A registered non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization Published monthly by Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies

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1 A registered non-profit 501 (c)(3) charitable organization Published monthly by Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies or those of you who weren t able to attend this year s Annual Member Meeting, I wanted to share some of the discussion around how much of our success is due to you, our wonderful volunteers. Without so many dedicated volunteers to assist with so many different things, we wouldn t be able to reach out and try new ventures. Like most rescues, we have struggled with the shortage of Golden Retrievers in recent years. But unlike most groups, we have been able to challenge ourselves and join the Turkey Dog rescue program. We ve also been able to save aging mama dogs at puppy mills who faced likely euthanasia. We are only one of very few Golden Retriever Rescues nationwide who have a facility that enables us to take in multiple dogs, many with special needs. This not only gives us the space to house dogs for as long as they need for their physical healing, but also to bring so many of our volunteers in to help these dogs learn to get beyond their fear, to play like real dogs, and to trust and love. At the meeting we talked about how we ve really ramped up our consumer education activities, to educate people on the importance of rescue and the problems of buying without knowledge. After all, awareness is part of our mission statement. And all of you can help spread the word with your friends, family, and personal networks. We know you love our Golden rescue dogs and the work you do to help them find their forever homes.

2 y name is Maddie Dimetrosky. I am in seventh grade at Horizons K-8 school. Every year at my school we study something that we are passionate about. I am learning how animal photography impacts the environment and animals. First, I talked to a professional photographer named Lisa Langell. I learned how animal photography can impact animals both positively and negatively. I learned how taking pictures of animals will make people want to help conserve them, but I also learned how it can impact animals negatively. Sometimes when people take pictures of wildlife they get too close and scare the animal away or they draw too much attention, and the animal gets scared. Then I saw a photo of a starving polar bear in The New York Times taken by Paul Nicklen. By photographing the polar bear, he was hoping people would help them, seeing how much climate change can impact animals. I hoped I could take photos of animals within my community to help them. So, I reached out to the Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies (GRRR). deadly virus. Her brother sadly passed away, but they gave Ovy lots of care and now she is eight months old and doing great. When we adopted her from GRRR, I saw how they are a great organization, so they came to mind. I recently went to GRRR and met Kylie Caraher, an employee. She introduced me to Annie, Joy, Grace, and Segal. We were able to take some of them out into a field and watch them play and run. It was amazing how happy these dogs could be who all had different stories. Grace, a six year old with joint problems, had come to GRRR several weeks before and could barely even stand up. But when I was there, she was running around and playing with the other dogs like you would never know that she was in pain. I learned that GRRR provides supplements, massages, surgery, and will give every dog the care it needs. Kylie shared so many touching stories of dogs GRRR has saved. For example, there was a golden retriever who was going to be euthanized because of a broken limb that couldn t be paid for. But GRRR was able to intervene and save this dog s life. After taking photos of all the dogs, I posted pictures of them on our neighborhood website, hoping to find them good, loving homes. For more information, please go to In July we adopted our puppy Ovy from GRRR. When Ovy and her brother got to GRRR, it was discovered that they had parvo, a potentially

3 ctually, much of this winter felt more like spring, but the official spring is in the air. May 20th is our first big event of the year, the Spring Fling. The grass is getting greener and Phoebe's Place will be ready for your fun-loving, social pooch to come play. While your pup rolls in the grass and plays with new and old friends, we will have great food and lots of new merchandise for you to check out. The GRRR board loved the new merchandise so much that I had to order more new stuff. The Spring Fling is always a lot of fun, and who doesn't love to see all the goofy behavior? And the dogs have fun, too. Remember, Sunday, May 20th. See the website for more details. It's GALA time! Operation G*R*R*R June 16th at the Tivoli Turnhalle Center This year s event will be another great one, and it will sell out again. So, the sooner you go online to buy your tickets, the better. We have some very special greeter dogs this year. We have so much to be thankful for, and you are a big part of what we are thankful for. This year we are celebrating the medical folks who make our pups healthy. It's their care, knowledge, and skill that allows them to take care of both the commonplace and the complex issues that face our pups, and we want to say thank you. Our special guest speaker is Theresa Strader, founder and Executive Director of National Mill Dog Rescue. Her story and everyday efforts make a huge difference in the lives of thousands of dogs each year. We will be focusing on Theresa, the dog that got her organization started, and the wonderful work they do right here in Colorado. As my grandmother said we will "focus on the positive" and Theresa and her team s great work. As has been tradition, we will have great food, unique auction items, a special appeal for our Golden Angel dogs, and some absolutely fun and wonderful decorations. Here's the link: Come on out. Cont'd on next page

