Beading Divas to the Rescue is proud to be sponsoring Rescue a Golden of AZ (RAGofAZ) for January 2013. Here is one of their stories written by a volunteer:
Harley’s Heroes
Harley’s story begins with an email received on a Friday morning from our Shelter Walker Team Coordinator, Ed Karsten, about a sick Golden at the Casa Grande Pinal Shelter. Harley was listed as “sick” on the Pinal County Shelter list. Ed contacted the Shelter early that Friday morning and they agreed to release Harley to RAGofAZ as a “medical foster” so we could provide the medical attention he needed. Harley had growths on the outside of his throat and was not eating.
Harley, 10 years old, was abandoned by his owner at a Circle K. He walked up to a customer who was standing in front of the Circle K and asked if he would hold onto his dog while he ran in to pick up something. The owner walked in the front door and went right out the back – never coming back for his 4- legged friend. The customer surrendered Harley to the Pinal County Shelter on Wednesday September 27, 2012.
By 11AM on Friday we had two Transport Team volunteers en route to Casa Grande to pick up Harley.
By 3PM on Friday Harley was met at the vet clinic by our Vet Care Liaison and Vet Care Coordinator. Harley had a broken tooth, very red gums, malnourished, matted hair and very large tumor-like growths on his body. It was a Friday evening, so the decision was to board him at the vet for further evaluation and treatment.
On Saturday morning, after viewing the x-rays, the examining vet determined that Harley had a large tumor on his lungs and advanced Valley Fever. His recommendation was to euthanize.
At 1PM on Saturday afternoon, the Vet Care Liaison, Vet Care Coordinator, and our Director of Golden Operations gathered around Harley and whispered loving words in his ear. This wonderful boy is no longer in any pain. A beautiful soul became an angel that day.
Harley’s Heroes:
–Ed Karsten
–Norm Fee
–Orlando Baker
–Nancy Baker
–Kay Fee
Do we wish we could have made a difference in Harley’s life? You bet… If only we could have gotten him sooner, before the tumor grew to the size it did. Yet, we know he passed away in the loving arms of 3 people who loved him and knew what a great companion he was.
It’s our policy, whenever possible, to not let a dog go to the Rainbow Bridge without first being adopted. The Vet Care Coordinator, Nancy Baker and her husband became Harley’s adopted family before she helped him to the Bridge.
This is a shining example of what rescue groups do. Kudos to Rescue a Golden of AZ for sharing this touching story and the work they do for Golden Retriever rescue.
You can help them out by making a donation to their group or buying some bracelets. All bracelets are one-of-kind and made with donated beads. Bracelets cost $20 and the entire $20 is given to the group. Cash and checks made payable to RAGofAZ are accepted. (Sorry no credit cards.)
You can buy bracelets locally in Tucson at:
–Silver Sea Jewelry & Gifts, 330 N. 4th Avenue, 624-9954
–Clues Unlimited Mystery Book Store, 3146 E. Fort. Lowell Road (SE corner Country Club), 326-8533 (closed Sun/Mon)
-A K Jensen Apparel, (St. Philips Plaza), 4280 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 212, 529-2775
If you order online, add $5.50 for S & H. International orders, add $7.50. Orders are usually shipped within 2 to 3 days. More bracelets will be added online after January 7.
