Our goal in GRRIN is to get every foster dog to their forever home. Each “Happy Tail” is a reflection of the caring effort shared by volunteers and the families who open up their homes to a rescued Golden Retriever.
Would you like to submit a story for your recently adopted dog or send an update for a former adoption? Contact GRRIN at webmaster@grrin.org.
10-52 Jake
Hey there, everyone! My name is Jake, and I’ve found my forever home! My life started out kind of rocky because my first owner didn’t know how to care for a puppy. Fortunately his friend recognized that I was in need of an intervention! She took me in and called the good folks at GRRIN. Before I knew it I was in a great foster home with Jim and Theresa, their three daughters, and their fun-filled Golden Retriever, Eli. I learned a lot of things while in foster care, and I had a ton of fun doing it! One day … Continue reading
10-42 Rusty
Hey, everyone! I’m Rusty, an oh-so-happy Golden who recently landed in my forever home. Up to this point, I kind of had a hard life. I won’t go into great detail because I don’t want to make you too sad, but I had an injury and, unfortunately, I lost most of my tail. I know that sounds just terrible but it’s really ok and I don’t need a tail to wag to show you how glad I am to see you. It helped a lot that the fantastic folks in GRRIN rescued me and set me up in the best … Continue reading
10-60 Parker
Hi everyone, its Parker. I can’t tell you how lucky I’ve been over the past few months! First of all, I was roaming by myself in the country and I kept looking and looking for a place to live. Then one day, along came Jaycee who picked me up, took me to the vet and took me in to her home with her two resident dogs. She was truly my angel because she loved me unconditionally and took care of me and even introduced me into the wonderful GRRIN family. Then just when I didn’t think life could get any … Continue reading
10-36 Riley
Hi everyone, its Riley! I’ve had a wonderful summer getting pampered and tuned up for just the right family. The GRRIN folks discovered that I am blind in my right eye but this has never ever held me back! Luckily, I had the greatest foster family with Cindy and Everett and Queen Hayley the Corgi. I had some minor eye surgery in July but this just made me even more perfect. My foster family helped me heal and always believed in me that I was just like any other playful Golden Retriever. I loved playing fetch and I could chase … Continue reading
10-30 Duke
Hi! I’m Duke (in the back) and I was adopted several months ago by a wonderful family. I’ve been having lots of fun and wanted to let everyone know how I’m doing. My mom and dad adopted my Golden brother Kahne (front) last December and thought he would like a playmate, so they waited patiently until they were told they could adopt again. They came to meet me at my foster home and fell in love. Who wouldn’t when you see my handsome face! Kahne and I love being together and we have lots of fun chasing each other and … Continue reading
10-54 Bailey aka Molly
Oh I’m DANCING (wiggling) for joy!! Yes, yes, yes!!! Rob and Amy loved me at first sight and I loved them right back. They looked and looked and looked for just the right Golden Retriever to that would make them all happy!! And that included Tessie who is now my new sister!! Wow! I have a sister and I LOVE her! When Rob and Amy came to get me from Misty’s house I was going to make sure they didn’t leave without me so I sat on Amy’s feet, just to let them know that they were making the right … Continue reading
10-26 Ryder
I’m Ryder and I came to GRRIN because my former owner had to work very long hours and he knew I was lonely and needed a full-time family. Well, I found one, and it’s an interesting story. Julie, the nice GRRIN lady who helped transport me to foster care, had also done a home visit for my new family. They were very worried about finding a perfect friend for their other GRRIN dog, KoKo, but when Julie met me she just knew that I would fit in with them. She was right! I was adopted in July and weighed 102 … Continue reading
10-37 Bear
If you can imagine a perfect rescue story then I would be the star. I was found in Lincoln and taken in by GRRIN members who tried to find my real owner because they couldn’t understand why such a great dog like me would be out on my own. They didn’t have any luck and asked GRRIN if I could go into foster care and get a permanent new home. My foster family included little humans that loved to play with me! They quickly learned that I am happy to retrieve a ball for as long as someone will throw … Continue reading
