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DOUBLE YOUR GOLD IN 2009!

It’s Springtime, the time of new beginnings. Our 2009 “Fund of Love” contributors and our spokes dog Sage hope you will “Open Your Hearts and Double Your Gold” to help provide new beginnings for the many Homeward Bound Goldens in need of veterinary care, surgeries, and a wide variety of healing therapies.

A substantial matching “Fund of Love” has been established to give you the opportunity to have YOUR donations doubled in 2009. 100% of funds contributed during our “Double the Gold Challenge” will be used for a wide range of medical care costs. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the following generous Homeward Bound donors who have come together to establish a matching fund of over $55,000 for 2009. Thank you to:

In 2008 Homeward Bound rescued 810 dogs, facilitated scores of surgeries, and treated a myriad of health issues, including lyme disease, ehrlychia, seizures, a fractured pelvis, a variety of tumors, heart murmurs, heartworm disease, and hip dysplasia. A bladder surgery, a number of FHO (femoral head osteotomy) surgeries, hip replacements, ear resections and ablations were provided, and several dogs were nursed through distemper. A number of pregnant dogs were allowed to give birth in comfort and safety at Homeward Bound, rather than being euthanized at a shelter. HBGRR’s veterinary bills exceeded $313,000 in 2008. 100% of the proceeds of the 2008 Double The Gold Challenge is helping to pay those veterinary bills.

Our 2009 “Double-the-Gold” spokes dog Sage, the charming, 10-year old golden fellow pictured here, came to Homeward Bound in the aftermath of a traumatic injury which rendered his rear legs weak and nearly useless. His owner had supplied him with a wheelchair which Sage learned to use to get around. But his new friends at Homeward Bound wanted more for Sage. They purchased special leg braces for him, which, along with therapy and lots of loving encouragement from his Homeward Bound friends, both human and canine, have helped him to stand and to begin to walk again! He no longer needs his wheelchair! These days Sage is loving life, and his future is golden. Below Sage tells his story and also introduces you to some other Homeward Bound goldens that have been helped by your Double the Gold Donations.

Sage and his wheelchair... ... now walking on his own! Rufus Sandy Princess Lemon Sherry

Sage speaks:
My story is one that may seem amazing to you; it’s pretty amazing to me too. But at Homeward Bound it’s all in a day’s work. My former human dad loved me; I was his whole world. I was a lucky guy to have him. But then I had an accident and hurt my back and couldn’t use my rear legs. I couldn’t stand up and couldn’t walk. Scary! So my dad bought me a wheelchair which helped me get around pretty well. But then he had to go away and I found myself at a shelter. Things were looking bleaker by the minute; nobody wanted to adopt a senior golden that couldn’t walk. But then I found Homeward Bound and a whole new life! The attitude at Homeward Bound was that while the wheelchair was great, walking again on my own would be even better. So they gave me lots of therapy and some nifty leg braces. They kept telling me I could do it, and you know what? I CAN! I can now stand and take a few steps all by myself. I don’t even need my wheelchair any more! I even have a new gal pal named Suzie-Q. Yep, I’m feeling pretty good about life these days.

This extraordinary gift Homeward Bound is giving me is much like the gifts they are able to give to many other goldens, because of your help. I’d like to introduce you to a few of my special golden friends. One thing they all have in common is that the folks at Homeward Bound are not giving up on them, just like they didn’t give up on me. Each of them has faced a serious medical challenge and each is getting a second chance because of Homeward Bound, and especially because of the generous support of all who donate to make these medical marvels possible.

The first one I want to tell you about is my pal Rufus. In October of 2008, Rufus, was found as a stray and was taken to a Southern CA shelter. His owner was notified, but did not come to claim him. Rufus was given all his vaccinations, but a few days later he came down with kennel cough. He received medication for the kennel cough and was released to Homeward Bound. He hitched a ride on the Golden Taxi, and when he arrived at the ranch, he continued receiving treatment for his kennel cough. Unfortunately, he developed pneumonia and, and even with all the right medications, he couldn’t seem to get better. On Dec. 8th a blood test determined that Rufus had distemper. Homeward Bound treated him for the distemper for two months and noticed he had continual head bobbing, which is a neurological result of the distemper. Rufus the trooper survived the distemper, but was left with the involuntary head bobbing which will continue for the rest of his life. But don’t feel too sad for him; Rufus is a pretty happy guy. He loves life, loves all of his friends that come to Homeward Bound to volunteer. He is very excited about being the poster boy for his upcoming fun run, Rufus Runs 4 Rescue. (see page 3). If not for Homeward Bound’s patience and loving treatment, Rufus would have died. But at Homeward Bound, there was no way they were going to let that boy die. He is surrounded by love and has a permanent home at the Homeward Bound sanctuary.

