Bonnie Saxenmeyer of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey
"It was in March l994 that Legend came into my
life from the Golden Retriever Rescue in Delaware. I had
just lost both my parents within 3 weeks of each other to
Cancer & my female Golden (Agie) died of cancer too, and I
was diagnosed with Breast Cancer (all in the same year). I
was going through surgery & chemo and I needed something to
help with the deep depression I was feeling. I needed to be
strong for my children, (at that time ages 11 & 13). I have
had dogs in my life since my first one at age 5. This big
boy (Legend) was just what I needed to focus my energy on
while going through a difficult time. Needless to say, I am
still here and so is my *angel*."
Theresa Dulinsky of Independence,
Missouri
"Rudy has proven to be an Angel in Disguise through his work
with our local animal shelter. Morale was low at our shelter
when many of the incoming puppies were euthanized due to
their lack of socialization skills. They were either so
timid they cowered at the back of their cage or so hyper and
searching for attention that potential adopters passed them
by. *Foster Dad To The Rescue*! My two year old Golden, Rudy
has a big heart and a body and paws to match. Since I was a
volunteer at the shelter I was allowed to bring three pups,
that were getting close to the end of their shelter time,
home to Rudy. They quickly discovered he wasn't their Mom,
but he seemed to know a lot of good stuff puppies needed to
know, and he sure had soft fur to cuddle in. Hello, Foster
Dad! Rudy took his job seriously, teaching the pups how hard
you can nip, and teaching them what the papers on the floor
were really for. He even let me hold them so they could get
the human connection. In two weeks the pups were sprouting
their own angel wings. Rudy knew it was time for them to go.
All three pups were adopted. The shelter was complimented on
their socialization of the pups. They couldn't believe it
was Rudy, the Foster Dad!
Rudy continues his work with 100
percent adoptions of his foster pups. P.S. — He didn't want me to include
this, but Rudy also has been Foster Dad to two beautiful timid shelter
kittens who have turned out to be lovable outgoing adoptees. He's afraid the
Rottweiler next door will think he's a whimp. Rudy likes to keep his angel
wings under his beautiful feathery coat."
Don Cranford of
Fayetteville, North Carolina
"I attached one of my personal favorites, Thurston with
his original woobie. Although Lady pulled the stuffing out, he rather
prefers it that way I think since he can sling it around three feet into the
air. Thurston was heaven sent at a time when both my son and I were in need.
I firmly believe Thurston kept both of us above water while we were
struggling with self-pity and hate (not necessarily of each other). In the
eight years he was tendered to us, my son has grown up and not only respects
me but likes me! Like my mother says, Thurston taught both of us to care,
and mended our hearts towards each other and other people. Now I share him
with others (in training to be a therapy dog) and he loves me even more for
it! Ain't life great with these angels?"
Pat Flynn of Co. Kildare, Ireland
"Chekhov was our first Golden and our big pet. He
was always happy and getting up to (nice) mischief. Here he
is telling us that he's ready to go to the beach, taken when
he was six in 1994, we think his big smile summed up his
happy nature! We had the pleasure of his company with us for
ten gloriously Golden years until he succumbed to
secondaries after a tumour on the spleen was removed. He
left us very suddenly to go to the Rainbow Bridge after his
secondaries were discovered, as we didn't want him to
suffer. After making that hard decision we were devastated.
We have many loving memories of our first Golden boy, here's
one: One November day after my lunch Chekhov told me he
wanted to go outside. As I had a kettle full of boiling
water in my hand, not wanting to spill it, I turned clumsily
whilst putting it down and fell hard on to the floor before
I could let him out. I just couldn't get up off the floor,
there was something wrong with my legs. I couldn't reach the
phone which was right over my head. Chekhov had a *wee* to
do, though I couldn't have cared less whether he did it in
the kitchen at that stage but, he just wouldn't. Instead
what did he do? He lay down beside me calmly for the five
hours that remained until my husband came home. He was my
guardian angel keeping me warm on that late November day. (I
hadn't turned on the heating, I'd intended to do it as I let
him out.) He was such a great comfort to me during that long
wait, he snuggled into me carefully. It turned out that I'd
broken my hip in the fall. He was a special boy, remembered
with smiles and tears!"
