Golden Beginnings Past Events

"Dog Gone Good Value Wines"

Thanks to all who made our sold-out April 20 Wine Tasting such a success, especially Chris Mannery of Bayou City Seafood n' Pasta, Bear Dalton of Spec's, Nadine Jolicoeur and the Natural Paws team, Shelby Kibodeaux and Bruce Padilla, Kim Hartz Photography, Marcy and Greg Brazaitis, and all of our other sponsors. Thanks also to all of our volunteers for this event, especially Gina Craig, Judy Daniels, Julie Dehne, Elaine Barker, Cil Henson, Mike and Nadine Patterson, Kathy Yarnick, Pamela Ketcham, Shari Patrick, Toni Ritsema, Kate Martin, and Courtney Pommier.

Click here to see photos of the event.

GB's 11th Annual Picnic

On Sunday, October 17, 2010, we celebrated 11 years of Golden Beginnings with our Annual Reunion Picnic, a Golden Hayride in our 'Pumpkin Patch' aka George Bush Park.  This was our biggest picnic ever, and hundreds of goldens and the humans who love them had a great day.  Highlights included the senior parade, swimming and retrieving tennis balls, an amazing lunch, courtesy of Chris Mannery of Bayou City Seafood & Pasta, reunions with foster families, coverage from all the local tv stations, grooming and advice from members of the Greater Houston Golden Retriever Club, consultations with canine behaviorist Marcia Long, raffle, great treats from our wonderful friends at Chef's Buddiez, not to mention the perfect weather!
Click here to see photos.

GB at Meadowlake Pet Resort's Dock Dogs Pool

We had a great outing on a September Saturday morning at Meadowlake Pet Resort's beautiful 4-acre green campus and had a fun introduction to the canine sport, Dock Dogs. Thanks to the entire Meadowlake staff, especially manager Elisabeth Graven and owner Carroll Robertson Ray. See us there on YouTube.

David Rosenfelt Book-Signing at the French Alliance August 28, 2010
GB's friend and supporter, author and dog-rescuer David Rosenfelt presented his latest novel, Dog Tags, to a full house at the French Alliance, at a fund-raising event sponsored by Bayou City Seafood n' Pasta, Murder by the Book, Gillman Subaru, Hollywood Frame Gallery, Danny Clark Photography and ChefsBuddiez. The event was a huge success for GB, click here to see photos.

Our dear friend and sponsor David Thompson of Murder by the Book passed away on Monday September 13. In addition to his many lovely qualities, his passion for books, authors, Murder by the Book, and especially his wife McKenna Jordan, this sweet man was an animal lover and great supporter of our cause. He will be so missed.

Hotel Derek Yappy Hour July 21
The "Dog Days of Summer Yappy Hour" at the chic and dog-friendly Hotel Derek for Citizens for Animal Protection and Golden Beginnings was a HUGE hit and a wonderful fundraiser for our two groups. Guests enjoyed specialty cocktails, delectable treats, and great company-especially of the companion animal variety. Endless thanks to Hotel Derek, and Hershey Grace and Shelby Kibodeaux of CAPs.

Click here to see more photos.

Past Event 

GB at Reliant World Series of Dog Shows July 2010
We met old friends and made lots of new ones at the dog show. GB dogs and volunteers participated in Freestyle, Agility, (where Lois and Keeley took their 5th MACH!) Flyball, and the AKC Meet the Breed, and educated the public about golden retrievers and rescue at our popular booth. Our Jim Tweedy teeshirts were a sellout, and our crowd-pleasing raffle featured the three golden retriever prints he's done for us over the past 3 years. Thanks to Jim and to Kathleen and Ricky Connaughton of Hollywood Frame Gallery for the donation and their continued support.

Click here for dog show photos.
 

Past Event 

GB participates in
League City's Annual Lighted 'Holiday in the Park Parade
on Main Street in League City.
Saturday, December 5th
 

Saturday the 5th meeting location is the League City Church of Christ Parking lot. All participants need to assemble at 4:30 PM prior to the street closures when parade route is cordoned off.  GBGRR adopter and League City Councilman Neil Baron and his GB dog will participate with us.

GB Adoption Day in Old Town Spring
Saturday, November 21st

Adoption Day at Haute Dogs... in Old Town Spring. Look for this event on the third Saturday of each month  from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at 26411 Preston Avenue, Spring, TX 77373. Owner Jessica Logan has a great inventory of quality pet nutrition, lots of other great dog stuff, and a wealth of knowledge to share. And there's no better place to do your Christmas shopping for that special golden! The "Old Town" is more charming than ever during the Christmas season, so come visit us stroll around town.

