| Golden Retriever | Born: December 1997 |
| Male | 75 lbs |
Status: Deceased
Normally I wouldn't post an update so soon, but I'm so excited I couldn't wait to show you my new outfit. A nice lady volunteer from RAGOM sent it to me. I plan on getting dad to sit out front tomorrow so everyone who goes by can see how sweet a senior Golden is.
I miss going to the RAGOM greet & meet events and representing the senior Goldens like I did before moving to AZ.
JD here, be good like me!!!!
JD
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I'm back! My family and I moved to San Tan Valley, AZ. I love laying out in the sun. It makes my arthritic bones feel so good. I have my own fenced back yard and stay out most of the day into the evening. Of course once summer gets here I won't be out so much.
We've been here for two months but my human dad was in the Veterans Hospital for a month, then my human mom was admitted for heart problems. I was hoping my life wasn't going to repeat itself where I lost my last humans. We are a happy family again here in AZ.
Mom asked Dad why all my photos showed me sleeping. Well, it's because that's what us senior Goldens do. Dad lays on the floor with me, petting me a lot and he brushes me a lot. What a life.
Happy In Arizona,
JD
 I love this AZ sun! |
 If it gets too hot, I lay in the cool dirt |
 Do Not Disturb |
 Restless Night |
Hey All You RAGOM Goldens,
JD here. I've been busy taking care of my people. This has been a great summer for me because it hasn't been real hot and I get to go with my people in the "DOG HOUSE ON WHEELS" which is what we call our van. They keep a doggy bed, water bucket and blanket in the van so all they have to do is load their Golden, me, and we are ready to go. They take me everywhere.
My people got a beach towel which they use as a blanket for me. It reminds me of someone, wonder who that could be.
 Gold on Gold |
My arthritis is bothering me more all of the time so I don't go for walks with dad anymore, I ride.
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I love the screen room dad set up. It has all the conveniences of home, a fan, water and of course me.
 Turn the fan up... please? |
I love the outdoors but will have to spend more time inside before long as it get colder.
Have a good un and adapt a "SENIOR GOLDEN", LIKE ME!
JD and his people
JD checking in. I've been busy over the last month. My people and I have been on 3 transports since I talked them into volunteering.
Dad said he's going to have a magnetic sign made for the Van that reads, "Dog House On Wheels." After all they bought it so they could be part of the "Transport Team." We took out the center seats and put 2 dog beds in and a water and food bowl. They left the back seat in so when we go to the bank the clerk can see me and give me a bone.
I'm afraid of storms. This week mom took dad to the Vet's, hospital that is. On the way home we passed through a terrible storm. I hid under my doggy blanket most of the way home. At home I hid under the table, but maybe I'm too big.
I'm outta here,
JD
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrreat news RAGOMers, JD can bark. We adopted JD 6 months ago and hadn't heard him bark until today June 29th. Our granddaughter was visiting with her Black Lab. The Lab kept poking JD with its nose and yipping in JD's ear. For the longest time JD ignored the Lab. Finally good old JD had all he could take. He jumped to his feet, fast action for this old pup as JD is usually a slow mover, and gave three fast shrill barks. We were so stunned we all sat there with our mouths open. I never thought I would be happy to hear a dog bark. JD's foster mom hadn't heard him bark either so we all assumed he couldn't bark. JD is such a sweet old gent that everyone loves him. He has inspired us to volunteer with RAGOM to transport rescued dogs.
Several weeks ago we made our first transport. We transported Jenni from Albert Lea to Burnsville, MN. Jenni was from a puppy mill. She was so sweet and wanted lots of attention. Unfortunately she had had a rough life and was dirty and smelled very bad, very very bad. In fact JD wouldn't lay next to her. Everytime she laid by him he would move.
Finally JD moved to the back seat.
While we were waiting for the next transporter to meet us Jenni kept looking for her ride to arrive.
Jenni then walked over to JD like she was asking him if this is where her next transporter would meet her.
