Saturday, July 20, 2013

The Overnight Guest: Welcome Comet!

Well, we've had Sunshine come to Golden Pines this week, why not a Comet too??  That's exactly what has happened.  This week I received an e-mail from Annie's former vet about an elderly lady who no longer wanted or was able to care for her nearly 13 year old Golden, named Comet. I sent the e-mail onto the rescue I volunteer with, but I couldn't stop thinking about her. Comet has lived her entire life in an outdoor 6x9 pen and has never lived indoors (while another family dog lived inside, in comfort).  But with our record temperatures and sweltering heat, all I could think of was how miserable Comet must be. I told the rescue that even though she couldn't stay with us, I would keep her until a foster home could be found.  Arrangements were made, and Comet arrived yesterday afternoon. She is very, very overweight, very dirty and very smelly, and was very happy, until ...    

...the initial meeting with our dogs...It did not go well.  As you know, our dogs are old pros at meeting new dogs, and this was nothing different than they'd done earlier in the week, and many, many times before.  But there was a lot of growling from Comet, and I of course worried about a fight starting. In all fairness to Comet her world that she has known for nearly 13 years had been totally turned upside down.  I knew that she was stressed, hot and confused.  I blocked off the kitchen, and got her inside to cool off and settle down.  Throughout the evening the dogs looked at her through the gate and I let Comet meet some of them individually and the cat too. (I'll just add right here that CC is always a good sport about my dropping her at a safe distance in front of an unknown dog to see what will happen--It's not the first time she's been used as bait, and I know it won't be the last). 
At 3:30 this morning Josh had to go out, and Wendy decided she needed to as well, I just opened the gate and hoped everything would be okay.  A quick sniff was all that was needed, everyone was fine.  Now that we've gotten over that hurdle I can admit that I find myself very taken by this sweet old gal who can't stop smiling and wagging her tail.  I wish she could stay so I could show her the world she has been missing her entire life.  But she can't.  Someone else will be doing that, and it will be a good friend of mine who also fosters the senior Goldens. Comet is going to be just fine.

46 comments:

  1. Ahhh, Comet looks so sweet. Glad she is in a protective environment with you and the rescue people, whether you kept her or not, she is safe and well cared for. I just don't know how people could have left her in an outside pen like that!!

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  2. Comet looks so happy at Golden Pines. She is going to miss out on the good life you and Carl and the other dogs (and lets not forget the cat) could have given her. BUt if you say she will be fine, then she will.
    Many great blessings to Comet and the new family she will be having. You always know whats best for the rescues, sure this one is no different. Why people do these things is beyond me. GOod luck to Comet.
    Ana

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  3. Poor Comet, she hasn't had much loving or nurturing in her life, has she? She has such a sweet face.

    I wish her lots of love and happiness in her new foster/forever home.Well done for removing her from where she was, WHY would someone treat her like that?!

    xx

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  4. Hey there my friend,
    What an eventful life you live,Kim. Welcome Comet! Welcome Sunny!
    And Todd... I hope you have cooled off sufficiently (loved his sprinkler pictures :) )
    Kim, I also want to applaud you for your efforts in the parking lot with those doggies the other day - you did the absolute right thing by calling 911 ...not only are you a compassionate woman, but you are brave to boot. (One never know what is around the corner when reporting a problem like that...well done!)
    BTW, I have always been curious...do you get sponsorship in any way for your rescues? Must cost you a fortune in dog food.
    Keep up the good work, dear friend and give lots a cuddles to all your special doggies.
    Sending oodles of love from your SA friends.

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  5. Comet - what a lovely name for a lovely old girl. At least she has chance to enjoy her later years now, with people who understand her needs.

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  6. She is so beautiful! I'm so glad someone will care for her the way she should be cared for.

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  7. Morning Kim, oh boy, people never cease to amaze me the way they treat their animals, poor sweet Comet.......Glad all went well after awhile with her, what a beautiful face.......Prey Comet will fine a loving, caring home after her 13 years in a cage, good grief, Kim, YOU ROCK!!!!!!! Blessings Francine.

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  8. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh.....my heart...again.....sweet girl...sweet sweet girl...

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  9. Comet has such a sweet face :0)
    Thanks so much for helping this old girl to her next stop to a better life.

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  10. Aweeeeeee. Sweet Comet. I'm sure she will enjoy her new forever home. She does have a really sweet smile.
    Wags,
    RAnger

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  11. Poor Comet!! I am glad she has found a home with your friend. I can not imagine having a Golden or any dog only to keep them as an outside dog. My dogs are inside dogs and follow us from room to room. Happy weekend to you and your furry friends.

    PS, I hope you do not mind I linked up your blog on my post today as one of my favorite blogs to follow.

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  12. Why oh why do people keep dogs in situations that are so wrong? You did a good thing, bringing her to your home in the awful heat so she can start the next journey of her life.

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  13. She is so sweet looking. Love the smile. I bet she will smile even more not that she will have a loving foster home to to cared for and loved.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  14. Another pup is saved from a miserable life by the Golden Pines angel. At least Comet will be able to spend her final years in comfort.

