TASHA #320
A VERY PROUD LADY
 
Tasha was somewhere around thirteen years old, no one really knew for sure, when Golden Bond Rescue took her in on a sunny and warm October day of last year. I had received a call from a men's drug and alcohol rehab home in Vancouver, WA that a new agency had taken over the home and the edict was, "Get rid of the dog!"
 
I pulled up to the home to find a very proud lady sitting outside on the grass surveying her domain. I don't think I had ever seen such a regal Golden, head held high with white face looking out at me. I parked the car and walked up to the home to be greeted by her. When several men came out, I was introduced to Tasha. Little did I know then, what a wonderful relationship had just begun.
I was given few possessions and meds and Tasha was lifted into the back of my suburban for the ride home. And home it would become even though I didn't realize it at the time. Of course my four retrievers were very curious who this old lady was but all gave her the space she needed. Tasha fit in easily with my crew and it was obvious that this was more comfort than she had had in a long time. Tasha had a few bathroom problems so was made to stay outside as much as possible at the home.
 
Because of her medical problems it became obvious that Tasha would become a permanent foster and this was the home in which it would be. We were now five retrievers but she fit in well as we already had Princess Sarah, and now we had Queen Tasha. She was a feisty girl who could barely walk a straight line but when it was obvious the dogs were going for a walk, she had her burst of energy and ran for the door to join the others. She quickly maneuvered the walkway in and out of the car. Coming out she literally threw herself down the plank and you had better be there to catch her.
 
As the months progressed, Tasha still had her bursts of energy to head out the door but her walking slowed considerably, she still insisted on going. We couldn't deny her that great pleasure to be one of the crew.
 
Tasha continued to slow down and became reluctant to get up to take even the shortest walk. Now we would take her to the car and lift her in and out or would just let her sit in the back while we worked in the yard. She loved the car as she loved being part of a family of retrievers even if they weren't going anywhere.
The sad day came last Saturday, May 31st,2003. She had her final "lift" into the back of my suburban and off we went to Canyon Pet Hospital. Susan Irwin and I said our final good-byes knowing what a special gift she was and what a privilege it had been to be her permanent foster home.
 
She was a lady, a queen, a friend all wrapped into one special Golden Retriever. She will be remembered for a lifetime. Thank you Golden Bond for allowing me to be her foster home, what a privilege!
Your mom,Patsy
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