A 501(c)3 Non Profit Organization

A Letter From the President

December 2011

Dear Golden Family,

At the first of the holiday parties of the season, a friend asked me, "Are you still rescuing dogs?" She continued to say that I had been doing it for a long time and seemed surprised that I had not moved on to something else. I told her why it is that I have been the president of LIGRR for so many years and why I continue to lead one of the most respected rescue groups around. We continue to get comments like "LIGRR is so wonderful - I wish other groups were like yours" and in fact, we have mentored other groups. My pat answer is "It's about the dogs" but really, when done right, rescue is also about the people. It's about having the right people work with you, matching the right dog to the right people, and having the most amazing group of adopters in the world.

Recently, we were called on to help a dog who was left in a house after the house had been sold. People dropped food off for over a month to the empty house where Taz stayed alone. This poor boy had no access to the outdoors to relieve himself. The new home owner, now ready to move in, was going to euthanize the dog, thinking that no one would take him. A friend reached out to LIGRR and we immediately took the dog. He has found a loving home with someone who will love him for the rest of his life. His foster mom is a previous adopter who quickly fell in love with him. The original contact person was thrilled that we would take an adult dog so quickly. This was about people who needed our help and about a dog's future.

Graham came to us when his owner became too ill to care for him. Thin and nervous, he has blossomed into a wonderful boy who brings happiness to his new family. He was lucky to have found a LIGRR adopter.

As December snuck up on us, we received yet another call for help from people who knew of a Golden in need. His owner died unexpectedly in his home. When the police arrived at the house, the dog was taken to a municipal shelter. LIGRR received an email from family friends in Florida, asking if we could help this dog. I visited the dog on Saturday morning and found him to be a sweet boy in desperate need of a bath and a hair cut. Looking beyond his fur all covered with mats and the bare skin was a loving dog with a wonderful spirit. Once he was cleaned up and checked out by a vet, he was ready for a new home. A previous adopter had agreed to foster him and the transfer was set up. Shortly before the move, a call came in to the rescue phone. A friend of the previous owner had heard that Prince needed a home. She and her family felt that it would honor the life of his owner if she took him home. AHHH but the final vote came with her 2 dogs. Happily they also welcomed him into their home. People coming forward to offer random acts of kindness and dogs as healers - what could be a better match?

This is why I love rescue. There is never a shortage of special people willing to join the LIGRR family. Those who give their hearts and love and time to LIGRR are among those special people.

On a personal note, this year we received an e mail about a young dog who had been returned to a pet store because she has an abnormal spine. I read that email before going to bed. On that late Saturday night I crept into bed and informed my husband that we were getting a new dog. He instantly knew that "we" in this case meant that my pack was about to increase. I picked Chloe up the next morning and she has been here ever since. The following Tuesday the pet store went out of business. I shudder when I think about where this handicapped dog would have ended up had she still been in the pet store that Tuesday. I was asked if I decided to keep her when I saw her and the answer is "No". I decided to keep her when I got the email hours before I saw her. All of these dogs reside in my heart and some also reside in my home.

We welcome all of you who read this to join our family. Come to our events, become a volunteer, tell your friends about LIGRR.

May this season bring you health, happiness, and many furry kisses

Never Miss a Golden Opportunity.

Melanie

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