In Memorial To Our Golden Friends
To submit your memorial please click here , write your thoughts about your golden friend and send us your e-mail. You can also attach a photo of your golden, please keep below 250k.
Barney
(formerly known as Dallas) became a member of our family in
2006 with the help of Kay Hirsch and GERR. Although he was a
special needs boy with anxiety and separation issues, we
fell in love with him immediately. He became my shadow and
my “momma’s boy”. When we moved from the city life of
Columbus to the country life of Mount Sterling, he was in
heaven! He loved to run around our pasture with his little
brother, Buddy, and take nightly walks on the paths we made.
Barney was almost 16 years old when breathing issues, hip
problems and cancer finally took him from us. Barney knew he
was loved. He has left a 100 lb. hole in our family. But I
know he would want us to love another dog in need of a
forever home. And that’s what we plan to do. Here’s a photo
of Barney doing what he did best - rolling around in the
soft grass and enjoying the sunshine. I know he’s doing that
right now on the front lawn of the pearly gates. Until we
meet again big boy - Momma loves you!
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There
are two things I have learned in my journey through this
life. One is that if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll
get what you’ve always got. The other and more important is
that everything changes and everything ends. Our travels are
about the ebb and flow. It’s about the highs and lows. There
are some things that come into our lives that we wish would
go away. There are other things we wish would stay a lot
longer. Our golden retriever Jake is the latter. He was born
October 10th, 2006 in Arkansas and he crossed over the
Rainbow Bridge April 11th, 2017. I feel a friend this close
needs a good send off. This is all about fond memories and
laughter is welcomed.
Jake
had many different nicknames over his ten and a half years
including Jakey, Jake the Snake, Budman, Lumpy and Uber
Doober Goober. Don’t ask me where they came from. Since we
got his remains back, I now call him Jake in the Box. He
loved mashed potatoes, corn and a nice walk. He had his
share of trials and tribulations, especially when it came to
his health. He was allergic to just about anything but we
went through this as we did any other calamity or quirk that
made up his being. Very early on when he chewed a waterbed
in our new home and it leaked all over, we almost gave him
away but a lady (dog whisperer) who was recommended by
golden retriever rescue came to see us and we all turned 180
degrees and never looked back. I always knew that he was so
full of love for this family and his friends.
Inthe
immortal words of Louis C.K., bringing home a puppy is a
"countdown to sorrow." Chances are you're going to outlive
your dog and when you do, you're going to cry. Of course,
that has yet to stop anyone from actually getting one but
when the inevitable happens it's still very sad. They teach
us about love. They teach us about loss. They are the role
models for being alive. Sherry and I have been very lucky to
have had three wonderful dogs. Briley was my first and she
probably saved my life. She was rescued off the street in
Nashville (Briley Parkway and McGavock) with a broken hip
among many other ailments and could have easily been put
down but NO. I nursed her back to health, she healed me and
we both struck out together to see the world. We didn’t get
too far when Sherry and I met and the rest is history. She
was the first fur friend our kids ever experienced and was
an important part to me being accepted into the family. I’m
not afraid to say I used her as a bargaining chip when I
could. When she crossed over, it was devastating, especially
for me. I remember Sherry telling me that she had finally
moved up a notch in the pecking order. We waited over a year
before trying again when Bailey came into our lives. She had
a short six year stay due to health problems and I thought I
couldn’t do that again. Wrong! A month or two later Sherry
comes home and says she has spotted a dog and I need to go
see her which means get off your dead ass and follow me.
Long story short, we did not pick the little girl but chose
the so called docile boy in the group. We brought him home
on Christmas Eve 2006 and he was so upset that night that
yours truly slept on a cold bathroom floor next to his crate
so he was not afraid. We were off and running. Merry
Christmas! But I’m grateful for everyday he was on this
planet and was part of our clan.
