9 1/2 year-old Golden Retriever, Duke, needs a loving, caring family to provide him with the final place to rest his head as he enters hospice care. Duke deserves to be in a comfortable home as he seems to have been neglected, at least in his senior years. We are seeking either an adoptive home or a forever foster home for this sweet Golden boy.
Duke’s former owner contacted Sunshine last month to surrender Duke, when she learned of his probable cancer diagnosis and her upcoming move across the country. However, when Sunshine’s intake team reached out, she failed to respond. Weeks later we were contacted by the Hempstead Animal Shelter where Duke wound up after being entrusted to the care of the owner's good friend.
This friendly dog loves other dogs and is cat friendly too! Duke is more of a home body and does not thrill on riding in the car. He will spend most of his time by your side so Duke would do best with someone who is home most of the time and has the strength to help him with his mobility. He is a stocky boy, weighing about 77 lbs. He needs to move around so crating or confining him is not good for him. Like most dogs, he is not a fan of storms, although he is not destructive.
Hempstead Shelter provided Duke with much-needed vet care during his stay with them. This is what they had to share about this boy: Duke is a hospice case. He was diagnosed with severe spondylosis, (a degenerative spinal condition). We don’t feel it’s right to do a hundred tests on him. Honestly, when he arrived he was in horrible shape, unable to move or get up and we could tell he was not well. He has a huge mass on his scrotum but it’s on the outside and doesn’t affect any of his internal organs. Since putting him on arthritis meds he can sit up, slowly walk for a short walk, and come back inside although he gets tired quickly. He now has more pep to his step but he is not running anywhere.
Duke has been seen by our foster’s vet and will soon go on a low dose of thyroid medicine. He also is being treated for an ear infection and is taking meds for allergies which have caused black scaly patches on his skin. Duke's mobility has improved since leaving the shelter, although he often requires assistance getting up and can only manage minimal stairs, sometimes needing help. Despite his troubles, however, he has an amazing spirit! He loves toys, bones, treats and, s l o w and steady, he’ll go after a ball! He recently managed going down a short hill in his foster's backyard, and came back up again, then 2 steps onto the deck ... amazing!!
Duke grabs your heart because he is a happy old soul whose interest in life has not diminished. He does not feel sorry for himself, and he wants nothing more than to be with you and enjoy each day. Duke is a typical loving Golden who needs some kindness at this time of his life. Duke is currently in a foster home, and this special boy will be available for either adoption or a longer-term forever foster soon. If you are home most of the time and have an interest in giving Duke the love, care, and attention he deserves, please ask about him.
Rescued dogs come with a range of needs - from behavioral to emotional to medical. When approved applicants adopt such dogs, they agree to continue the rehabilitation we have begun.
If you are approved for adoption through SGRR, please contact
Mary for more information or to be a forever foster or to adopt this incredible dog.
If not yet approved for adoption, please visit our website to lean more and to submit an online application.
Click here to visit our website.
Please contact us with any questions regarding your application status.
PLEASE APPLY by submitting an application via this online link:
Click for Adoption Application
About Our Rescue
Before being approved to adopt, all potential adopters need to complete our online application and participate in our pre-adoption review process. The process includes the completion of an online application, a reference from the applicants' vet, a phone interview, and a visit to the applicants' home. The application process helps us determine what type of Golden would be best suited for the applicants' life style. In some cases, the specific dog you are interested in may have found a home before this process is complete or further assessment may find that this dog is not the right match for your family. We are regularly getting new Goldens in need of a home, so we encourage you to apply and get approved so that when the right dog comes along you will be ready.
The information provided on each dog is based on observations of our vets, volunteers, fosters and when available, trainers. While we do our best to report any and all issues, SGRR does not make any guarantees as to the health or temperament of any dog. Dogs evolve differently in different environments and we cannot predict with any certainty how the dog you adopt will act in your home.
SGRR ADOPTION FEES - Effective May 1, 2020 (subject to change)
$750 Puppy - up to 6 months
$650 Young 6 months - 6 years
$550 Senior 7 - 9 years
$450 Senior 10 years and older
$550 Young Special Needs
$400 Senior 7+ Special Needs
$1000 Young Bonded Pair
$900 Senior 7+ Bonded Pair
A contract is signed the day of adoption. Under the terms of the contract, all adopters are required to bring the rescue to a vet within 7 business days. The dogs receive basic veterinary care prior to adoption. If your vet identifies an illness that an adopter is not willing to treat, then the dog is returned and a full refund is provided.
Many of our dogs are fostered in private homes and we do not have a facility to visit. We are committed to our dogs before, during, and after adoption! The rescue retains title to the dog and can never be released or sold. Should the adopters no longer be able to keep the dog, SGRR must be notified so that we can take the dog back into rescue and place it into another home. We reserve the right to remove a dog at any time should we find the adopter is no longer caring for their Golden in a way we see fit. Adopters then have to agree to follow up visits as needed.
Please be a ray of light for this Sunshine dog and make a tax deductible donation toward medical and other expenses. Every cent of your generosity goes directly toward the care of a Sunshine dog.
Please click on the Donation link below to support SGRR!
Duke
