Retriever Rescue of Colorado

(intro submitted by RROC's webmaster)

The first time I met Elliott was in 2007 at the Annual Adopters picnic. The reddish-orange coat, the long slender legs and the obsession with the baby pools that RROC had set out was all you really needed to see to point out this true Golden Retriever. Elliott rushed past me stopping only for a moment to say hello and then was off to the races again to play with the 75 other dogs in attendance.

The Adopter's Parade that year catered to many of our four-legged friends, but something about Leslie and Elliott struck me with a certain sense of sincerity. As they walked alongside one another in the parade, the images of Elliott beaming and holding his head high, as well as Leslie's obvious and genuine happiness to have him walk with her, were truly great moments to cherish.

The second time I "saw" Elliott was during our series of Christmas videos RROC was posting out on the web. I had sent out a plea for holiday photos to all of our adopters. Moments after my email posted to our membership I recieved a short email from our hotline coordinator, Leslie. In my box I found a few brief words about Elliott and then an attached photo of this gorgeous animal sitting in the snow ready for his closeup in his Santa hat! I will never forget that photo which featured in our Christmas video two days later.

Tuesday July 15, 2008, at 3 pm, I checked my email inbox. The usual updates of dog photos and bios accompanied emails from friends and family. The top of my inbox read a subject line from my vice president reading ELLIOTT.

I was absolutely certain that my recent plea for new photos of our successful adoptions was being answered and that a photo album of Elliott's latest adventures would be locked inside this email. Instead... the sad news of Elliott's passing were the words I read.

As I read the email, I thought of Elliott in his Santa hat and pictured him in the pool at the RROC picnic doing nothing but having the time of his life. My thoughts immediately went to Elliott's family and what they must have gone through and will continue to go through with his passing. And then, just as we all do when we read about the loss of a pet, my thoughts drifted briefly to my own two senior goldens and the fact that tomorrow was no guarantee no matter how much you love them.

I was not with RROC in 2006 when Elliott "adopted" Leslie and her family. RROC has moved from 30 volunteers to over 100 and adopted out almost 700 miracles. Elliott was one of those miracles. I was not with RROC when Elliott's family signed his adoption contract. I was not present for the comfort and happiness he provided to his family each day before he crossed over the rainbow bridge.

However, the day I watched Leslie and Elliott march in the 2007 Adopter's Picnic parade, I was blessed with one little piece of Elliott to remember him always. This small piece of Elliott does not tell us how many times he greeted his family at the door, how many walks he went on, how much joy he brought to his forever home, how many pets he received, but those are the memories his family can treasure always. What it does tell us is that Elliott was meant for Leslie and RROC is grateful to be apart of this miracle.

Please now take a moment and read "I was the the Lucky One" Written by "Elliott's human" and esteemed RROC Volunteer, Leslie Welles.

From all of us at RROC, our thoughts and prayers are with you Leslie. Sleep well now, Elliott, you will be missed.

(intro by RROC's webmaster) Some of our most amazing dogs which have come and gone are posted on this page. Some to age, or even disease. But what about one whose life was tragically cut short?

One of the hardest things in rescue that is often forgotten about but serves as the backbone to organizations with no shelter base, is the ever-important element of the "foster home". Dogs are loved and cared for and many times learn to trust again while with these temporary caretakers. Without foster home RROC's navigation within the rescue world would ultimately be non-existent.

Please read about one foster families experience with both joy and sadness in being apart of the wheel that keeps RROC turning.

Owen

January 4, 2008

When I am gone, Release me, Let me go- I have so many things to see and do. You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears. Be thankful for our beautiful years.

Hi, my name is Owen. I was a 5 year old black lab boy who came to RROC with a little cough. I fought through my illness and got back on track to find myself a new home. After a while it was discovered that my cough was much more serious.

I attempted to battle back and fight for my life. RROC did everything they could to save me and even put out a plea to the public to help with donations for my emergency vet visit. A special thanks to Alameda East Vet for making me comfortable in my final hours.

On January 4, 2008, I crossed over the rainbow bridge after a well-fought battle against pneumonia. I crossed over in peace and can breathe easy now. Do not worry for I am in a better place and thank RROC for giving me that extra chance to be loved again.

