Golden Retrievers In Need (G.R.I.N.)

GRIN's donation week starts tomorrow through June 30th!

Welcome to the Woof, Wag & Wine Trail, where you and your furry friend can embark on a delightful journey through three charming wineries, indulging in exquisite wines and gourmet treats along the way. Each winery stop offers you wine samples paired with food and a special treat for your pup. An event dog bandana is included in the package. Stay a little longer and enjoy a canine themed cocktail along the way.

This event will go on all month long, but GRIN is the featured rescue for the last week of June (June 23rd thru 30th) ! The 3 wineries (Cask 307, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant and Debonne Vineyards) will be featuring a different rescue every week where a portion of the proceeds will be donated. There are menu specials and lots of fun planned for humans and dogs.

This is a ticketed event!

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.grandrivercellars.com/.../woof-wag-wine-trail-2/

The best news - Suki has been adopted! This little lady joined GRIN in May 2023 at eight weeks old. She was diagnosed with ectopic ureter and after a number of procedures and treatments at The Ohio State University, she was finally cleared for adoption, over one year later! Suki had several fosters and respite fosters throughout her time with GRIN and we are grateful to all of them: Gabi Barth, Maureen Jordan, Catherine Doctor, Amber Tarantine and Annie Rice! It takes a village...thank you all! Despite her medical challenges, Suki developed into a loving, playful girl who just wanted a family of her very own. She found just that. Boy does this make our hearts happy! Wishing you two the best life together!

It's June 21st and that can mean only one thing - it's National Take Your Dog to Work Day! So don't be shy - share a photo of you and your best friend(s) hard at work. And P.S. don't forget to bring home the bacon. 🥓

It's that time of the year for GRIN membership renewals and new memberships!
Our membership year runs from July 1st to June 30th and memberships start as low as $25 a year.

What is a GRIN Membership?
A GRIN Membership is a year long donation based program, the membership is a source of fundraising for our organization and also a requirement for GRIN volunteers. All those who volunteer with GRIN are required to be members for liability purposes. As a member of GRIN you also get added to our email blasts that will keep you in the loop with what is going on with our organization. Every year GRIN puts on a member appreciation event that is exclusive to our loyal members.
If you are interested in becoming a member of GRIN please apply online: https://grinrescue.org/support/membership-information

Bennie's Barkday Bash has been RESCHEDULED!!! The event was originally planned for today June 20th but due to the extreme heat and this being an outdoor dog friendly event we want all the pups to be safe and have rescheduled the event to Thursday July 11th! Same time, same place :)

Bennie is a hospice foster at GRIN who joined his foster family in November of 2023. At a follow-up vet visit, Bennie had lost around 10 pounds in two weeks which led to a subsequent visit to the vet. Unfortunately a mass was found on his spleen which is suspected to be cancer. Good news is that Bennie is doing very well given his diagnosis and even had some great bloodwork recently, so he is ready to pawty it up for his 11th barkday.

Visit Recon Brewing and mention GRIN and Recon Brewing will donate 20% of your food bill to GRIN! You can visit anytime throughout the day to make an impact. Know that the special barkday boy will be on site from 5 to 7 PM.

Friendly dogs are welcome to join in the pawty! Dogs must be on leash!

GRIN village, Hyacinth’s pawrents are looking for a ramp for their girl, if you have any suggestions please drop them in the comments below!

G.R.I.N. Alum Hyacinth ( previously Abby) is 9 yrs old and loves to go for car rides. She is having a harder time getting in and out of the car. They have looked everywhere for a small ramp/ step to help her but haven’t been able to find anything narrow enough so she can get into the back seat. Would you have any suggestions of where they could buy one or have one made? Thank you!🐾

Our organization, like many others, has been inundated with requests to help dogs this year. So far in the current fiscal year, GRIN has spent over $300,000 on veterinary and training expenses alone.

Everything we do is only possible with the support of people like you!
On Saturday October 12, 2024, we will be holding a Denim & Diamonds Gala, celebrating GRIN’s “Diamonds in the Ruff”!
The event will be held at the Woodside Event Center in Broadview Heights.

The committee is busy planning a night of fun and entertainment as we toast our organization and the incredible work we do!

The Gala is our largest fundraiser of the year, and we are currently seeking donations – we hope you can help!

Needs include:
📌Liquor & craft beer
📌Restaurant & Retail gift cards (any denomination)
📌Designer Handbags
📌Sports tickets- OSU, Browns, Guardians, Cavs
📌Unique experiences- brewery tours, golf, ski passes, hotel stays, etc.
📌Jewelry
📌High-end kitchen appliances
📌Miscellaneous items for gift baskets- coffee, dog treats/toys, tools, golf, etc.

