Did you know that November is Adopt A Senior Dog month?

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​​Is adopting a senior dog a good idea?  Adopting a senior dog is not a good idea; it’s a great idea!  ​Read on to find out why. ​
 
7 Reasons to adopt a senior dog:
  1. You know what you’re getting.
  2. Seniors have fewer exercise and activity needs.
  3. You get to skip the destructive puppy stages!
  4. You will be saving a life!
  5. Seniors have lower adoption fees.
  6. Seniors have plenty of love left to give.
  7. Seniors are probably already house-trained.
 
Preparing to adopt a senior dog:
  1. Choose high quality food.  Good food is associated with enhanced health, and senior dogs can benefit from good nutrition in lots of ways, including better digestion and less stiffness.
  2. Provide a soft, comfortable bed.  Beds that offer support and have a soft, fuzzy surface can improve a senior dog’s quality of life. If you plan to have them sleep in your bed make sure they have one or more steps available to get up and down.  Jumping may cause pain or injury.
  3. Contact your vet.  Senior dogs may need more medical care than younger dogs, so schedule a thorough exam.  Unless the dog urgently needs care, schedule the visit a few weeks after adoption. The veterinary experience will be less stressful for your new friend once they are used to their new home and feel they can trust you.

Love has no age limit!  Consider opening your heart and home to a senior dog.

Fall Activities to do With Your Dog

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Fall in the Northeast is one of the best times of the year.  The local, state and national parks are at their best, with beautiful fall foliage at every turn, and the weather is perfect – warm during the day and cool at night.  So to make it through the cold days of winter, here are some fun things to do with your dog this fall prior to it getting so cold you never want to leave your house again!
  • Pumpkin and Apple Picking - Many pumpkin patches and apple orchards allow well-behaved, leashed dogs to accompany their parents on excursions.  Sometimes hay rides and corn maze fun are offered as part of the outing, so call ahead to find out if your favorite location welcomes dogs to the grounds.  Remember to clean up after your dog, bring plenty of fresh, cool water, and make sure flea and tick protection is in effect.
  • Camping - If the great outdoors is your thing, consider a fireside getaway with your dog. Fall is one of the best times to go camping!
  • Hiking - Make sure your dog is fit enough. Just as a couch potato human shouldn't set out on a challenging hike without training for it, neither should a semi-active or overweight dog.  Hiking is a lot more strenuous than walking.  Short training hikes can be fun too.  Check with the local park service to make sure that dogs are permitted on the trails.
  • Agility Course & Dog Parks - Many communities are offering dog parks and agility courses, which are like great big playgrounds for dogs. At an agility course, your dog can try out ramps, hurdles, bridges and other obstacles designed to challenge both the mind and the body. You’ll love to watch your dog try new things, and your dog will relish the challenge and thrill of stepping outside a normal exercise routine of walking and running.  Dog parks can be great places for socializing as well — and not just for dogs!
  • You can even turn the most mundane and routine chores into fun if you include your dog.  Picking up fallen branches and sticks can be turned into a game. For a really fun game, try tossing a ball into a pile of leaves!

Those Pesky Ticks!

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Ticks are external parasites that feed on the blood of unlucky host animals such as our canine companions.  Like mites and spiders, ticks are arachnids.   Ticks are most active in from spring through fall and live in tall brush or grass, where they may attach to dogs playing on their turf. These parasites prefer to stay close to the head, neck, feet and ear area. In severe infestations, however, they can be found anywhere on a dog’s body. 

The Brown dog tick and the American dog tick, examples of ticks that commonly affect dogs, require three feedings to complete their life cycles.  The Blacklegged Tick, also called Deer Tick, is abundant throughout many areas of the Northeastern US.  They can carry organisms that cause Lyme Disease, Babesiosis, and Anaplasmosis, all of which are on the increase.

Nymph Stage Deer Ticks
  • Are active from early May through early August
  • Are about the size of a poppy seed
  • Have a bite that is difficult to feel
  • Pose the highest risk of transmitting a tick-borne disease, due to their small size.  (About 1 in 4 nymph stage Deer Ticks can cause Lyme Disease.)

