Happy Holidays from Sampson (formerly Rita's Jumbo)

Sampson is finally up to a normal weight, and he has made a full recovery! Here are a few pics to share of “Rita’s Jumbo” who is now SAMPSON, aka, Handsome Sampson, Sammy Boy, Sam The Man, and The Samp!

Enjoy!
Mary

Why I am thankful at this time of year, by Kai.

I am thankful because Joseph and Maggie of ARTT picked me up off the street when I couldn't get up.
I am thankful because these kind people got me all better and sent me to the U.S. for a better life.
I am thankful to GRCGLA Rescue and the Cook family for letting me stay at their house.
I am thankful to Barbara D. and Denise B. for finding my new home.
I am thankful for my golden sister Lani teaching me about living the good life.
I am thankful for good food, treats, a warm bed, rides in the car, and lots of love.
I am thankful to have a family that loves me and tells me I am cute. But most of all, I am thankful to be alive. Life is GOOD!

Photos from Liu Liu (formerly Rita's Kim)

We're loving New York and New York is loving Arthur!

A very moving thank you from Rita, MJ and Maggie!

Rita's Milo is here!

Preparing for departure in Taiwan...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/album.php?id=605784792&aid=263712

Our welcoming party picked him up last night!

Ruby Tuesday goes to work!

Lucia is now Ruby Tuesday (after The Rolling Stone song since she's no longer a rolling stone and gathering moss at her new home in Venice!). Here are a few pictures of her at the office with me, I'm a music supervisor for film & tv so she listens to lots of music with me all day and a pic of her and me in the car on the way to work!

Ruby Tu has lots of new friends both human and canine. She's doing really well and her skin infection that she had from Taiwan seems to be clearing up and her fur is getting thicker. She's still a little itchy but we're trying to keep her as comfortable as possible until it heals. She's my little shadow and follows me wherever I go!

She really loves her new running path on the venice/santa monica boardwalk and is still adjusting to all the funny noises in venice (ice cream trucks and taco vans, etc).

Thanks so much for bringing her home to me from Taiwan...she's such a doll.

Much love,
Libby & Ruby Tuesday

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Postcard from Rita's Lucia

First 24 have been great. I think she found a new name...Ruby! She's a bit of a barker with all the new Venice noises but I think that will calm down with a little training. We went for a 2 mile run on the boardwalk today and she was in doggie heaven. She slept through the night, no messes or barking or anything to note. My friend came over for dinner last night and she jumped right on the couch and put her nose on him. She's absolutely precious.

Thanks for everything! I'll send pics an keep in touch!

Love,
Libby

Rita's HiHi adopted!

Rita’s Hi Hi said 'bye-bye' to the Rescue and went home with the Albee family today. They have had many dogs in the past and have raised puppies for the Guide Dogs of the Desert so have oodles of experience with dog training. Hi Hi is a lovely, sweet 3 year old who is very active and will benefit from the experienced training the Albees will provide her. In fact, before they left, they were already getting her to walk nicer on the leash, and to sit. Hi Hi was more than ready to start her new adventure with the Albees and leaped into their SUV for the ride home. In a few weeks, they are planning on a motor-home adventure to New Mexico where Hi Hi will be a part of the family fun.

Hi Hi thanks Rita and MJ for saving her in Taiwan and helping her to get safely to the U.S. to look for new opportunities. She also thanks the Welcome Waggin' for making her first moments in the US happy; David P. and his family for providing a loving foster home for a while, and the West Wind dog walking team – especially Scott M. and Julie W., for seeing to it she got walked and cuddled – another activity she loves. Finally, she thanks Barbara D. for making the match, as well as finding her this great new home and Pat J. for facilitating the adoption meeting.

Rita's Lucia adopted!

