It’s not often that GRRIN rescues puppies, much less four blind puppies from the same litter, but that is exactly what happened in 2021 when GRRIN received a call for help from a local shelter. Two foster families stepped up immediately and offered to keep two puppies each with the idea that the pups would comfort each other in a new environment. We quickly learned that the Charlie, Millie, Frank and Betsy had no idea they were handicapped by lack of eyesight – they were fearless! Here is a compilation of what has happened with each pup since they were adopted.

Charlie

What a delight Charlie has been in our life. From the day we picked him up at the foster home he’s been our dog. When he hears our voice, he comes running with kisses. He picked up sit fairly easy, we struggle with stay and he LOVES to fetch. We’ve taken turns getting up at night with him as he has no clue it’s nighttime. Early mornings are a delight. He’s always in a great mood. It took him no time to pattern our house and it’s a two story. He heads up after eating breakfast to get Barb up. Charlie lives for the outdoors, helped in the garden this summer, and has picked up on code words for going for a walk. He filled a huge void in our life after losing our Sophie and in turn we have given him a lot of love. He’s becoming a big boy every day and much more independent. He still has no clue he is blind.

Betsy

Betsy is thriving in our family and enjoys the company of our two rescued Australian Shepherds. Being outside and walking our kids to and from school are her favorite activities. She has such a playful personality and fits in perfectly. We are so thankful the puppies were surrendered to Capital Humane Society and then transferred to GRRIN.

Frank

Hi, I am Franklin (Frank), and I am one of the four blind goldendoodle puppies who was surrendered to GRRIN.  My dad knew that mommy’s dream dog had always been a golden doodle (mommy always wanted to therapy train a goldendoodle, so she could take it to school with her each day).   My dad also knew that if he told mommy about me, a goldendoodle who was born blind, that she would never be able to say no to me.  My mommy is a special education teacher, so adopting a dog with special needs holds such a special place in her heart.  After a few months in my awesome foster home with the best foster parents, dad and mom finally got to rescue/adopt me, and on Friday, August 13^th, I officially found my forever home.  I have loved getting to know my big sister (now little sister as I have grown so much).  My sister, Athena, has been a great helper in helping me navigate any new places I go to, and helps me avoid running into the fences.  I love to take long runs with my dad, who has trained me very well to stay on his “side,” so he can guide me and run me safely, and I love snuggles and naps with my mommy.  A few of my favorite things include ANYTHING FOOD, wrestling with my sister, new toys, and sliding headfirst into the refrigerator when I hear the ice machine, ice cubes are my favorite.  Mom and dad say I have the cutest underbite and it is what makes me “Frank”.  My sister and I have many fur cousins that we get to have sleepovers with- it is fun to play wrestle mania and tug-of-war with them.  Daddy and Mommy say they are beyond grateful for GRRIN and my foster mom for giving them the best addition to the family (please don’t tell my sister I said that).

Millie

Hi! Millie here! I am one of the 4 blind Golden Doodle puppies who was surrendered to GRRIN. I really don’t know that I am blind, because you know, I can see with my heart!  I was in the best Foster Home with my brother Franklin. I learned so much from my Foster Mom and Dad and Foster Sister Ruby. Best of all I learned how to snuggle! On September 22nd, I got adopted by my Furever Mom and Dad, and I am going to learn so much more as I get older. I am Mom’s Emotional Support service dog. I will be going to school, and become a Canine Good Citizen, whatever that means, but as long as I am doing that with my Mom, I am OK with going to school. I LOVE to find sticks and carry them around. We go for lots of walks and I have made new friends. I, like my brother Franklin, love ANYTHING FOOD, and sometimes I am naughty and like to chew on things not food (BOL). I love Ice cubes, Doggurt Frozen yogurt, sweet potato chips and bully sticks. We play with Doggie Puzzles and find it games. I sure can smell things great. Just recently, I learned to swim, and that was fun!  I love baths and massages. I have a cat sister that watches over me, and makes sure I don’t get to close to her. Thanks to all of you humans that helped me get to where I am today. I am one lucky girl! Next May, Mom says we should have a birthday party for all four of us! I can’t wait to eat doggie cake!

