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Saturday, Dec. 5th

10 AM - 5 PM

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AZGRC's Holiday Cactus Is LIVE!

It’s Time For AZGRC’s Annual Holiday Fundraiser, The Gift of Rescue!

This year the Gift of Rescue focuses on our Goldens in Need, many of whom are rescued out of the shelters.  Let's light up the virtual Holiday Cactus with gifts as tributes to these dogs, other loved ones and friends.

The first 50 donations of $100 or more will receive a beautiful ornament commemorating the Gift of Rescue.

CLICK HERE for more information.    CLICK HERE to donate.   Happy Holidays from AZGRC!

HOLIDAY SHOPPING - AZGRC STYLE

For great holiday gift ideas openwww.azgrc.org and browse through theAZGRC SHOPS. From fine wines to custom candles to great novelty gifts, AZGRC SHOPS has something for everyone on your holiday gift-giving list. And don't forget to shop at  AZGRC receives a percentage of your purchases when you shop Amazon's charity webpage.  If you have not shopped amazon smileyet, go towww.azgrc.org and click on the amazon smile logo in the left side of the home page. HAPPY SHOPPING!

Don't Forget One Day Only Fundraiser for Emma

A FUNDRAISER FOR EMMA Tuesday, November 10th   In June 2015, AZGRC partnered with Three Scoops of Vanilla for a one day only, online fundraiser jewelry sale to help with medical expenses for Della, our Taiwan girl with the deformed paw.   Due to the popularity and success of this online fundraiser,AZGRC and Three Scoops of Vanilla will hold a similar event for Emma, a very sweet senior girl who needed extensive medical attention to help her recover from a life of severe neglect and abuse. Emma has had several teeth removed and just recently underwent more surgery to remove her spleen.  Fortunately, the spot on her spleen turned out to be a benign hematoma and Emma is expected to make a full recovery. Three Scoops of Vanilla is offering two ways in which funds will be donated back to AZGRC from purchases made on its website on November 10th.  First Option:  The company will donate $15 back to AZGRC for the purchase of the featured bracelet, which costs $45.  NOTE: The bracelet will be added to the Three Scoops of Vanilla website on the day of the fundraiser. Second Option: Three Scoops of Vanilla will donate 25% of all purchases of any other items on the day of the online fundraiser. For more details about this one day online fundraiser, click HELP EMMA

GOTCHA DAY CELEBRATION
	Date	Saturday, November 7th, 2015
	Time	10 AM - 1 PMAnnual Meeting will be held during the event.
	Location	RAMADA 3 Vista del Camino Park 7700 E. Roosevelt Street(West of Hayden and Roosevelt Turn onto Pierce Street by the Salt Cellar Restaurant) Scottsdale, AZ  85257 Directions
On Saturday, November 7th, AZGRC members will gather together to celebrate our 15thanniversary of rescuing wonderful Goldens!  It's a day of great fun, good friends, delicious food, awesome raffle baskets, boutique shopping, and games for four-legged and two-legged participants! We will meet at Vista Del Camino Park, Ramada 3 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and AZGRC's annual meeting will be held at 12:30 PM.  All AZGRC members are invited to attend. AZGRC has selected a local charity organization to recognize as a way of "Goldens Giving Back" to our community.  Our charity again this year is P.E.T. (Pets Eat Too) Pantry.  P.E.T. Pantry provides pet food and information to clients of Vista del Camino Food Bank in Scottsdale, Arizona and assists people in caring for their pets during times of financial crisis.  Please help this great charity by bringing a bag of dog or cat food to Gotcha Day! Please RSVP by Thursday, November 5th by calling 602-870-0037 or emailingevents@azgrc.org. Please use "Gotcha Day" as the subject line for the email and be sure to include the number of people and pups attending. For more details, watch your mail for the Gotcha Day postcard. AZGRC will provide food and beverages. Lawn chairs suggested.

Spooky Halloween

Halloween can be a fun event for families and their pets. However, if safety precautions are not taken, it can also be a hazardous time for our four-legged companions. Here are some practical yet potentially life-saving tips that can help protect your pets on Halloween.

1. Dangerous Pet Costumes

Never leave a pet unattended while wearing a costume. Small (or large) parts of a costume can become chewed and ingested and can in turn potentially lead to foreign body ingestion which can be life threatening to your pet.

2. Halloween Decorations and Fire Hazards

If you like to decorate your home in the Halloween spirit, take into consideration what you're putting on display and where the decorations will be placed. Easy-to-reach decorations — or candles — can be eaten or knocked over, potentially leading to choking, foreign body ingestion, electrical shock and even burns and a household fire.

