WINTER 2022
Helping Our Turkish Partners
A Second Chance
Yorktown Toyland Parade
Contents GRREAT Times is a quarterly publication of SEVA GRREAT, Inc., an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization dedicated to finding homes for homeless Golden Retrievers. For more information, call our Hotline at 757-827-8561 or visit our web site at www.sevagrreat.org.
3 .. President’s Message
7
4 .. Adoptions
To contact the newsletter editor with suggestions, comments, or send materials and photos for inclusion, send an e-mail to grreattimes@adoptagolden.com, or write Attn.: Newsletter Editor, PO Box 8014, Yorktown, VA 23693.
6 .. Our Celebrity Turkey Dogs
SEVA GRREAT disclaims all responsibility for omissions or errors.
7 .. A Second Chance
Submitting Stories and Photos
8 .. Mixing Fun with Business
We have decided to make “homecoming” a feature in each newsletter to feature dogs that have been adopted from us over the years. Send us a picture (identify everyone in it, please) with your dog’s name, when you adopted it, your name and a few words or more about your dog. Full length stories are welcomed, too! When you submit your pictures for publication in print, please submit an original digital image of no less than 300 dpi. If you aren’t sure of the dpi, send the original and we’ll check the possibility for use. We can make pictures smaller but we can not make them larger. Don’t worry about the file size; if you can send it, we can receive it. If you can’t send it, let us know. We’ll show you a way that it can be sent.
10
9 .. Dog Myths 10 .. Help Our Turkish Partners 12 .. Homecoming 14 .. Glen Allen Day
14
Email to: grreattimes@adoptagolden.com
16 .. Paws at the River 18 .. Yorktown Toyland Parade 21 .. Rainbow Bridge
18
fostering@adoptagolden.com 2
22 .. Contributions 23 .. Membership & Volunteering
On The Cover: As you can see on this month’s cover photo, Maxwell Strong is looking strong.
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
Mark Your Calendar
President’s Message
Unfortunately, COVID has played havoc with our scheduling. Please check Facebook or our website for the most up-to-date gatherings.
Bringing in A New Year
Facebook: Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education, and Training!
Website: https://adoptagolden.com
GRREAT ADS GRREAT Times is now offering advertising space. Rates per issue for various size ads are: Full Page = $150 1/2 Page = $100 1/3 Page = $75 1/6 Page = $50 A discounted rate for multiple issue placement is available. Email requests, size and specification questions to grreattimes@adoptagolden.com. Every effort will be made to put your ad in the desired issue. GRREAT Times is published quarterly the second week of January, April, July, and October. Deadline for submitting an AD is the 1st of the month prior to the publication date.
W
hile 2021 was not an easy year, with this very uncertain time of COVID, the CDC ending imports of Goldens, and rescue just being hard, our mission to help homeless Goldens has never wavered. The New Year gives us a time to reflect upon where we came from, as we look ahead to what we would like to accomplish. Taking a look back at 2021, we did amazing things this past year. We took in 68 Goldens, adopted out 71, and currently have 19 Goldens in our care. Almost half of the dogs that we took in came from Turkey. Seventeen of the dogs that were from Turkey came in less than one month – when we tried to bring over as many dogs that we could to “Beat the Ban.” As many of you know, the CDC placed a “temporary” ban on international rescue in 113 countries – siting rabies as their concern. The ban came as a shock to all of us in the rescue community. While we whole-heartedly support the CDC’s objective in keeping canine rabies out of the U.S., the agency’s approach is overly broad and will have a devastating impact on the operations of legitimate rescues around the world, who work tirelessly to help save dogs from extreme cruelty, neglect and slaughter. SEVA GRREAT has always gone well beyond the government regulatory requirements to ensure the dogs we rescue are healthy and that the public is protected. We feel that no matter where a dog was brought into this world, their life matters. They deserve love, kindness, compassion and safety.
pensions are overflowing with dogs. To make matters worse, inflation is soaring, supplies are in short demand and costing 3 times more than they did last month. To help them, we have started a GoFundMe with all of the funds going to our 3 rescue partners over there. There is an article on the GoFundMe in this magazine. For SEVA GRREAT, the New Year brings us new people to the Board with Whitney Baker coming on as Vice President and Janie Carstens as our new Treasurer. You may know Whitney as Maxwell Strong’s mom – whom he lovingly calls “Crazy Lady.” If you are on Facebook, you must follow Maxwell’s page – I guarantee you will laugh. Whitney is thrilled to be a part of our team and is already thinking of ways that she can help in the way of education and also fundraising. Janie comes to us with lots of experience managing “the books.” As a SEVA GRREAT Dog Mom, Janie is super excited to do something for the organization that brought her Golda Meir. Janie has jumped into her new job headfirst and has made a number of suggestions on how we can better operate. We are so thrilled to have them on our team! There is no doubt that the New Year will bring many new challenges and many more Goldens who will need us, but we are confident we can continue to help those in need both here and in Turkey, thanks to your support. Thank you so much for all you do helping our Goldens in need! May love and laughter fill your New Year!
Now, because of the ban, our rescue partners in Turkey are in dire need of our help. Their
Deb
WINTER 2022
3
Adoptions
ARCHIE
BUDDY
CHARLOTTE
Stacy & William Saville
Penny & Woody Jenkins
Katie & Brian Patterson
CHLOE
DRAGON
GRAHAM
Irene Heath
Ryan & Susan Andrews
Cathy Cray
HENRY
HONEY
MAJO
Mike Zinski
Judy Radt
KimberlyPingel
4
MARSHMALLOW
MOLLY
ONYX
Tammi Amick
Rebekah & Justin Brown
Tracy Schmid
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
PASHA Debbie & Joe Morris
SAM Patty & Dan Carr
Dog Owners Tip: SOPHIE Jedina Tucker
Ring your doorbell on the way to bed. This will clear the dogs off the bed just long enough for you to get comfortable.