We could tell that once Jenni had been bathed and groomed she would be a beautiful Golden. We just couldn't convince JD of that.
Have a good un,
JD's People
Hey I'm back,
My humans and I are back from vacation and I'm beat. I'll include some photos of me with this update.
When we left home in our van, I was worried that my people were not going to keep me and I had such a worried look on my face mom pulled over so her and dad could love me and explain that I was going on vacation.
Mom explained that "VACATION" is a time to rest up and feel good again. If this is true, why am I so tired, more so than when we left? I don't understand this vacation thing.
I would explain vacation as a time when you drive a long distance to stay in a small room, then repeat this until you return home, in this case, weeks later, completely exhasted.
When we passed through Tennessee I saw a sign "JD Distillery." How did they know I would be passing through?
When we stopped in Flori-DUH these little critters jumped on me. Dad called them 'fleas' so he got some med that killed those critters off. They made me itch. I think everything dead or alive in Florida has fleas.
In Maryland things were different and we went camping. This was a new experience for me but I was confused why we drove all that distance to sleep in a room on wheels. I just don't understand humans.
One night before we went camping we stayed in this house with steep and I mean steep stairs leading to the room mom, dad and I stayed in. When they tried to get me to go downstairs I dug in with all four golden paws until I left scratches in the hard wood floor. No way was I going down those stairs of my own free will. Finally a man named Phil who looked alot like dad picked me up and carried me down the steps. I was so afraid that I peed all over Phil. Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh was he mad. I had never heard some of the words he used. Mom laughed so hard that she peed too. They accused me of being stubborn. Can you believe that!!!!
It's a good thing Phil is in Maryland and I'm home in Rochester, MN when I write this since he wasn't smiling at me when we left for home.
Well, in short, that is what a vacation is all about. I think next time I will stay home and my people can go without me. I can guarantee you I will not ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever go back to Maryland where Phil lives.
That's it. Check back in two or three weeks when I check in again. Be sure to look at the photos I'm including with this update.
I'm outta here,
JD
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This Vacation Is Wearing Me Out |
JD's Vacation Seat |
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I Don't Understand Why Mom Got Lost |
All The Conveniences Of Home |
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I Think There Is Room For You Too |
JD After Rolling In The Wet Grass |
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We Camped Out On Vacation |
Dan, JD, Phil, & Sawyer |
Hey All,
JD here. I took my people to a RAGOM event at Pet Smart North here in Rochester several weeks back. As always, I had a ball and was exhausted by the time I got home. I met several people who were interested in adopting from RAGOM. I would nudge their hand so they would pet me.
One lady asked mom if I was up for adoption. Mom told her no, but there were two other Goldens at this event that were available. I kept nudging the lady so she would notice all the love a Senior Golden has to offer. She looked at me and said, "Ohhhhh such a sweet gray face."
There was one puppy at this event who had come from a puppy mill. He took a liking to me so I literally took him under my wing.
In past updates I've told you about the resident 27 pound black cat who is BAD, MEAN and well in my opinion HE SMELLS BAD TOO. The other day mom caught me up on the couch. When mom looked at me with that "what are you doing up there??" look in her eyes, I told her "the big black cat made me do it."
I'm on vacation with my people. At first I thought they were returning me to RAGOM and I was sad. I mean RAGOM is a really caring organization which did so much for me, but I thought my people were giving me a furever home. When mom saw my sad face she hugged and kissed me and said, "JD, we love you, you have made us so happy we could never part with you." I've been smiling ever since. I'll have Dad send this when we stop for the night and I'll send another update when we get back from vacation.
JD over and out (that's radio talk for I'm outta here)
Hey RAGOMers,
It's JD, I've been a busy Golden with my people. Now that mom is retired I get to go for lots of car rides and two people to pet me is great.
If you go through my previous updates you may get the impression all I do is sleep. I want you to know that isn't completely ZZZzzzzzzzzzz, well it may be just a little bit true.
