SUNNY SLIDER LOOKING FOR A HOME RUN
By Bentley McCreary
HBGRR Sports Writer

Part I in the Series, Oct 25

This is Bentley reporting on the latest news from team Homeward Bound. Seems we got another player down with a bad hip. This little dude is really a mess! He is not quite a year old and already he has had hip surgery, surgery on both front legs and now is going to need a hip replacement. The only thing right about this guy is his heart; he just doesn’t know the meaning of quit. He used to be known as Slammin Sammy but his foster family wanted his name changed to reflect his personality so from here on he will be referred to as Sunny (the Slider).

This is just why Harley Hipster and I came up with the idea of the Harley Hipster Hip Foundation. Little guys like this who don’t have anybody to go to bat for them, fall by the wayside and the world losses an all-star player.

All the proceeds from this year’s reunion picnic went to help pay for Sunny’s elbow surgery, but as soon as he recovers from that we are going to have to get this kid some hip $$$$.

Neither Harley nor I could make it to this year’s picnic so we had my mom interview Sunny and see what he had to say. 

Mom says that Sunny is a precious little bundle of fur that just wants to be held and loved. I was looking for something a little meatier but you go with what you get! She said he is much smaller that Harley and I and not nearly as self-assured. Well, I guess not, if the little guy didn’t realize there were people ready and willing to help him. Sunny is living in a great foster home and with a couple of other Goldens so he is doing fine that way, he just needs to know that one day he will be able to run and play with the best of them.

Next week I am going to give Sunny a call and see if I can’t get more detailed information from him, on how he’s feeling, what he hopes to do when he grows up...that sort of thing. My next report will be a one on one interview with Sunny.

This is Bentley McCreary chasing the tales for Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.
Any comments can be directed to Bentley at his home email: thebentley@comcast.net

If you would like to donate to the Harley Hipster Hip Foundation to help Sunny, your tax deductible donation can be sent to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, 7495 Natomas Rd, Elverta, CA 95626. Be sure to write "Sunny" on your donation.

CATCHING UP WITH SUNNY SLIDER 
By Bentley McCreary
HBGRR Sports Writer

Part II in the Series, Dec 14

I finally had a chance to track down “The Slider” and see how he’s recuperating. He had both elbows cleaned out, seems he had lots of loose bone chip’s rattling around. He is eighteen months old now and finally able to act like a puppy!  Course he is never going to be able to play first string, but at least he can get around and have fun. He can go for short walks and enjoys hanging around with other dogs, the dude even likes cats!

  

I had a chance to talk with his foster family and they think Sunny is REALLY special and only a very committed loving family will be considered suitable for him. They said that he is very attached to his foster siblings and even cries when they go for a walk without him. He enjoys being a house dog, but also is somewhat of a “sun worshiper” and like to snooze in the sun.

The following is my interview with Sunny Slider:

Q.  Hey Buddy, how ya doing?  Everybody wants to know how the surgery went and how you’re feeling.

 A. Well, I had a great surgeon who told me that he really cleaned up my joints so that I could walk and play without so much pain. He was so right.  I had to kick back for eight weeks and just take it easy, but now I am feeling  so good. I never know a pain-free life would be possible. I am so happy! I am also so grateful to all the people who contributed to make this possible for me and also the doctor who did my surgery.

Q. So how are you spending you time these days?

A. I play and play with my two foster sisters, we have lots of fun wrestling around then cooling off in the pool. I have learned to like swimming and it helps my legs get  stronger.  

Q. So are there any marathons in your future?

A. No marathons, just normal, quiet walks and a warm, cozy home with a nice, loving family sounds like heaven to me. Of course, I need a companion dog or two so we can snuggle up together and play. I do like kitties too, especially the ones who lick your face!

(Bentley…Uck!)

Q. Any special holiday wishes?

A. I wish that ever dog could get the same care and support that I have received so they can be as happy as I am.

Q. Well it has been fun spending some time with you and seeing how good you’re doing, is there any last message you would like to send out to your fan club?

A. Just a big thank-you to all of those people, who were generous enough to give me a chance to live and enjoy life. Also to any others out there facing surgery, hang in there because it is so worth the effort to be able to feel so wonderful! Oh, and be sure and thank my buddy, Harley Hipster, for all of his work on behalf of canine hip replacement.

This is Bentley McCreary chasing the tales for Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue.
Any comments can be directed to Bentley at his home email: thebentley@comcast.net

If you would like to donate to the Harley Hipster Hip Foundation to help Sunny, your tax deductible donation can be sent to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, 7495 Natomas Rd, Elverta, CA 95626. Be sure to write "Sunny" on your donation.

SUNNY SLIDER GETS THE GRAND SLAM 
By Bentley McCreary
HBGRR Sports Writer

Last in the Series, Feb 23, 2006

Just in, news that Sunny Slider has had his dreams come true! Seems the perfect family found Sunny. I understand they fell in love with his pictures and story and just had to meet him. It was love at first sight for all involved. He has a new playmate/sister, Cloe, a Golden girl, who just happens to be the same age as Sunny.

Sunny’s surgeries have been so successful that he is going on walks and playing, non stop, with his new sister! Sunny will still need another hip replacement, but for right now he is enjoying life to the fullest.

He told me that he is happy and so content with his new family, it’s like he knew the minute he got there that he was home. He also wanted me to thank everybody who helped make his dreams come true. He is very grateful to his foster family, for not only taking care of him while he physically healed, but also for giving him the confidence to step up to the plate
and go for the home run!

Sunny would like to thank Harley Hipster for his support and for pioneering the Homeward Bound Hip Replacement program. He hopes to follow in Harley’s

paw prints and make lots of public appearances to promote the program. Look for Sunny at the Reunion Picnic and at Kibbles and Bids. I understand he is even thinking of making the Golf Tournament. Maybe I can get Harley and one more team player and we can make up our own “foursome”. It would be even more fun if they would let me drive my buddy’s around in one of them golf carts!

This story is not quite a wrap, I will keep you posted on Sunny’s progress and his next surgery. Be sure to watch for Harley and Sunny out and about, promoting canine hip replacement and thanks again for your support.

This is Bentley McCreary chasing the tales for Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue. Any comments can be directed to Bentley at his home email: thebentley@comcast.net

If you would like to donate to the Harley Hipster Hip Foundation to help Sunny, your tax deductible donation can be sent to Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, 7495 Natomas Rd, Elverta, CA 95626. Be sure to write "Sunny"
on your donation.