Come visit GRRIN from noon-1pm on Sunday, November 9 at The Bookworm’s location in Loveland Centre on 90th and Center.

A small, cozy and quiet setting to meet a Golden that is in foster care. Visit The Bookworm on the first Sunday of the month, noon to one p.m. Click here for a map.

Please note, we do not guarantee the availability of a visiting foster dog. Interested adopters can learn more about the approval process here.

The Bookworm
Loveland Centre
90th and Center Street
Omaha, Nebraska 68114

Sunday, January 23, 2022
1:00- 2:00p.m.

Virtual Zoom Meeting – RSVP for the zoom link

RSVP to volunteer@grrin.org

New to GRRIN? So are a lot of us! Come out and meet other volunteers and board members. Thinking about volunteering? This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about what we do and how you can help Golden Retrievers in need.

Plan to join us as we socialize and learn more about rescue! We need foster families, caseworkers, transporters, and home visitors. We can answer your questions about these rescue positions and provide on-the-spot training.

This meeting has changed from an in-person event to a VIRTUAL event for the safety of all attendees. We hope you can still join us for a shortened version of this traditional training event. A future in-person event is being considered. Thank you for supporting GRRIN!

In case of inclement weather or changes in Covid restrictions, we will post cancellation information on our website and Facebook page.

It’s time to renew your membership with GRRIN! Click here!

Thank you for celebrating 30 years of rescue with us in 2021! As we returned to normal operations, the flood of dogs we expected finally arrived over the summer. We had some “firsts”: five pairs of dogs were surrendered and we also took in four blind puppies. Fortunately, our foster families graciously housed multiple dogs at one time. Of the 32 dogs in foster care since January, 24 dogs have been adopted to new loving families. Many dogs have required more expensive vet care because they came to us unaltered. We are ending 2021 with a very big expense, five-month old Athena will have surgery to correct an ectopic ureter.

The reason our rescued Golden Retrievers have such great lives is simple: they have YOU in addition to their devoted forever families. YOU are GRRIN members.  Many of YOU not only pay dues but YOU also donate additional time and resources in order to help us continue to rescue and rehome Goldens.

Your active membership will provide you with access to the following members-only benefits:

• Voting rights at the annual meeting in April
• A 10 percent discount on all merchandise in our GRRIN store
• Invitations to members-only events for you and your Golden
• A subscription to our quarterly newsletter

And, if possible, thank you for considering an additional charitable donation to help GRRIN continue our efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and find forever homes for Golden Retrievers.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, the GRRIN rescue team, our many volunteers and, most importantly, our GRRIN dogs, thank you so much for your ongoing support and engagement!

“You can’t change a dog’s past, but you could rewrite its future!”

Thank you for supporting GRRIN during Giving Tuesday! Our donors gave just over $300. If you missed Giving Tuesday and are interested in making a donation, just click here. At this time, all donations will help us pay for a $5,000 procedure for one of our foster dogs, a sweet pup named Athena.

For the third year, SHARE Omaha will power the local response to the global Giving Tuesday campaign, always set for the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. For 2021, Giving Tuesday falls on November 30th. Support GRRIN directly by visiting https://shareomaha.org/nonprofit/golden-retriever-rescue-nebraska.

The 2022 GRRIN calendar is available! Each month contains a full-page golden retriever photo and their story. These 13-month calendars are the perfect gift for the dog-lover in your life and a great way to support GRRIN. They make great stocking stuffers, too!

The calendars can be purchased either online or via the mail.

Order your calendars online here: https://grrin.org/product/2021-grrin-calendar/

To pay with a check or cash, mail your name, address, phone number, and email address (if applicable), and the number of calendars being ordered along with $20 per calendar to the GRRIN P.O. Box:

The calendars will be mailed to your provided address. Shipping is free. A volunteer will be mailing the calendars once a week.

It’s that time of year again. It’s the holiday season, and many of us have a lot of shopping to do. But what if we told you that by shopping, you could help support GRRIN while doing basically nothing at all?