My people have two kitties, a bad, mean and ill tempered 27 pound black one who doesn't like me and and a nice grey kitty whom loves me.
On cold days I keep her warm with my tail. For a cat she is OK.
I had to have an oil change the other day. Dad was changing the oil in the riding mower and I was watching him. He had drained the oil and before putting the drain plug back in he turned the motor over once to expell that last of the dirty oil. Just as he did that I decided to walk past the mower and the dirty oil sprayed all over my side. You've seen the birds all covered with oil when a big tanker hits a reef - well I looked something like one of those birds. Dad wasn't at all happy with me. He didn't use any bad words but the ones he used were sure colorful. My people took me to PetSmart for a bath, get my nails trimmed, teeth brushed and a grooming. No photos of the oil spill just photos of me after PetSmart got done.
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Look at it this way, I'm a handsome old gent aren't I!!!!!
Have you ever seen a three legged dog? When my arthritis is bothering me and I lay down, ZZZzzz, oops sorry bout that, I look like I only have 3 legs.
I'll check back in in a couple of weeks. Until then have a good un.
Jack Daniels or JD for short
I'm spending almost all of my time during the day outside with my people. The sun shining on these old bones sure feels good. I get brushed every day and my teeth brushed with beef flavored doggy tooth paste. I don't like this but the beef flavor keeps me licking for awhile. Below are some before and after photos.
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Dad thinks my hearing is worse then it really is. The other day I went next door to visit the neighbor and dad kept calling and calling and calling and CALLING, but I acted like I didn't hear him. Then dad said "want a treat JD"? I immediately ran home to get the treat. Oops, I guess I goofed, now dad knows even male dogs have selective hearing.
I'm looking forward to the next RAGOM event on May 2nd here in Rochester. I hope I get petted a lot and can help find homes for other Goldens who need a family of their own and a furever home.
JD
Hey everyone,
Has anyone noticed how many fun loving Goldens there are on the "Happy Endings" page now? My people and I love going through each update and reading about the good homes RAGOM has found for them.
We've had some nice weather recently. One day it got up 60 degrees. I wasn't used to the warm weather, so I laid under a tree to cool off.
I've been spending a lot of time outside even on cooler days. My human dad sits in the swing and I lay at his feet in the cool grass. When the kids are walking home from school, dad lets me greet them. I love all of the attention I get. I have dad fooled; when he calls me to come back, I ignore him. Friday, I heard him tell the kids he wasn't sure if I heard him or if I was ignoring him. The kids told him I was ignoring him.
I have my own e-mail address now. When someone pets me they take one of my calling cards that I wear in a card holder on my collar. It has a photo of me and my e-mail address. I heard a lady the other day say, "ohhhhhh look at the puppy" so dad let me trot over to be petted. The lady took a card and e-mailed me telling me what a nice dog I was.
I've learned all of the important things in life like, nap time, breakfast time, treat time when I've been good, supper time oh yeah and how to scratch my back by rubbing on the door frame just like my human dad does.
My doggy doctor says I don't see things to the side very well. Recently dad opened a closet door and I walked into it. My hearing isn't the best either and I've learned to make the best of it like by only obeying when I want to and otherwise pretending I don't hear. Dad says I'm a very smart Golden and learn fast.
Thanks for visiting my "Happy Endings" page. I feel an attention deficit attack coming on so I will go over to mom and put a sad look on my face so she will scratch my ears and say, "I love you JD."
Hey RAGOMers,
I wouldn't update so soon but I wanted to tell everyone what a fun time I had at the RAGOM event at Leashes & Leads here in Rochester Saturday 3-14-09. It was lots of fun meeting my Golden buddies from RAGOM to chat over old times. I wanted to talk to my friend Emmit, but he was in getting groomed. His humans went to check on him for me and found him sound asleep. Being groomed is very relaxing you know.
I love these get togethers. I met some people who were interested in adopting a Golden so I put in a good word for adopting a senior Golden. I feel like an ambassador for Senior Goldens, as we need furever homes too. I stared into people's eyes saying, us senior goldens are experienced in companionship. We have a lot to offer and are extremely loyal to our people.