It’s tough at the
Harman Hacienda right now. In the 25 years that Sherry and I
have been together, only about a year and a half have been
without a dog. Now, we have two cats that I love dearly and
we have had others but sorry, they are not dogs. I’ve always
believed that cats were dropped off on earth by aliens to
spy on us. Everyone who knows that Jake is gone “believes”
that we will get another one but I’m not sure. It’s way too
early. Maybe we’ll foster. If we do find another, it will
not be a puppy. Those days have passed. It will be an older
dog who can work with older people and probably not the size
of the last three. Briley was 70 lbs, Bailey and Jake
weighed in around 120. That was no fat and all muscle. Big
kids!
I have
to admit that his loss hit this family harder that I could
ever imagine. We’re all walking around like zombies in a
daze. But I guess there is an upside. We don’t have to run
the vacuum twice a day. There are no dog hair tumbleweeds
rolling across the hardwood floors. I no longer have to pick
up tons of dog poop. His bowls are no longer on the kitchen
floor (he was a slob when he drank). There’s no LOUD barking
at anything out the front door (that was a good thing). We
can come and go as we please. I don’t like it. I don’t like
any of it and the silence in the house is deafening.
What
really hurts is the void in my heart and the hole in my
soul. Grief is not always about death but it is always about
attachment and separation. I’ve lost a lot of people during
my journey along with my three dogs but time does not heal
wounds. It just dulls the pain. I loved Briley and Jake so
much that when I go to the happy hunting grounds, they are
coming with me. Bailey is going with Sherry because she was
Momma’s girl. I also hope there really is a Rainbow Bridge
because I would love to see all the gang (including the
cats) again. They set the bar very, very high. It’s that
damn unconditional love thing. I’ve only had that out of two
people in my life and I’m still married to the second one.
If I was a betting man, I would think that we will get
another fur baby but this gut buster has to go away. We miss
him. We miss him a lot. We miss the greeting at the door.
Laying in the way of everything so you had to step over him.
Sleeping next to the bed and farting so badly it could have
peeled paint. Rolling on his back every night on the
bathroom carpet. The eyebrows that spoke volumes. Just his
presence in our lives.
In the end he was tired. He had something that was taking its toll. He passed very peacefully and as I always promised him, I was the last thing he saw and heard. I’ve always hoped that I lived up to what he thought I was. He was a very happy dog and was loved very much. Travel safe my Friend. You were a Good Boy!
Bill Harman
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Our first Golden was a hand-me-down from a sour familial divorce, his name was Ripley. Ripley passed from mouth cancer and so we came to Golden Endings because we love the breed. Our second Golden, Brutus came to us from Golden Endings when he was around 1 ½ years old. He hated being by himself and so we adopted a second Golden, Buddy, from an acquaintance. Buddy was a little older than Brutus but they became fast friends as only Goldens can do. Buddy succumbed to cancer in November 2013. We adopted a third Golden, Winston, from Golden Endings in December 2013. Winston was severely neglected but fit in to our family and thrived. Brutus came out of the fog of losing his beloved Buddy after Winston came along. Brutus and Winston adored each other.
Unexpectedly, Brutus became sick and passed in November 2015 of cancer in the abdomen. Winston mourned but loved the extra attention. He could not get close enough to you and loved giving hugs where he would straddle your waist wherever you were sitting. Winston started acting different in December 2015, and after a vet appointment, tumors were found in his chest wall. Cancer again….sadly Winston passed January 18, 2016.
We have lost 4 Goldens to cancer. Although it is excruciating, we love our Goldens and will likely adopt again soon.
Thank you Golden Endings for your hard work and dedication to such a wonderful breed.
Yvonne R. Holstine
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Ansel’s
typical warm and outgoing Golden personality made him a hit
with everyone he met. He was Stan’s first dog and we
couldn’t have wished for a better breed or dog. The
neighborhood kids loved to pet him but often mistook “Ansel”
(after photographer Ansel Adams) for “Hansel”, presumably of
Hansel and Gretel. After getting groomed, he would
strut around the house attempting to simultaneously bark and
hold a prized toy in his mouth. He also loved eating
corn off the cob—we would hold and rotate an ear and he
would bite down the line just like a human. He loved other
dogs and immediately took our latest addition, a mini
Goldendoodle named Marvin under his wing and the two were
quickly inseparable.