Err on the side of caution while decorating and choose pet-safe products.

3. Noise Affects Pets

Dogs and cats can become skittish and anxiety ridden on Halloween due to the incessant ringing of the doorbell, constant squeals and chatter just outside the door, and small fireworks set off in the street.

In addition, the barrage of strangers dressed in unfamiliar and scary costumes can alarm some pets, increasing their anxiety. Take extra precaution on Halloween: gauge your pet's typical reaction while greeting visitors and decide if putting up a baby gate or leaving your dog or cat in a back room of the house would keep them calmer throughout the evening.

4. Candy and Chocolate Are Toxic

Candy and chocolate are never good for dogs or cats and on Halloween there is an increased chance that Fluffy and Fido may consume treats meant for tricksters.

·        Chocolate and xylitol, a sweetener found in many candies, can be extremely toxic to pets.

·        Lollipops and their sticks can be choking hazards and cause a painful obstruction or foreign body ingestion that may require surgery to remove.

·        Candies wrapped in plastic and other types of wrapping can also lead to chocking or cause an obstruction and upset stomach. 

5. Lost Pets

Halloween isn't an ideal time to let your dog or cat wander outside unattended. While there aren't any documented reports or statistics to indicate that pet abduction increases on Halloween, be mindful that a prankster or a mean-spirited individual could be inspired to mess with your pet.

Take caution and keep pets indoors with you, or escort them outside on a leash if you plan on including your pet in neighborhood festivities. Sudden noises and strange-looking costumes can also spook your pet, causing them to run away, therefore, it’s always a good idea to adorn your pet with a collar and identification tags in case you become separated.

If you dog is not micro-chipped, make sure they have their collar and ID tags. 

Please share what you do to keep your dog safe on Halloween!

The Benefits of Canned Pumpkin for Your Pet by Nancy Kay, DVM

Jack-o-lanterns, Halloween decorations, Thanksgiving, and pumpkin pie! This is certainly the pumpkin season. But, do you know that pumpkins can be important year-round for some pets? Canned pumpkin is a commonly prescribed dietary additive for some gastrointestinal maladies. From diarrhea to constipation, pumpkin can be a dog’s (or cat’s) best friend.

What is canned pumpkin?

Canned pumpkin recommended by veterinarians is nothing more than pumpkin that has been pureed. It is a source of fiber that is low in fat and cholesterol. When purchasing canned pumpkin at the grocery store it is important to read the label carefully. Pie filling canned pumpkin has added ingredients such as sugar, fat, and various seasonings. It is the pure pumpkin product that veterinarians recommend.

 

How can pumpkin help?

Canned pumpkin can provide a number of health benefits based primarily on its fiber content. Be forewarned that canned pumpkin is mostly water, to the tune of approximately 90%. This means that the content of fiber (not nearly as much as is found in Metamucil).

Pumpkin isn’t a be-all and end-all remedy for cats and dogs with gastrointestinal issues, but it is a reasonably harmless thing to try. If this has you thinking, “Hmm, maybe I’ll give canned pumpkin a try,” I urge you to consult with your veterinarian before doing so. In some cases, added fiber could cause more harm than good. All this being said, canned pumpkin does seem to make a significant difference for some animals in the following ways:

• Diarrhea: Fiber can act as a sponge that absorbs excess water within the gastrointestinal tract. Diarrhea has a myriad of causes, and added dietary fiber can benefit some of them.
• Constipation: When there isn’t excess water in the gastrointestinal tract, fiber can help draw in water and ease stool passage. Fiber can also create bulk within the colon that helps alleviate constipation for some animals.
• Weight loss: Pumpkin provides a relatively low calorie way to give an animal the sense of a full stomach. This can make the reduction of overall food quantity more tolerable for the dieting animal.

·         Hairballs: Canned pumpkin can benefit some cats who suffer from hairballs. The fiber content helps move things along within the gastrointestinal tract. Be reminded that, only rarely are hairballs the true cause of vomiting in kitties.

 

How much pumpkin should you feed?

The amount of canned pumpkin needed to provide benefit will vary from pet to pet. For example, a Chihuahua may require only a teaspoon per meal whereas a half cup may be required for a Great Dane. As with any dietary additive, it’s best to start small and then work your way up to the appropriate amount. Some animals, particularly those of the feline persuasion, don’t much care for this different tasting orange substance in their food bowl- another reason to begin with only a small amount that is more readily disguised.

If you are feeding your pet only a small amount of pumpkin daily, you may not use an entire can before it spoils. Consider placing the pumpkin in ice cube trays and freezing. Blocks can then be thawed as needed.

