Neo Gets Brushed

Wait! Isn't that for your teeth???

Why We Rescue

Hi, My name is Sidney and I am a flat coated retriever mix. I was a stray who was picked up and brought to Dekalb Animal Control Shelter. I stayed there for about two months and the people there thought thatI might never be adopted. Not only was I an older dog, but I just plain didn't know how to be a dog! People, cars, loud noises, sudden movements, all sent me into a terrified frenzy.

The shelter sent out an e-mail to rescue groups asking them to rescue me from a sad, lonely, old age. The good folks at Adopt a Golden took pity on me and decided to take me in. They discovered I had heartworms and needed someone to foster me while I was treated. That was when my luck turned. An older couple whose children were grown were looking for a dog just like me. They already had two small older rescue dogs and I went to stay with them.

I was really scared at first but those two little spoiled rotten dogs seemed to be pretty happy and I got to sleep on a great fluffy bed right beside my new mom and dads' bed. Well, it's been six months and I am heartworm free, and hike everyday in the woods with my new mom and one of my siblings. Who knew there were so many critters to chase!

If I get really dirty, I have a long hot shower with lots of sweet smelling shampoo, and oh, those massages my mom gives me! I like to go sit by the shower door hoping she'll think I'm dirty and give me a shower. We all went to Charleston SC for Thanksgiving, and I got to stay in a really neat hotel and run onthe beach.

Life is good!

Lucky (formerly Wake) Says Hi

She can't go anywhere if I keep my paws over her feet!

Butch's Family Says Goodbye and Thanks

I just had to thank you. Three years ago we adopted the most wonderful dog from your organization … his name was Butch. He was 10 years old and the sweetest boy we could ask for. We had just lost two Goldens that year and were not planning on taking on another dog … because it hurt too much to lose them. So, we thought the next best thing was to foster and give someone else the pleasure of having a wonderful pet.

Well, 2 days after Butch arrived I knew we could not let him go. For 3 years and 9 months he gave us so much pleasure. Last week, he lost all feeling in his legs. The Vet tried but there was nothing to be done, so we made the hardest decision to put him down. I can rationalize this by saying he lived to the ripe old age of 13 years 9 months, and did not have a sick day the entire time. The day before he died, he had his daily run in the woods and enjoyed his dinner just like always. But it is still hard.

I just had to thank you because you made our time with Butch happen. And for those of you who think it is too painful to adopt a senior golden, you are wrong. There are never any guarantees in life. We bought a puppy at 8 weeks and she was diagnosed with Lymphoma at 4 years. We went through chemo with her and extended her life by 2 years, but we lost her right after her 6th birthday. Counting Butch, I have had 3 goldens that lived until their 13th birthday. So, you can never tell what will happen. And just knowing the joy you can bring these seniors is worth every minute you can spend with them.

I have attached two pictures. The one of Butch at the beach is my favorite...it also made you calendar this year "Mr. July".

Thank you,

The Butler Family

Sugar Plum puppy (now Zoey) Sends a Pic

Just napping with my new friend Truitt. He's the best!

December Orphan of the Month - Neo

Our December Orphan of the Month is Neo aka Neopolitan Dynamite is a two-year-old male Great Pyrenees. He was found wandering the streets and without food. Despite a tough beginning, Neo is a sweet boy. He is a typical Great Pyrenees -- he protects the family, loves to play and has a huge heart. He will make a wonderful addition to any home! Watch our video of Neo playing:

Chester (formerly Dunlop) Checks In

My new parents are the best! However, they have this thing about baths.

Thank You to our Birmingham Friends!

Lorraine, Barbara and Jennifer have hearts of gold! They held a wine tasting and silent auction this weekend at Pleasure Is All Wine in Birmingham. Today they let us know they are sending AGA a check for over $5,000!! This donation is in memory of their wonderful goldens Rusty and Abby.

From all our orphans, adoptees, supporters, volunteers and board of directors, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Fair and Augusta

Hello Adopt a Golden Atlanta –



I wanted to drop you a line to tell you how much my life has changed in the past 6 months. If you remember, I was a skinny, heartworm positive, gal – missing a lot of hair – rescued from a shelter near Augusta. You called me Savannah, took me to a great doctor who treated my heartworms. Then, a great mom and dad asked to foster me through my heartworm treatment. They picked me up on a Friday during the Master’s Tournament. . . and by the time Angel Cabrera won on Sunday. . . I had won as well by winning a place in their hearts forever. Mom and dad have a niece named Savannah, so they started calling me Augusta – since I came from around there and was happy to hang out and watch the Master’s Tournament with them.

In addition to mom and dad being the greatest, I also have an older brother Fairchild (we call him Fair around the house) who was also rescued by Adopt a Golden Atlanta, and three cat siblings. . . Mom and dad say Fair is acting a lot younger than his 9 years now that I am around to keep things exciting!



I love my family and all of the great things we do together. Mom and dad have taken us to the mountains a few times so that Fair and I can swim in the lakes and hike up to see some pretty waterfalls. We also go for lots of walks and have a great big back-yard for exploring. Now that I am healthy and my hair grown out, mom and dad can’t take me for a walk without being told what a pretty girl I am. . . I sure do love the attention!



