rock. Rock does not see well and Casey immediately became Rock's seeing eye dog. They are to this day inseparable and are seldom apart. We call them the odd couple and Savannah mothers the two of them. So in a sense this beautiful golden boy has rescued two dogs plus himself. If ever there was a golden that belongs in this project it is Casey!

Golden Retriever #23

My Dog Quincy

by: Melissa McCamon

Shortly after we bought our first home, my workaholic husband decided that we needed to get a dog. Not just any dog of course, but a Golden Retriever. I did not want to get a puppy because we did not have the time to teach a new dog old tricks and because I do not believe in the reasons that people normally pick puppies. I wanted to adopt a dog.

We looked on the websites looking for a Golden Retriever and there was Quincy. He was a year and a half old and he was handsome, well mannered-ISH, and house trained! At this time, I did not have my heart set on getting a dog at all. His ad had been posted for only 45 mins! We decided to take the drive out to see him. Not settled that we were getting him at all, just to see him. We got there are Quincy was tied outside by himself :(. We almost instantly fell in love with him (after he showed us a few tricks, like high-five, my husband was completely hooked). We did not take him however, because I am in no way impulsive and any dog owner knows that a dog takes A LOT of work and patience.

By the time we got back home we had pretty much made up our mind. Quincy was OURS and we would do whatever it takes to have him forever. So we made the trek back out to get him. We took him home and as soon as he made his first step into the house, he ran upstairs and under our spare room bed snatched the one and only tennis ball we had (Left by guests who had stayed a few weeks ago with their two dogs).

 

Now Quincy is my best friend. He gives the best snuggles of anyone in the whole world. He is the biggest sook ever. I mean ever! My husband travels a lot for work and so having Quincy has been the best companionship for me. We took him to obedience classes and learned that Quincy does not like to be on a leash and he was the best behaved dog in the class as long as he wasn't on the leash. Even if he is as long as I am tall and pretty much as heavy as me and even though, if he has his heart set on meeting the nearest neighbours cat he can knock me over (this has happened, on more than one occasion even with obedience classes). We even had an encounter with a skunk in the middle of a rainy night!

My Quincy can always bring a smile to my face. He is the funniest creature I have ever known even though he can't really talk back. There is nothing in the world I wouldn't do for my dog!

Golden Retriever #22

My Best Friend Bailey

by: Ali Hughes

I like to think that Bailey found us, instead of the other way around. I adopted her from a co-worker who had too many dogs. It was my intention to gift her to my mother who had recently lost her first dog to old age. Bailey had other things in mind. She entered our home cautiously and politely. I had never seen a dog who looked for approval before going up on the furniture. It was like she could talk with her eyes! Those darling brown soulful eyes. She was timid in all behavior, but curious to trust us. My husband offered her a gentle hand and she accepted. This was the beginning of her new wonderful life.

Bailey is now eight years young. Graying mostly around the eyes like bifocals on a Grandmother. She travels with us everywhere. She has helped pull us from dark times, always lending a therapist's ear. We comfort her in thunderstorms, offering a safe hideout under the covers. We swim and fish and explore together. She wins over the hearts of strangers and kisses their children. She smiles when we come home from work and sings a song of joy. Bailey is my best friend.