Love, Owen

October 29, 2007

What does it mean to adopt a senior pet? How will it change your life...your pet's life? When you take in a senior pet, you are doing more than just adopting. You are giving a second chance to a pet that has the best years of their life ahead of them...their senior years. How can there be a reward greater than the honor of being apart of something so special?

Gray coats and muzzles on the outside only mean more love has accumulated on the inside. As you read our story, please gaze at your pets tonight, young and old, and imagine where they would be without you...or where you would be without them. The light that seems to shine brighter in a dog when they are a senior has always been there since their puppyhood, but it is up to all of us to realize that it only grows brighter with age. Please take a moment and read the story of RROC's 11 year-old yellow lab, Aspen.

This is Aspen. Aspen is a handsome 11 years young, yellow lab who came to RROC with his "sister," Kora.

While his foster parents were in no hurry to adopt out this blonde beauty, RROC answered the everypresent call for the perfect dog to one of our amazing applicants, Thomas.

From the moment they met, it was clear that Aspen was meant to be with Thomas. As an older dog, Aspen was somewhat compromised in the area of exercise. He was often short of breath in short periods of time. However, Aspen's ailments never managed to discourage his owner from showering him with love and care.

Aspen and Thomas were blessed with each other's companionship for four and half months and while it was not enough for either of them, Thomas is grateful for the wonderful time they shared. Aspen and Thomas became fast, inseparable friends who were together inside and out, in Thomas's truck and in the National Forest.

On October 29, 2007, suffering from a variety of age-related ailments, after much consideration, time and love, Thomas said goodbye to Aspen and helped him cross over the rainbow bridge.

"I always knew where he was and he knew my whereabouts or he came and found me and laid down a few feet away. The only time a leash was used was when we were out on the street. Otherwise, he was at my side. Aspen is missed and will always be remembered."

Please give a smile at the thought of Aspen and realize that rescue is more than just placing dogs and that it is our hope that every dog RROC helps gets to end his or her life in the arms of someone like Thomas.

Thomas is grateful for having known Aspen. RROC considers this a message for all of our readers who may want to know about Aspen so they can hug your own dogs a little harder today.

Each time you walk the national forests, remember the love that Aspen felt and the bond between Thomas and his dog that can never be broken. You are free to breathe easier now Aspen...sleep well.

Love, RROC

"Sometimes the hardest battles fought are the ones where we learn to let go"

RROC is sad to announce the crossing of the rainbow bridge of our black lab puppy Rex on July 20, 2007. Please join us in mourning the loss of Rex. Our Rex had quite the tough life right from the beginning. This black lab puppy was stricken with a condition known as toxoplasmosis which did a number on his system.

Where there is loss, there is also a learning element. By simply deworming Rex's mother this situation could have been prevented. It was determined early on that Rex was blind and was therefore rendered defective. RROC views all dogs as deserving a second chance and took this little guy in without a second glance. In his brief time with RROC, Rex was cared for and shown an immense amount of care and attention. Learning to live with a family, trying to master the stairs were among the many challenges this puppy faced with his foster family.

Despite his limitations, Rex tried very hard to enjoy his life. He had very limited vision but still managed to learn how to navigate the doggie door at his family's house. He played with toys and loved his food! Perhaps due to his constellation of physical problems, he was never a cuddler but he did like to be around people. Rex loved other dogs, and had a special interest in their tails as he seemed fascinated with pouncing on wagging Golden tails!

Let's remember this little boy this way, happy and engaged, and trust that RROC did the very best for this little puppy. Cross the bridge in peace Rex. Love, RROC

While there is shear joy, fulfillment and rewards in owning a pet, the moment we take on the committment we all grow fear just as we would with the birth of a child. What is it that we fear most in our journeys with these pets? What if something happens to them or even me? Pets do not live nearly as long as humans, so how will I handle their passing? What will I do when I wake up one day and they are not there? What will it be like the day I do not see their face in the window waiting to greet me when I get home?

Among these fears is not only that our committment to love comes with the risk of devotion and attachment but the fear that it may one day be our decision when our beloved pets will journey to their final resting place.