Ansel brought us to GEGRR instead of the reverse. One day in 2000, we were outside and he bolted suddenly around the corner. I found him with a new human friend who was lavishing him with praise and petting. It so happened that his new friend was the late Ralph Nickels, there visiting his daughter. Ralph talked briefly about GEGRR and got me interested, although it was several years later before I realized he had founded the organization.
Ansel was a very healthy dog but after almost fifteen and half years his body simply wore out and started shutting down. We made the difficult decision and euthanized our beloved boy on Friday, May 16, 2014. We are thankful to our vet, Dr. Chip Taylor, whose wonderful care gave Ansel those amazing years and whose flexibility made his final time comfortable and peaceful. And of course we are thankful to Ansel for the joy he brought and for introducing us to GEGRR.
-Stan & Heather
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Dear
Golden Endings...
Sunday March 18, 2001 was a day that we'll never forget.
That's the day that we picked up our dear sweet loving
Huntley from Ralph's home. That was our
VERY LUCKY Golden Day. Huntley was a surrender to the
Zanesville Pound. When we picked him up we were told that
"he's a bit of an Indian", but he'll be a good dog. He
was NEVER just a dog, and so MUCH MORE than just a "Good
Dog". We never thought that we'd be so lucky to
receive such a PRECIOUS boy. Huntley was family.
We're writing this note because he just crossed the Rainbow
Bridge this past Friday February 28, 2014.
Oh the joys, laughter, companionship, loyalty, LOVE
that he gave to us! He was with us for 13 yrs,
but the time seems so extremely short. The tears still
flow, the reminiscing continues, the memories will always be
there, and he will always be in our hearts.
We just wanted to extend to Golden Endings our THANK YOU
for such a precious gift.
Vivi & Roger Yost
Centerburg, Ohio
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This
is Buddy, My mom (Becky) rescued him when I was 16 years
old. We had him for 7 wonderful years. He was 9 when we had
to put him down in February and all of his human companions
were with him when he passed away.
Bud was the best dog a family could ever ask for. He was given up because his owner was getting married and moving to Pittsburgh. A few short years later, my mom re-married and was moving to Pittsburgh. Bud was not getting left behind this time! My step-father (Russ) would never let Bud be left behind. They fell in love instantly and Bud didn't like leaving his side. He became a city dog and loved going on walks. Bud also loved waiting on the porch for Russ to come home. Bud loved many things but he loved his humans the most.
All of our hearts hurt without Bud around. He lived a great life and he added numerous amounts of joy to each of our lives. Thank you for rescuing Goldens, they are wonderful animals. Thank you for giving us Bud,
Abby and his owners Becky and Russ.
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In 2003 my
fiancée Leslie and I married thus blending our family
consisting of 3 young girls, Randi, Sydney and Courtney. We
heard about Golden Endings-Golden Retriever Rescue and
decided to look into adopting a dog. Well within minutes of
meeting Buckeye, we instantly fell in love and Buck blended
with us as well. I have been around dogs all my life, but
Buck was the first for my wife. I can honestly and whole
heartedly say that I have never encountered such
unconditional love from a dog like Buck expressed to our
family. Every person who met Buck loved him. I always said
he didn’t have a mean bone in his body. We took in a stray
kitten years ago and it followed Buck around and they became
best friends. We hear and read these stories about these
dogs quite often, but until you witness it first hand, you
will never truly understand. Our Buck loved constant
attention, endless petting, hand shaking, walks (mostly with
Leslie) and had a never satisfied appetite. He loved his
treats, occasional Dairy Queen ice cream cones and anything
you may have dropped on the floor.
