GRIN tries to make every effort to keep this page current and up to date. Please keep in mind that by the time you submit an application and are going through the approval process, some of dogs pictured below may already be in the process of meeting and being adopted by other approved applicants.

The average ages of our rescued Goldens are 6-10 years of age, however GRIN does occasionally receive younger dogs that are in need of a home.  If you are interested in adopting a young dog, please do not wait until you see one on our website to apply for adoption.  Our approval process takes approximately 2-4 weeks to complete and by the time you have been approved for adoption, the younger dog will have already been placed into a loving home. Please start the application process now so that you can be on a waiting list for when GRIN does have younger dogs available.

Lulu Belle - 23091

On Hold!  Update & New Photos!
 
Gender: Female  Age:  1.5 years old

 My Special Sponsors:

Available for sponsorship!

fenceNeeds to have a fenced environment and would benefit from obedience training. schoolbus

Lulu Belle came to us from an owner who took very good care of her and was very sad to let her go. Unfortunately, her medical bills leading to a diagnosis were mounting and he was no longer able to afford to care for her.    She is Lyme positive, has a possible liver shunt, will require a specialist consultation, and a CT scan. She is good with kids, dogs, and cats. We know she is a sweet, cuddly, snuggly dog, we just have to figure out her possible medical problems and treatment or maintenance plan. We have secured a foster well versed in medical dogs and can provide her the best care. Stay tuned for her updates.

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Foster Update: 4/3/24

Hi Hoomans!  It’s time to pass on a little update!  So, my foster mom and I headed to Michigan State on February 7th.  On February 8th I had my surgery to hopefully repair my shunt.  Well of course I had to give them some surprises!  First off, I had eaten something that had been rolling around in my stomach for who knows how long, it was a little bigger than a quarter, about a 1/8-inch-thick, hard, and even my foster mom could not identify it.  They suspect it may be a nut shell the squirrels brought in the yard?  Anyhoo, they didn’t want to take any chances, so they removed it.  That was the easy part.  My shunt on the other hand was another story.  Not only was there the main shunt that was seen on the CT scan, but there were also 3 smaller branches as well.  My portal vein and vena cava were also running parallel with each other, instead of being more like a T.  The veterinarians were not sure if any of those 3 could be constricted without causing hypertension, which is when you pinch off the vessel it angers the intestines disrupting the blood flow, and therefore causing other medical problems such as not eating, weakness, disorientation, & possible seizures.  So, they knew they needed to address the main one in which they placed what is called a cellophane band.  It will collect fibrous tissue over time, closing the shunt.  It needs to happen slowly as it pushes blood back to the liver opening up all those little vessels.  While they were in there they tested those other 3 smaller vessels, in which they got little to no response from.  Rather than take more of a risk of causing portal hypertension, they marked the vessels with non-absorbable suture.  I am to go back to MSU in June for another CT scan.  This will tell them if anything is developing with the other branches and if the main one with the band is closing off.  If for some reason they have to go back in, the vessels are marked and easier to find.  I stayed in the hospital until February 12.  My foster mom and brother came to get me so someone could keep an eye on me coming home!  I ended up wearing my cone for a month because I had to give everyone another scare when my incision became infected.  Infection is not a good word for me as I can’t fight it off very well at this time.  So, a culture was done and another trip to MSU for a check.  I dodged a bullet and came home with only a spray to use on my incision 2-4 times a day.  It was magic!  I saw Dr. Chambers for a follow up on March 5 & he did a bile acid test to see how my liver function was doing, I think my numbers were cut in half, but still have a way to go!  Everyone is happy and I’m feeling better, eating like a champ and still taking meds.  I was put on a seizure meds as a precaution, that is the first one that I will be weaned off of. It’s going to be a slow process, but slow and steady wins the race, right?!  I will get more bloodwork done in May.  So, I am finally getting back to a routine with foster sibs.  Spring is coming and I am ready for lots of fresh air and sunshine!  Hopefully our next update will have more good news!  Thank you for all your prayers!  Paws crossed!  Until then, woof!