If you are interested in donating any of the above, or have another item in mind, please email Lindsey Murray at [email protected]. We hope to hear from you and appreciate your support!

Some of you might remember former puppy mill momma Goldie, this sweet girl landed an awesome furever home where she has 5 furry siblings. We recently checked in with her mom to see how Goldie is doing and she shared:

Goldie is doing very well. She is showing her fun personality and will roll around on the floor with a toy, sleeps next to her siblings, and will run to the kitchen if she thinks there are treats. She’s definitely starting to let her playful personality show. When I’m working from home she will lay under my desk on my feet. Her favorite sibling seems to be Rosie, they are about the same age. She likes to follow Rosie around.

We are so happy to hear that a once terrified Goldie is now enjoying her new life!

Dogs in Hot Cars

It’s not even officially summer yet, but temperatures are expected to reach record high levels starting today in Ohio and Pennsylvania, the two states in GRIN’s service area. Temperatures can get even hotter in a car, which is especially dangerous for pets. On a hot day, temperatures only take one hour to reach dangerous levels.

The National Weather Service has stated it only takes 15 minutes for a dog to die from heatstroke and highly suggests keeping pets at home on sweltering days. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, hundreds of dogs die every year from heat exhaustion because they are left in hot vehicles. Cracking the window or parking in the shade won’t help either—the inside of cars can still get dangerously hot.

If you see a dog in a troubling situation, consider the following:
• Does the dog show physical signs of being in immediate danger?
• Is the air conditioning on or is the vehicle otherwise ventilated?
• Is the dog in the shade, where they are not experiencing significant heat gain?
• Is the driver present, perhaps standing nearby?
• Is there a law enforcement on the scene/did another person already call for help?

After a quick assessment, if you still have a reasonable belief that the dog is in immediate danger and no one else has taken action, think about how you can safely and lawfully proceed.

In Ohio, breaking into a car is legal to help save an overheated animal, according to Ohio Revised Code Section 959.133. Still, it’s highly recommended that you contact the police (call 911) whenever you see a trapped animal in a car that is in distress, according to the Northeast Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

In Pennsylvania, the Motor Vehicle Extreme Heat Protection Act exists to protect dogs and cats from being left unattended in hot cars. This act allows law enforcement to enter a car if an animal is believed to be in danger or neglect. But if you see a pet in a hot car who you think is in danger, don't try to save it yourself because the law doesn't protect civilians. You should call 911.

Timely engagement of law enforcement is critical to help dogs in these situations.

Scorching temperatures are in the forecast this week for the entire area that GRIN serves. Here are some tips to keep your pups safe and comfortable during this hot weather:

🔥Walk your dog in the early morning or later in the evening
🔥Avoid excessive play and exercise
🔥Keep your dog in the shade when outside
🔥Choose air-conditioned, well-ventilated indoor rooms for your dog
🔥Provide adequate water
🔥Never leave your dog in a car

Thanks to our friends at Nationwide Insurance for this timely reminder on how to protect tender paws from hot surfaces. Stay safe out there, friends!

Dads, what would we do without them? We are wishing all the dads in the GRIN community an extra special Father's Day! Thanks for always watching over us and giving us someone to look up to. GRIN alum Tessa is pitching in to help make one of her dad's favorite meals to celebrate him today. We'd love to see how you and your GRIN dogs are celebrating today. Please add your photos in comments or tag us in your stories.

Wishing all dads, dogs dads, and these lads a happy father’s day and !

Riley (23185, 6 YO M) - Abandoned by his previous owner and left stranded without food or water, Riley found his way to GRIN after a good samaritan stepped in to care for this fella. Riley has skin issues that are being addressed however our partner vet
indicated that they are of no concern.

Beckham (24079, 2 YO M) - Beckham is on a stray hold in GRIN’s care. If you have seen Beckham on social media or you are his hoomans, please contact us. If
Beckham does not get claimed after the hold is up, he will be visiting our partner vet and be placed into a permanent foster home until he can find his furever home.

Trevor (24091, 2 YO M) - Energetic Trevor needs a watchful eye after getting loose
from his backyard. Upon connecting with his owners. Trevor was relinquished to a
partnering shelter of ours. Trevor was neutered and received a dental before heading to his foster home. His foster family is addressing health concerns including a UTI and ear and tapeworm infections.

