July 2025

A Message From Our President

Hello friends,

I hope everyone is having a great summer so far. We brought in our 62nd dog of the year, 25-062 Bourbon, at the end of June. We are on a slightly lower intake rate versus this time last year. We were being overloaded with owners rehoming dogs for several weeks and then things have started to slow down a bit, for now. We are welcoming the little bit of breathing room as we continue to process so many applications and have many families traveling for the summer. We are still in need of foster families as we navigate through the rest of the summer months.

The Fun in the Golden Sun campaign has come to an end and we are so grateful for all of the donations we received. While we did not reach our goal, we raised $6,630.00 and all of that will go directly to support the needs of Goldens in our care.

I want to extend our sincere gratitude to longtime volunteer and board member, Paula Ellis, who is stepping back from her active role with Gold Ribbon Rescue. Over the years, Paula has contributed in countless ways, from leading major initiatives to playing a key role in finding forever homes for many of our Goldens.



Her dedication and leadership have had a lasting impact on the organization, and we’re grateful for the time, care, and energy she has given. Paula is shifting her focus to other endeavors, and we wish her nothing but the best in this next chapter. Thank you, Paula, for all of your years of service and support to Gold Ribbon Rescue.

Warm regards,

Michelle

Do you have questions or comments for the Board?

We value your input. Please send a note to the GRR Board and include Questions For The Board in the subject line. We hope to hear from you! The next GRR board meeting is July 19, 2025.

Do you know of a Golden in need or one to be re-homed? Please always remember to contact our intake team or call our Hotline at 512-659-4653. Our social media pages aren’t monitored for posts of dogs in need.

THANK YOU!

Thank You So Much for Joining Us at the Beach!

Thanks to you, our Fun in the Golden Sun campaign generated $6,630 to help incoming Goldens. We greatly appreciate your support. Congratulations to Sharon and Susan who are both winners of a custom oil painting of their pet by artist Michelle Choate. We can't thank you enough for your support of GRR.

Largest Golden Retriever Meetup in Texas

Thanks again to all of the GRR volunteers who served at different stations at the Meetup on April 13th and to all who attended this fabulous event. There were 2,900 humans and 1,267 dogs in attendance.

We now have received all of the funds from Alex Hopes and ZilkerBark for the total donation from the Meetup. Including the funds raised in the Golden Art Gallery, the total raised for GRR was $20,593.26. These funds will help GRR rescue Goldens and provide necessary vet care, as well as behavioral training for those with emotional and training needs.



Plans are currently in the works for the 2026 Golden Meetup and it promises to be bigger and better than ever!

About the Webinar Series

GRR is partnering with See Spot Behave, one of our preferred training partners. We're bringing a monthly webinar series to help our foster families, new adopting families and the GRR community to be better prepared: to be the best dog enthusiasts they can be.

There are a variety of topics planned, ranging from "Integrating a New Dog into the Household", "From Rowdy to Calm", "Centering Excited Dogs" to “Safe Holidays and Celebrations”, plus many more!

Join us!

Volunteer Orientation Webinar

Calling All Golden Supermodels

The Gold Ribbon Rescue 2026 Calendar Auction Starts JULY 15th!

It's time to get your Golden's glamour shot ready!

• The auction runs through July 29th.
• The minimum bid for each month photo is $125.
• You may bid-out of any month for $550, or the cover for $650.
• You may bid for as many months as you like at the same time. Simply watch the bidding and update as you prefer.  
• Thumbnails are $30 each and there are three thumbnails per month, so select the month that is most meaningful to you and your dog.
• There must be at least one Golden or GRR dog in the photo.

Best of all, 100% of the funds raised from the auction directly support our Goldens.

Mark your calendar for July 15th.

Watch for further details and get ready to start bidding!

Thank you for supporting Gold Ribbon Rescue's Goldens! 

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY

Step 2: Set the Sensory Scene

....Sound – Soften the World

• Use a fan, noise machine, or speaker to play brown noise (best for blocking external sounds)
• Try white, pink, or blue noise if that’s what you have available
• Keep the sound playing continuously to make the space feel familiar and safe
• Optional: Add calming music like Through a Dog’s Ear for background comfort
• Scent – Support Calm with Smell
• Plug in a pheromone diffuser like Adaptil
• Optional: Try dog-safe scents such as lavender or chamomile
• Add a soft bed or blanket your dog loves
• Include a t-shirt or cloth with your scent to help them feel close to you

Thanks to See Spot Behave for this important information.

Step 3: Build Positive Associations

• Let your dog explore the sanctuary space freely
• Keep the ambient noise on every time your dog enters the space
• Once a day (at random times), place a favorite treat or food toy in the space
• Allow your dog to leave when they choose—no pressure, no confinement
• If your dog won’t stay or refuses the treat/toy, let us know! We can help you introduce the space more gradually.

Step 4: Use During Stressful Events

• Guide your dog into the sanctuary with something fun (like a puzzle toy or chew)
• Speak in a happy voice and give a treat when they hear a loud noise
• Use the space during storms, fireworks, guests arriving, or when your dog seems overwhelmed.