WILLOW Kristen Goldbach
WINTER 2022
5
Our Celebrity Turkey Dogs Our celebrity “Turkey dogs” were out in full force today. Thank you Cottage LunaSea for hosting our book signing today with Ernie Bert and his mom Heidi Speece. Fellow celebrity Archie Arch A Roux and his favorite boy Jackson Saville were there too, and we all had a great time!
Heidi Speece
Jackson Saville
6
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
Ernie Bert
e
Go
un
th
Golden Oldies: GOLD Fund A Second Chance at Love and Happiness ld
d
The
en
O l d ie L o v e D
og
F
By Roni Sumner
I
n 2015, SEVA GRREAT established the Golden Oldies Love Dog (GOLD) Fund, thanks to the generous bequest of Kathleen A. O’Donnell to promote the care and adoption of senior golden retrievers. The best way to do this is by sharing stories of the seniors adopted or in forever care through SEVA. I found my passion for this many years ago and would like to start by sharing the story of Tassie, my 14-year-old beauty. I have many other tales to tell, but I also would like to hear from others as well so we can edit and feature an article with each issue of GRREAT TIMES.
TASSIE
tail, eye contact, and an eagerness to be around her people. Time passed, and Tassie’s personality began to emerge. She underwent the spay and soon was ready for adoption. Her bio was written, and the spirit of another one of my seniors who had just gained her wings guided me to the write- up. I knew it was meant to be. Two other seniors were in my home then— Roxy and Max. They nodded their approval at the meet and greet, the foster approved, the paperwork was completed, and soon Tassie found herself in her forever home. This was her second chance. Quickly becoming attached to me and loving her new home, Tassie wanted to be close and so began to wag her tail nonstop. Her gorgeous brown eyes would melt my heart when she gazed at me, and there was nothing that I would not do for her.
Dirty and scared was the first remembrance of Tassie when she was rescued by SEVA GRREAT. Transported to a wonderful foster home, this thin cream golden, age 7, seemed not to know much about house manners, human interaction, or timely meals. She was terrified hiding under furniture and running from the leash with her tail tucked tightly under her belly. Her foster wondered if she would ever act like a normal dog—wagging
Although seven years of age, Tassie was extremely intelligent. In her sweet way, she also was very willful. My other two seniors were certified therapy dogs and had done a lot of training with me. I eagerly enrolled this gorgeous girl in a basic class only to have my confidence shattered. She wanted no parts of any of that. She saw no point in walking in circles or any other foolish commands unless treats were involved, and even then, she would not always cooperate. Finally, I had my husband and Max join the class; Tassie adored Max, so she was
happy to follow him around the training room. Eventually she passed an intermediate class, earned her Canine Good Citizen certificate, decided she knew everything that she needed to know, and quit. There is no other way to word that. She quit, and I learned to respect her decision like it or not. Over the next few years, many other seniors became part of our family, and Tassie was always there to pay it forward—to help them adjust as Roxy and Max had once done for her. All the other dogs seemed to gravitate towards her, and that is still true to this day. On November 14, 2021, Tassie turned 14. She is as beautiful and as sweet as ever, and still is helping newbies into our family. Arthritis has slowed her down, but her eyes sparkle, she will engage in play, and she will take short walks to enjoy nature. Thankfully, she no longer presents me with dead squirrels as she once did! There is no doubt that many would not have wanted to adopt Tassie because she was seven, but fast forward seven more years and she is still going strong. Love gave her courage to give so much joy; to me she embodies the wonder of adopting or supporting a senior fur baby. Please consider adopting a senior; the rewards will be worth it! Your financial contribution is also appreciated as often their medical needs are greater than the ones of the younger dogs, and some will remain as a forever foster home enjoying bliss in the last chapter of their lives. Please mark in your note to have the money designated to Golden Oldies Love Dog (GOLD) Fund. Your donations will help other geriatric dogs in the care of SEVA GRREAT. WINTER 2022
7
Mixing Fun with Business at the Fall Meeting
8
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
Dog Myths
Dog Myths We All Need to Stop Believing by Deborah Wainwright If we had a dollar for every dog myth we heard from family and friends, we’d be millionaires! While some dog myths are silly and amusing, others can be quite dangerous for your dog’s health – so it’s important to get our facts straight. To help you do just that, we’ve put together this list of the 30 dog myths that we all need to stop believing. Scroll down to read it all – and perhaps also keep a count of the ones you used to believe as well! Ready? Let’s go!
1. A Dog's Mouth Is Naturally Very Clean A lot of people tend to think that their dog's mouth is very clean. This myth has been around for a long, long time and is widely believed. So much so, that several people allow their dogs to lick and kiss their infant babies on the mouth as well. Well, we hate to break it to you, but a dog's mouth is usually teeming with several different types of bacteria and germs. Considering that dogs lick several different surfaces and even sometimes end up eating their own poop, this myth shouldn't have persisted by now. While most of these germs may not directly harm healthy adults, they could infect those with low immunity such as babies and immuno-compromised people.
2. Some Dog Breeds Are Naturally More Aggressive Than Others
Another big myth that's been doing the rounds for ages. Most people tend to think that dog breeds can be neatly categorized as 'aggressive', 'affectionate' etc. This is not true! If a dog behaves aggressively, then it definitely has to do with the way they have
been badly trained (or untrained), rather than the aggression being hereditary. Similarly, if you train your dog well & know how to handle their behavior, they will not be aggressive. Such myths can be extremely dangerous to the safety of dogs, as we've seen incidents where so-called aggressive dog breeds have been attacked or fatally shot by people who misunderstood them. In fact, a lot of dogs that behave aggressively do so because they might be feeling scared or threatened in a situation. It could also be a result of anxiety.
3. Dogs Inform Their Owners When They're Sick
Several dog parents tend to believe that their dog is only seriously hurt or unwell only if they're crying out loud in pain or coming up to them to indicate the situation. Nope! This couldn't be farther from the truth. Most dog species have evolved to instinctively hide their pain to protect themselves from other predators. So it's quite possible that your dog could be seriously injured or sick, without them explicitly bringing it to your attention. For example, if you see your dog limping or behaving strangely, don't wait for them to make it more obvious. Take them to a vet to have the issue looked at before it gets worse.