Questions for your veterinarian

·         Might my pet benefit from the addition of canned pumpkin?

·         How much canned pumpkin should I feed and how frequently?

·        What should I be watching for once the pumpkin is started?

Do you feed your pets canned pumpkin and have you found it beneficial?

We all know the dryer eats socks..................

Animals Eat the Craziest Things! by Nancy Kay, DVM Golf balls retrieved from Zeus’s stomach Every year Veterinary Practice News (VPN) holds its, “They Ate What?” Contest. Here’s how it works. Veterinarians submit X-rays of patients who have eaten highly inappropriate things along with photos of the foreign matter once it’s been removed. The VPN editorial staff judges the submissions for originality. The prizes- $1,500 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place- are sponsored by Trupanion pet insurance. This year’s grand prizewinner was Dr. Gordon Schumucker of Lisbon Veterinary Clinic in Lisbon, Ohio. His patient Zeus, a one-year-old Doberman Pinscher, was examined because of vomiting. An X-ray revealed 20 round, foreign objects within the dog’s stomach. During surgery 20 golf balls were retrieved. Zeus was reported to have access to a driving range. Second place went to Dr. Mike Jones of Woodland West Animal Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He removed the end of a fishing pole from the esophagus and stomach of a ten-week-old puppy. Yikes! The third place winner was Dr. Theresa Taylor of Cherryville Animal Hospital in Cherryville, North Carolina. She examined a six-month-old Labrador Retriever because of vomiting and lethargy. Her X-rays revealed a metallic foreign body within the dog’s bowel. At the time of surgery, she discovered that this youngster had eaten a door hinge. After surgery, it’s reported that the mouthy puppy attempted to eat the wrap securing his intravenous catheter along with the plastic line connected to his intravenous fluids. Why do I think this puppy is in store for a lifetime of surgeries? Some of the other reported foreign bodies included an animal’s collar, a studded belt, coins, a rock, a spoon, and a large bunch of hair ties. All of the stories had happy endings with one exception. After a python was “away from the house” for a week or so its owner requested an X-ray to determine what his pet ingested while MIA. The X-ray revealed a bejeweled collar within the snake’s intestinal tract. It turns out that a neighbor’s Siamese kitty disappeared right around that same time. It was reported that the snake owner fessed up and purchased another cat for his neighbor. What’s the craziest thing your pet ever ate?

Annual AZGRC Membership Drive

 

 

Please go to: http://www.azgrc.org/getInvolved/membership.html 

We would love to see you again. 2016 will be an exciting year and we want you to be a part of it. We would like to thank you for your participation and ask for your continued support of AZGRC by renewing your membership.

GET INVITATIONS TO "MEMBERS ONLY" EVENTS!
Your membership will give you an instant invitation to all of our events ,Gotcha Day, and more! It's a definite must see, and for members only! We're also organizing special members only "Golden Gatherings" throughout the Valley, where we can get together and share the joy all of our Golden Retrievers give to us. You'll also receive a copy of our monthly e-newsletter, full of Golden high-lights and tales. It's going to be an exciting year and we can't wait to share it with you.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
As a member, you will be supporting our continued mission to find safe, loving, and permanent homes for our rescued Golden Retrievers! Unfortunately, most pets, including Golden Retrievers are often abandoned due to health concerns. Almost every Golden we rescue needs medical attention of some kind, whether it's vaccinations, a spay or neuter, tick or valley fever medicine, cancer removal, or more. Your membership fee goes directly to ensuring the health and well being of every Golden we rescue. Thanks to all of our members support, we've been able to house more than 100 Golden Retrievers a year!

SPREAD THE LOVE!
Many of our members first joined the Arizona Golden Retriever Connection by adopting a rescued Golden from us. Can you ever repay the joy that your rescued golden brings to you and your family each and every day?  By becoming a member, you help us spread the Golden love and give another family just like yours the opportunity to find their next Golden companion.  

By becoming a member of AZGRC, you automatically agree to our terms and conditions.

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DO NOT FORGET TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE GOLDEN

VOTE FOR YOUR FAV GOLDEN!

  

Voting is underway for the top six Goldens whose photos will appear on the bottle labels of AZGRC's Forever Golden Estate Winery Wines.

Hi! Julee and Welsie here again. Be sure to cast your votes for the Goldens of your choice.  

Voting ends at 9 PM Arizona Time on Saturday, August 22nd.

 

 VOTE TODAY!