Time flew by because I was getting lots of attention. If people didn't reach down to pet me I nudged them to let them know I was there. They would comment on my grey face and ask my people how old I was. I wanted to arf right out and say "does age matter, I'm a puppy at heart" !!!!!!!! I pranced around like a young pup putting on a good show.
My people had a special bandana made for me. They appreciate all the things the fine people at RAGOM do for us Goldens.
After awhile I started to show my age when my arthritis began to bother me. A kind lady put a blanket on the floor for me so I could lay down. I didn't let it show that I was in pain and kept the Golden smile on my face. I tried sending mind messages to people saying "here I am down here, you can still pet me." I think it was my Golden smile and wagging tail that caught their eye, because people kept petting me and telling me how handsome I was. "WAS" oops... that leaves the impression that I won't be around long and I plan on fulfilling my desire to be an ambassador for senior goldens for some years to come. I have a lot of work to do for my human dad, he keeps telling me what a void I have filled in his life when his last Golden passed on to the "RAINBOW BRIDGE."
All of this activity wore me out. I need to rest.
Well, that's my report. I'm having so much fun, being a senior golden is a wonderful life. JD
JD Reporting In,
My people have been taking good care of me. Last week I had blood work done and the new medicine I'm on for arthritis isn't having an adverse effect on my kidneys. It makes me feel almost young again. I now follow my humans everywhere, even upstairs.
I'm looking forward to summer, yet I enjoy diving into a snow pile now and then.
When you see the photo I'm sending you will think all I do is sleep. Well look at it this way, taking care of my humans is a demanding job. Us senior Goldens have a lot of experience loving our humans.
My daily schedule goes something like this:
1. Rise and shine
2. Go outside and make snow angles.
3. Come in and stand by the doggy treat package. My FM taught me to do this and I insisted my people continue the practice.
3. Stand in the kitchen looking at my food bowl. I've found out the hungrier I look I might get a little extra.
4. Each morning my people sit by the window drinking coffee. I stand by mom nudging her so she will share her animal crackers with me. and pet me.
5. Sit by dad begging and getting petted. I like to get petted.
6. Go outside with dad.
7. Come in and get a treat.
8. Take a nap, it's been a busy day taking care of my people.
9. The rest of the day is a repeat of my morning.
10. I think you get the point. I take care of myself by getting plenty of sleep and food. Speaking of food I'm going to beg for a treat then take a nap.
I had better go for now. I've got a busy afternoon ahead of me.
JD
JD checking in for us old timers. It sure has been a long winter. I'm looking forward to when my people and I can spend most of our time outside. I will miss making "Snow Dogs." I think the dog in this photo is either very, very old or spent too much time rolling in the snow. I think dad put him in front of the fire place to thaw out.
I have my people wrapped around my paw. Since mom and dad don't always tell each other if I've been fed I discovered tonight that if I stand by my food bowl when only one of them is present I will get fed again. I heard them plotting tonight on a secret way to keep this from happening.
Us seniors get tired easier than those young pups so we like to take a nap. My dad is no exception. I get him to sleep then stand a close guard watching over him. See photo.
I started a different med for my arthritis. It has helped a lot and studies have shown it to be kinder to my kidneys. I have to go in for a blood test this week and will start on a diet that is kidney friendly.
Dad brushed my teeth today and I didn't like it. At least he used beef flavored tooth paste or I wouldn't have let him brush them that long. I wish dad would brush that big black cat's teeth. His breath smells worse than mine.
My people talk about what a great organization RAGOM is. Mom retired last Friday and mom & dad are going to do some volunteer work with RAGOM. I will be with them whenever possible as a senior ambassador to tell visitors at RAGOM events that us older Goldens have lots of people experience and make excellent companions.
That's it for this week. Thought for the week, "a happy Golden is a Golden who is inside with his family and takes part in ALL, I said ALL family activities." Needless to say I am a happy golden!