4. All Dogs Are Colorblind There are different variations of this myth while some people think that all dogs are colorblind, some others believe that dogs can only see the world in black and white.
( continued on page 11 . . . )
WINTER 2022
9
Love Has No Borders Help our Turkish Partners! With no end to the CDC ban in sight, our Turkish rescue partners need our help now more than ever!! If you follow us on Facebook, you have probably seen and read about the GoFundMe that we have put together for our rescue partners in Turkey. They need our help now more than ever. Not a day goes by without requests to help abandoned goldens, most of them in desperate need of medical help. Winter has set in, the shelters are overcrowded, and the rescuers are running out of room and resources to care for the goldens in need. Making it worse, the value of the Turkish lira has dropped dramatically, and pet
10
supplies and medications are costing 3 times more than they did last month. It’s even getting more difficult to find and afford quality pet food, which they hope to stockpile to get through the winter. Without the resources to care for them, they are having to leave many needy dogs on the streets. The government is being less tolerant to strays, which makes their future very bleak. The president of Turkey has ordered municipalities to pick up all strays and take them to shelters. The problem with this is that the shelters are considered “death camps” for animals. Plus, Turkey’s three largest cities (Izmir, Ankara and Istanbul) have over 500,000 stray dogs together.
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
While we can’t bring any dogs over yet, eventually the ban will be lifted. There will likely be new requirements for rabies titers, which will increase transport costs. But their immediate need is financial, so that they can continue to help the goldens in their care, like Leo, Dost, Pascal, Pasha, and Amigo. Leo and Dost both had severe leg fractures that have been repaired, and Dost (meaning “close friend”) still needs a hip replacement. Pascal was found with severe dermatitis and puncture wounds on his feet from sharp
Well, hate to break it to you, but neither of these is true. While it's true that dogs see a lesser number of colors than humans do, they still see several different colors, and can also see the saturation of yellow, blue, and grey as well. So they're not colorblind. weeds between his toes. Pasha’s family left him at an automotive industrial site when they got older, hoping someone would take care of him. And Amigo was found as a survivor from a car crash.
Also, it's important to note that this unique eyesight gives dogs the ability to see much better in the dark than humans. This is because a dog's retina has more 'rod' cells than 'cone' cells. While rod cells are better at working in low-light, cones are responsible for color detection.
5. 1 Dog Year Always Means 7 Human Years
Here's another widespread myth - several folks tend to believe that dogs age exactly according to human years, with one dog year strictly equal to 7 human years. Well, it doesn't exactly work that way, and let us explain how.
Let’s help our Turkish rescue partners get these dogs the help they need!! All proceeds from this fundraiser will be sent to Gamze, Yasemin, and Sevil to care for the many precious goldens that need them. You can use the GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/love-has-noborders-help-our-turkish-partners or you can send a check to SEVA GRREAT, PO Box 8014, Yorktown, VA 23693. With our help now, hopefully they can weather this storm and get back to sending us goldens once the ban is lifted. We will continue to update you on the progress of these dogs and many others in their care.
While it is true that a dog's lifespan is considerably shorter than that of a human, there are lots of other factors that decide their lifespan as well. For example, larger breed dogs tend to have a shorter life span, while smaller sized dogs live longer. So, the correlation is not as straightforward as saying 1 dog year equals 7 human years!
6. Dogs Lick Themselves To Heal An Injury
Remember our very first point - that dogs don't exactly have clean mouths? Well, now that we busted that myth, it's also time to bust this one! A lot of folks believe that if a dog licks their own open wounds, it would actually speed up healing. The truth is the contrary - the germs and microbes in the dog's mouth can get transferred to the wound by licking. This can make the wound worse and lead to an infection. So, if anything, licking their own wound would end up delaying the healing process.
So, if you want your little furball's injuries to heal as soon as possible you need to do whatever it takes to stop them from licking the affected area constantly!
Dog Myths
7. Dogs Wag Tails Only When They're Happy
If you're greeted by your doggo with his tail wagging away, it may well mean that he or she is very happy to see you. But wait that's not the whole story! While a wagging tail could indicate joy, it can also mean a lot of other emotions as well. For example, dogs can also resort to wagging their tails when they're excited, or even scared, anxious, or nervous about something. This shows that a wagging tail doesn't always symbolize positive emotions. To better decode how your dog is feeling, pay close attention to the rest of their body language - look at his/her ear position, overall stance, and look in their eyes before you judge what's happening.
8. A Backyard Can Replace Dog Walking There are several dog owners that believe that having a huge backyard in their home means that they don't have to take their dogs for walks anymore. After all, the yard is big enough for them to roam around in, right? Wrong! Even if you have a huge backyard, your dog is most likely not going to run in it, and for good reason. Dogs need to wander in unrestricted spaces that are not fenced off to imitate their evolutionary instinct of roaming like a wolf pack. This need can easily be fulfilled by taking them on a walk. In fact, if your dog runs in a closed-off space like a backyard, it might lead to a build-up of more anxious energy, which won't be good for them.
( continued on page 15 . . . ) WINTER 2022
11
Homecoming Share your pictures and stories by sending them to grreattimes@adoptagolden.com. They will be featured in coming newsletters, right here under Homecoming.
Handsome Henry is a lucky foste
Love this dog!! Chance is ready for Halloween treats! He loves everybody. He is good with other dogs but prefers people to pet him and loves tummy rubs. He learns very quickly as long as the reward is treats. In fact the joke is he would write you a thank you note if you gave enough treats. Chance is very good in the house and does not get on furniture or take things off the table. He knows sit, stay, down, and when we hide his toy, he knows to look for it when we say “go find.” He is a favorite with the grandkids and everyone in the neighborhood greets him by name as we take daily walks. He makes us laugh as he is a big goofy dog!!!” He was adopted from SEVA GRREAT in September 2020.
–Lewis & Donita Miles
Bama is a wonderful and loving dog. He loves all dogs, cats, and people and gets highly upset if they don’t love him back! He is so loving and sweet. He loves his walks, the beach and his babies.