    Cindy

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  15. What a heartbreaker! Comet is beautiful, and for all those years all she had to look forward to was getting her dish filled! I hope she doesn't have heart worm but how could she avoid it? I am happy you found a good home for her, and we can all rest easy knowing she has good care for the first time in her 13 years!

    Jo

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  16. No wonder she was a defensive after being the one who was shunted outside for all those years, poor love. It's down to you that she's relaxed so quickly Kim. Looks like she could do with a small haircut!

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  17. I can hardly stand to hear of the cruelty; such a beautiful animal. You guys are wonderful; thank God there's you.

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  18. Thank you for not hesitating and getting sweet Comet out of that situation. I have a soft spot for seniors as well and reading her story made me teary eyed and as always got me thinking of the multitude of pups in the same situation as Comet. It makes me feel guilty sometimes as I look around the floor as I type this and all my pups are lounging on comfy clean fluffy beds. It such a discrepancy of riches but I guess all of life is that way. Thank you again. I can't tell you how happy it makes me that one less pup is not living that horrible life this weekend but starting on a great comfortable adventure :)

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  19. oh, bless her! and may the scourge of the next life be on that woman who let her live that way all those years!

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  20. Comet, you're in good hands,now!

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  21. It breaks my heart to think of the conditions poor Comet has had to endure.Thank goodness he will be properly cared for now.

    Bellaboo

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  22. Hi Kim
    We are so happy you are helping Comet find some happiness and love until her forever home can be found. And we know it will happen. Comet is very beautiful!
    love
    tweedles

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  23. For the life of me I will NEVER understand people who get dogs and then pen them up. It makes absolutely no sense. I'm glad she is no longer in that type of life... just makes me sad.

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  24. How can people be so cruel! I am so happy that Comet will go to live out her life in a good home.

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  25. Ohhhhhhhh. My. Dog. I love him!!!

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  26. Ohhhhhhhh. My. Dog. I love him!!!

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  27. Sorry...her. I have a friend named Comet so the him came out naturally :(

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  28. Such a sweet old lady! I hope she'll have happy days and can enjoy her life healthy.

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  29. Another lovely golden girl, and I'm sure she was with you for some special reason, if not, to be so slowly introduced to TLC, family life as it should be. How can anyone keep a dog in that confined area, I'll bet she will love to stretch her legs again. That smile says it all. Bless you for all you do, such a huge generous heart and loving home. Greetings from Jean

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  30. Happy for a world of second chances Kim. xo

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  31. Comet has such a lovely face!

    Thank you for caring enough to take Comet into your home and for helping her to get a better future where she is loved, well cared for and able to run around which is something all dogs should have.

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  32. I say this EVERY time Kim...how does your heart take it? She did not WANT Comet anymore??? Why not find her a different home years ago?? What is WRONG with people!! Thank you again for opening your heart and your home to help this "bug fat puddin'l as John called her :) hope you can give us an update as she moved on and settles in.

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  33. What a sweet, beautiful girl. I know she'll be fine, but my heart breaks for dogs like her who've never known indoor comfort and love. I just don't understand some humans. I'm glad you understood when she growled at your dogs. Some people would not have understood at all. I wonder what they expect of dogs who really don't know any better! Many hugs to you, Comet and all your dogs, Kim!

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  34. wow, after all she's been through and all that happened was a little growling - I'd say that is an amazing success. I hope she gets to be part of somebody's family. Paws crossed Comet, you deserve a Golden's life. GP is a damn good start.

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  35. You have a heart of gold. Your whole pack is pros at this, as you help one Golden after another. Thank you, Kim, for being an inspiration. Comet thanks you too - I know it.

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  36. It is a shame Comet had to wait so long to find peeps like you and your friends.... *sigh*

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  37. *hugs* ♥

    You'll be able to visit at least, right?
    :-)
    Have a blessed Sunday, Kim.

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  38. It's so sad that people can't keep their pets, both for the owner and for the pet... You are so brave to take all this on, including introducing new dogs to your growing family. Wishing you continued success and joy :)

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  39. HI! Great you took care of Comet just now... she will be in good hands with your friends. How bad Life he had....very sorry to read about that....
    Greetings from Sweden

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  40. my god.
    an entire little lifetime in a 6x9 pen. that to me is as cruel as actual abuse.
    i'm so glad she was rescued at the 12th hour. at least she may have some enjoyment in her life before the end.
    tears of anger. and then relief.
    and gratitude for people like you dear heart ~ and your fostering friend. comet just so deserves a forever home soon. constant change after all she's known is life in a crate has to be stressful too!

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  41. This post reminded me of life with chickens. Should you ever decide to raise chickens, it's the same thing as far as introductions and incorporation for them {well, except CC being used as a peacemaker}. :) Happy to see things seem to be going ok.

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  42. so wonderful that you opened your door once again to a dog in need.
    Bless you Kim, you have so much good karma going for you!

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  43. Glad you made the transition for Comet easier, Kim!!!!...:)JP

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  44. Where to start? First off why have a dog if you are going to have it live in a 6 x 9 pen its entire life? That makes me so angry. I'm not surprised that she was growling, she's probably never been socialized. Poor sweet thing. I'm glad you took her Kim, if only for the night and I'm glad she's going somewhere she will be shown the consideration and love she deserves. Honestly I'd like just five minutes with some dog owners, five minutes.

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