In rescue, every branch of an organization is affected from board members, to foster families, to the veterinary clinics involved. This decision is never easy and yet often we find ourselves searching for some means of justification no matter how necessary it is to help our animals out of pain. For a moment, it's almost as if your heart stops when theirs does, but this moment is only attributed to a space being carved out in your heart where your beloved pet may stay forever. We are helping our companions out of pain and just as we save our RROC dogs and offer them better lives, we are offering a safer end to their lives as well. Please visit our story below on RROC's very own, Anna Bell.

Hello, I was the sweet and sassy Anna Bell who's sister you can also read about below me. I was quite the spunky little girl and she held on far longer than anticipated after I was diagnosed with megaesophagus, which you can read about below as well. Once I was in pain where I couldn't be treated, my foster parents knew it was time to let me go.

In my brief life, I was given complete love and affection and to return the favor I successfully turned my foster home upside down, providing all sorts of entertainment! I was described as a true princess, a tomboy, and a confident girl. When I first got to RROC, I must admit I was initially scared and timid and had never been separated from her sisters.

From day one, I was loved and claimed my special place in my foster home's and RROC's heart. My condition cannot be treated and this was devastating news for not just me but both of my sisters Sandy and Taylor. My vets were incredibly supportive but honest about my condition.

As my pain began affecting my life, my foster family gave me the ultimate gift of setting me free. There is no such thing as megaesophagus over the rainbow bridge, so bid me farewell as I say goodbye. I ask that you remember me as a silly and exuberant young pup I was and that you remember RROC is still blessed with my beautiful sister, Taylor.

Also, let your little puppy be a little fiesty every now and then, hug them often because they are a gift...just like i was.

Good night. Love, Anna Bell.

Hello, my name was Sandy. You probably do not recognize me or know me. I was only up on the website for adoption for a short time. Being adorable and full of life was not enough to keep me from crossing the rainbow bridge just a little while ago.

My foster parents did everything they could including giving me every ounce of love until I had to leave this world. I thought my biggest job as a puppy would be to learn to sit or show my new family how easy I could be to housetrain.

My condition was known as megaesophagus. As I ate, my esophagus was slowly losing its ability to transport food. When RROC found out that my condition was untreatable they were devastated.

Of course the rescue and my foster parents did not want me to experience the inevitable pain that is accompanied by this disease as it progresses. As a result, I was put to rest at the vet with my foster parents by my side.

I left for the rainbow bridge only four short months after I came into this world but here, I am able to run and eat as much as I want just as a puppy should.

To RROC and my foster family: While you are in my heart always, I hope I am in yours. You took me in with no questions asked and then helped me out of serious pain. Thank you for saving me not once, but twice. Thank you for being my RROC.

Mick, our old yellow Lab, was fostered by Sandy. She gave him lots of attention and love and made his life such a good one. However, he was failing over the past few weeks. He rallied nicely after seeing Dr. Colgin, but it really was just a matter of time. Sandy recognized that it really was not fair to Mick to keep him going just for all of us, so she and Dr. Colgin helped him out of pain April 25, 2007.

Mick came to us from Clear Creek Animal Rescue League. Although they often take in pit bulls and other dogs that are harder to place, their president spotted old Mick at a high-kill shelter and couldn't leave him there. She pulled him. I fostered him for her for a month or so and then we found what we thought was a good home for him.

Six or seven months later, the owner returned him because she didn't have time for him. I had a house full of kennel cough at that time so I couldn't take him back. Without any hesitation, Susan offered to go pick him up and to foster him. She had him for six weeks but Mick was having trouble walking on her hardwood floors. Sandy offered Mick a place, knowing that he was likely to be a long-term foster. He made himself right at home and relished every minute in Sandy's house. He loved the other dog there and he was a complete goofball there, just as he was at Susan's and at my house. Mick was loving and sweet and was no trouble at all. He was a very easy dog to love.

The senior dogs are harder to add to our program. We have to expect them to remain in foster care far longer than others and they are likely to have much greater vet bills while under our care. I will forever be grateful to our board - everyone on the board chose to bring in Mick. Mick is without a doubt a big success story: he had no chance of being adopted where he was, he was well-loved, and he knew he was important. Please hug your critters extra hard in memory of Mick and give yourselves pats on the back for helping such a nice dog. Our thanks and sympathy go out to Sandy and her family, as well as to Susan. Without them, we couldn't have helped Mick.

Hamlet

&

Marcos