Special Stories
A Love Story Straight from the Heart

Golden Bond always has touching stories, but this one is special!

Back in April, Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon received a call from the SW Washington Humane Society concerning an old, unneutered Golden in very bad shape, who was found as a stray and was to be put down if we couldn't take him. Wasting no time, Golden Bond responded to the call and found a very sweet old guy that age had taken its toll on and who was in desperate need of us.

The vet soon discovered this guy had an enlarged heart, lots of fleas, whipworm, and other health issues. Because of his heart, neutering was not an option, so all problems were dealt with and he was sent to his foster home with Pat Kemner for R & R. Pat quickly discovered he was pure gold and named him Nugget.

Shortly after, we were contacted again by the shelter and told that the owner, Ron, had shown up looking for his dog. So they put Golden Bond in touch with him and there was not doubt Nugget belonged to Ron and his children, and his name was Badger.

In the course of several phone conversations, we learned that Ron had been having some difficulties in his personal life and had asked a friend to keep Badger until he was able to take him back. When Ron called to check on Badger, he found that Badger had been picked up by dog control — and no one had told him. Ron was devastated, but he didn't have a job or place to live where he could keep Badger.

Golden Bond convinced Ron that Badger/Nugget was safe and in good hands. Badger had also incurred vet bills of over $400 which Ron was unable to pay because of his situation. So Pat fostered Nugget and Ron called weekly checking up on him and always saying, "Please give Badger a scratch behind the ears." Always a gentleman, always concerned about his dog, Badger.

Several weeks later Golden Bond received a call from Camas Rotary and they were calling in hope of getting Badger back for Ron and his children. Ron had been through a lot, losing his wife, job and home and they wanted the family to have their dog back, if possible. Rotary offered to pay the vet bill so that could happen. At this point, Ron and his two young children still didn't have a place where they could keep Badger, but he had just gotten a job and his church had a home that would be opening up soon, that the family could rent.

The day of reuniting the family with their beloved pet came in early June. Ron, his two children, Sierra and Jason, and two Golden Bond volunteers drove to Camas. The reunion was one of tears and joy. The family is together again, thanks to several agencies working together. They are now back on their feet and Badger is now home once again. All this, for a wonderful old guy named, Badger.

July 2004
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