If you’re not familiar, Amazon Smile is program through amazon.com that enables you to choose a charitable organization to support. Every time you purchase eligible products on Amazon, your chosen organization (GRRIN, of course!) will receive proceeds at no cost to you. All you have to do is go to smile.amazon.com.

The first time you visit, you will need to select GRRIN as the organization you would like to support. To do this, find “Or pick your own charitable organization” on the lower right hand side. You can search for GRRIN by typing in “Golden Retriever Rescue in Nebraska” OR “47-0758414”. You only need to do this once. In the future, Amazon will remember that you want your shopping to support GRRIN.

After that, all you have to do is make sure you go to smile.amazon.com (instead of www.amazon.com) every time you shop on amazon. Everything will look and function the same, but GRRIN will receive money every time you purchase eligible products!

Thank you for coming to Gold Rush!

Photos of the event can be viewed at Vimeo – we’ve created a slideshow using photos from our generous photographer, Lynn King-Grieve. View the slideshow here.

Come celebrate GRRIN’s 30th birthday!

Save the date! GRRIN’s favorite event of the year, Gold Rush, will be held on Sunday, October 10th, from 12 to 4pm at SumTur Amphitheater just south of Hwy 370 on 108th Street in Papillion.

• FREE ADMISSION!
• Donations to GRRIN gratefully accepted
• All leashed, well-behaved dogs welcome!
• Local vendors (see list below)
• Games for dogs and humans (see list below)
• Shop at the GRRIN store
• On-stage activities (see schedule below)
• Event will be held rain or shine

11691 South 108th Street, Papillion, NE 68046

VENDORS

Doggurt

Nature Dog

Nail Trims by Jourdan

Hydro-dog – Oliver

Cora Taylor Art Photography

KiCo Creative Art

VCA Midwest Veterinary Referral & Emergency Center

Sirius Orthopedic Veterinary Center

Oodles of Poodles Treats

Ashlee Osborn – Owner of Pawsitive Pups Academy

Omaha Dog Bar

Lynn King-Grieve – roving photographer

Kirk’s Works Caricature Drawings

Willie Dog Hot Dogs food truck

GAMES

Pin the Tail on the Cat – Get your dog to sit on the bull’s eye on the cat’s fanny and you win a prize.

Shell Game – A treat is placed under one of 3 flower pots.  The pots shift positions.  Can your dog follow the action with his or her sense of smell?  Success means the dog gets the treat.

Spin to Win – You don’t need skill or even a dog for this game.  Spin the wheel to find out which prize you win.

Plinko – Drop the disk and watch it travel into one of the prize slots.

Cake Walk – An old favorite.  This version includes our dogs.  Winners claim their cake (or other baked goodie) at the table next to the concession stand.

Biscuit Count – Located at the GRRIN Info Booth.  Guess the number of biscuits in the jar.  The winner will be the guess that is closest to the actual number of dog biscuits.  Yes, we did count them.  Winner will be announced at 3:15 p.m.

Photo Booth – This “frame” is just waiting for your dog to have a photograph taken.  You can also join your dog in the picture. You can take your own photos too!

Caricaturist – Kirk Kuenzl joins us again this year. Have a caricature made of your dog for a suggested donation of $10 per dog.  Dog caricatures only, please. Kirk’s Works is donating all of the proceeds to GRRIN!

GRRIN Store – Take this opportunity to purchase GRRIN logo merchandise and help support the rescue efforts.  Sweatshirt anyone?  Participate in the Silent Auctions  for Southwest Airlines Tickets. Winners announced at 3:30.

GRRIN Information Booth – Learn more about the many rescue activities and volunteer opportunities of GRRIN.  Or just stop by and introduce your dog.  Be sure to enter the Biscuit Count -winner to be announced at 3:15pm

Bean Bag Toss – Toss a bean bag through one of the holes in the cut-out board and win a prize for your dog.

Bobbing for Tennis Balls – Will your dog grab a tennis ball from a tub of water?  If so, they get to keep the ball!