10-17 Ellie Mae
Hi, I’m Ellie Mae (after Ellie Mae Clampet). I came to GRRIN because I was just a little too much for my first parents. They loved me enough to surrender me to GRRIN so that I could have a home where I was loved and well taken care of. That is pretty much what happened. My foster parents picked me up one very cold February afternoon and it soon became clear that I was there to stay. I immediately fell in love with my foster dad and he with me. He had lost his best four legged friend before I … Continue reading
10-05 Hutch
Hi, everyone. My name is Hutch. Everyone kept calling me “the perfect family dog”. Now I have the perfect family! I had a rough road on my way there, though. I started out life with owners that loved me, but for some reason brought me to the Animal Shelter. After a few days up for adoption, I was prepared to be adopted by a man who was very interested in me. After they ran some tests, the doctor said that I had heartworm, and would need to be treated. Off I went to a clinic that specialized in helping dogs … Continue reading
10-24 Cianni renamed Sophie
SHHHHHH. I’ve found something that I didn’t know existed, and I want to keep it quiet so it won’t be taken away! My name is Sophie, but I also used to be known by the name Cianni and Tally. I used to live outside in a country kennel where I was used as a breeder dog. My life wasn’t too bad – I was taken care of pretty well – but I didn’t get much social interaction with people. One day a very nice lady took me away from the kennel, and we lived together in an apartment. It quickly … Continue reading
10-53 Ally
I’m Ally. I’d love to tell you my life story, but those silly humans at GRRIN don’t always know the language, so don’t know what I’m saying. Since I was off playing during keyboarding I’ll just have to tell you what the great folks at GRRIN do know about me, and let them do the typing. I lived with a family that once cared for me and taught me some nice manners about living in a house with people. It gets a little fuzzy here, but one day I was dropped off with someone who happened to be a GRRIN … Continue reading
10-41 Bo
Do you remember the old television commercial for some kind of gross doggie treats where the dog said; “Happy dog, happy dog, I’m a happy dog”? Well, the treats may not have been so great but their slogan really sums up my feelings. Oh yeah, my name is Bo. Sorry. I’ve always been a really happy boy, even though my previous life was sort of lonely because my first owners didn’t have much time for me. But now I am ecstatic, and you can see it in my smile and my loving eyes. Misty took such good care of me … Continue reading
10-38 Ginger
WOW! So THIS is what it’s like to be part of a perfect forever-home! My name is Ginger. My new Mom says that my name fits me well because I have a spicy personality. I look like a miniature Golden Retriever at only 25 lbs. They think that I’m a Golden Retriever/Cocker Spaniel mix. I’ve had quite a journey in my short life. I started out in Kansas, in a home that didn’t treat me very well. There was another dog that bit me, and my owners tried using DUCK TAPE to potty train me! They thankfully gave me up … Continue reading
10-28 Ginger
Hi everyone, its Ginger! I’ve been very lucky to have experienced so much love all throughout my life. I was surrendered from a very loving family and then got to live Nancy and Evie who were the best foster family ever! I loved our walks and snuggles and swim time outside. Then one afternoon, I got to meet Jesse, Amy and little Grant and we both knew right away that we were perfect for each other. I’ve been quite spoiled since moving to my forever home on June 28th. I got all sorts of new toys and bones at the … Continue reading
07-47 Oliver
Hi! My name is Oliver Heinz, not just Oliver anymore. I moved in with my big brother Red and my new mommy and daddy (Cheryl and Brian) almost 2 months ago. I have been so busy I am just getting around to writing my Happy Ending Story. I was very scared when my foster mommy brought me to my new home, but Red let me know it was okay and that my new world was a wonderful place. Since I have moved in mommy says, I don’t bark so much. I think it is because I am not so timid. … Continue reading
09-27 Prince
