Happy is my first rescue dog from a commercial puppy mill. She was 8 weeks old when I got her. I was told that puppy mill dogs are born and raised in an impoverished environment and endure severe stress throughout their life at the mill. So her psychological functioning is not like that of a commonly raised pet dog. When Happy arrived home, she was terribly sick (puppy strangles, ear infections, worms), and she was struggling. Here is the first picture we have of her.
Her rehabilitation and recovery were fast, as the adoption organisation, named GRIN, provided support and medications, and my family and I opened our arms and hearts to this little survivor. At 9 months, she was starting to desire more to be petted and hugged, and also making more prolonged eye contact. She is the nervous type, that’s for sure, but she has lots of abilities with dog training, and she starts discovering the world as a normal pet. She completed a Puppy class, and she also trained in obedience. I am so proud of her. She’s doing really well. On my part, I have to be so much calmer, patient, and understanding with her than with any of my previous dogs. Undertaking this journey took a lot of my energy, but now, looking back, I see that it is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done.
Where should you shop for a golden retriever?
The most expensive option is to buy a dog from a quality breeder. AKC.org, for example, has a full database of breeders by state. It’s going to be a little bit more money, but you will have the insurance of having four or five generations of checkable health and behavioral clearances. You can go meet the breeder and their dogs. This is what we did with our dog, Zaku, and we loved the experience. It is more expensive to buy a breeder puppy, but you know you won’t pay a fortune in medical bills later.
You could also buy a cheaper dog in a puppy mill. But please don’t. Know that in the long haul, the people who buy those puppies are encouraging a terrible industry. These mills have incidents of animal cruelty. Look at Happy’s baby picture. Please don’t buy from an unknown source; it’s a no-go.
The other option that I propose here is to adopt a dog from a rescue organization. Full disclosure, I paid 500$ for a beautiful red golden retriever puppy (that usually costs around 3000$). But after two years, I have a medical bill going over 10,000$. Thanks to our ASPCA Insurance, I paid only a fraction of that, but still, she is my most expensive dog. The Golden Rescue organization (GRIN) also covered the cost of spaying. They contacted me for multiple interviews so I would be ready to adopt one of their dogs. It is a serious process, and I am grateful for them. They have a lot of beautiful golden retrievers. Go to their website https://www.grinrescue.org/adopt/available-goldens to find out.
You should also Know
Golden Retrievers are predisposed to several conditions, including ear infections, hot spots, allergies, and excessive shedding. It’s important to consider these conditions, along with regular annual vet expenses such as vaccinations, heartworm testing/prevention, and grooming, when deciding on this breed.
Golden Retrievers are also one of the most popular dog breeds. They are loving companions and make great family pets. However, they require a significant amount of daily exercise, mental stimulation, and attention from their owners. Without proper exercise and human engagement, Goldens may develop behavior problems.
Would I do it again?
Adopting Happy has transformed my life in ways I never anticipated. Witnessing her recovery and growth has not only been a fulfilling journey but also a reminder of the resilience and capacity for love that rescue dogs possess. I encourage anyone thinking about adding a furry friend to their family to consider adoption, primarily through organizations like GRIN. The bond you create and the joy you gain from helping a dog in need can be incredibly rewarding. Happy has taught me so much about compassion and patience, and I wouldn’t trade our time together for anything.
Leave a Reply