A month after Ben died, we decided to foster a rescued Golden Retriever from Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue here in Tulsa. We weren’t quite ready to adopt, but we thought that fostering would be a good compromise.  The dog we fostered was “Shadow” – a red Golden with blond highlights.

When we took him home he was being treated for heartworms (he had been kept outside – an absolutely traumatic way for Goldens to live – they are so focused in on their people that forcing them to live outside is just cruel.)  His coat was dull, his eyes and cheeks were sunken, and he was very lethargic. We had to keep him quiet for 2 months while he received his painful shots and got rid of the heartworms. For the most part he didn’t have much trouble with the treatment, though we did have a couple of nights when his nose bled and we had to stay up with him and try to staunch the flow. But that, too, passed. He knew it the day his doctor declared him well – as soon as he got back from the vet’s office, he took off running around the back yard after 2 months of staying quiet!

Shadow was a “velcro” dog – he attached himself to me and stayed by my side (usually pressed up against my leg) 24 hours a day. He has eased off this a bit now that he’s well, and we’re starting to see more of his personality. He’s very different from Ben and Andy, and has his own unique personality.

About 2 weeks ago we adopted him! (You should have known that was coming! LOL!)

Here’s his picture…

Comments are closed.