Hello from Prince. I just wanted to let you know that I’ve found my way home, forever. Let me tell you about it. I met Colleen, put my front paws on her lap, gazed into her eyes and felt a song coming on. “It’s just too good to be true. Can’t take my eyes off of you.” This is like heaven above and it is true love at first sight. Colleen and I spend most of our time together, except for a few hours a week when I rest or keep track of the yard from the window. We walk … Continue reading
09-31 Cedar
Hi there! It’s Cedar (a.k.a. the Original Bird Dog of Omaha), reporting in to update you all on my new life as a forever adopted GRRIN dog! My journey started August 3rd, when my foster Mom took me to Eppley Airfield to fly to my new forever home. My adoptive Dad, Bob, wanted toput as little stress as possible on me for my long trip, so I got to fly 1st Class on Pet Airways! Yep! 1st Class! No cargo hold for me! I got my own 1st class crate and even my very own Pet Attendant! They didn’t serve … Continue reading
10-11 Sarah
I’m Sarah and my middle name is “Diva”! I lived my first eight years with a family where I must have been treated like a queen because the shelter where I was dropped off said I had perfect manners. I don’t tolerate cats – they are so annoying – and I wasn’t getting adopted from the shelter, so they called GRRIN to try and find me a home. I was quickly placed with a foster mom who completely understood my needs. Her resident senior Golden, Diablo, was very easy to live with, but he has sadly passed away. My foster … Continue reading
10-19 Sam
I’m Sam and I was adopted a few months ago, but my mom and dad were busy tying the knot this summer so I’m just now getting my story out to the public. My new mom and dad were actually my foster parents; because I fit into their lives so well, they decided to adopt me and make me their third “kid”. I spent my summer vacation going on many walks and my weight is down to 93 lbs (I know, I’m a big goofy guy!). Leigh says that I’m the best snuggler in the family and every night I … Continue reading
10-25 Copper
I’m Copper and I was adopted by the same family that adopted Zeke! He’s my new big brother and we have all sorts of fun together. Both of us came from the same situation: our original families thought we were too busy and we lived mostly outside. Now we are allowed to cause quite a rumpus and nobody minds. Even Jack, the old guy in the house, likes to join in the fun. I have a huge back yard to play in and two boys that love to play fetch. It all started when Michelle and Tom decided to foster … Continue reading
10-01 Zeke
Zeke was the first dog to enter GRRIN for 2010! His surrendering family loved him very much but Zeke couldn’t live indoors and they wanted him to be with a family that could give him plenty of time and attention. Zeke loved his foster home and acted just like a young pup so it was easy for Tom and Michelle to fall completely in love with him. When Zeke came to his new home it was as if he’d lived with the family his entire life. He adored all three kids and even their older Golden, Jack. Tom and Michelle … Continue reading
10-27 BJ
Hi, this is BJ, another newly-adopted GRRIN dog! Awhile back, my new mom, Cindy, sent the GRRIN folks a wonderful email message to give them an update on how I’m doing in my forever home. You might remember me as the “dad” of a family of Goldens recently surrendered to GRRIN. We are all in new, loving forever homes but our adoptive families sometimes arrange for reunions. Aren’t we lucky? Here’s what Mom has to say: “We met Elli (formerly K-5 Missy 10-31) at the dog park. I’ve included a photo from that day. BJ is on the left. Elli … Continue reading
10-35 Taffy renamed Maggie HE
Hi, GRRIN folks! This is Maggie (formerly Taffy) and I’m doing great since my recent adoption. The few months have been very exciting. I was in foster care with Terry and his two Goldens and, for awhile, Daisy (GRRIN 10-29) was also at our house. We were best buddies, slept in the same crate and played like crazy. She also just went to her forever home and get this, it’s only a few blocks from where I now live with Gail, Mark and their daughter, Sam. My new mom says I’m a total joy to be around. We go on … Continue reading
10-31 Missy (K-5) renamed Elli HE
Hi everyone! This is Elli (formerly Missy) and I want to let you know how happy I am! It didn’t take me long to figure out this is the forever home for me. I love tagging along after Mom all day and I follow her so close that sometimes I step on the back of her flip flops. She takes me to the dog park to play and to other parks for walks. I am so good in the house I get to hang out by myself when she goes to the store. I watch her leave out the window … Continue reading
