The story goes that Good Samaritans said they found this stunning Golden Retriever and brought him to a kill shelter in Louisiana. He was wearing a collar with his name on it and was clearly someone's dog. Was Parker really a stray or was he this family's dog? Some folks say they found a dog when they no longer want them because owner turn-ins are the first to be euthanized when over-crowding occurs. Strays at least have a 5–14-day hold, which gives time for a rescue to step in and pull the dog. We at SGRR were more than happy to say YES to rescuing Parker!
Parker is a 2–3-year-old purebred Golden Retriever, who weighs approximately 60 lbs. He has been somewhat confused by his new surroundings and his gentle nature doesn’t understand why his family left him. Yet, even at the shelter, Parker's gentle nature shined as you can see in this video. Parker has all the traits that make this breed a national favorite and he is rebounding.
Melanie, the foster mom in the south, shared, "This handsome boy is well-mannered, intelligent, and has great charm. He is crate-trained, and house-trained, comes when called, and is very eager to please. He is good with other dogs and loves to play!! He loves playing with my 25 lb female dog, my neighbor's 12 lb Chihuahua and was fine with another neighbor’s 80 lb male Labrador Retriever. He takes correction immediately, looking to your eyes for direction. He will be easy to train, is patient, and gentle with everyone he meets. He jumps right in the car and either sits or lays down and enjoys the ride. We are using a harness for walks as he pulls some on the leash when being walked, just because he is so curious and wants to smell everything. He loves the nightly routine of being brushed by my husband, and I think my husband loves it just as much."
She continues, "This boy is a unicorn!! I have put my hand in his bowl while he was eating, taken toys away from him, and fed him treats without issue next to my dog. He's a perfect angel who has fallen from Heaven and is super suited to be a therapy dog. I do not say this lightly, as I know what is required of a therapy dog. I would be comfortable taking him to a hospital ICU unit, a school, or a nursing home. Just unbelievable! He is a gentle soul who seeks affection and approval. He nudges your hand for more pets and is quiet throughout the night. He is playful, loves meeting strangers, and has no interest in getting on furniture, although he is welcome to get on my sofa. Please move him soon, as we have fallen in love – as have my neighbors and anyone who meets him. If we were 10 years younger, he would not be leaving my side!" WOW! WOW! WOW!
Parker is now in a foster home in the northeast. They tell us, "Parker is a wonderful dog. He is sweet, affectionate and playful. He loves playing with our 1-year-old dog and gets along well with our 13-year-old senior. Playing ball is one of his favorite things to do and he is even starting to drop it on command. Car rides are another favorite, especially if it is to Dunkin Donuts where they hand out dog cookies, or to the park for a walk and a romp in the water."
What the foster family has found is that Parker prefers a quiet adult-only home without a lot of comings and goings. He needs to be spoken to gently, even if giving correction, which is barely needed with Parker. Parker is housebroken and runs to the door when he wants to go out. He eats dinner without issue with the other two dogs nearby, is not a chewer or a counter-surfer, and is not a terrible beggar.
He does bark when people come to the door, and sometimes when approached on a leash. He has played nicely with the neighbor's dogs. Parker is neutered, vaccinated, micro-chipped, and has completed treatment for heartworm.
Rescued dogs come with a range of needs - from behavioral to emotional to medical. When approved applicants adopt such dogs, they agree to become an important, forever part of their life journey by continuing the rehabilitation we have begun.
If you would like to be part of Parker's rescue story and are already approved to adopt through SGRR, please contact
Cheryl Kewley to be considered to adopt Parker.
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!
Parker.
