Monthly Archives: April 2012

An open letter to Perez Hilton…

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I just want to say, I love Perez*, always have.  I am currently working on an article on golden doodle greeders, and Perez and his greeder came up in my research.  I also realize he received an award from PETA (Proggy Award)  The key word in this whole long-winded letter is ETHICAL.

Dear Perez:

I am aware that you purchased a designer dog from a greeder in Southern California who shall remain nameless.  I also know that Teddy has captured your heart and will be a huge part of your life for a long time.  I really appreciate the fact that you highly promote rescue dogs.  Do you sometimes feel ashamed that you purchased your dog from a greeder who lets her “stock” sleep outside alone at night, in “clean oversize pens” (just like our local animal control shelter) and hires someone for very little wage to come care for them?  I sincerely hope you do.  Would you want that for Teddy?

You obviously know these shelters are overcrowded.  As a longtime dog lover/owner, and golden retriever enthusiast, I am really saddened that you chose this route.  Please don’t think that I am ignorant on this matter.  I even read the information on your greeders website about the pro’s of these designer dogs.  I just want to say, you can find just about anything on the internet, and if these people are greedy too, they also reap the financial rewards of this canine catastrophe we call “designer dogs”

There are real, passionate dog Breeders out there, who have a few dogs they keep and love, (in their home) and “stud” them out to other well loved dogs.  They also spend alot of time and money titling these dogs in either conformation or obedience.   These dogs have a clear genetic history, a serious breeding program that ensures the health of the breed, sound conformation and temperament, and a well established club (AKC,CKC, breed clubs, etc) and rescue organizations that are clearly non profit.  There is no such thing with the goldendoodles, labradoodles, cockapoos, puggles, etc etc.  I could go on and on.

On another note, I paid $800 for my purebred golden retriever, who’s ancestors are incredibly titled dogs, and came from loving, ETHICAL homes and breeders.  Sadly, your dog came from a puppy mill…(yes, I said it, how many litters a year do they have?) and I saw the prices on the site from where you purchased your Teddy. (the word “sucker” comes to mind here)

In short, what I am saying is, I suppose I can understand the Proggy Award from Peta for your wonderful blog..but the fact you (unknowingly, at the time, I’m sure) purchased your dog from a puppy mill, kind of makes me question this.  Please promote pets obtained from rescue or REPUTABLE, ETHICAL, Nationally Registered Breeders.

Sincerely, for the goldens..

Shannon

*Perez Hilton is a goldendoodle owner and celebrity blogger from sites such as perezhilton, teddyhilton , and cocoperez

ps.  loving how spell check underlines the “designer breeds” and not the REAL breeds!!

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Los Angeles Volunteer Deputies Rescue Golden Retriever dehydrated on hike

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The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department badge

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department badge (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Here’s a great story about golden rescue, but not the kind you would think.  Truman was on a hike at Switzer Falls with his owner when he became dehydrated and suffered from cut paws.  The Los Angeles Sherrif’s Department (LASD)  volunteer deputies came out on a Sunday, and receive only $1 / year for their services.  Thank you to the Deputies who wheeled Truman to his owners car on a gurney.  Full story from the Huffington Post here.

Photo credit: Brad Kurtz/Huffington Post

Ouch! Cola the Golden Retriever found with elastic around testicles

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This is a horrible story about a 4 month old golden retriever puppy who was found wandering around a neighborhood in Severn, Maryland with an elastic band around his testicles.   Obviously an attempt to home-neuter the sweet little guy.  Apparently the testicles were shriveled and discolored, and a vet in Annapolis successfully neutered the dog and treated him for an internal infection. They have named the dog “Cola” and I assume he will be placed for adoption. Apparently several people have already come forward.

Full article here.

Golden Retrievers and counter-surfing….at my wits’ end

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This morning I woke to my daughter Amanda asking “Mom, where are my contacts?” A terrible feeling welled up inside me as I jumped out of bed “NO!?” I knew. Amanda just got her first pair of contact lenses on Thursday. Today is Saturday. Sometime during the night, Tucker jumped up and grabbed the contact case right off her nightstand. I found the remains on the stairs, chewed up plastic.

This is not the first time this has happened. I am ashamed to say I left my full prescription bottle of thyroid medication on the kitchen counter. That night, I looked over to see Tucker chewing away at something quite eagerly, only to discover it was an empty pill bottle. Again, that feeling in my stomach. He was taken to the vet, given IV fluids, and observed by the vet overnight the next night. A very hard and expensive lesson, but thankfully he is okay.

There has also been my nephews glasses, my bank card, half of a pot roast (that one I can understand) and many other things I cant think of right now.

The thing that bothers me the most is he does it right in front of us. Sometimes I send him to his crate after strike two, but he just isn’t getting it! I don’t remember ever having it this bad with my other dogs. Does anyone have any advice? The leash thing doesn’t work…by the time I get to him, he is down.

Here’s a cute video of a golden retriever counter surfing a banana. I like to call it “Jack, what are you doing?”

Sad news for Nelson the Golden Retriever

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Well, unfortunately, it didn’t end well for Nelson, the dog from yesterday’s post about a golden retriever who was swept over a waterfall in Vancouver. His search caused a stir on twitter, as indicated in yesterdays post.

Nelson’s body was found around 1pm today. Nelson’s owner wishes to thank everyone for their concern. Here is the post from The Vancouver Sun

http://www.vancouversun.com/entertainment/pne/Golden+retriever+found+dead+after+being+swept+over+North+Vancouver/6500517/story.html

Rimadyl harmful for Golden Retrievers?

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Being one of those people who do not have alot of faith in the drug companies, my interest was piqued when I discovered this article about a golden retriever dying from severe poisoning from the anti-inflammatory drug Rimadyl.  After further reading, it seems this problem is not uncommon, and golden retriever owners should be aware of the signs of this anti-inflammatory medication.  The owners of the dog are apparently suing Pfizer. I am interested to know if they were successful.  Please share your stories or experiences with this drug, in relation to goldens.