Adult Stage Deer Ticks
  • Are  active from September through May
  • Are about the size of a sesame seed  (About 1 in 2 adult stage Deer Ticks can cause Lyme Disease)
 

Tick Facts:
  • Ticks can be active even in winter, when temperatures are above freezing.
  • Tick habitat is in shady, damp, brushy, wooded areas including shrubs and gardens.
  • Nymph stage ticks are found mostly at ground level in the leaf litter.
  • Adult stage ticks can be found up to a couple of feet off the ground on vegetation.

Tick Bite Prevention:
  • Do a tick check after coming inside and tumble-dry clothes for 20 minutes.
  • Wearing light-colored clothing makes it easier to see ticks.
  • Products containing DEET may be used on skin.
  • Products containing Permethrin may be used on clothing and shoes, NOT skin.

Tick Removal:  REMOVE TICK IMMEDIATELY AND CORRECTLY
  • Using pointy tweezers, grasp tick by the head and pull straight up.  Avoid twisting.
  • After removing tick, apply antiseptic to bite area.
  • Note date when tick was removed.

Tick can be saved for identification and possible pathogen testing at www.TickReport.com

Resources:
Centers for Disease Control:  www.cdc.gov
University of Rhode Island:  www.tickencounter.org
Laboratory of Medical Zoology:  www.tickdiseases.org
MA Department of Public Health:  www.mass.gov/dph
Cape Cod Cooperative Extension:  www.capecodextension.org
Barnstable County Department of Health and Environment:  www.barnstablecountyhealth.org

The 3-3-3 Rule of Adopting a Rescue Dog

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Congratulations! You’ve just adopted a new dog!   Like humans who move to a new community, your new pet needs some time to get used to their new surroundings.  That’s why SGRR's adoption coordinators talk about the "Rule of Three," a timeline that gives you an idea of how your dog will adjust after three days, three weeks, and three months.

Here’s what should happen three days after you acquire a new dog:
  • This is a major period of adjustment, because while your home may be roomy and inviting, the dog has to get used to living in an environment different from an animal shelter or their previous home.
  • A dog may sleep a lot in the first three days, or be easily aroused or excited by its new surroundings. This all depends on the animal’s personality.
  • The pet will need to learn what is good or bad behavior in your house. For example, no sleeping on the furniture, no gnawing on shoes like they are chew toys, no going potty in the house.
  • Be patient with your dog in these opening days, and give them plenty of time and patience. Perhaps your pet will need positive-reinforcement training classes so it properly behaves in your house, but keep in mind, improvements are on the horizon!

After three weeks:
  • The dog will be more used to your daily routine such as when it is time to take a walk and when it is feeding time.
  • You will see more of the dog’s personality begin to develop, and they should be less fearful than those opening days when they first arrived at your home.
  • By this time, you will have narrowed down the dog’s behavioral problems considerably. A dog training professional can help teach the dog the difference between what’s right and wrong, if there are any persistent issues.

After three months:
  • Most dogs know they are welcome in your home and understand the rules.
  • Your patience will have paid off, and the two of you can live together and become lifelong companions!

Why Rescue?


Our Goldens and Golden-hearted dogs make wonderful pets.  We want our applicants to also know that rescued dogs come from a variety of backgrounds. Some dogs are older dogs, including well-behaved and cared for pets whose owners have become ill or died.  Many rescued dogs will require continued behavioral work due to a lack of training, neglect, or abuse in the dog’s previous setting. A patient and loving owner can make all the difference.  From experience, we know that these dogs with “endearing imperfections” can move forward, provided their new family gives them necessary guidance and direction. The joys of seeing these dogs become the devoted and contented pets they were meant to be is remarkable. 

New to SGRR...?

Want to Learn More About Us...?

