Golden Retriever

John · #1 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 06:56 AM

I don't know if the rules allow me to post the following message and if they do I don't know if I am even posting it in the right forum. You will have to excuse me as I am not not really myself just now.

Quite a few members will know we had two dogs, Max (Alsation x Collie & Jasper (Golden Retriever).

Sadly we had to have Jasper put to sleep on Tuesday as he had a tumor that had caused a blood vessel to burst quite badly in his nose. It has hit both Ros & I hard as we thought the world of our Jasper as did all the kids of the area also.

Our Max is pining quite badly and we have made a decision to try and find another Golden Retriver that needs to be rescued or re-homed. Max really needs the company of another dog.

We have approached the Golden Retriever Club (and they have listed us for future dogs as they haven't any at the moment), plus we have put our name down with various other places such as the Dog's Trust.

I thought I would ask you folks if you knew of any Golden Retrievers in your area that is looking for a new home. We are prepared to travel a fair way to find the right dog but it has to fill two basic elements. It must get on with Max (and we will bring Max along to meet any Golden Retriever before deciding) and it must get on with children. The latter reason is because all the local kids thought the world of our two dogs and always came to our gate to pet them. They still come to see Max so whichever dog we settle on will be subject to the same treatment.

Fingers crossed we will find the suitable dog soon and if we do they can look forward to a loving home. We are also having a fortnight in Norfolk from April 22nd this year and that would be an excellent time to get to know each other.

John

Mark43 · #2 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 07:09 AM

Hi John

Really sorry to hear your sad news...........i can sympathise having lost our cat last year so i know how hard it hits.

The only thing i can suggest is to look up all the local rehoming centres and give them a ring and perhaps also the RSPCA.

Good luck in your search.........i know how empty the house feels without a loved pet..........we immediately went out to replace our cat and have no regrets.

Mark

John · #3 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 07:22 AM

Thanks mark

I think we have just about covered all the rehoming / rescue centres including the RSPCA's within about a 40 mile radius of here. I have even been in touch with the Coventry Dog warden in case he finds one on the street.

This is why I have placed this thread in the hope that individual members might know of, or get to hear of, any Golden Retrievers that need re-homing.

I must have made over 100 calls in the last two days but there are currently no GR's looking for homes. They are such a popluar breed, and the fact that they don't usually cause any problems means that not many come up for re-homing.

We live in hope though.

John

HelenF · #4 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 08:04 AM

Sorry to hear that John.

Have you had a look on:

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/

they list the breed rescues and also have a message board with dogs looking for homes, as well as people looking for dogs.

Good luck in your search.

Helen

Ollie · #5 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 08:24 AM

My sympathies go out to you and your family John. I personally know what it is like to lose a valued member of the family. We lost our Springer Spaniel some time ago aged 16 years, and the grief myself and the family went through was terrible.
Sorry I can't help on any other suggestions for finding another dog, but good luck and my thoughts are with you at this sad time.
Ollie

rlchew · #6 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 08:37 AM

John

I can't help in your search for a Golden Retriever .... but I am so sorry to hear that you have lost Jasper.

I hope you find what you are looking for soon.

Richard

nightshade · #7 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 11:14 AM

Sorry to hear about Jasper John,I can look in my area Bristol/Bath if you would like or is it too far?

Oy · #8 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 11:17 AM

How sad!

I know what it's like to lose a pet that's part of the family.

There's a big animal rescue place up here in Leigh.

http://leighanimalsanctuary.com/

And lots of info here...

http://dogrescue.8m.com/

Alan Hyde · #9 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 12:51 PM

Sorry to hear of your loss John , it's hard when we loose our animal companions.

If you cannot find a retriever that needs rehoming please contact me . My motherinlaw has been a breeder of goldens for over twenty years , if she hasn't any available she often knows of some that need rehoming or of other breeders that have pups.

If you need further info sed me a pm and i'll give you her contact details.

All the best to you and your family at this hard time,
Alan

Kayleigh · #10 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 01:47 PM

Hi John
Sorry to hear of your sad loss .

We also had a very loving springer for 10 years..
Hope you find what you are looking for..

John · #11 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HelenF

Sorry to hear that John.

Have you had a look on:

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/

they list the breed rescues and also have a message board with dogs looking for homes, as well as people looking for dogs.

Good luck in your search.

Helen

Hi Helen

Thanks for that. It was one of the lists I used on Thursday and Friday but there are still a few on there I haven't been in touch with. A very useful website that I have already bookmarked and will be using frequently whilst we are still searching.

Thanks Helen

John

John · #12 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

Sorry to hear about Jasper John,I can look in my area Bristol/Bath if you would like or is it too far?