– Mary and Harry Owens
Seva Grreat foster dog Sam enjoy a beautiful fall day in Pocahontas state park.
12
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
g
Bi
r
s y a d th
Raife
Murphy
er failure.
Marigold
Barkley Lacey
WINTER 2022
13
I spy some lovely people.
Turkey dog Jimmy.
Hey! Pay attention to my belly rub.
Morrison
14
Welcome to Glen Allen Day
Who’s that peeking?
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
Maxwell gets some loving.
9. You Can Skip Flea & Tick Protection In Winters
When winter comes along, you may be tempted to skip the flea and tick medication for your dogs, thinking that the tiny bugs couldn't possibly survive the freezing cold. Well, this is a myth and it needs to be debunked! You'll be surprised to know just how tough and resilient ticks and fleas are - while fleas can survive outdoors in a temperature as low as 30 degrees Fahrenheit, ticks kickstart their activity in temperatures over 40 degrees. Since temperature fluctuations are common even in the winters, vets recommend that you keep your dogs on flea, tick, and heartworm medication all through the year. After all, prevention is always better than cure!
10. Before Spaying, Female Dogs
Should Have A Litter
Another potentially harmful myth that is widely believed is that female dogs should ideally have at least one litter of puppies before she is spayed. There is no medical basis for this claim - there have been no studies so far that demonstrate any long-term health benefits of such a practice. In reality, spaying your dog BEFORE she has her first heat cycle has been shown to have positive health benefits instead! This has been shown to reduce health risks for conditions such as uterine infections and mammary tumors. When it comes to such serious decisions about your dog's health, we strongly recommend consulting a vet and not getting swayed by myths, no matter how widely believed they may be!
11. Some Dog Breeds Are Hypoallergenic Making friends.
Let's get straight to the point - there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog, per se. This is a widely misunderstood point and needs to be cleared up. Many people think that certain dog breeds are hypoallergenic,
and they think the allergies come from the dog's fur.
Dog Myths
A little correction here: these allergies don't come from a dog's fur but from a particular protein found in their urine saliva that gets stuck to their fur when they lick themselves. So when their fur is shed, it can give some people allergies. Instead, dogs that have hair instead of fur (such as poodles) don't shed their hair as much as dogs with fur do. So, in that sense, these breeds are a better choice for people with allergies. But as we said, no dog breed is hypoallergenic.
12. Dogs Feel Guilty
When They Mess Up
We're sure that almost all you reading this blog is 'guilty' of watching 'guilty dog' videos on YouTube! We've done it too videos in which dogs literally tear up the whole room and look incredibly sorry for their behaviour when confronted by their owners. On the surface, it does look like the dogs know what they did wrong, isn't it? But the truth is a little more complex than that. Sure, dogs feel many emotions like happiness, sadness, jealousy - but they don't really have a sense of right or wrong in the same way that humans do. So, in those videos, what we're really seeing is the dogs reacting to the tone, voice and behaviour of their humans. Clearly, in these videos, the humans appear to be upset at their dog's behaviour - o that's what the dog feels bad about - not the fact that they shredded up your pillow.
13.
Dogs With Dry And Warm Noses Are Sick Most folks tend to believe that a healthy dog's nose is always cold and wet and that a dry, warm nose means something is
( continued on page 17 . . . )
WINTER 2022
15
Paws at the River Scenes from the Yorktown “Paws at the River” Market. The SEVA GRREAT booth was a busy place and we had a wonderful turnout. Thanks to all of the goldens and volunteers for coming out and a special thanks to Michelle Frye Smith for organizing and running another successful event. Also, much appreciation to Mimi Wormeley, our volunteer coordinator, who always rallies the troops for us.
16
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
wrong. This is not really true. The wetness of your dog's nose can get affected by a variety of factors - from dry air to even just taking a nap. So, having a dry and warm nose is a pretty normal thing for your dog, and is not really a cause for concern. However, if you do find that your dog's nose is constantly cracked and dry, or running (not just wet), then it's a good idea to consult a vet at the earliest to find out the underlying cause.
14.
Dogs Should Eat Exactly Like Wolves Dogs and wolves have both evolved from a common ancestor tens of thousands of years ago: this part is true. But dogs and wolves have definitely evolved to be quite different from each other. Even though dogs have a pure carnivore ancestor, they have evolved to be omnivores. This means that feeding your dog a purely raw meat-based diet can actually turn out to be quite harmful to them. Also, wolves in the wild tend to have a much shorter lifespan than dogs - only 6 years - and feeding dogs a healthy balanced diet has been seen to play a big role in increasing their lifespan. So we recommend you don't buy into the whole hoopla of feeding your dog a 'wolflike' diet, and instead, go for a diet that fulfills all the nutritional requirements needed by them.
15.
You Can Leave Your Dog In a Car With Slightly Rolled Down Windows No way! Dogs can suffer from really serious health conditions if they find themselves stuck in extreme temperatures - even if it's merely a few minutes in a raely hot or cold vehicle. You may think you're leaving them in for a quick run to the market, but things can quickly go from bad to worse if you find yourself stuck. In fact, some states have laws that allow cops to break into your car and rescue your dog if they find them stuck inside without an attendant. So it's a good idea to steer clear of such risky situations.
Remember, your dogs are pretty much like toddlers - as cute, and as helpless as well! So keep that in mind.
Dog Myths
16.
I Don't Have To Spay Or Neuter My Dog There have been several arguments and debates around whether you should be spaying or neutering your pet or not. Some people feel that it goes against their ethics and robs their pets of their freedom. However, several studies have come to the conclusion that spaying or neutering your pets is good for their overall health. Doing so has been shown to have a positive effect on their health especially in old age. Also, keep in mind that dog overpopulation is a serious issue, and several unwanted dogs are put down in shelters every day. If, however, you still have reservations about spaying or neutering your dogs, you should let your vet know and ask them about the possible options.
17.