GBGRR 10th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion Picnic
November 15,  2009

CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES


Golden Beginnings Golden Retriever Rescue's Annual 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 (to many cheers from the crowd) in the "Senior Parade".

This year, 2009, was our biggest picnic ever, and the happiest news was that we had over 40 goldens participate in the Senior Parade. Kudos to GB volunteer Jennifer Nicholas who organized the Senior Parade for the third year! Thanks to sponsor Chris Mannery for the great food and to all the GB donors, volunteers (including Red Cross youth), adopters and friends who participated in the event. The goldens loved all the love and attention lavished upon them all day, especially when the TV news cameras arrived! Click here for photos (I'll send link soon)

Canine First Aid
November 10, 2009

Thanks to the Dr. Rhonda Dixon of V.E.R.G.I. Veterinary Emergency Referral Group Inc., the I-10 Emergency Clinic, for her wonderful presentation on Canine First Aid and Bloat on November 10. V.E.R.G.I. Chief of Staff and GB adopter and supporter Dr. Laurie Noaker introduced her colleague. This well-attended event, hosted by the GHGRC and Golden Beginnings, was a benefit for VERGI's "Hope Fund." Golden Beginnings was a recipient of aid from this fund this summer when puppy Tucker and young female Jazz were both terribly ill and required around-the-clock care for over a week, so we were thrilled to help with a benefit for this worthy cause.

GB at The Urban Market!
November 8 ,2009
 

On Sunday, November 8, GB returns The Urban Market! You won't want to miss this upscale, outdoor, dog-friendly event that's only held 3 times per year.

Imagine a beautiful day of outdoor shopping at a high-end flea market with over 40 dealers, all with unique offerings of furnishings, art, décor and more. There'll also be gourmet food and coffee stands. Come visit our GBGRR volunteers, especially the four-legged ones, who always make our events fun.

Please note: there is a $5 cover charge to enter the grounds. Special thanks to Urban Market organizer Jacki Sharbrough for her kindness and generosity in honoring GB as the beneficiary of the event!

Kingwood Barkfest
November 7, 2009
 

Atascocita Lutheran Church’s Fall Festival

CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES

October 10, 2009

On October 10th, GB participated in this annual Fall Festival, where we educated the public about rescue, made new friends, and organized a card-making booth to send messages of greeting, support and 'happy birthday' to Joshua, the son of one of our volunteers, and his unit, currently serving in Iraq. When asked what he wanted for his birthday, Joshua replied, "My golden, Tank!" Special thanks go to GB volunteers Kate M. and her daughter Darcy, who organized a campaign to send golden wishes to Joshua and his unit in Iraq. It was a great day, made even more heartwarming by these efforts, which made us appreciate (even more!) having our dogs in our lives.

KATY RICE HARVEST FESTIVAL 2009 PARADE

CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES

The GB delegation won a first place blue ribbon for the best entry from a non-profit or civic group!

October 3, 2009 | Historic Downtown Katy
 

Grooming Your Golden

CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES

Tuesday, September 29, 2009
7:30 p.m.
The French Alliance
427 Lovett Blvd.
Houston, TX 77006 Map

Thanks to GHGRC Board member Pauline Grennan of Canam Goldens (LINK IS www.canamgoldens.com) for her entertaining and informative grooming demonstration on September 29, 2009. Even the most experienced groomers learned new tricks and tips and a good time was had by all. Special thanks to five-year-old Page and six-month-old Cammie who served as models. Thanks also to the GB volunteers who provided the much-appreciated wine and cheese reception.
 

David Rosenfelt in Houston, August 2009

Author and dog rescuer David Rosenfelt returned to Houston last month for an event to benefit GB on the occasion of the release of "New Tricks," the latest in his Andy Carpenter mystery series, featuring the smart-mouthed attorney and his beloved and perfect golden Tara.

Thanks to our friends at Murder by the Book and event sponsor Chris Mannery of Bayou City Seafood n' Pasta , who wowed us with an incredible buffet.

David packed the house, delighted the crowd, signed alot of books, and fell in love...with our one-eared senior Van Gogh (and, as you can imagine, it was mutual!) Plans were made for Van Gogh to join David and his wife, and their 30+ dogs at their home in California when they returned from vacation later that month. GB President Cil Henson contacted her amazing cross-country network of golden friends and soon the trip was arranged, door to door!

Click here for photos of the event, see details above, and follow this incredible, heart-warming adventure with Van Gogh's new friends on the GB blog.
 

Golden Beginnings at the
2009 Reliant World Series of Dog Shows

CLICK HERE TO SEE PICTURES