Well, I should probably go. It is about time for Fair and me to go for a walk. I asked mom to include a picture of me and Fair hanging out last night – I’m the one in the front.



Thank you Adopt a Golden Atlanta. . . without your help and the work of all of your volunteers, I would not have the life that I do today. I am one happy girl and thankful to be living the golden life!



Lots of licks and love,



Augusta

November Orphan of the Month - Bailey

Bailey is a seven-year-old Golden who was found at a shelter. She is friendly, loyal and she loves to play with her toys. She is housetrained and she is really a love! Bailey has one issue - she can be leash aggressive with other dogs. With work and a confident owner we are sure Bailey will be fine. Watch Bailey play at her foster home!

Duchess Enjoying the Chesapeake Bay

They say my name used to be Truffles and I was found wandering all alone in the north GA mountains. Glad I don't remember any of this!!! Thanks, AGA!

October Orphans of the Month - Kendall & Ranger

Kendall & Ranger are two best friends who have been together their whole lives. Kendall is a pure Golden who is 12 years old and Ranger is her "adopted brother" who is also 12. They are both loveable, laid back, crate trained and get along with other dogs and cats. Ranger has tested heart worm positive but is currently not exhibiting any health problems. These two are looking for a home together without stairs.

Check out this video of Kendall & Ranger enjoying some quality time with their foster parents!

Golden Girls In Baltimore

The nicest lady from AGA drove us all the way to Baltimore to our new home! That was a fun ride (for us)! They call us the "Golden Girls" and we like that.

We are all doing very well together as a new family. Our new parents say they fall more and more in love with us every day. They call us "Hyper-Hannah" and "Mellow-Maggie" because we have such unique personalities. They fear they are spoiling us rotten but we've assured them that this is not a problem to be worried about!

Thanks, AGA, for helping us find our forever home and for going the extra mile (er, miles and miles) to get us there.

September Orphan of the Month - Kolada

Our September Orphan of the Month, Kolada, is a four-year-old purebred female Great Pyrenees. She was brought to Adopt A Golden Atlanta after her owner passed away. While this is a very confusing time for a dog, Kolada is adjusting very well at her foster home. She plays well with other dogs and cats and loves to chase tennis balls. She is quite the cuddler - just looking for a family to make happy.

Watch Kolada in our Orphan of the Month video while she hangs out with her foster brother, Mulligan.

Molly Checks In

Hahahaha! Kinzie, you crack me up. You're such a great joke teller!

Coach and Sadie

Wow, a new home and a new girlfriend who adores me! I'm a very lucky boy. Thanks, AGA!

Have a Plan for Your Pet

The video below from the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) is about being prepared for disasters. This is especially important for Georgians near the coast during hurricane season. Have a plan for your family and pets when bad weather threatens your area.

You may recognize the Golden at the end of the video. That's Hobbs, a former AGA Golden who was adopted last year. He certainly steals the show!

Roman Writes In

Hi, everyone - This is Roman just checking in to thank you for everything because I love my new forever home. I have a teenage human brother who is my bestest friend, and a 7-year-old human sister who I loooove to play with. My Mom and Dad take me for lots of walks and hikes, and they even have a cool cabin in the mountains where we all go to chill out. I have all the chew toys and beds and crates a Golden boy could ever want. In obedience training I am the top of my class! I get so excited to "come" that I practically knock over my Mom. I have even learned not to steal food off the counters. Everyone says I am a beautiful boy, and I say "aw, shucks, that's because I came from Adopt a Golden!"

Here is a picture of me with my brother and my Dad on a hike on the Ocoee River. Can you see how happy I am?

Lots of Love and Licks,
Roman

Marley Mae After Three Years!

This is Marley, Marley Mae to be exact. I can't believe it has been almost three years since I was adopted. You may not recognize me since I lost 40 pounds! I look pretty good if I say so myself! I have been very busy. My Forever Dad takes me on trips in the RV, and every winter we go to Florida where I spend my time chasing lizards and armadillos. We have been to South Dakota where I chased the prairie dogs, and last summer we were on an island in the middle of Lake Erie. WOW! Was that ever an adventure! In between all my trips, I share my home, toys, and my Forever Dad with orphans from Adopt A Golden Atlanta. I have helped 15 orphans on their way to their forever homes. I tell them how sad it was for me, being locked in a basement with a doggie door to go outside and a big bag of food to eat all I wanted. No wonder I was fat! No one loved me. They see how happy I am now, and I tell them they will be just as happy! Here is a picture of me laying in the cool green grass in the shade enjoying a sunny afternoon. Life is good!!!!

Land of PureGold Foundation Rescue Story Contest

To thank the wonderful folks who provide intake, foster, and adoptive homes to orphaned dogs, Land of PureGold Foundation is hosting a prize-filled contest. They are asking for irresistible tales that capture your dog's wonderful 'rags to wags' transformation. You know, those truly compelling stories that reside only in the heart.

Folks need to communicate just why their rescue dog deserves to be King or Queen for the Day. Cece Kent's gorgeous Cambridge collar and matching lead — a set valued at $180 — will be awarded to the grand prize winner. Other wonderful prizes from the Foundation Store will be given to the top ten tales.

Click here for contest details and how to enter your story.