Hi Nightshade

We are prepared to travel almost anywhere for the right dog. Whatever dog we choose must get on with Max. It must also be child friendly as all the kids, and adults, loved our two dogs and there was a continual stream of visitors at the gate calling for them. They still come to see Max so the dog will definitely have to be child friendly.

John

John · #13 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oy

How sad!

I know what it's like to lose a pet that's part of the family.

There's a big animal rescue place up here in Leigh.

http://leighanimalsanctuary.com/

And lots of info here...

http://dogrescue.8m.com/

Thanks Oy.

I hadn't seen those links. I have bookmarked them and will study them over the next few hours.

John

John · #14 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 03:41 PM

Thanks everyone for your kind words. It's obvious that you all love animals and understand how we feel at this time.

Hopefully the end product is that we manage to rehome the right dog quite soon and as soon as we do I will let you all know.

Keep the ideas coming as there are bound to be links I haven't heard of. perhaps you might even see something in your local paper. Anything that might find us a friend for our Max.

John

nightshade · #15 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 04:05 PM

Hi John these are some of the rescues in and around somerset http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/breedrescue/r1.htm
best regards

John · #16 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

Hi John these are some of the rescues in and around somerset http://www.giveusahome.co.uk/breedrescue/r1.htm
best regards

Hi Nightshade

Thanks for the link. I actually got to the same page yesterday via a completely different link and now I have someone within those centres that is sending out an e-mail on our behalf to all those centres.

Thankfully our vet will sponsor us (which means they will write a letter of recommendation for us stating that we are good responsible owners) which will mean that most places will rehome to us outside their areas as the vet sponsorship means that they don't need to do a home visit.

If you see anymore links please keep them coming. I have tried loads but there may be the odd one or two I have missed.

John

nightshade · #17 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 05:32 PM

I wish you lots of luck with your seach John and will continue to look out for you

John · #18 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightshade

I wish you lots of luck with your seach John and will continue to look out for you

Thanks Nightshade, and thanks for trying to help. It is appreciated.

My Mrs doesn't understand computers at all but I have been showing her the replies to this thread and she wants to thank all those that are trying to help us also.

John

Tragus · #19 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 09:01 PM

So sorry about Jasper

I truly hope that a lonely pooch finds its way to you soon, I find they have a habit of turning up just when you really need them

Good luck and give Max an extra cuddle.
Jo

One suggestion... have you tried Ignatia? It's a homoeopathic remedy that actually helps in the bereavement process. Not only for Max but for both you and your wife too!

Fourwings · #20 (**permalink**) 01-04-2006, 09:05 PM

John - I'm so sorry to hear about the passing of Jasper.

I lost my Golden Retriever back in 2000 and it was like dealing with the loss of a best friend,
we had got him via the Golden Retriever rescue society when he was a year old, he was a faithful friend and loved our kids when they were born, you simply cannot get a more faithful and good natured breed of dog.

Good luck with your search pal.

John · #21 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 05:09 PM

Well we managed to find a Golden Retriever that needed re-homing and we went to Kidderminster to pick him up. Here are the first few photos of Sunny & Max together.

It has been a great success and I can't believe how well they have got on. They did the entire walk around the Wyre Forest with no problem, other than we did have to keep Sunny on a lead because he ran away when we let him off. We will give him a chance to get to know us and also take a pocketful of treats with us next time.

When we got to the Wyre Forest car park we ate some chips we had bought and whilst we did, left the tailgate up. Sunny just sat there and watched Max as he ran around the car park. Max then jumped into the back with Sunny and was as if they had been friends forever.

When we drove home we kept them together in the back of the estate for the whole drive back to Coventry (stopping at a couple of places on the way), and again there was no problem.

The test was as soon as we got in as they both made a dive for the large bowl of water and both proceeded to drink from it together. Again with no problem, so we took their food outside and they ate it almost side by side, again with no problem.

Sunny has really growled at a passing Boxer dog that used to greet both Jasper and Max but the owner is a responsible owner and knows not to bring the dog right up to Sunny so that is no problem. He has met the next door neighbour and she fell in love with him straight away.

Sunny has jumped up to our shoulders a few times and really seems to have settled in well, as he is lying at my feet as I type this.

All in all a success beyond our wildest dreams.

Thanks to all those that tried to help us locate a dog to be a companion to our Max but it looks like our search is over.

John

glsammy · #22 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 05:24 PM

Excellent John! Couldn't have worked out better for you, I'm delighted!

HelenF · #23 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 05:50 PM

Oh, so pleased you've found Sunny. Sounds like he's settled in well.

Helen

Wild-Woman · #24 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 06:29 PM

Congratulations on finding your new Sunny. He looks a beauty. Hope he settles in well and thanks for posting the pictures. ww

Alan · #25 (**permalink**) 08-04-2006, 07:35 PM

Nice one John, I'm really pleased for you all. So you'll now be training Sunny to locate rare birds for you now!