Golden Bond Rescue of Oregon, Inc.
Golden Retriever Rescue
For the Love of Goldens

A Tribute to Sweden

Eric Schuman and Lorn Folsom announce the passing of Sweden, the love of our lives for the past 11 years, on June 3, 2005. Sweden was placed with us by Golden Bond Rescue founder Jennifer Bondley, in March 1994. He was surrendered to Rescue by a 4-H family who had been raising him for Guide Dogs for the Blind, but he was unable to serve as a guide dog because of chronic skin problems. With the exception of his health, Sweden was the perfect dog in every possible way. He had no bad habits and learned whatever he was taught in little more than an afternoon. Sweden loved nearly every person and every dog he ever met.

He adored hiking and swimming in the mountains, running on the beach, chasing tennis balls, being loved by his family and anyone else who would share affection with him. The only dislikes he expressed were being banished to the back of a canopied truck (representing isolation from family) and a diet of rice and cottage cheese prescribed by a well meaning vet. He had a marvelous sense of humor and loved to make us laugh.

Sweden had a hard life and suffered much physical pain. He had four surgeries performed on his spine and was unable to walk normally after the age of 8. He suffered from chronic skin infections, and in the months prior to his death became deaf and developed eye ulcers. He never complained.

Sweden was featured on two Golden Bond calendars, including the cover in 2002 (picture to the right). We will miss him terribly. Our hearts go out to all volunteers and adopters who have lost a golden retriever.

Eric Schuman and Lorn Folsom

A Previous Feature Story on Sweden

13 months old when we adopted him in 1994, Sweden was one of Golden Bond's early success stories. Raised by a 4-H family for Guide Dogs for the Blind, Sweden was plagued by skin problems common to the breed and was to become what Guide Dog folks call a "career change." Sweden's first two years of life included eyelid surgery, plane trips to California for medical care, prescription shampoos, and months of antibiotics.

At the age of 5, Sweden developed sudden onset of near paralysis, which required 2 major back operations for spondylosis — a condition which caused nerve entrapment and threatened his ability to urinate, walk and survive. His dad spent three months sleeping on the couch downstairs while Sweden was allowed only in a 4x6 foot pen, and outside for brief trips to the front yard. Despite the odds, Sweden not only survived, but regained the ability to walk, fetch and run like other other dogs. A year following the surgery, unexplained episodes of bloody diarrhea took him to a gastroenterologist, and an eventual diagnosis of colitis due to food intolerance. Amazingly, prescription dog food containing 28% peanut husks seems to have done the trick.

Was it all worth it? When Sweden was first evaluated by Golden Bond volunteer Donna in 1994, she said, "In 17 years of working with Goldens, Sweden is the most eager to please animal I've ever met." You cannot imagine a more loving, devoted and gentle animal than this.

A skillful Portland neurosurgeon gave Sweden four additional years to hike in the mountains and chase tennis balls, but in 2001, arthritis overtook his spine. Neither surgery nor medicine could restore him to normal function. This year (2002), Sweden graces the cover of Golden Bond's calendar. Today, Sweden still smiles when he greets you, still loving his life and his family. But his days of hiking and chasing balls appear to be over. His family remains thankful for every day he enriches their lives. (Contributed by Eric)


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