He loved birthdays, holidays and any event where
people gathered. He opened gifts and cards, pulled tissue
paper from gift bags, anything to be involved. Buck was also
the loudest Golden I have ever encountered. He barked
constantly, which at times could become annoying until you
reminded yourself that it was just his way of communicating
with the people he loved. I honestly believe he was saying
“I love you guys” over and over again. He hated seeing
suitcases for our annual trip to the beach, we didn’t take
him with us because we traveled a long way and it was always
so hot and humid. It was never hard finding someone to watch
him or house sit; he was especially close to his Nana next
door. My story unfortunately closes with the deeply
saddening passing of our wonderful Buck. He was 12 years old
the month he died and was never sick until his final weeks.
We, however, are all so sick with grief and the longing to
hear his bark again. Our home is so empty without him it
hurts to go home in the evening without his greeting, tail
always wagging. I’m sure time will heal our hearts, but not
fully, there will always be an empty space that the
gentlest, most caring Golden Retriever named Buckeye filled.
Keep barking Buck, we will keep an ear to Heaven where we
know you are watching, wagging your tail.
Sincerely,
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Parker
was my best friend and was like my child. He recently
passed away from an advanced stage of lymphoma, six weeks
before his 11th birthday. He was my first dog and I couldn't
have asked for a better companion. He was 12 weeks old when
I brought him home. I had no idea what I was getting
into, but together we figured it out and all of those years
were a blast! He followed me everywhere and his
unconditional love was never ending. He loved the
outdoors and his backyard. He was spoiled rotten with
four beds and more toys than you can image. I wouldn't have
it any other way. His grandmother adored him and he
adored her in return. We're lost without him. I have
wonderful memories but would do anything to have him here
with us. While he was sick, he did everything possible
to enjoy every day. My biggest regret is not knowing sooner
so I could get him some help. It took three rounds of tests
to determine that he had cancer and by then, it was too
late. I spent those three weeks sleeping on the floor with
him thinking that he would pass during the night. He
was a tough boy and held on so I had to make the decision. I
made sure his last day was special - he spent the entire day
playing outside just the way he would like it - one of the
few good days during his illness. My mom and I were with him
when he was put down - hardest thing I have ever had to do
in my life. Everyone in the room got kisses - that was
his specialty - which made my decision that much more
difficult to comprehend. In the end, I know I had to
what was best for him.
The house is so empty without him but he is still very much with me. I LOVE YOU, MY VERY HANDSOME BOY.
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We
were looking for a second dog in August of 1998 when Ralph
called regarding an abused Golden rehabilitating @ Annehurst
Vet..Her name is Mycle. She was 18 months old. When we met
her, she was so timid and practically not moving other than
huddling the wall in the room. That was the last time she
would ever have to fear anyone. She got love and kisses on a
daily basis! Mycle became our guard dog-chasing the mailman,
garbage man, passing bicyclists, UPS man, cable guy,
etc..She unfortunately passed in June of 2012. Mycle joined
her four legged brother and sister. She lived a good life.
Our "pretty girl" will be missed always. Thanks for all you
do to save Goldens. Love, Debbie & Greg.
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“This
is Ginger, our adorable Golden Retriever. She shared
our lives for 14 years and she will always live in our
hearts. She had wonderful Cocker Spaniel buddies,
Keyser and Nikki, whom she played with all through her life.
Her “grandma” loved her so much she had Ginger sit in her
lap. All you could see was Ginger!
Ginger loved the water. When we took her to the lake,
she darted into the water and waited (not very patiently)
for us to throw the ball to her. She was gentle with
other dogs who grabbed the ball, but then she snatched the
ball first the next time! When Ginger caught the wet,
soggy ball, she lunged through the water to us, drenching
us, then she dove back into the lake, to catch the ball
again. We never exhausted her, but she exhausted us!