SCHEDULE

12:00 Welcome, Announcements and Acknowledgements from our GRRIN President Barb Garrett and Our EMCEE from  THE BEST MIX 105.5 KFMT AND My Boomer Radio SHARI STONE

1:00 Demonstration -Ask the Trainer-Ashlee Osborn-Owner Pawsitive Pups Academy

1:30 Line up for the Parade of current GRRIN Foster Dogs. (up the ramp on the right side of the stage)

1:30 Line up and start Parade of GRRIN Alumni Dogs. (up the ramp on the right side of the stage)

1:30 Line up for and start Costume Parade  (up the ramp on the right side of the stage)

2:30 ANNUAL GRRIN GOLD RUSH VOLUNTEER GROUP PHOTO-(up the ramp on the right side of the stage)

3:15 Announce winner of Biscuit Count Game .

3:30 Announce winners of the silent auctions, Southwest Airline tickets

4:00 THANK YOU FOR GROWING UP WITH GRRIN!  See you at another GRRIN event soon and Gold Rush 2022

Thank you for submitting your photos! GRRIN calendars will be available for purchase at Gold Rush on Sunday, October 10th.

It’s time to send us your photos! GRRIN’s calendar committee is putting together another fabulous calendar for 2022 and they will need to choose from your photos. Calendars will be available for purchase at GRRIN’s Gold Rush celebration on October 10th.

Guidelines for Submission

Who is eligible?

We are accepting photos submitted by friends and supporters of GRRIN. It is not a requirement for the photograph to feature a GRRIN dog, however GRRIN dogs will have priority in the selection process. There is a limit of TWO (2) photos submitted per family, but should your photo be selected, only one will be used in the Calendar.

What is the deadline for submission of photos?

August 6, 2021

Will I get the photo returned to me after the selections are made?

ALL photos submitted become the property of Golden Retriever Rescue in Nebraska.  Make sure you create a copy before sending.

How can I submit my photos?

Complete the online form at the bottom of this web page and attach your photos.

What are the requirements for the photos?

1. Photos should be in color and in landscape orientation, with a preferred resolution of at least 1008 by 792 pixels (iPhone X or XI have 3264 x 2448 pixels resolution). Avoid using the zoom function on your camera when taking the photos. This affects the resolution.

2. Please include the dog’s GRRIN # if applicable.

3. We need a 50-75 word story about the dog and how he or she became part of your family. If your dog is chosen to be in the calendar, we reserve the right to edit the stories for length and style.

4. Please do not have any people in the photo. We will make an exception if the photo is a Christmas depiction with Santa Claus.

5. Submit your photo(s) and the Calendar Photograph Entry Form/Release Form.

Are there any fees for submission of my dog’s photo(s)?

There are no fees. However, if you would like to donate to offset the cost of the calendars, please send a check to GRRIN, PO Box 126, BoysTown, NE 68010. Indicate “Calendar” on the check. Or click here to make a donation, and make a note that it is for the calendar.

Please contact us at calendar@grrin.org if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing the photos of your wonderful Golden Retrievers!

Prefer to mail your photos? Complete the Calendar Photograph Entry Form/Release Form and mail with your photos to: GRRIN, PO Box 126, Boys Town, NE 68010, ATTN: Calendars

Thanks for joining GRRIN for the first Yappy Hour at Omaha Dog Bar! It was a beautiful day and the dogs had a blast. Enjoy the pictures!

Spring is warming up and many of us are getting antsy to get out of the house and spend time with our friends and our pups. If you’re looking for an excuse to socialize with human and dog friends alike, join GRRIN at Omaha Dog Bar for Yappy Hour! Omaha Dog Bar is “a watering hole for dogs and their people.” They have an indoor bar/eatery and an outdoor dog park with food and drink for both dogs and their humans.

Where: Omaha Dog Bar, 1231 S. 14th Street, Omaha, NE 68108
When: Sunday, May 23rd, 3pm-5pm

For our event, Omaha Dog Bar has lowered the usual day pass fee to $7. Every dog must have a day pass or a membership to attend. (Humans are free!). Each additional dog from the same household is $5.