Save a Life - Change a Life - Become a Foster Today!

"The hard part of fostering is when a dog leaves our home. It is easy to welcome them into our family, but they leave such a big hole, even if they have only been with us a short time. We are so thankful for all of the families who we have passed dogs on to their forever homes and the support from the GRR teams!" Allison 

Gold Ribbon Rescue (GRR) desperately needs more foster homes. If you’ve ever wanted to foster a Golden, now is a great time to consider it. Fostering is the foundation of GRR. We cannot accept Goldens unless they have a place to go. As the song goes, “a heart needs a home,” and fostering gives a Golden heart a real home— either a permanent one (if you elect to foster-with-hope-to-adopt) or a loving stopover on the way to a new forever family. The most amazing part is, despite difficult and uncaring pasts, rescue Goldens are still so willing to trust and love. It’s an honor to be part of their transformation. 



What we need are families who want to help Goldens in need by fostering, who are available for the summer and who will do some of the hard work with our rescue dogs. You will have assigned foster, medical and training coordinators to give you all of the support that you need. GRR pays for all veterinary expenses and medications and there is no cost to apply. 

If you are an approved GRR home, please contact Jacki right away.

Learn more about fostering and our fostering requirements.

If you have not yet applied, please don’t hesitate - APPLY NOW!

Save a Life - Change a Life - Become a Foster Today!

Our Newest Forever Foster - Meet Crockett 25-054

Crockett is a Forever Foster because he has a liver mass measuring 6-6.5 cm in diameter, a scrotal mass consistent with testicular cancer and cardiac issues.  A cardiac consultation showed Crockett has a higher grade Atria/Ventricle blockage along with ventricular arrhythmias (premature ventricular contractions).

Unfortunately, the two cardiac issues complicate giving him medications that are safe for both issues. Due to the condition of his heart, putting Crockett under anesthesia will carry a very high risk and his cardiologist did not recommend it which means he’s not a candidate for liver surgery. 

After exploring all options, we believe the best option for 10-year-old Crockett is to keep him comfortable, loved and enjoying life for as long as possible. That's what Crockett is doing with daily walks and lots of hugs, love and attention from his Forever Foster family.  We love you sweet boy.



As a Forever Foster, Crockett is available for sponsorship or co-sponsorship. Sponsorship is for a 12-month period and is $500 and co-sponsorship is also for a 12 month period and is $250. Funds from sponsorship(s) are used for Crockett's ongoing veterinary care. Learn more about Crockett.

Are you ready to make a difference in a dog’s life?   For more information about the Forever Foster program, or to sponsor or co-sponsor a dog, please contact Dori who is the program coordinator. Thank you.

Our New Arrivals - Welcome to Gold Ribbon Rescue!

Learn more about our available dogs!

Who doesn’t love a good DIY project? Especially one that your sweet Golden will love and help them stay cool. This is so simple and all it takes are three things. You can always make more than one and place them around your patio and/or yard.

You need a lot of ice cubes, water and a hard plastic shoe tray that you can get at almost any hardware store/Home Depot/Costco, etc.

Fill the shoe tray with lots of ice cubes and water and watch your pup go wild playing with and eating the ice, all while standing in the tray staying cool.

In Memoriam

Honey 21-065

Diana

I first fostered Honey for several months in 2021, and was blessed to officially adopt her later in June 2023 after she was surrendered to GRR a second time. When she first came to me, she was incredibly timid — a quiet, gentle soul who spent most of her days hiding under my bed, unsure of the world. But slowly, with time, patience, and the help of my other dog, Abbie, Honey began to live her best life.

Abbie showed her that the world outside our front door wasn’t so scary — that the front door led to adventures, that walks through the neighborhood could be enjoyable, and that it was okay to stop for a sniff or two along the way.

Over time, Honey not only grew more confident and relaxed, but she also found her voice, occasionally barking at Abbie to vacate her favorite bed. Her transformation was a joy to witness. That may seem like a small thing to many, but a big milestone for a dog who once tried to stay invisible.

Honey’s presence in my home was soft but deeply felt. Over the past month, her health began to decline. She was rapidly losing weight and could only walk a few houses down the street before tiring. We treated her for pain, hoping to give her as much comfort as possible.

Yesterday, after a vestibular event brought us back to the vet, further testing revealed a glucose level of 651, suggesting diabetes. Along with that diagnosis, Honey had other suspected underlying neurological issues, arthritis and pain. After careful consultation with the vet and our dear Hara, I had to make the incredibly difficult, heartbreaking, but loving, decision to let her go. It was the kindest choice for Honey — to free her from pain and to allow her to pass peacefully.

Honey, you are so deeply loved. You were gentle, brave, and so incredibly special. We miss you more than words can express. Thank you to GRR for giving Honey a second and a third chance. And thank you to everyone who supports GRR and who helps dogs like Honey find safety, love, and a forever home.