Hey RAGOMers,
JD here. I'm such a happy old timer. All I have to do is smile at someone and they want to pet me. Usually they tell me I have such a dignified senior face. You be the judge, see photo.
The resident cats are starting to accept me. The 27 lb. black one will lay on the same bed with me now. I'm sure glad he doesn't have claws. I just ignore him and he leaves me alone. You can tell he doesn't bother me. He would have to wake me up to get my attention.
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My people say I snore, but I don't believe them. I've never heard anything so it can't be true. Dad offered me his C-PAP machine, but I declined.
I love to be outdoors. I'm looking to spring so dad and I can be outside. Mom is retiring this month so we can all enjoy the outdoors together. My favorite game I like to play outdoors during the winter is "SNOW PLOW." I put my nose under the snow and run sending the snow flying.
JD AFTER playing Snow Plow
I went to the Vet yesterday. I got some bad news, but my people told me not to worry, they will see I get the care I need. I'll have mom tell you about it.
We took JD to the Vet yesterday for his second bordetella shot, heartworm check and kidney check. I'd found a lump or cyst on his back end so the Vet biopsied it and didn't see any cancer cells but said we could have it removed if we decided to. His kidney functions were a little elevated so the Vet feels he's in the start of renal disease. We may start him on a special diet for kidney disease which has proven to extend the dog's life. He was such a good boy at the doctor and wanted everyone to pet him. The Vet and technicians spoil him every time he goes.
I need to go out and answer the call of nature then come in and get my treat for being good. I love you all. Come back next week for another update.
JD Over & Out
JD is so sweet and loveable. His senior golden face would melt anyone's heart. We have been applying a special cream to his dry cracked nose and it looks better.
He has really enjoyed the warmer weather and loves to go out and explore the yard. He keeps up to date on the RAGOM activities and loves reading about his buddies who are still looking for a furever home with people to call their own.
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The other day JD was licking out a pudding container - he got it stuck on his nose. That would have made a good photo.
His arthritis continues to be a problem, but the meds he now takes have helped a lot. He always wants to be with his people so we bought a dog tote to enable us to carry him upstairs when we will be up there for awhile. Actually it is a dog life vest, but it works great in assisting him up the steps.
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He has yet to bark or make any noise. I'm not sure he can bark as our first Golden in his old age wasn't able to.
JD's People, Dan & Shar
Home Alone "3"
January 18, 2009 5:40pm to 7:40pm: JD spent 2 hours home alone listening to Bluegrass music. I think his favorite bluegrass band is Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.
5:40pm to 7:40: JD made 3 round trips out of the living room probably to the back door looking for his people. He was off camera for approximately 10 of those minutes. When he came back on camera he laid on his sleeping bag with his eyes open resting. He didn't howl, cry, bark or tear anything up like our previous Golden Duke did before he got over his separation anxiety issue. We have yet to hear him bark or make any vocal sound. He scratches on the door to go in or out.
I'm sure he was worried, wondering if we were going to come back for him. It broke my heart watching him lay there most likely worrying that we may not return for him. I don't know who this was harder on, him or me, watching the recorded movie of him.
Over time and not too close together I would like to increase this time up to 4 hours. Anything longer I would not attempt, rather would hire someone to be with him the whole period of our absence.
We are JD's people and he is our pup. You may ask is an 11 year old dog a pup, well Goldens are always a puppy at heart. JD will seldom be home alone and then the longest period will be 2 hours.
I think the key is put JD's favorite Doyle Lawson & Quicksliver CD on and set it to repeat over and over. Once he knows his people will return for him this will be easier on him and us. Oh, by the way the big 25 pound black cat laid on the couch most of the time keeping an eye on JD.
February 2, 2009:
Do dogs enjoy watching TV? JD does. Each evening when I light a fire in the fireplace JD takes his spot on the sleeping bag and watches Wheel Of Fortune. If he isn't spoiled yet he soon will be.