Jim Costello of Saint
John’s, Newfoundland
"I had a stroke almost
five years ago and was paralyzed for five weeks. It took me about five
months to start walking again. Approximately six months later I purchased
Lucky from Ontario and we walk every day in the woods. He is my constant
walking companion and he always looks forward to our walk. He’s my motivator
and Angel. Without him, I would certainly miss many mornings. Lucky is
gentle, kind, and even empathetic because he knows when I feel miserable. I
am very lucky to have him as my walking companion and friend."
Michelle Baker of
Sterling, Virginia
"This is
my angel, Angel, and her first night at her (my) new home. She has earned
her name in several ways. First, she was given mouth-to-mouth at birth, so
we believe, then, she was truly *touched by an angel.* When she was 9 weeks
old she was given to me by a breeder/friend at a time when I was in need of
a guardian angel to redirect my life and provide much needed companionship.
She is now providing friendship and fun to my grandson who is 3 weeks
younger than Angel. And now, at a year old, Angel, is in pursuit of her good
citizen certificate in order to provide angelic friendship to senior
citizens in our community. I think this picture canonizes her angelic
essence as she looks down her first flight of steps in wonderment, *Where
are my wings when I need them?*"
James Hinish of Deltona, Florida
"I am a Golden and very proud of it. I love to be part of my
family and the freedom to be what I want to be; cool and creative, for
creation is a drug I can't do without. Yes I am a Golden who loves everyone
and oh how I love to make people smile and feel good about themselves. Us
Goldens say that all of the animals, excepting man, know that the principal
business of life is to enjoy it. And oh how I love life and all it brings.
Do you like my hat? I picked it out all by my self. My best friend bought me
the sun glasses. Pretty cool color don't ya think? Every one needs sun
glasses here in Florida. My family takes real good care of me.
My
name is Yash, I am a 7 year Golden. I work for an organization called
Canine Companions for Independence. My job title is Full Service Dog. I
have been in service with my matched CCI graduate Hank since I was 2 years
old. I perform what ever duties Hank asks me to do. I was taught 56
commands, from turning light switches on or off to picking up what ever Hank
asks me to pick up, to helping Hank get around better by pulling him in his
wheel chair. I am a very well trained Golden because I love what I do and
that is helping and loving. My CCI partner Hank is confined to a wheel chair
and as a team we work together so Hank can be totally independent. And
working for CCI I am proud to help Hank continue having his independence. I
don't see myself as an angel, I see myself as a friend."
Teresa & Steve Bullard of Fairfield, Illinois
"Audrey, formerly Bailee, was an unwanted dog.
When we adopted Audrey we had no idea of the magical things
she was capable of doing. She now visits children and
attends many public functions to show off and let people
know just how wonderful animals are! In this picture, little
does she know that by visiting these child
ren, she is an
angel in disguise. We all know that children who learn to
respect animals in turn learn to respect their fellow human
beings. Audrey is making a true difference in the lives of
the children she visits by teaching them kindness and
compassion — what a purely angelic thing"
"This is a picture of my husband and our beloved rescued and
first Golden Retriever named Cinnamon. I shot this photo one
day in our backyard. It has so much significance as it
captures Cinnamon giving back to his daddy all of the love
and more than we give him. I named the photo *Push Daddy.*
We rescued Cinnamon from a humane society in 1996. It is
hard to believe that he was *disposed of* as he is truly an
angel in disguise. He will give until he has no more to give
and this photo reflects just that!"
"Unfortunately because we live in a throw-away society,
we foster Golden Retrievers in need and this is a
picture of a big foster golden boy named Davey. Here he is
in the swing with his foster mom, Teresa. I wonder if he
knows that he saves US. He gives us the strength to do what
we do for homeless Goldens. Davey is an angel in our eyes
and in disguise because he reminds us of how important it is
to share love and kindness and how grateful we should be for
second chances. He now has a family to call his own and I
can assure you that he is their angel in disguise as he was
ours."
"After being involved in a life-altering car accident
that left me unable to walk for a year and a half, I turned to my Goldens
for direction, comfort and peace. My husband was riding his horse when he
took this photo of me and my Ginger girl. I am sidelined with many injuries
as I watch my husband on his horse but I am not alone . . . right there to
love me and let me know life is good is my angel in disguise . . . Golden
Ginger Lyndsee Claire Bullard."
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