We at Sunshine Golden Retriever Rescue take the job of finding the best possible forever homes for our dogs very seriously.  The adoption process is thorough so that we can learn as much as possible about those to whom we entrust our precious pups.  Once a dog is placed with an approved adopter, they are welcomed into the SGRR family and given the tools and support to make the adoption successful.  We have gathered comments from some of our adopters who are happy to tell you how they feel about us!  You can read more comments on our Get to Know Us! page.

Finnie, Daisy, & Siblings

To future adopters,

My first experience with adoption came through the SPCA with my dog Julie, a 3 month old golden retriever who had been mistreated and was afraid of her own shadow.  To make a very long story short, she went on to become the saving grace of my life and a certified therapy dog who was with me for 13 years. 

After she crossed over that rainbow bridge, I did a lot of research with adoption agencies and came across SGRR.  After filling out the application and  being interviewed I was offered a dog by the name of Daisy, a beautiful red Golden Retriever.  I thought I would never feel about another dog the way I felt about my Julie but it was not long before I fell in love with that sweet, sweet girl who was also with me for 13 years.  Everyone loved Daisy, she would go up to people and do that lean into thing, a Golden thing, and they would just laugh and pet her.  At that time, I became involved with SGRR doing phone interviews and home visits.  That is when I realized what an amazing organization, so full of caring and wonderful people who often go above and beyond for these wonderful animals. 

When my Daisy girl crossed over after a few months went by I thought it time to bring another friend home.  Golden Retrievers had become hard to find so I decided to take a mixed breed home which was a big deal for me being the Golden Retriever lover that I am.  Along came Finbar (Finnie) who is an Australian Shepard, Golden, Catahoula mix.  I never had a male or a mixed breed before so I did not know what to expect.  Finnie settled right in and is a wonderful companion and friend to furry sibling Gracie.  Finnie took some training but I knew in time he would be a great dog and he is a great dog.  He is very different than the other dogs in my life but he is so much fun to have with us.    He loves people and gets very excited with everyone and will jump up in the air like an acrobat (we are working on that), but a great dog. 

I would encourage everyone to think about a mixed breed.  With time, love and patience you get a great dog and companion.  

~Lynn

Kelly

One of our adopters created this cool video to tell you about his experiences with SGRR.   We are excited and proud to share it with all of you.  Click the button below and enjoy!

Support SGRR While You Shop through iGive

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Click to shop at iGive
Shop at 1,000+ Top-Notch Online Stores.  The iGive mall includes: Pottery Barn, REI, Staples, Petco, Expedia, Best Buy, QVC and many more. Best of all, up to 26% of your purchase at each store is donated to SGRR when you sign up with the provided link.

Donate to SGRR or Pay the Adoption Fee

There are a number of ways to donate to SGRR.  SGRR is designated as a 501c(3) organization which means your donations are tax-deductible.  You can make a donation to our general fund or designate your donation for a specific purpose such as a memorial or a tribute.  Please use the Paypal option below or mail a check to:  SGRR, PO Box 403,  Fairhope, AL  36533.

Paypal

Single Payment
Use for a single donation or to pay an adoption fee.
Recurring Donation

Sponsor a Dog

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If you would like to provide for the care of a particular dog's needs, you may sponsor that dog.  Please use  Paypal or  mail a check to:  SGRR, PO Box 403,  Fairhope, AL  36533.  We will then note you as a sponsor on the dog's dedicated bio page. 

We thank you in advance for your generous support! 

J.Lilienne Custom Candles

Introducing a clever and unique way to celebrate your furry friend’s birthday, Gotcha day, graduation- any special event or occasion!  J.Lilienne Custom Candles will create a customized candle complete with your pet’s picture, biography or rescue story and picture.  

A custom candle can also serve as a wonderful, affordable memorial to your beloved pet when he/she makes the inevitable journey across the the Rainbow Bridge.  The soft light and subtle fragrance will be a sweet reminder of the love you have shared.

Please check out their website to learn more about J.Lilienne Custom Candles Pet Collection.  

SPECIAL OFFER FOR SGRR FRIENDS!!  ENTER COUPON CODE: SGRR AT CHECKOUT FOR 25% OFF!

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