Rita's Lucia arrived at LAX from Taiwan last Sunday, tired but happy and eager for a new life. She didn't lose any time attracting the attention of Libby, who learned of us from a friend who adopted another of Rita's dogs last January, a big boy now named Otto. Libby wanted a sweet, mellow dog who would get along with Otto, who often hangs out at Libby's. She also wanted a dog calm enough to take to the office, yet with a good energy level for her active life of walking and running. Today Libby and Otto came to meet Lucia, who acted as if she'd always known them. Otto is a mellow guy, so we all went for a walk together and played in the back yard while everyone got acquainted. After a while Belle and Mufasa joined the party so Libby could see Lucia interact with dogs of quite different temperaments. Though she had originally been interested in a larger dog than Lucia, Libby decided that Lucia might be just the perfect size for apartment living, so off they went to live in Venice and enjoy a lot of great walks on the beach.

Lucia thanks Barbara D. for working with Rita and the other rescuers in Taiwan, so she could try life in the New World. She also thanks our veterinary friends for making sure she'll recover from her ear infections and get relief from her itchy allergies. She's delighted that Kriss H. took time from her busy life as foster mom and foster dog coordinator to scout out this great home where she'll be safe and welcome. Finally, she thanks Barbara again for making such a good match for her. She wants everyone in rescue to know how happy they have made her, and sends big kisses to all.

Update from Rita's Simba, now Tai

Simba (renamed Tai -- not too original but it seems to fit, work...and everyone in the neighborhood easily remembers his name "Tai from Taipei") fit into the program almost instantaneously. He runs two and a half miles on the beach every morning (he gets the weekends off and just swims)...swims (without fear in decent size surf) out into the ocean to fetch a frisbee...not certain if it's because he's smart or just so willing to please...but is constantly learning/remembering...not to cross curbs, go on the bike path, along with a few tricks and the basic commands, he is social with dogs, gentle with humans...had to learn how to play, not be so food oriented, and discover his retriever instincts...yet, I can't imagine him doing any better than he has. He's so easy to communicate with, rarely if ever, is there ever a need for me to even raise my voice or speak in a firm tone.

Kudos to Rita, MJ, Maggie and all the GRCGLAR folks...I really didn't expect to adopt but couldn't be happier with the way it has turned out.

Many thanks,
Jeff

GRCGLAR welcomes Freedom, Albert, Lucia, Buddy, and Kingbo!

Thanks to Rita and her friends and the GRCGLAR Welcome Waggin', five Goldens arrived safely from Taiwan are now home for the holidays! Photos of the their arrival can be viewed HERE and HERE!

Video links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aPle45ioy8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5GJKacEojw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ5c2_wV9q0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lyK3RwUUqE0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgiXkntlfcU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGoRIWZDtVA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJK4EPxuQao
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBGKW6wBOWs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGjDx-89UVA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAXDVopvONE

Coming soon...Albert, Lucia & Buddy

Photos from Chia (formerly Rita's Beauty)

With the grandparents.

Home sweet home!

Hiking in the high Sierras.

Happy Gotcha Day, Mars!

Hi GRCGLAR! Well, November 25th marked my one-year anniversary in Los Angeles with the Cook family. It has been a great year full of fun, good food, lots of hugs and kisses, etc. It's hard to believe that last year I was on the verge of death. Gee, I was a skinny, diseased-skin mess but thanks to Rita and MJ, they got me healthy and beautiful and thanks to my new mom, Cheryl, I've stayed that way. Just wanted to take this moment to once again give a huge thank you to Rita and MJ and to GRCGLAR for letting me come to America to start my new life. As I like to say, "Life is good!"

Now on 11/25/10 with my Yorkie sister, Rosie, and a couple of house guests.

Before on July 29, 2009, the day I left the shelter.

July 29, 2009, the day I left the shelter.

Rita's Mocha adopted!

Congratulations to Rita's Mocha, who found his forever home with the Carter family.

Mocha came in as part of Project Taiwan. He was found on the streets with skin issues, and once they cleared up he made his way to the US along with Simba and Bailey. He has been hanging out at Culver Palms waiting for just the right family.

