BIRDIE & BOGEY - EXTREME MAKEOVER, GOLDEN EDITION

Birdie & Bogey came into rescue through Ventura County Animal Services. Forever Friends has volunteers who constantly monitor the shelters for Golden Retrievers in need of care. When these two dogs were turned in to Animal Services, we were immediately notified and our volunteers were at the shelter to bring them into rescue. They were taken to a foster home and appointments were made for veterinary evaluations at Anza Animal Clinic, our veterinary services partner, the following morning.

Those examinations revealed that Birdie has a torn ACL in her right back leg, that Bogey is nearly 100% blind, and that both need dental care and suffer from ear infections. We haven't even mentioned their weight!! Birdie weighed in at 112 lbs. and Bogey at 109 lbs. Our vet won't even consider surgery for Birdie until she loses 60 lbs. Their fur was so matted it was painful for them to be touched, so their next appointment is for grooming.

The Transformation Began

They were taken to Paula’s and Veronica’s Bark Avenue grooming service in Ventura to be shaved.  It was the only way to relieve them of their discomfort.  Paula and Veronica’s Bark Avenue groomer is a partner with Forever Friends Golden Retriever Rescue and provides a free grooming for the rescue dogs we take in.  We truly appreciate the work they do with us.

July 10th Transition

Forever Friends Golden Retriever Rescue is dedicated to the concept of doing all possible to save and rehabilitate Goldens who need help.  Sometimes that means we need to ask other Golden rescues to take over when more help is needed than we can provide. This has happened with Birdie and Bogey.  We were able to rescue them from the shelter where they were  turned in when no one else stepped up to help, and we were able to get them their vet checks and initial grooming, but their physical needs are beyond the scope of our rescue.  They will both need long-term foster care, very expensive surgery, and rehabilitation. In the best interest of Bogey and Birdie we are working with Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary to see that they get the best care possible.  We are very much appreciative of the cooperative spirit of Homeward Bound to see that these Goldens have all their needs met and that they can look forward to happy lives. Thank you, Homeward Bound!

August Update

We learned that Birdie crossed over the Rainbow Bridge on August 11th. She had an aggressive cancer that was causing internal bleeding. it could have been hemangiosarcoma, which is the silent killer. It can result in death within 24 hours, usually due to a tumor in the heart. While she was at Homeward Bound, she won the hearts of everyone there.

Bogey has an honored place in the home of the Homeward Bound president and has proven to be quite a character, they say...a natural-born comic! He's enjoying a very good life and losing weight on schedule.