4 Cont'd Speaking of Gala Auction Items You'd be amazed at how many of the great auction items at the Gala come from our members. Things like meal certificates from your favorite places to eat or fun gift baskets. Here is a link to our most popular and needed auction items and an auction donation form. If you have an opportunity to put something together or can simply donate a new item that we can include in a gift basket, that would be awesome. Please see the list for great ideas. Corporate Volunteer Teams and Company Matches and Grants As with most nonprofits, we are always looking for organizations, corporate and family foundations, etc., that have a heart for animal causes. We are finding more and more companies are supporting local charities that their employees support. For example; Google, Microsoft, Encana, Allstate, Newmont Mining, Wells Fargo, 1st Bank, and many others respond to your selected charities. It is great when you and the company you work for can be in sync on local organizations that are deserving of local support. Each year we are very fortunate to have company work teams volunteer for a few hours to help us get critical work done that is otherwise hard to get to in a normal week. We have some wonderful support from GRRR members that happen to work for a company that participates in an "employee match" program as well. We are now finding many companies and civic organizations that are responding to employee support for small grants and donations. In addition to the ones I've already mentioned, it seems there are new ones popping up each week. If you work for a company that supports employee donation matches or provides small grants to local charities, we would very much appreciate a shout out and your support. It may seem like a small thing, but it's a big deal to us and our pooches. You'll get a 21-PAW salute. Thank you! appy spring! The days are longer and the weather is warmer for a stroll and cuddle with the dogs at Phoebe's Place. We can now have volunteers until 6 p.m. and that will increase to 7 p.m. as the daylight hours increase. We want the dogs to have individual interaction with multiple people during the day. The more the merrier! The annual VIP Morrison Inn dinner get together will May 10, 5:30pm for all VIP volunteers. Come and meet your fellow dog walkers!

5 Spring Fling! For all members, volunteers, and dogs! Sunday, May 20 1:00-3:30 pm Phoebe s Place: W. 72nd Ave, Arvada, CO Merchandise for sale Dogs playing in grass yard + dog games Everyone gets a raffl e ticket at the door for door prizes Burgers, brats, and drinks provided. Please bring something to share like side dish, appetizer, salad, dessert (if in doubt, bring a side dish...we get lots of desserts). Sorry, no small breed dogs (for their safety). Gala Donations Needed If you have items for the fundraising Gala s Silent Auction or bottles of wine and craft beer for the Virtual Wine Cellar/ Virtual Beer Garden, please drop off at the welcome table. If you are unable to attend spring fl ing and would like to contribute, please contact Mary Lisman for silent auction items: mary.lisman@goldenrescue.com, or Laura Zlogar for wine/beer donations: wilson480@msn.com. Thank you! REMINDER: Only well-behaved, well-socialized GRRR dog(s) and/or dogs in your family, whose behavior you know, are allowed. No small dogs, please. And remember on or off leash, you need to adequately control your dog(s) at all times, and you are fully responsible for your dog(s) behavior. Thank you. Please check website for weather cancellations: goldenrescue.com

6 The opening of our remodeled grooming room at Phoebe's Place took place at the beginning of March. All of the incoming dogs are getting the royal treatment and going to their new homes fresh and sparkling clean! The grooming services are provided by GLOW (Golden Lovers Own Wash) and are a GRRR members' benefit, which means any GRRR member--vip walkers, sponsors, donors, and adoptees--can bring their dog in for grooming! It is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and openings are usually available even with short notice. Grooming, bath, nails, and de-shedding treatments are only $50.00 (medicated baths, too). Call or text Kylie at and get ready to enjoy your clean dog!! Mary Beaver Sue Bacher Cory Bolton Elizabeth Bugay Jeannie Camosy Deanne Chee Lexis Clark Richard Elmore Sean Eubanks Faith Enzman Judy Feasby Terri Helpenstell Barbara Holub Pam Johnson Dan Jonson Melinda Jorgensen Cheryl Kane Gayle Larrance Maya Lindgren Susanne Metzler Erin Moran Brendan Dean Peterson Kyle Pocock Lane Rudiger Jackie Rudiger Dave Sadler Jeannine Schafer Terry Segura Susan Sheldon Kim Solecki MacKenna Stang Teri Stouder Elizabeth Treichler Jacie Vanderloo Animal Care Mary Kenton: mary.kenton@goldenrescue.com Golden Growl Quarterly Newsletter Debbie Stratton: debbie.davis@goldenrescue.com Volunteer Newsletter Leigh Gannan: leighlums@gmail.com Adoption Follow-up Cathy Jones: cathy.jones@goldenrescue.com Placement Roberta Miller: robertamiller70@yahoo.com Application Advocate Gloria LeFree: gloria.lefree@goldenrescue.com Team Leaders Grant Writing Judi Servoss: judi.servoss@goldenrescue.com Linda Pierrel: linda.pierrel@goldenrescue.com Jeannie Miller: jeanniebeer@gmail.com Volunteer Coordinator Cindee Moyer: cindee.moyer@goldenrescue.com VIP - Volunteer Interaction Program Coordinator Sukie McMaster: sukie.mcmaster@goldenrescue.com Executive Director Kevin Shipley: Kevin.shipley@goldenrescue.com