Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue

Upcoming Events

Meet and Greet Pet Adoption Day and Volunteer Open House (will be indoors)

Saturday, August 22, 2009, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm

at the French Alliance, 427 Lovett Blvd., Houston, TX 77006

If you've ever looked at our website and thought that you may be interested in volunteering, here's your opportunity to meet GBGRR volunteers and find out about all of the volunteering opportunities that we have to offer. Becoming a foster family, or joining the transport or hot line team, or volunteering at special events (including our annual picnic) are among a few of the many ways you can give of your time to help rescued Goldens. This event will be held indoors!

Meet and Greet Pet Adoption Day

Saturday, September (Date TBA), 2009; Time: TBA

Cooper Animal Clinic, 1136 Heights Boulevard, Houston, TX 77008

In her support of Rescue, Dr. Cooper sponsors and hosts this monthly "Meet & Greet Pet Adoption Day" event at her clinic on the first Saturday of every month. Other Rescues will be participating in this event. This event is held outdoors.

Please Note: While everyone is welcome at this event, only pre-approved applicants may adopt and take home a new family friend at this event.

GBGRR 10th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion Picnic

Sunday, November 15, 2009, Time: 12:00 noon to 4:00 pm

George Bush Park

GBGRR's Annual Celebration and Reunion Picnic, at George Bush Park, is a free event, where hundreds of rescued Goldens (and the humans who love them) meet to play, romp, swim, socialize and have lunch, and those dogs in their "Golden Years" proudly participate in the "Parade of Seniors". Grooming demonstrations and advice from members of the Greater Houston Golden Retriever Club, raffle, door prizes, free samples for dogs and GReat food for humans. It's not to be missed!

This year, for the first time ever, our 10th Anniversary Reunion picnic was postponed when George Bush Park remained closed and covered with flood waters on the scheduled date, May 3rd. There were some sad golden faces around town that day, but we'll make it up to them on the NEW date for our picnic, Sunday, November 15, 2009! Save the date, it will be worth the wait!

Penny's from Heaven
Stories of Healing

Penny's from Heaven is Patsy Swendson's touching account of her partnership with her beloved therapy dog Penny. Penny's from Heaven chronicles the amazing work done by this team in the course of their rehabilitation visits in San Antonio, and is full of small miracles, tender moments, and that insightful, intuitive connection or "gift of presence" that our dogs can offer and we can only aspire to. This wonderful tribute to Penny's life of exemplary service will touch every reader.

Not content to rest on her laurels, media personality Patsy Swendson, author of 49 cookbooks, and star and producer of wonderful TV series on cooking and world travel, turned her talents to producing documentaries on humane issues, fund-raising for Guide Dogs of Texas, and of course, therapy work.

Purchase Penny's from Heaven and Patsy Swendson will donate a portion of the proceeds to GBGRR. Simply mention Golden Beginnings in the "Comments" area when you purchase the book from her secure link. Thank you Patsy!

The Golden Principles� by GBGRR Adopter Dr. Andy Neillie, is inspired by Redford, who was rescued by GBGRR as part of our 2004 �Golden Harvest� from an Arkansas puppy mill operation. Lynn and Andy Neillie adopted Redford and gave him a stable, loving home.

We adopted Redford from GBGRR, when he, along with 65 other dogs, was rescued from a horrible situation in an Arkansas puppy mill in the fall of 2004. When he came to our home, he had much to learn about relationships and trust. And so did we. �The Golden Principles� captures many of the life lessons we�ve learned from loving this wonderful, wounded dog."

�Dr. Andy Neillie

�As the Neillie's veterinarian, I have known Redford since the family adopted him. I have enjoyed watching Redford grow to love them and each learn from each other and trust one another. It is a privilege to be a part of that developing, loving relationship. This book wonderfully captures the power of relationships and the unspoken "words" we should live by shown to us by this wonderful canine we know as Redford.� � Dr. Erin Homburg, DVM

Andy Neillie understands leadership through trust...he really gets it! His new book, �The Golden Principles: Life and Leadership Lessons from a Rescued Dog� provides a refreshingly simple, humorous, yet profound way to look at and understand trusted leadership. Anyone striving for increased effectiveness in life through leadership must read this book." � Gene M. Ellerbee, Chairman, C12 Group

Purchase "The Golden Principles" at www.theGoldenPrinciples.org and, thanks to the generosity of Andy and Lynn Neillie, a portion of the sale price will benefit Golden Beginnings. Simply write Golden Beginnings in the �Special Instructions to Merchant� box on the PayPal screen.

We were "bullish on Gold", and our optimism paid off in a great fundraiser for Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue. If you were unable to attend, the signed, limited-edition prints of "In Goldens We Trust" are still available at Hollywood Frame Galley, 2427 Bissonnet, as are gifts for Golden lovers - check out all of Jim Tweedy's artwork ("Golden Retriever Self-Portrait", "Friendly Doggies" and the "Charlie the RedCat" series) AND their array of Golden Retriever necklaces and earrings - of course, other breeds are available too. And ask for your "HFG/GB Economic Stimulus Check," a unique bail-out package that offers discounts on all merchandise and framed art-work (but not on framing).

Thanks again to Jim Tweedy and Hollywood Frame Gallery! Special thanks also go to Don Puryear of Happy Tails Dog Spa, Premium Pet Products, Orvis, Gina Craig, Martha Murphy, Joanie Patrick and Kris Brown, and the whole gang of wonderful GB volunteers!