You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks This idiom has been used quite widely, and not just literally for dogs, but for various situations in life. As a result, this idea has stuck around in people's heads, but it's not really true. Older dogs are perfectly capable of being trained and learning new tricks, even in their later years. While we do admit that older dogs may take longer than younger ones to learn and master a new trick, to say that they're completely incapable of learning something new is not only unfair but also factually incorrect. In fact, such myths discourage people from adopting older dogs, which is unfortunate. That's why it's high time we get our facts straight, isn't it?
( continued on page 19 . . . ) WINTER 2022
17
Yorktown Toyland Parade In the front row, Sophie, Shine and Sam. Second row (sort of), we have Charlie, Nina, Nellie, Bogey, Mojo, Onyx and then Benson and Oliver. In the back row, Emma, Brady (maybe) Cookie (in Susan’s arms) and Vinny and Gordy (sort of out of sight), then Callie and Max (again partially hidden), and finally Ranger.
. . . and we’re underway
Vinny & Jordy always turn out Mojo, Shine and Charlie
18
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
18. Mail Carriers And Dogs
Are Sworn Enemies
You may have seen your own dog barking crazily at your mail carrier, delivery person, and any other unfamiliar visitor. While this may appear to be a distressing situation, don't be alarmed - this behavior is usually because your pets feel the need to alert you the supposed leader of the pack - against any potential intrusions.
Honey Bee and her mom
So your dogs don't really have an agenda against your mail carrier, they're just doing their instinctive job! To diffuse the situation, it may be helpful if you introduce your dog to the people who regularly deliver goods and services to your house - this way they will see them as friends, and not as a potential threat.
19. Dogs Hate Cats To be honest, we kind of get why this myth came up in the first place - cats are independent, somewhat moody, and don't like their personal boundaries played around with. On the other hand, dogs are naturally quite curious. So, there definitely is potential for a personality clash there.
That’s Emma in front
But then again, cats and dogs can get along just fine - provided you introduce them to each other and socialize them properly. Of course, there may still be situations where your dog gets on your cat's nerves and vice versa, but those will be few and far between, and you can easily de-escalate them by distracting either of them.
20.
Rubbing A Dog's Nose In An Accident Will Prevent It Myths, myths everywhere! Some people think that rubbing their dog's nose after a pooping accident will help them remember never to repeat it in the future. Well, it doesn't work that way. If you rub your dog's nose this way after an oopsy, then your dog will most likely not understand what he's being punished for.
Onyx leads the way
In fact, this can even worsen the problem in the future by aggravating their behavior. A far more effective solution is to catch them red-handed in the act, and quickly redirect
them to the designated potty spot.
Dog Myths
Also, to remove all evidence, make sure to clean up the feces with a pet-friendly cleaner that removes any odor as well. This will prevent your dogs from coming back to that spot by following the smell.
21. Garlic Is A Great Remedy For Ticks Wrong! This myth has made several rounds on the internet lately, and it couldn't be further from the truth. Feeding your dogs garlic will do absolutely nothing to rid them of fleas and ticks. In fact, it can do way more harm than good. Garlic is also responsible for causing a condition in dogs that's called 'hemolytic anemia'. In this serious condition, the dog's body starts to attack its own red blood cells. Its treatment requires hospitalization for several days and blood transfusions. Granted, not all dogs will get affected by this condition by eating garlic, but why would you even want to take the chance?
22.
Dogs Can Get Infected With Common Cold Nope. While suffering from a bout or two of the common cold is a usual thing for most of us, dogs can't get infected with the common cold, because that virus doesn't have the mechanism to infect dogs. However, this in no way means that your dogs are invincible! Your furry babies can get infected with other viruses such as parvo or leptospirosis, and even bacterial infections such as pneumonia. But they won't be catching a common cold if they're cuddling next to you while you're down with the flu. So go on, hug and snuggle with them guilt-free - we're sure it will make you feel better!
23. Rescue Dogs Are A Bad Choice There are few things in the world that are
( continued on page 20 . . . ) WINTER 2022
19
as soul-satisfying as rescuing a dog in distress and raising them in a loving, caring home. So when we hear myths that assert that rescue dogs are a bad choice since we don't know their history, we're obligated to correct such beliefs.
Dog Myths
Raising a dog from a puppy doesn't really guarantee that they will turn out to be wellbehaved. In fact, there are several instances of dogs that were raised from newborns but still turned out aggressive, and there are also many rescue dogs that have turned out really sweet and nice. In fact, there are many rescues that have designed tests to help people gauge and test how the dogs will react to other people, food, children, etc.
24. Dogs Have Sweat Glands All Over As humans, we have sweat glands all over our bodies, and that's primarily how we cool off if we feel hot. However, it's not the same way for dogs. Instead of sweating, dogs mainly cool off by panting and letting the moist lining of their lungs to cool down. But this also doesn't mean that dogs have no sweat glands at all. But most of their sweat glands are located around their paws. Moreover, since panting is the main mode of cooling down, dogs who have poor air exchange such as pugs can actually end up suffering from heatstroke in hot and humid conditions.
25.
So it's best not to consider your fence as a magical fortress against infection-causing germs and parasites.
26. It's Ok To Give Ibuprofen To My Dog As a rule, never ever give human medication to your dogs by yourself, and even when it needs to be done, a veterinarian's consultation must always be taken. Medicines like ibuprofen can be quite fatal to dogs, and cause kidney and liver dysfunction and failure. In the rare instance when doctors do prescribe Tylenol or aspirin for any dogs, they do so in a very specific dosage. But even then, the risk of your dog overdosing on the medicines is very real. So do the wise thing and steer clear of any such medicines unless they have been specifically prescribed by your vet.
27. I Don't Need To Brush My Dog's Teeth It may feel a little weird to you when you're brushing your fur baby's teeth, but it's necessary for many reasons. Dental diseases have been known to cause widespread, systemic health problems in dogs, and bad teeth can also cause them a lot of discomfort and pain.
Others do it when they're just feeling bored, and others still eat grass to make their stomachs feel better. In fact, in some cases, dogs eat grass to make themselves throw up when they're feeling sick. So, as you can see, the reason could literally be anything, and we are yet to come across a scientific study that investigated this behavior.
29.