The Carters lost their dog Samantha a little over a month ago, and have been missing having a Golden in the house. They were taken with Mocha's smile and fell in love as soon as they met him. He's an exuberant, energetic guy which they found endearing. They are anxious to take him on walks and hikes and were excited to see that he likes to catch tennis balls and will release them!

Mocha's new name is Magic, in honor of Magic Johnson. The family is a huge Laker's fan and came prepared with a new Laker's collar for their new pup. Magic is already settling into his new home - we got an email from the Carters this morning: 

I just wanted to let you know how we are doing. When we came home we spent a few hours in the backyard letting Magic mark his territory. Then moved to the house. Our kitchen family room is one area that he became comfortable with…he calmed down pretty quickly. He certainly likes his toys and even puts some of them back in the basket and pulls out others.

We got a harness for walks and he enjoyed the several he took yesterday. Last night we brought his bed and blanket to our room and he slept all night at the side of the bed. He was great. He is getting ready to go walk on the River Trail with my husband right now.

Anyway…we are loving him.

Rita's Freedom...coming soon!

Freedom's video-journey, so far, told by her rescuers in Taiwan...

Update from Maggie's Andy, now Moby

Please pass along the following update and pictures on Maggie's Andy, now known as Moby, to Maggie in Taiwan and let her know that her efforts there are so much appreciated. Also, if she has any info to share about Moby's rescue we would love to know about it.

Moby is the sweetest boy and everyone who has met him absolutely loves him! He came to us very skinny and is slowly gaining weight with his new diet. We see less of his ribs everyday and he is starting to grow in his coat. My sister met Moby on a recent visit and loved him so much that she baked him dog cookies and mailed them to him from Portland!

Moby now has an older brother and sister, a chocolate lab and golden retriever and a foster golden to play with. His absolute favorite thing to do is to play ball at the park! He LOVES tennis balls! This morning he pulled all of the tennis balls out of their bag and now we have about 10 balls laying all over the front yard. He is very silly and his ridiculous ways are very entertaining!

Also, he is going to start doing a little work for GRCGLA rescue, as he is planning to go on his first homevisit this weekend.

Below are a couple of pics..one of Moby with his new sister, one with his ball and another with my mom.

Thanks,
Kate

Photos from Dottie (formerly Rita's Dora)

Meet Rita's Lucia & Rita's Buddy...coming soon to the U.S.!

Postcard from Magies Thomas, now Tucker

Tucker is our fifth rescue dog. We've loved them all but nothing has prepared us for Tucker. He is sweet, guileless and full of mischief. When he's not on walks or playing with the neighborhood children, he's pressed to our sides -- which we've grown to love. To think that at one time we didn't allow pets up on the furniture. Our only disagreement is that we make him get off the bed when it's time for sleep. (He's a bit of a bed hog.) He does not want to get off the bed and you would not believe his vast repertoire of adorable looks and postures which he employs to break our will. I did once assure him that he could get back up on the bed at 6am. At that time I did not realize that Tucker could read clocks. These days I no longer need an alarm clock to tell when 6am has arrived. Sometimes I put a pillow over my face in an attempt to ignore him. Tucker responds by sticking his wet nose into my arm pit. It's a showdown. Once he actually fell back to sleep with his nose wedged under my arm. It was a rare, but damp, triumph.

Every day we tell Tucker that he is the best dog in the whole world. He has yet to disagree with this reasonable assessment.

Best regards,
Mike and Alan

Postcard from Rita's Willie, now Tai

Tai is doing great! He is such a sweetheart and makes friends wherever we go. He loves his toys and still has the playful spirit of a puppy. He really enjoyed this year's Dogtoberfest and swam for the first time. He was really funny and kept putting his face under the water like an otter.

I attached some photos from Dogtoberfest for you as well as a link to a short video of Tai's first swim. The last photo was taken after we got home - Tai was pooped and fell alseep with his head resting on his sister, Kiara (a senior alum from GRCGLAR).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wH3c3vuzyU

Enjoy!
Stephanie

Travis & Lilly...are we there yet?