How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer

How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Summer

By Colleen Oakley

WebMD Pet Health Feature Reviewed by Amy Flowers, DVM

Ready for a summertime game of catch with your favorite four-legged friend? Not so fast. If you're feeling the heat, you can bet your dog is, too. And for him, overheating can be dangerous. Follow these tips to keep him cool during the dog days of summer.

"Heatstroke is by far the greatest concern," says Andrea Hilden, DVM, a veterinarian with Animal Care Center of Green Valley in Arizona. A Hebrew University study found that 50% of dogs with heatstroke won't survive.

Also known as hyperthermia, heatstroke happens when a dog's body temperature rises above the average 102.5 F and can't be controlled by normal cooling processes, like panting. Warning signs include fatigue, vomiting, diarrhea, and, at the worst, confusion and seizures. Here's how to keep your dog cool and healthy all summer long (and even get in a few games of outdoor catch).

Follow Fido's lead. "The No. 1 sign that a dog's core temperature is getting too high is fatigue," Hilden says. "If you're out for a hike with your dog on a hot day and he's searching for every shady spot to lie down in, turn around and carry him home." If you’re worried that he’s overheated, you can use a rectal thermometer to check his temperature when you get home, she adds.

Don't let the temperature fool you. Dogs can get too hot in weather as low as 80 degrees. Add in humidity and exercise and it could be a recipe for disaster. "If you can't comfortably sit outside for an extended period of time, then don't let your dog do it, either," Hilden says.

Remember.....if it is too hot for you to be barefoot, it is too hot for your 4-legged friends. 

ANOTHER WAY TO HELP SUPPORT AZGRC

SUPPORT AZGRC WHEN YOU SHOP AT FRY'S FOOD STORES

 

  Did you know you can help provide much needed funds to

AZGRC  just by shopping at Fry's? It's easy when you enroll in Fry's Community Rewards program.

All you have to do to get started is go online atwww.fryscommunityrewards.com.

You will be asked to create a Fry's V.I.P online account if you do not already have one.  There's no charge and it takes just a few minutes.   Once that's done you can choose an organization.  Just key in Arizona Golden Retriever Connection  to locate our number.  

Then, every time you shop at Fry's and use your V.I.P Card you will earn dollars for AZGRC!

                     

                       So, sign up today!

We all thank you!!!!

4th of July Brings Fireworks and BBQ-Please remember our furry friends need extra help.

Hi, my name is Bobbie and I want to share some past memories of 4^th of July. As you can see by the picture above, I use to party in the bathtub. It was the place I go when anxious and upset. All that loud shooting and fireworks bother my sensitive ears. I also do not like cameras, flashing lights or ceiling fans, but that is another story.  It took me awhile, but I have finally trained my mom to help me during these trying times. Thunder shirts (http://www.thundershirt.com/) are really soothing. Rescue Remedy is really great!! She also keeps me inside and the curtains closed. Sometimes she turns up the volume on the TV or radio. I get to sit in her lap and get extra hugs.

Some other things you can do are:

·        Keep all your pets inside and make sure the doors and windows are closed.
·        All your furry friends should be micro-chipped and have the collar with ID on.
·        This might be a good time for a frosty treat or a kong treat to keep them        occupied…or even better a new toy!
·        You may check with your vet if these things do not work and there may be medication to help calm your furry friend during this time.

• Keep an updated photo of your dog. 

 These are also good ideas for the Arizona monsoon season….lightning and thunder can also be very troubling. There are many lost and runaway dogs in the shelters the day after July 4th. Remember stay safe and beg for Frosty Paws!!  

Special Fund Raiser for Della

On June 23rd we are hosting an online fundraiser to help Della get her new prosthetic paw. This custom bracelet is available only for this one day event. 

$15.00 of the purchase price of this bracelet helps Della. 

25% of all other items on the website will also help Della. Check out this beautiful jewelry at www.threescoopsofvanilla.com 

BUT please wait until June 23rd to order.

There are many special items at this site and I know you will have fun scoping out the goodies, but please wait to order until June 23rd. AZGRC will receive 25%on all items ordered from the website and if you order the bracelet, we will receive $15.00. 

This bracelet can only be seen on the website June 23rd.

IMPORTANT ORDERING INFORMATION:  When measuring your wrist for bracelets, please measure as the video describes athttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kZkaRJQS5U.

This will ensure the correct fit for the bracelet; otherwise it will not fit snugly. 

**Be sure to include your wrist size, which is the circumference of your wrist in inches, not your bracelet size.  Your EXACT wrist circumference is needed so do not add the extra ½ inch like the video suggests.

Let’s make the event a success and change Della’s world! Thank you for your support.