Friday, May 23, 2014

Gus Arrives at Golden Pines!


It's now the end of a whirlwind week and I wanted to thank all of you who said such kind things after the unexpected loss of my boy Shadow.  Kind words really do go a long way to help with the healing process and I will always be grateful to you for them and for your friendship.
As we were settling into a new routine without Shadow, the rescue contacted me and asked if we would be available to 'temp foster' a dog for a family who was going on vacation.  I will admit to being more than a little surprised that I was being asked again to take on a new dog, but of course I agreed -- And this afternoon we welcomed a handsome boy named "Gus" to Golden Pines.  
Gus came into the rescue last week via a rural shelter in Virginia where he had been taken SIX times after he'd been found wandering in traffic.  The last time a shelter worker found Gus tied to the door of the shelter when arriving for work.  When his owners never came to claim him (they were probably the ones who left him there), he was turned over to the rescue.  Unfortunately Gus has an arms length of health issues, and advanced degenerative myelopathy is at the top of the list. Today Gus is unable to stand on his own, and after a long discussion with the vet and the rescue, we're going to try tweaking his medication in hopes it'll ease the symptoms of the ataxia.

The plan is for Gus to stay with us for a couple of weeks until the foster-family returns from their vacation. But the hope is, that he will settle in with us, get along with the other dogs, and become part of Golden Pines.

34 comments:

  1. Welcome handsome!! Hoping with you that you can continue to take care of him as we all know that the possibility of him getting better is great in your wonderful care!

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  2. This story of Gus brought tears to my eyes and I must tell you that your hearts are golden! I hope he finds a long term home with you.

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  3. Poor Gus, but he's in good hands now.

    XXXOOO Bella & Roxy

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  4. Shadow and Gus. There is , I'm sure, a lesson in there somewhere about one door closing and another one opening.

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  5. Again, bless you for all that you're doing.

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  6. I'm so sorry for Shadow, Kim!

    Gus looks like a handsome guy. I hope he'll get better. Happy and sunny weekend, Kim!

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  7. Poor Gus! I hope he will fit in and find a permanent place to call home. What a handsome boy he is! He looks adorable wth his tongue hanging out like that. Whether he gets better or not, he'll be safe n happy with you...

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  8. Oh sweet Gus.....hello handsome boy!!!! You are a very lucky doggy to have found your way here...xxxxxxx

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  9. What a sweet, sweet, SWEET face!!!! Enjoy the lovely weather this weekend, and your new foster boy.

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  10. Now THAT is a beautiful face. So sorry to hear about Shadow.

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  11. Happy Tears another Golden is at your wonderful home, you are so so kind. Love the face on Gus, pray all goes well, Hugs Francine.

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  12. Ahh, Gus is such a handsome lad. Here's hoping the tweaking of meds will help him :-)

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  13. I hope everything turns out the best for Gus. Sweet thing!

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  14. I don't know-the family is crazy not to claim him back.

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  15. First, I am so sorry to read about Shadow, such a dear boy who captured my heart. May he find many, many cats to stalk on the other side of the Rainbow Bridge. I will keep you in my thoughts, Kim. And I hope you get your wishes for this dear new dog, Gus. Poor thing, I can't imagine owners like that and thank God for people like you.

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  16. welcome Gus - hoping with the love and care of the rescue, your foster family and Golden Pines, you can live out your life pain free - you will definitely be loved and cherished. Easton sends Rooooooos to you.

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  17. He's very handsome and he has a looong tongue... :-)

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  18. Poo Gus. We all hope you can help him feel better.

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  19. Kim, you do love your boy goldens! I remember Shadow came to you as a want of an old golden boy. How fortunate for him. Gus looks like a real sweetheart. How grateful I am that, with all of his issues, he found his way to you. I also hope he will continue to stay at golden pines. He is awfully cute!
    Gus' Mom

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  20. It must be very difficult to care for a dog who cannot stand. How wonderful of you to take him.

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  21. Explains why the family kept dumping him.
    Good luck with him, Kim. ♥

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  22. he is so lucky to have found a wonderful new place and family if he gets to stay. Bless you.

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  23. Poor Gus but what a face!

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  24. Kim
    your hearts are always overflowing with love--- even when sadness has occured around you -- with you family of dogs.
    We say welcome to Gus,, and we hope that tweaking the meds will help him.
    I know you will do everything you can for him. Most of all to feel real love- possibly for the first time in his life....
    The little birdie is precious,, and we thank you for your friendship too
    love
    tweedles

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  25. What a sweet boy Gus is. One of our German Shepherd Dogs suffered from DM so I know what you are dealing with. As usual you and your husband should be commended for your generosity towards boys like Gus.

    Cindy

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  26. What a sweet and goofy smile Gus has.

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  27. oh gus.
    you have just stumbled into total love my darling boy!
    here's hoping you can stay.
    how kind of you to work with those people at the 'rescue' again.
    it's the dogs that are important... not their petty ways.
    and the love of a dear heart...
    yours.
    xo

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  28. I was away and this is the first I heard about Shadow, so sorry for your loss. Our dogs are just as much as family as my hubby and son.. I feel your pain.. Gus is a surprise too, he is handsome. I hope all goes well. Have a happy week!

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  29. I am sad to read about your loss. I too love dogs. They are good friends for me!

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  30. Welcome Gus. Gosh DM is such a difficult disease. I had not heard they were treating DM with meds.

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  31. Gosh poor Gus. Initially they thought Sampson has this so I researched it and know how devastating this disease can be. I sure hope they can figure something out.

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  32. Gus is so lucky to be with you! His eyes tell me that he has a heart of gold.

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  33. Oh gosh...another sweetheart.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!