We expect to be reunited with Ginger some day, and
again we will have 80 pounds of a gentle, loving, furry,
golden lapdog! Love, Deb and Nancy”
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Dear
Golden Endings Rescue, I was so pleased to see
the memorial site on your page. I just lost my Cooper
last week and it was so hard. He would have been 13
this month and led a very healthy life. My son &
daughter-in-law got him when they were still in high school
but he has been at my home from the very beginning and the
past 6 yrs it has just been he and I. My life revolved
around him and he was truly my best friend. He
loved car rides, walks and bread. That was his favorite
treat! LOL He was very hyper but when my grandkids
were born he just seem to realize he needed to be gentle
with them. They all loved him, especially my youngest
granddaughter who called him her bubby, and brother because
her mom and dad were also his mom and dad, since they bought
him. He played well with other dogs as
well and even though he was usually older he hung right with
them. His best friend, Neelie, my sister's Doberman
will miss him. He will always hold a very
special place in my heart. I loved him so much and
always will. It's still very hard for me at times but
I have wonderful memories and will hang on to them forever.
Anita
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Dear
Golden Endings Rescue, Thank you for the
opportunity to add my beloved golden "Murphy" to your
memorial. Murphy was my second golden, I lost my first
goldie "Molly" to cancer in 1996.
I got
Murphy at 8 weeks old and I had her for 12 years. She was
incredibly smart, funny, talented and beautiful. I was lucky
enough to be able to take her with me to work every day for
the first five years of her life. When we moved to Ohio in
2001 and got a new job she had to stay home and that was sad
for both of us.
Unfortunately Murphy got
an eye disease called Pigmentary Uveitis and lost her right
eye in 2004. We opted for a prosthetic though and she was a
trooper through that and the years that followed. Since the
disease is (usually) bilateral she required medication and
eye drops in her good eye several times a day for the rest
of her life.
She never gave me a hard
time about getting those eye drops and medication - it
simply was part of her routine. She'd come when I called for
her and sit patiently while I put the drops in, gave her
medication and of course kissed her afterwards on the head
for being so sweet.
She went with us
everywhere. On vacations, to visit family in other states
(many!) and on cross country skiing adventures, hiking, and
camping. Murphy loved life and going where ever - the store,
the bank, oh and her favorite - Dairy Queen.
It was a year in August since we lost her and my heart
still aches without her - even though we have adopted two
new dogs and fostered several over the past year. I wear a
locket that contains some of her ashes so she is always with
me. Her picture and story are on the wall at The Dog Chapel
in Vermont.
I admire the work you do to
help these wonderful dogs find homes and the help they need
and deserve to have happy lives. There are so many tragic
situations out there that cause dogs to end up homeless.
So - thank you.
Thank you
again.
Sincerely, Deb Holdren
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Dear
Golden Endings Rescue,
How wonderful to find a spot
to memorialize my amazing Golden, Jordan. I lost her at age
14 only a few weeks ago. I now find myself going to
Golden sites on the web to see her face again, and
contemplate whether or not I am ready to open my heart to
another Golden.
Her apparent goal in life was to
take care of me, and she did a good job with that.
Even toward the end of her admittedly long life, her concern
was always for me. When she could no longer jump on my
bed at night, I slept with her on the floor so we could
touch each other, and she died in my arms.
I had
never known such a happy dog. She was always smiling,
and never let on that she might not feel well. I never met
anyone who did not fall in love with her, and she pretty
much loved everyone she came in contact with - and if she
was stand-offish with someone, I stayed clear of that
person. She certainly let me know if there was anyone
coming close to the house, but I used to joke that if anyone
ever broke in she would just love them to death.
One
of my favorite memories of her was her bath time. I
would tell her it was time for her bath and get her shampoo
from under the kitchen sink. She would follow me into
the bathroom and when I would get her towel from the linen
closet, I would turn around and find her sitting patiently
in the tub. She had a very close relationship with our big
grey tom cat who helped raise her. They bathed each
other frequently, and I think he misses her as much as I do.
I have had a hard time dealing with her loss. My
children tell me that she was lucky to be loved so much and
that she knew it. But I know that I was the lucky one
to have had her open her life and her heart to me.
Thanks for all you do,
Karla Smith
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