GOLDEN MOMENTS: Organization rescues mild-mannered retrievers

Anyone who has owned a Golden Retriever will talk endlessly of how special these dogs are.

The people at Rescue a Golden of Arizona, a volunteer organization that rescues abandoned, mistreated or unwanted Golden Retrievers, are dedicated to placing these dogs loving homes. More than 1,800 retrievers have been rescued since 1998, according to the organization’s Web site, www.golden-retriever.org.

“Golden Retrievers are the best family dog,” said Amy Petersmarck of Rancho Sahuarita, owner of 4-year-old retriever Ozzie. “We have a 20-month-old son, and Ozzie just kisses and loves him ... they’re just the most wonderful, mild-mannered dogs.”

The Petersmarck’s, who have owned several Goldens and have been active RAGofAZ members since the organization’s inception in 1998, adopted Ozzie after his former owner could no longer care for him. Retrievers are also rescued from dog pounds and shelters where they are at risk of being euthanized.

“Every shelter in the state knows to call us when they get a Golden,” said Petersmarck.

RAGofAZ has over 600 members, many of whom volunteer each month at public-awareness events around Arizona. PetSmart, Muttropolis an Bookmans have sponsored events in the past, and the organization has even made a name for itself at Arizona Diamondbacks games and the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix.

In December, volunteers and their four-legged-friends could be found each weekend at Barnes and Noble Bookstores in Tucson, wrapping Christmas gifts and bringing a little joy to stressed-out holiday shoppers.

Two of these volunteers, James and Joanne Anthony of Rancho Sahuarita, are fostering a 10-year-old retriever, Haystacks, through RAGofAZ’s Foster-With-Intent-To-Adopt program.

“He’s the biggest Marmaduke,” James said. “He’s an older dog, and nobody was interested in him. I knew as soon as we saw him we were coming home with another baby.”

The process to adopt from the organization is extensive. Prospective owners must be interviewed by the organization’s Evaluation Team and have their homes and yards inspected, Anthony said.

“It almost feels like you’re adopting a real child.”

Haystacks is the second retriever the Anthony’s have fostered through the program.

They were devastated when Slugger, who they fostered for 5 weeks last year, had to be put down due to cancer. RAGofAZ paid for all medical expenses — as they do with all foster dogs — and “did everything they could to save his life,” said Joanne.

“This is just a wonderful organization — they really care about these dogs, they become emotionally invested.”

For more information about volunteering and adopting with Rescue a Golden of Arizona, visit their Web site or send -mails to ragofaz@golden-retriever.org.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726