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Foster Update: 1/29/24

Hi Hoomans! 

I was asked to give an update on how things have been going!  We finally got some snow and I have had a blast!  I love doing race dog in the morning when my foster mom lets me and my foster brother and sister out for our morning potty!  Foster brother Jeff, has to go out by himself though because he is twice my size and my foster mom is afraid he will hurt me as it is game on when we are out at the same time!  I love to play ball, so my hooman foster brother throws snowballs for me!  Funny thing is I can’t seem to find them when they land!  I have my favorite blue ball that I play with in the house.  I am feeling pretty good, knock on wood!  I take my meds like I am supposed to and I have gained 12 pounds!  I am just hanging out waiting for my surgery date in February.  I think I am as healthy as I am going to get for it.  Not much else is new, just hanging out and loving all the love! Say a prayer for me and my foster mom as we head to Michigan for my surgery!  Til then, Woof!
Lulu

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Foster Update: 12/21/23

Lulu Belle is almost 2 years old and came into GRIN's care with a long list of medical records that were very concerning to our vets. She is a tiny girl at just 40(ish) pounds and was continuing to lose weight & exhibit muscle wasting. She drinks an abnormal amount of water, has seizures, an extremely high acid bile test, no appetite, & lethargy. All of these signs pointed to a possible liver shunt. Our primary vet determined that Lulu Belle needed an appointment with an internal specialist which she had on 10/18. From that appointment it was recommended that she be on a prescription diet for a couple of weeks before a follow up. The new diet is to help with inflammation in the brain and hopefully reduce the chance of seizures.

Lulu Belle recently had a CT scan done and it has been confirmed that she does have a congenital liver shunt.  The specialist did inform GRIN that she is eligible for surgery and that the type of liver shunt she has is a bit more complex.  The surgery she needs to save her life is currently only offered in Michigan or New York. Lulu Belle absolutely needs this surgery and so she will be going to Michigan to get the treatment that she needs. 

Stay tuned for future updates on this sweetheart.  Please keep Lulu Belle in your prayers!

Foster Photos 4-3-2024: 

  

Foster Photos 2-1-2024:

Foster Photos:

Intake Photo:

 

Common Questions and Answers

I’m not in your adoption territory, will you make an exception?
Unfortunately, we are limited to where we have volunteers to support our activities. GRIN’s adoption process includes a home visit, and we must remain in the area in which our home visit volunteers are willing to travel. For a Golden rescue in your area, please visit Golden Retriever Rescue Network.
I'm an approved applicant.  Can I pick my own dog?
Now that you have applied for a GRIN dog, we trust you like and understand the Golden Retriever and are knowledgeable about the breed’s needs. That being said, here are some reasons why we discourage approved applicants from “picking out” a dog…
Is GRIN looking for foster homes?
Yes, we are always looking for foster homes. Foster homes provide our Goldens the great start they need on their way to new lives. These homes provide the love, care, training and confidence that will help a dog adjust to a new environment. Without foster homes we are limited in the number of Goldens we can take into our program. It is an extremely fulfilling opportunity and yes it is sad when they go but what joy it brings to know what a difference you made in that dog’s life.
I have previously adopted from GRIN, do I need to fill out an application or can you use my old application?
If your application is over 18 months old we would ask that you complete a new application to ensure we have the most current information on file about you and your household.
Does GRIN require a fence?
GRIN does require a fence for all dogs under 6 years of age. This rule was implemented after a number of incidents that put the safety of our dogs at risk. Some dogs come to us as strays or frightened and can be a flight risk.
Why are the adoption fees so much higher than shelters?
Before being adopted out GRIN provides all of the necessary medical care including vaccinations, spay/neuter, and treatment for various medical or behavioral issues. GRIN spends an average of $1,200 per dog.
Why haven’t I been contacted for my phone interview or home visit yet?
GRIN is a 100% volunteer organization. We are all volunteers and have jobs, families and outside commitments. If you feel your application has gone too long without contact, please visit our contact information section to make outreach to the applications team.
For a list of all Questions and Answers
For a complete list of common questions and answers click on any of the above questions