It's Not Necessary To Vaccinate My Dog We've seen some controversy surrounding the matter of vaccines lately., but vaccines have a solid track record spanning decades of their effectiveness and safety. Also, it's important to remember that conditions like rabies are a serious risk not just for dogs, but also for other humans. Not to forget, several US states require you to vaccinate your dogs by law, so there's no way around that either. Moreover, if you plan to make your dog stay at any dog boarding facility, then you will require your dog to be vaccinated for entry. Nevertheless, if you do have any queries about dog vaccines, feel free to discuss them with your vet to discuss the best way forward and to resolve them.
30. A Thick Fur Coat Will Fully Protect
My Dog In Winters
We're not outright calling this an incorrect statement - but it's half the story. It's true that dogs with a thicker fur coat such as a Siberian husky will fare better in the freezing winters than say a chihuahua. However, simply having thick fur doesn't guarantee perfect insulation from the merciless winter chill.
Dog Myths
My Backyard Fence Can Keep Heartworms Out
It's astounding to hear people say this "oh, I have a fully fenced yard, my dog is safe from any nasty worms". Your yard may be a great way to make sure your dog stays in, but it will do nothing to keep any worms or parasites out. Intestinal parasites live in the urine and feces of birds, squirrels, and even rabbits. So, these can easily make their way into your 20
yard, with your fence doing next to nothing to keep it out. In fact, some worms such as the whipworm can easily survive for up to 7 years in the soil!
Brushing your dog's teeth regularly will help prevent or slow down any dental condition that they might be suffering from. Plus, when you brush your dog's teeth regularly, you also get a chance to regularly check their mouth for any unwanted growth or tumors, so it's a great way of routinely inspecting their oral health as well.
28. Your Dog Eats Grass
For a Serious Reason
Nope, we don't really know for sure why some dogs enjoy eating grass. There have been a few possible reasons that have been speculated, though. Some dogs apparently do so because they simply enjoy the taste of grass.
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
It's important to remember that even dogs with thick fur coats have some areas that remain exposed - such as their paws, scrotum, and the very tips of their ears. These areas are especially at risk of frostbite since there's no protection there. While winters can be a fun season for your dogs. Make it a point to not expose them to extremely cold temperatures for too long.
Rainbow Bridge PJ
CHESTER AMBER
WOODY
MAX
SOPHIE
RUDEE
PJ
MAX
SOPHIE
We extend our deepest sympathy to Pauline and Jim O’Connell on the loss of their beloved PJ. Jim was a long time board member of SEVA GRREAT serving in various roles. PJ represented the rescue in many ways too including as a cover girl on GRREAT Times, two calendar appearances, and at many events. She was also part of the Paws to Read program. Here’s what Jim says about her: “We said “Goodbye” to our beloved PJ, a victim of a dreaded blood vessel cancer. She passed with almost no warning. Run free, PJ. We miss you and will also treasure our time together. Best dog ever - an amazing Therapy Dog career she leaves behind countless friends and fans.”
We extend our deepest sympathy to the Spivey family on the loss of their beloved Max on October 11. His mom says, “Max never met a human he didn’t love. He has blessed me and Tony with lots of love and laughter since adopted from SEVA GREAT 3 years ago.” In memory of Max, the Spiveys asked their friends to make a donation to SEVA GRREAT. We thank them for their thoughtful request.
We are so sorry to share that Sophie Knowles crossed the rainbow bridge last week. She was adopted from SEVA GRREAT in May of 2011. From her mom: “She was 12, but she was a perpetual puppy until the end. She loved squeaky toys, barking at the dogs walking by her window, and cuddling on the couch. Our hearts are broken, but we are so grateful she rescued us.” Sophie passed peacefully in her sleep after a brief illness. Her brother Buddy was waiting for her at the bridge.
CHESTER Chester (middle name: Mischief) passed away after 13 1/2 years. He was a great companion and a constant source of entertainment. His counter surfing was legendary as were his strong opinions on how many biscuits he deserved for any given occaision. He was a great neighborhood ambassador for large dogs and will be missed by the children in the neighborhood as well as our family. Chester was adopted in Aug 2010. –Mark Seelenbinder
WOODY This photo was from his 12th birthday. Woody adopted us on 8/13/2015 at the home of his foster mom, Di Hayes outside of Richmond. Thirty minutes after arriving in Virginia Beach our home became “the house of Woody “. Woody was the perfect golden in every way and we called him our “totally goldie”. He loved his backyard especially when it was cool and damp taking out his many toys and twitching his nose you could see through the back window. He enjoyed perfect health, even as a twelve year old, until early October. He crossed the rainbow bridge all too soon on October 12. Our thanks to Barbara Smith, home evaluator, Di Hayes , foster mom, and SEVA GRREAT for bringing Woody into our lives. Woody-we will always love you and you will always have a special place in our hearts. –Dennis and Cheryl Trahan
RUDEE Our hearts go out to the Leahy family on the loss of their precious boy, Rudee. In his mom’s words: “He was our gentle giant and 14. He gave us 11+ years of love and laughs. He will be terribly missed by the two boys he loved more than anything.” Rudee was adopted from SEVA GRREAT in November 2010. He had a long and happy life, but as we all know... there are NEVER enough years.
AMBER Amber’s family said goodbye to her this week after 9 years. She was adopted from SEVA GRREAT in December 2012. Even as a senior dog, Amber was a puppy at heart and left a huge hole in her family’s lives. As they all do. We offer our deepest sympathy to the MacGill family. Run free, Amber...
