Placements - Adopted Dogs - A Few Success Stories

Keystone Golden Retriever Rescue, Inc., has been finding new homes for golden retrievers for four years. In September 2005 we took in a one-year- old male who was friendly, playful and extremely high energy. After being listed on our website, he caught the attention of the West Virginia Division of Corrections' K-9 unit. Three trainers from the department came to DuBois, Pennsylvania, to evaluate Nick's potential. After a rigorous 13-week course that proved his exceptional skill in detecting contraband, Nick graduated February 15, 2006. He is now a narcotics officer with the Division of Corrections. According to the Division's Mission Statement, "K-9 teams are utilized for contraband and illegal drug interdiction. K-9 Teams are also made available to other Law Enforcement Agencies within the State of West Virginia."

Four representatives of Keystone Rescue attended the graduation ceremony and were treated to a demonstration of Nick's training. He quickly detected contraband and is highly respected for his talents.

Keystone Golden Retriever Rescue is proud of Nick and knows he will be successful in his new life as an officer. Upon retirement his permanent loving home will be with his partner.

I have never had a dog in my adult years. My husband had wanted to get a dog but I held back waiting until I was ready to committ to a life that would be forever. There are lots of dogs in our family and I was quite content to dog sit whenever it was needed. As time has gone on, I found I was starting to miss having a dog in the house. I always said if I ever got a dog, I would get one from a rescue. A dog that needed a home. A few months ago I somehow knew I was ready to look for our forever golden. We can't believe how lucky we were to find this beautiful golden. It seemed she was waiting just for us. When we went to her foster family and this lively girl almost jumped out the front door, I knew the minute I saw her that she was our dog. Angel by any other name would still be Angel and we have totally fallen in love with this beautiful golden 3 year old. We couldn't have been any luckier. She is perfect and has fit in the family as though she was always here. We haven't had one problem with her. Her foster mom and nana took excellent care of her and I am sure that is why she started out with us as a happy dog. She greets us every morning with a tail wagging furry face golden smile. Honest, she is smiling! ...ok, maybe I only think she is smiling and we are ok with that! Our thanks to Keystone for fighting the good fight every day for the rights of these golden retrievers. The time alone that Chris and her crew of not enough spend in the rescue effort is mind boggling. I wish that more people would find it in their hearts to give a dog that needs a home a chance. I recently read about a beautiful golden that was up for adoption simply because there was no time for her any more. How cruel is that? This poor dogs crime is nothing more than wanting the love of her owner. Anyone who adopts from a rescue gets a quick education in how cruel we are as humans. Puppy mills that flourish right in our own back yard, Lancaster farms. People think they are getting a puppy from a farm that is from a family that loves dogs. How wrong... what they love is the $$$ and they will allow these dogs to have puppies until they are all used up. Unfortunately there are few laws that protect dogs in puppy mills. The USDA has inspectors that are suppose to police these places but there isn't enough inspectors. In my opinion, the USDA should allow volunteer inspectors to clean up these puppy mills. Since I have adopted and have my own dog, my righteous indignation gets in a real twit. I know that I will become more active in trying to do something about these puppy mills. There are links on this web site that will show how ugly this is. You think you know, but without seeing it, you don't. Puppy mills make the horror movie Friday the 13th look like a tea party. Again, thank you Keystone for everything. Diana and David Carlisle, PA.

Here is close-up of our gorgeous boy Hunter, with his "sister" Mattie. We adore Mr. Hunter -- He's just a love!!! Hunter's Family

Baggage

Now that I'm home, bathed, settled and fed,
All nicely tucked into my warm new bed.
I would like to open my baggage
Lest I forget,
There is so much to carry -
So much to regret.

Hmm.. Yes there it is, right on the top-
Let's unpack Loneliness, Heartache and Loss,
And there by my leash hides Fear and Shame.
As I look on these things I tried so hard to leave-
I still have to unpack my baggage called Pain.

I loved them, the others, the ones who left me,
But I wasn't good enough - for they didn't want me.
Will you add to my baggage?
Will you help me unpack?
Or will you just look at my things
And take me right back?

Do you have the time to help me unpack?
To put away my baggage,
To never re-pack?
I pray that you do - I'm so tired you see,
But I do come with baggage -
Will you still want me?

-Evelyn Colbath

Contact KGRR: kgrrescue@kgrrescue.com