Sandy is an adorable, playful six-month old golden girl who was surrendered by her breeder. Sandy has a serious heart murmur which will claim her life before long; she is not expected to live past a year. During that year, she will be cared for and loved by the folks at Homeward Bound. Sandy’s story is a sad one, but she is an example of one of the dogs that Homeward Bound is committed to provide the best possible care to her while she is with us.

Princess’ story may have a happier ending.  Princess came to Homeward Bound when her owner had to move and couldn’t keep her any longer.  She is a sweet, engaging 7-year old golden girl who is totally blind.  Homeward Bound wants to give her every possible chance to lead a full and happy life.  She has an appointment with an ophthalmologist to determine whether she is a candidate for lens replacement surgery.  If we are able to help Princess to see again, we will be honored to do so..

Lemon is an absolutely adorable mostly-golden puppy who came to us from a shelter at just eight weeks of age. An apparent result of poor breeding, Lemon was born with cancer in his eyes and on his face. He is blind in one eye and has limited vision in the other. In addition, he has some tumors on his face. With two strikes against him, in addition to a case of kennel cough, he was slated for euthanasia at the shelter. Homeward Bound has nursed him through his kennel cough and he has an appointment to have his tumors removed. His veterinary costs will be extraordinary, but we are optimistic that, with the Lemon-Aid Homeward Bound is determined to offer him, he will recover and lead a happy, healthy life.

Last but not least, I want you to meet my friend Sherry. Sherry is a pretty young golden girl who came to us all the way from Taiwan! Found abandoned with a badly mangled leg, she was rescued by a kind hearted student in Taiwan. She received medical care, including amputation of her damaged leg, and made her way to Homeward Bound to get her new start. Our vet, Dr. Richardson, determined that an additional surgery was needed to remove the useless remnant of her leg, which was just in her way. After her surgery, she went to a great foster home, where she is recovering nicely. She is happy and playful. One of her favorite activities is running up and down the stairs, two at a time! Because you cared enough to help, Sherry is loving life and eagerly awaiting her forever home.

You can help dogs like Sage, Rufus, Sandy, Princess, Lemon, and Sherry, as well as the scores of others who will enter into Homeward Bound’s care this year, by taking advantage of this outstanding opportunity to double your gold by donating today. 100% of donations received as a result of the “Double the Gold” fundraiser will be used for medical care, from the routine to the extraordinary, whatever is needed to give each dog that needs us the best possible life and future.

The increasing number of foreclosures, the economic downturn, and recession have created harsh realities for many pets, including many of the 810 that found their way into our care in 2008. Even with our volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Justina Codde, donating many hours each week, Homeward Bound’s veterinary expenses are consistently our single biggest financial challenge. It is a huge task to provide care for all the Goldens that have lost their homes in this economy but we are determined to give every one the care they need. With your support, Goldens like Sage, Rufus, Sandy, Princess, Lemon, and Sherry can lead full and happy, healthy lives.

If your employer matches your charitable donations, your Double the Gold donation could actually be quadrupled! Please open your hearts and double your gold, by participating in the 2009 Homeward Bound “Double the Gold Challenge.”

HOW TO DONATE

Help us to continue saving golden lives by making a donation of any amount today. Your donation will be doubled by our matching “Fund of Love” contributors. On behalf of the Goldens, thank you for your generous support.

• Donate by Check 
  
  Make check payable to HBGRR, Inc. and mail to:

  Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc.
  Treasurer
  PO Box 1489
  Ione, CA 95640

• Donate by Visa or Master Card
  
  Download and mail in our Donation Form.
  
  
• Donate by PayPal
  

PayPal is an easy and convenient way to donate. Simply click on the "Visa/MC Donate" icon above. This link will take you to a PayPal login screen. Specify the amount you wish to donate (remember it's tax deductible!). If you already have a PayPal account, you will be prompted for your PayPal login information. If you don't have a PayPal account, it's easy to set one up. Just follow the directions on the link.

7495 Natomas Road, Elverta CA  95626  |  TEL  916-655-1410  |  FAX  916-655-3410   |  501(c)(3) non-profit organization - Tax ID #68-0442702