WINTER 2022
21
Contributions Ann Czompo Ryan & Susan Andrews Steven Rowe In honor of our wonderful Wyatt Jo Vance In appreciation of all the work you do for the beautiful Goldens Joanna Simonsen In memory of Mrs. Helen Noles Chris & Bill Porter In memory of Beverley Austin
Nancy Sezginalp In memory of Domino from Gemlik, Turkey
Dorothy Winn Merry Christmas from Dorothy, Carter & Saffron
Christina Price In honor of the Belands - for Christmas
James Radt
Danette Allen In memory of Jerry Allen
Rachel & Craig Joy In honor of Lilly & Remi Joy
Jill & Rich Hoehlein
Connie Brewer
Nancy Keller In memory of Molly - a neighbor’s dog
Sheila Biscak
Julie Hindman In honor of Louie & Nellie Mae
Mary Pat Harris
Susan Burton Ruth Rummel Laura & Rick Spink In memory of Haley and Buster Julie Mercer
Karen Whyte
Raymond & Mary Jo Neubauer
Janice Phillips
Marc & Jennifer Dauzier
Mary & Ron Matthews In memory of Misty
John & Pat Donaldson
Kathy Jens In honor of Bruno Carl Jackson bluewhaleoceana David Hatton In memory of Bev Austin, Annie and Hannah from Dave and Laura
Eugene Lynch Christine & Eric House In honor of Bill House and Hank & In memory of Bruin and Bailey Ms. Pat Rowen In memory of Deb Hubbard Allen & Martha Brantley In memory of Frisco & Annie
Rhonda King In memory of King King and Apollo
Cathy & Bay Rowe In honor of Toby & Cooper
Barry Barnes
Cynthia Merrix In honor of Ashley adopted in 2010 & Cooper adopted 2011
Diane Abdelnour In honor of Jenny and Charlie
Angela Schwartz
Christina Price A birthday gift for my niece, Kim Beland
Jada Aikman In memory of Rudee Leahy
AmyJo Duke In honor of the life of Beverley Austin
Richard Burton Given for Forever Fosters Annabelle, Yogi, Chewy, Dusty, Maxwell Strong and Daisy
Dorothy Kozak In memory of John Kozak
Lori Rudisill In memory of Helen Noles
Kathy Speece In loving memory of Max, a SEVA GRREAT Golden
John & Valerie Williams
Debra Anderson Mary Beth Long In memory of Amber MacGill
Elizabeth Kulnis Downes In honor of all the devoted volunteers who continue to save the Goldens from Turkey, shelters and pounds and from lives they do not deserve
Thaddeus Keyt In recognition of Debbie & Joey Morris for all they do for man’s best friend
Irene Heath
Janet White
Marilynn Zauner In memory of Amber
Judith Radt In honor of John Williams, Bob & Peg Graham, & the SEVA GRREAT volunteer coordinators who helped bring Honey into our home and hearts
Kristen Goldbach Judy & Dick Radt In appreciation for all that GRREAT does for Golden Retrievers and those that love them. Heartwell & Shirley Bradshaw Katie and Brian Patterson Barbara Talley Karen Luvaas In support of medical expenses/Archie & Sugar
Mary Garrett
Leslie Horton In memory of our beloved Golden Retriever, Colt Michelle Clary In memory of our Goldens, Tyler and Sadie Scott Locklear In memory of Henry Lisa Spenik In honor of Scout, Jack and Gracie
Nancy Tamse In honor of Finn Roggmann
Sharon & Journey Johnson In honor of Finn
Phyllis Belden In memory of PJ O’Connell
Cathy Heimer In honor of Benji, Rusty and Gus - our previous Golden boys
22
Bob & Peg Graham In memory of Harry Constance & Ray Sorrell
David & Tanya Niles
Miley Walker The Martin Agency The Martin Agency is pleased to match Janet White’s contribution. We wish your organization great success with your impressive efforts. Donna & Jack Roggmann In honor of our boy Finn and all the wonderful volunteers who work hard to make the rescue successful Gene Velez In honor of Max, Chandler & Benji Amber Stewart In honor of Ari - former China dog Ashley Jean Morgan In memory of our SEVA dog Murphy sweetest boy ever Mary Connell In memory of Fergie & Bailey Connell Marc & Pam Hines In honor of Kahuna Timothy Kosarsky Baron Miller Mark & Patricia Seelenbinder In memory of Chester Terry Sherman In memory of Riley and Ginger
Southeastern Virginia Golden Retriever Rescue, Education & Training, Inc.
Pamela Mondrey Stacy & Jackson Saville Donation from the sale of 133 custom bandanas made by Jackson Saville Jenny & Jacob Kay Jay Alexander & Mark Hampton In honor of Fran & DJ DeCicco
Kathy & Hank Kofron
Mary Ellis Bogden In memory of Beau
Jameson Gregg For all the Turkey dogs
Jeff Radt In honor of Richard and Judy Radt
Linda & Brian Thomson In honor of Nina & in memory of Jake, Sandpiper and Shea
Julie Horner In honor of Ross Knapp
Fidelty Charitable
Jill Colby Merry Christmas to SEVA GRREAT from Biscuit and his humans. We love and appreciate all the work you do to find wonderful homes for deserving Goldens. Thank you for caring for these special souls
Jim and Pauline O’Connell In memory of PJ O’Connell - the best therapy dog ever Jane & Jim Krom Harrison & Mary Owens In honor of Dottie Cleal Janice & Jay Miller
The
Susan Kenter Jan Hathcock Marciano Villamiel & Alan Rudnick Theresa Young This donation is given to help your Turkish rescue partners. Thanks for all you do to help these precious souls Madeleine Guerin In memory of Pax, Brandy, Sasha and Abby Tracy Minnich For all the wonderful Goldens that have been cared for by SEVA GRREAT and the ones still to come. Linda Shore In honor of Anna Shore Melissa Keown Carol Johnson
GOLD e
th
Alice Brown In memory of Blue
David Simmons In memory of Pamela E. Simmons, former GRREAT President
Pam Hines In memory of Kahuna
Sherry & Bill Peterson In memory of Leader and Teddy
Kristin Gingrich In memory of our babies, Laila and Bella, who passed away this year
Connie Brewer
Jacob Kay In memory of Helen Noles
Susan Stanitski
Mary Lou Calhoun In memory of George L. Harrerty, Tucker, Jenny & Maggie
Dr. G. William Whitehurst
Jakeeta Plumley In memory of Beverley Austin, Annie & Hannah
Sally Hall
Jeff Wesche In memory of Ginger
Fred & Kay Ashbrook In honor of Jazzie and In memory of Calli
Kathryn Carbone In memory of Helen “Bunny” Noles, a great human and Golden Retriever lover
Karen McCarthy
Mike & Patti Johnston
Susan Reynolds In honor of the Beland Family and pups
Mike and Johanna Sweeney In honor of Clare, our Irish Setter
Patricia Winters
Allegra & Brent Havens In honor of Rosie Mae
Mike Warren In memory of Maria B. Warren
Jim Kingsley
Stephanie Semmer
Go
Fund
ld
en O Do l die L ove
g
Teresa Thompson In honor of Janet White JoAnn Bauer Amy Finelli
Fu
Golden Oldie Love Dog Fund (GOLD Fund) is used for medical expenses, food, equipment, or adoption costs of rescued Golden Retrievers estimated to be ten years or older.
