Jake the Golden

This is a community project by Vail students in grades 2nd thru 5th. The project came about after the students met greyhounds and golden retrievers. Hear their voices and digital stories.

Pet Project: The Cottonwood Elementary School’s Through Our Eyes Project of Digital Stories titled “Our Voice, Our Eyes” will be presented Saturday, May 11 from 10 to 11:30 am, at the Loft Cinema, located at 3233 East Speedway Blvd.

The Through Our Eyes Project belongs to Vail students in grades 2 through 5. Each year a group of 10 students creates and completes a Service-Learning Project.

Everyone has a voice.

This is the goal of their group; to find their voice, and tell their stories. One student in the group reminded them that everything has a story and this includes animals. This was the start of their journey…to be the voice of rescued Greyhounds and Golden Retrievers. They decided to tell the dogs’ stories.

The students had the pleasure of meeting rescued Greyhounds from Arizona Greyhound Rescue, Golden Retrievers from Rescue a Golden of Arizona, and some dogs from Humane Society of Southern Arizona.

Each student will present a short video telling the story of a very special dog. The shared message of each story is to “Respect All.”  Some of us have to speak louder for those with a softer voice.

Photographs will be available for purchase at the theater. Donations of $5 will be accepted for admission to the Loft. 100% of the proceeds will be shared by Arizona Greyhound Rescue, Rescue a Golden of Arizona, and the Humane Society of Southern Arizona. These organizations are devoted to ensuring that animals are cared for, respected, honored, and valued. The students are grateful for the time, money and love given to these dogs by the volunteers and owners.

This will be a beautiful and special event to celebrate the voice, action, dedication, and art of our local youth. Please come out to support our young artists and local rescues by filling up the Loft Cinema.

paw prints to your heart

Who Am I?

A Poem by Scottie McGowan

I’m a dog who comes from a very good home
But now they are busy, and I’m often alone
They feel sorry for me for lack of attention
I need a new family with honorable mention

I’m a stray that somehow escaped from my yard
But no one came looking, so returning is hard
So frightened of what my future may hold
I must pretend that I’m very bold

I’m a dog whose family has met with hard times
Losing their home seems like such a crime
Now they must find another home for me
Oh my goodness, who will that be

I’m a dog who’s been sick and going through hell
But my family can’t afford to make me well
They did the best thing my future to ensure
They surrendered me with broken hearts to endure

I’m a dog in a cage, I know not why
Some people look but then pass me by
I need to get out ere something awful befalls me
My future is dim for as far as I see

I’m a senior dog who has somewhat slowed down
But I’ve a few good years left to play around
Let me show you how gentle and sweet I can be
Just give me some love and I’ll respond with glee

I’m a dog that has some special needs to bear
I’ve lost a leg, or I’m blind, or I sadly can’t hear
I need a special family with time and loving hearts
That won’t care at all if I’m missing some parts

will follow you anywhere

I’m a dog that chases a rabbit round the track
Then lives in a cage till everyone comes back
No loving, no petting, no family; just strife
My dream is for freedom to live a safe, loving life

I live in a place called a puppy mill
I’m so very tired, but there’s another litter still
Please rescue me and have me spayed
So I can be normal, teach me to run and play

I’m a dog that’s neglected or severely abused
They are done with me now, no longer amused
Kicked to the curb to reckon with fate
Please rescue me soon before it’s too late

Rescues all over have heard our pleas
They rallied volunteers like you to help me
Without your kindness many lives would end
But with heroes like you we are on the mend

Fosters have opened their homes and hearts
Not knowing at all what behaviors impart
They repair the damage and training’s the game
Some fall in love, so there we blissfully remain

To many who open their purses at will
To help with our care and huge vetting bills
Our volunteers couldn’t do it all without you
A lick and a play bow to humbly say, “Thank You!”

You generously give of your precious time
Without big concerns for earning a dime
Your reward is knowing that our lives you did save
“Blessings to you!” all we rescues do rave

Some dogs await at the Bridge feeling better
For their special person to greet them whenever
To be reunited and cross over together
To be side by side again, partners forever

There are so many more waiting to be found
That need good homes where love abounds
For available dogs check shelters and web sites
There’s one there for you to rescue tonight.

By Scottie McGowan
Rescue A Golden of Arizona
Southern Director, K9 Operations
February, 2013

Thank you to Scottie for sharing this special poem with Tucson Tails. If you use this poem in any way, please attribute credit to Scottie McGowan and provide a link to Rescue A Golden of AZ. Thank you

We’re par for the course

Celebrate your Golden

Annual Rescue A Golden of Arizona Tucson Celebrates 14 Years of Rescue with Bark in the Park Fundraiser

This year, RAGofAZ has rescued 152 dogs and has paid $109,650 in veterinarian fees.  RAGofAZ will not turn away a dog because of illness or injury.  Their success is attributed to generous contributors and a group of dedicated volunteers.

This day commemorates and celebrate the life of your special Golden

Date: Saturday, November 10
Place: Reid Park, Ramada 15, Tucson
Time: 11:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Special Guest: Charlie – the RAGofAZ 3,000th rescued dog

Featuring:
Dr. Randy D. Aronson, VMD & Geren T. Thurston, DVM – Veterinarians/Practice Owners of P.A.W.S. will be available to answer questions about holistic animal health.
—-
Mary Ketaily, Pet Communicator will answer a question about your Golden
—-
Jay Smith, Community Dog Training will answer a question about animal behavior
—-
Judy Lukas, Socks Judy with her spinning wheel to spin your Golden’s fur and crochet a bear (Wow!)
—-
Debbie Troudt, Photographer will be on hand to photograph you and/or your dogs

Schedule:
11 to 12:30—Registration & Picnic Lunch with burgers/hot dogs, salads, chips, soda/water, dessert

12:30–Rainbow Bridge Ceremony—share stories about your pet(s) who went to the bridge 2011 & 2012 and receive a framed picture of your pet

1:30–Rescue Ceremony—share stories about your Golden rescued in 2011 & 2012 and receive an embroidered bandana

2:30 – Rally O sport — winners receive a prize

3:00 — Raffle Drawing

Pre-registration available on the website

Preregistration is very important so they are able to purchase the correct amount of food and prepare the gifts for the Rainbow Bridge Ceremony and adopted Goldens . Pre-registration fee: age 11 and over–$8/per person; 10 & younger – no charge
Registration fee at the event: $15/per person

Join your fellow members and adopters at Ramada 15 in Reid Park reserved exclusively for us for this event. Street maps to the park and a map of the park will be available on RAGofAZ website.

All well behaved, leashed dogs are welcome! Please contact Scottie McGowan, Bark in the Park Chairperson, with any questions at scottiesgems@cox.net or 520-360-4414

About Rescue A Golden of Arizona
Rescue A Golden of Arizona is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that rescues displaced Golden Retrievers and places them, through adoption, in “forever” homes.  RAGofAZ has rescued more than 3,000 Golden Retrievers since it was founded in 1998 and covers the entire state of Arizona. For more information, visit their website at or find them on Facebook.