Also, dogs must be current on their vaccinations and an account must be set up on the Omaha Dog Bar membership portal to upload vaccination records prior to attending. For all of the important details, read this document from Omaha Dog Bar: GRRIN Yappy Hour Info

Whether you’re a GRRIN member, GRRIN volunteer, or just a dog lover, join us on the 23rd of May to say hi to old friends and to meet some new ones.

Join GRRIN at the Domesti-Pups I Love My Dog Expo!

Saturday, April 17 & Sunday, April 18 – 9am-5pm, Lancaster Event Center

ADMISSION $10; Children under 10 and dogs are FREE

The I Love My Dog Expo is an annual benefit to help support Domesti-PUPS programs to ​provide​ service dogs, therapy dogs and adoptables. Domesti-PUPS is a service organization headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Our mission is to improve the quality of life for persons with special needs through the assistance of animals and to promote awareness through education. Domesti-PUPS provides service dogs for persons with disabilities, pet therapy programs, classroom dogs and educational programs. Domesti-PUPS serves clients locally, regionally and nationally.
For more information about bringing your dog and Covid safety measures, visit http://www.ilovemydogexpo.com/.

GRRIN’s mission is to rescue golden retrievers, but if we do not have enough foster homes, then there is the possibility that we will have to turn away dogs in need or ask a surrendering family to wait a longer period before their dog can come into foster care. Although our rescue operations have been slow during the pandemic, we are still receiving surrender calls. When we have dogs with specialized needs (only dog in the home, no young children, limited stairs) it helps to have a variety of foster families for us to contact.

If you have been thinking about becoming a foster parent, or if you simply have questions about the process, please reach out to GRRIN. Either send an email to info@grrin.org or call us at 402.330.6680 and leave a message. A GRRIN volunteer will get back to you to answer your questions and begin the foster approval process.

For more information, see the Foster a Golden page.

Thank you to everyone who participated in Share Omaha’s first Giving Tuesday promotion on December 1st! GRRIN raised over $700 through Share Omaha donations and over $500 more from supporters who donated directly through GRRIN’s PayPal option.

We’ve cared for several special-needs seniors in 2020, so your donations are greatly appreciated and are used for veterinary care. Senior dog Scout was able to receive diagnostic testing and medication. He was adopted in December!

It’s time to renew your membership with GRRIN! Click here!

In 2021 we are celebrating 30 years of rescue! Despite the challenges of pandemic restrictions, we continued our mission in 2020 and can’t wait to see what 2021 brings.

The reason our rescued Golden Retrievers have such great lives is simple: they have YOU in addition to their devoted forever families. YOU are GRRIN members.  Many of YOU not only pay dues but YOU also donate additional time and resources in order to help us continue to rescue and rehome Goldens.

Your active membership will provide you with access to the following members-only benefits:

• Voting rights at the annual meeting in April
• A 10 percent discount on all merchandise in our GRRIN store
• Invitations to members-only events for you and your Golden
• A subscription to our quarterly newsletter

And, if possible, thank you for considering an additional charitable donation to help GRRIN continue our efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and find forever homes for Golden Retrievers.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, the GRRIN rescue team, our many volunteers and, most importantly, our GRRIN dogs, thank you so much for your ongoing support and engagement!

GRRIN is having an old-fashioned bake sale fundraiser!

Join us at Woof & Whiskers on Saturday, October 31, 12-2pm. Bring your favorite pups – or dress them up, it’s Halloween after all! – and come stock up on their favorite treats. We’ll have a specially designed cookie made just for GRRIN and all proceeds will go to our organization. We’ll also be selling our 2021 calendars if you haven’t already purchased one.

This fundraiser has been organized thanks to two high school students who want to give back to their community (and rescue dogs!), and we are incredibly grateful to Woof & Whiskers for supporting this event.

GRRIN will be meeting and greeting at Growl-O-Ween on Sunday, November 1, 12-2pm! Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/1266788840337568/ for more information and to pre-register for the event.