Angela Spain Michael Radt In honor of Honey and the Radt family of Charlottesville
n
d
Dave & Peggy Main
Dr. Eileen O’Donnell Winokur In memory of Kathleen O’Donnell Sharon O’Donnell In memory of Kathleen O’Donnell
MEMBERSHIP, DONATION & VOLUNTEER FORM Note: Membership is open to all persons 18 years or older.
SEVA GRREAT is a 501 (C)(3) organization • ALL DONATIONS & DUES ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE IN THE YEAR PAID
To Volunteer:
Please have the Coordinator in the following area/areas contact me:
Name: _____________________________________________
and volunteer here!
(Check appropriate boxes)
Address: ___________________________________________ City, State, Zip: _______________________________________
These are listed in the order of urgent need by SEVA GRREAT.
E-mail: _____________________________________________
FOSTERING — A temporary home for SEVA GRREAT dogs before they are adopted.
Home Phone: ________________________________________
HOME EVALUATION –– visits for foster/adoption applicants.
Work Phone: ________________________________________
TRANSPORTATION — primarily shuttling dogs and/or equipment as necessary. If you are interested in helping with transportation, can you help on:
This is a new membership Address Change
New Year New Memebership
ADDITIONAL VOTING MEMBERS: (E-mail needs to be unique to vote.)
(circle all that apply) Weekdays
Weekends
EVENTS — helping to hold/show dogs at events, helping with fund raisers, etc.
Name: _____________________________________________
PUBLICITY — researching and writing stories for media release and newsletters, selling ads for the newsletter, taking photos at events, updating the web site, etc.
E-mail: _____________________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________
MERCHANDISE — to man booths selling SEVA GRREAT stuff at local dog shows / fairs / festivals / etc.
E-mail: _____________________________________________ Name: _____________________________________________
If you are interested in assisting with intake, foster coordination, Golden Days or other areas on a regular basis, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator at volunteering@adoptagolden.com, for more information.
E-mail: _____________________________________________
REMITTANCE: I am enclosing my $25 annual membership dues
$ ___________
Additional Voting members _____ @ $25 each
$ ___________
Please make checks payable to:
Donation
$ ___________
1 Calendar = $12.00 (includes shipping)
$ ___________
TOTAL REMITTANCE
$ ___________
Mail this form with your check to: SEVA GRREAT PO Box 8014 Yorktown, VA 23693
MY DONATION IS FOR: In Honor of
In Memory of
REQUIRED FOR MEMBERSHIP:
Other
Evenings
SEVA GRREAT
Important Notice If you would like to become a member, please sign below. Otherwise, your remittance for annual membership must be considered a donation.
Date: __________________________________________________________________
I affirm that I have never been convicted of an animal abuse crime. Signature: ______________________________________________________________
SEVA GRREAT P.O. Box 8014 Yorktown, Va 23693
Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage
Paid
Williamsburg, Va 23185 Permit No. 220
Rescue Hotline 757-827-8561 Press For
1
If you think you have found one of our Goldens based on the SEVA GRREAT tag or microchip.
2 To leave a message for the President. 3 To give up a Golden Retriever or get more info on our intake process. 4
For Information on activities and events.
5
To check on the status of an adoption or foster application.
6
For all other questions.
National Dog Registry 1-800-NDR-DOGS Foster Dog Medical Care YORK VETERINARY CLINIC Yorktown – 757-898-3700 COOKE VET MEDICAL CENTER Chesapeake – 757-547-9421 QUIOCCASIN VET HOSPITAL Richmond – 804-741-3200 ANDERSON’S CORNER Toano – 757-566-2224 Midlothian Animal Clinic Midlothian – 804-794-2099 Bay Beach Veterinary Hospital Virginia Beach – 757-340-3913 GODSPEED ANIMAL CARE Williamsburg – 757-253-8199 SCOTT’S ADDITION ANIMAL HOSPITAL Richmond – 804-551-0519
Like us on facebook!
SEVA GRREAT Contact Information President Debra Morris Vice President Whitney Baker Treasurer Janie Carstens Secretary Sharon Leeman Event Coordinators: Southside: Jane Krom Peninsula: Michelle Smith Richmond: Jennifer Dauzier Microchip Coordinator Sharon Leeman Intake Coordinator Michelle Pfeiffer Foster Coordinator Jane Krom Adoption Coordinator Chris Walker Membership Jacob Kay Volunteer Coordinator Mimi Wormeley Medical Coordinator Beth Rodgers Merchandise Jennifer Dauzier Fundraising Linda Thomson GRREAT Times magazine Brad Miller
sevagrreatgoldens@gmail.com vice_president@adoptagolden.com treasurer@adoptagolden.com secretary@adoptagolden.com events@adoptagolden.com southside_events@adoptagolden.com peninsula_events@adoptagolden.com richmond_events@adoptagolden.com sevagrreatadoptions@yahoo.com intake@adoptagolden.com fostering@adoptagolden.com sevagrreatadoptions@yahoo.com membership@adoptagolden.com volunteersevagrreat@gmail.com medical@adoptagolden.com merchandise@adoptagolden.com fundraising@adoptagolden.com grreattimes@adoptagolden.com
Want to Reach Dog Lovers with Your Message? Advertise in GRREAT Times Magazine and Help Our Goldens.