He knows when it's time for breakfast and supper. He goes to the kitchen and sits by his pail of dog food. He is one smart pup. We consider ourselves fortunate to have such a wonderful senior Golden.
Dan & Shar
Come on Dad, our faaavorite show is on!
From JD's forever family:
JD here! I want you all to know how happy I am. I was sad to leave my foster mom and her son whom I refer to as the college kid. Yet, I longed for a family I could refer to as "My People."
It's a cold winter for old Goldens like me, but my furever mom & dad keep me warm when they take me on car rides. See photo. Even in my furever home my arthritic bones can use a little extra warmth, which my people provide for me and my sister Pix. See photo, look close as Pix is between me and the fire.
Every night dad starts a fire for me then lays on my sleeping bag with his arm around me. I'm wrapping my people around my paw.
Dad says I filled a vacuum in their lives when their previous Golden Big Boy Duke went to that big kennel in the sky. I am sooooooooooooo happy and want the RAGOM people to know how much I appreciate all they did for me.
Keep checking back to my "Happy Ending Page" as dad promises to send more photos of me and to let RAGOM know I'm doing.
Love you all,
JD [pssssssst.....I dropped the numbers from my name so you can call me JD [Jack Daniels]
Sharing the fire with Pix
The car is cold...
Hey Everyone, wonderful news: eleven year old JD has "p-e-o-p-l-e"! Let's give a hearty RAGOM 'Shout Out!' to his people...for they are jolly good fellows! They didn't care that JD had other homes or some flaws or even that he might have fewer years left...in fact, these amazing people were looking for a dog that would have a harder time finding a loving, toasty home. I have met some wonderful dogs during my short time with RAGOM, but the GR people...they almost take my breath away!
More on JD. He has left the big city to join his furever family, and he even sent me an email:
Hey FM,
I'm home in Rochester with my Furever Mom & Dad. I asked my Dad to send you this photo so you will know it didn't take me long to make myself at home. I love the fireplace, as it makes these old bones feel sooooooooooooo good. I have my own new bed and pillow! Dad promises to walk me over to our next door neighbor to introduce me to them tomorrow! As you can see, they are spoiling me and I love it!
Furever Dad here: Shar and I have fallen in love with JD and will take good care of him. It's sooooooooooooo good to have a Golden around again. JD knows exactly how to put his nose under my hand and with a little flip, he's being petted on the head! He is full of love and will fill a void in our lives.
Special thanks to all the people behind the scenes that make stories like this possible. And of course, Best Wishes to JD and his new family!
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Hey everyone!
JD here. Foster Mom's 'zoned out' watching a movie. We just got home from Christmas at the farm. Everyone and everything is new in my life right now, but I had a wonderful time. F'Gramma and Grampa, cousins...they all liked me and I made the rounds getting all snuggles and cuddles I could. The silly kitty kept hiding from me, sometimes he'd sneak up on me, but I knew he was there and just didn't care. Once when I was outside doing my business I scared up some pheasants, I guess they didn't like me! All that excitement would tire me out, so I'd lay down in the middle of the room and snooze (didn't want to miss anything!). What a lovely time, so much nicer than the kennel life I was living.
Thanks, JD. (I just love Ice Age, the movie, not the weather.) Greetings! Let me just add a few things, and a few pictures, for JD. We visited the vet and JD (Jack Daniels) passed his examine with flying colors, and is now UTD. His doctor said JD's sight and hearing are about normal for a gentleman of 11 years. Arthritis slows him down, but he LOVES the snow and rolling around making snow dog angels. I knew it would be the first thing he did after grooming!! It was very fun to see this wilder side of Jack (see his pictures). But what really surprised me was his crawling into bed with my sister-in-law!!
JD is medium height and weighs 57 pounds, his doctor said he could put on one pound but no more (like me over the holidays). He should be crated when home alone. I haven't heard him bark. If he notices you've left the room, he will follow you; he just wants to be close to his people. He's had a very difficult year and just needs a loving family to be there for him and with him.