GRRIN is once again open for new applications, so if you are interested in adopting a dog or becoming a foster family, please call the GRRIN Goldline at 402.330.6680.

Please note the safety of our volunteers is still our first priority, so it may take longer to schedule a visit to your home. We also have fewer dogs in foster care and approved families may wait several months to adopt.

• GRRIN will not accept applications for adoption or foster families; traditional home visits will not be conducted
• Public events will be canceled through April
• We are asking families needing to surrender to wait 30 days if possible, but please call our Goldline now (402-330-6680) so we can gather information; exceptions will include previously adopted GRRIN dogs
• Adoption procedures for current foster dogs will be managed on a case-by-case basis and adoptions will only take place if absolutely necessary

This event has been canceled.

Join GRRIN at Nature Dog from noon to 2pm! Nature Dog is dedicated to providing the healthiest and most wholesome foods for your dog and cat. They have grown over the years to carry an extensive selection of only super-premium products. Come check it out and meet our dogs available for adoption!

Note: We do not guarantee the availability of our foster dogs at meet and greet events. Due to the large number of applications we receive, the adoption process can take several months. We do not have an online application – please learn more about our adoption requirements, then leave a message on our Goldline. A volunteer will return your call. Be prepared to spend at least 30 minutes to answer questions.

This event has been canceled.

Do you love wine and beer and also love helping golden retrievers? Then come along to the wine and beer tasting fundraiser for GRRIN being hosted by Vino Mas on Saturday, April 11th from 1pm – 3pm. Five wines and three beers will be available to sample.

The cost is $20 per person, all of which will go directly to GRINN if you pay cash! ($15 will go to GRRIN if you pay by card.) Also, 10% of all retail sales will be donated to the rescue.

GRRIN will have foster dogs and/or ambassador dogs at Vino Mas, so you can greet some of our beautiful dogs while you taste some beautiful vino. Plus, this is a dog-friendly event, so bring your own pup along as well!

For more details, check out our calendar event or the facebook event.

Thanks to everyone who attended annual training! Over 40 volunteers spent the afternoon learning about rescue and sharing rescue updates. If you couldn’t attend but would like to get more involved with GRRIN, please send an email to volunteer@grrin.org.

Sunday, January 26, 2020
12:00 – 3:00p.m.
Xcel Community Center

RSVP to volunteer@grrin.org

New to GRRIN? So are a lot of us! Come out and meet other volunteers and board members. Thinking about volunteering? This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about what we do and how you can help Golden Retrievers in need.

Plan to join us as we socialize and learn more about rescue.

• Lunch provided along with snacks and beverages
• Rescue coordinators will highlight their piece of the rescue puzzle
• No dogs, please

The Xcel Community Center is located at 4526 S. 143rd Street, Omaha.

In case of inclement weather, we will post cancellation information on our website and Facebook page.

It’s time to renew your membership with GRRIN! Click here!

In 2020 we will turn 29 years old! Our founding members could not have predicted the successful outcome of their mission to rescue a few homeless Goldens, but here we are celebrating another year of caring for these wonderful dogs. In fact, we took in over 40 new foster dogs, found forever families for 36 dogs, and are currently caring for a dozen foster dogs, including nine seniors! Despite significant medical expenses, we were able to give the best care possible.

The reason our rescued Golden Retrievers have such great lives is simple: they have YOU in addition to their devoted forever families. YOU are GRRIN members.  Many of YOU not only pay dues but YOU also donate additional time and resources in order to help us continue to rescue and rehome Goldens.

Your active membership will provide you with access to the following members-only benefits:

• Voting rights at the annual meeting in April
• A 10 percent discount on all merchandise in our GRRIN store
• Invitations to members-only events for you and your Golden
• A subscription to our quarterly newsletter

And, if possible, thank you for considering an additional charitable donation to help GRRIN continue our efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and find forever homes for Golden Retrievers.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, the GRRIN rescue team, our many volunteers and, most importantly, our GRRIN dogs, thank you so much for your ongoing support and engagement!