As the summer progresses, we want to remind you of the importance of safety while
spending time outside. The tails of Beckham and Trevor are sad and preventable.

If you are using a lead:
Ensure the strength and test the condition of the line
Check on your dog every few minutes
Ensure that your dog is comfortable and not anxious when you walk away
Consider prey drive

If you have a fenced-in yard:
Check for any points of weakness along the fence line (broken boards or rust)
Fill in any holes and correct digging actions
Check on your dog every few minutes

If you are taking your dog for a walk:
Practice the double-leashing method

If you are going for a car ride:
Utilize a crate or a seat belt to prevent movement in the car to decrease the chances of an accident and the flight response if an accident occurs

Practice these tips regularly:
Get a dog license
Have your dog microchipped and checked yearly to ensure it works and the information is accurate
Use a collar or a harness that includes identification tags
Take photos of your dog to be shared if they go missing

Update on puppy Solar!!

First off we would like to thank everyone who donated to Solar’s fundraiser as we were able to raise enough funds to cover his medical bills! Thankfully Solar has not had another seizure like episode but he is still battling Giardia. His foster mom will be trying a new compounded medication for this little guy which hopefully helps him get over this horrible parasite that has made him sick during his first few month of life.

Fingers crossed that all goes well, we will keep you all updated on his progress! His foster mom reports that he has newly learned lay down & that he is a super intelligent fella, whoever adopts puppy Solar will be very lucky!

This week we are featuring four very special ladies who are looking for their furever families. Might you be the one?

Three-year-old Bloom joined GRIN in March. She was found as a stray and turned into a local shelter, who then contacted GRIN. This girl is stunning! Everyone that crosses her path comments on her beauty. Bloom is also the best walker. A friendly gal, Bloom enjoys meeting humans and dogs alike. What a sweetheart!

Two-year-old Darling has been in her foster home for nine months and has made so much progress in terms of confidence and trust after a traumatizing past. This red-haired beauty was found as a stray matted and hungry and made her way to GRIN. While Darling enjoys walks with her foster pack, she also finds being brushed very therapeutic. Darling is a gentle, kind soul who needs a home that is willing to be patient with her. Darling requires a fenced in yard. She also needs another confident dog in the home as she takes comfort in being around other dogs.

One-year-old Gray joined GRIN in January. She is a lively Golden Girl who was relinquished to a shelter as her owner's landlord didn't allow her in the home. Her boundless energy is contagious, spreading joy to everyone around her. Gray will make the perfect companion for those who enjoy active outdoor pursuits. She is also incredibly friendly, quickly warming up to both humans and other dogs. Gray is learning about gentle play, controlled barking and being comfortable in a crate.

Eight-year-old Minx joined GRIN in September and has been on a transformative journey ever since, losing over 30 pounds! She also has successfully recovered from surgery to remove a mass. Her foster family is working with her on curbing her desire to jump up on guests when they enter. Minx will walk on a leash to the car but does not enjoy walks in the neighborhood. She will jog a bit in the yard, stroll the perimeter of the fence and likes to mosey about the yard. Minx is a dog that has slowed down and is just enjoying the journey.

These ladies are eager to hear from you! To learn more about them and how you can apply to adopt them visit grinrescue.org.

To love, laughter, & happily ever after!!

We would like to wish Gilbert’s pawrents a lifetime of happiness! Gilbert and his sister Tula got to be a part of the big day & they were the absolute best pups! 🐾

Seeing Gilbert with his new family brings all of us at GRIN so much joy🤍

Follow along for more of Gilbert’s adventures on Instagram

June is National Foster a Pet Month and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, we need fosters! Our ability to rescue Goldens is directly tied to the number of families that are willing to foster. Foster families are a key element in the adoption process. They provide each dog a place to decompress and let their personality show, so we can understand what the dog needs from a furever family. Opportunities exist to be a traditional foster, opening up your home for a few weeks while we match a dog to their furever family, or a respite foster, stepping in for a few days so a foster family can go on vacation. Won't you consider opening your heart and home to a Golden in need? You can get started at: https://grinrescue.org/volunteer/foster-process.

A new event for all our PA friends! Join us on Thursday, June 20th at Recon Brewing located in the Meeder Flats community for Bennie's Barkday Bash.

Bennie is a hospice foster at GRIN who joined his foster family in November of 2023. At a follow-up vet visit, Bennie had lost around 10 pounds in two weeks which led to a subsequent visit to the vet. Unfortunately, a mass was found on his spleen which is suspected to be cancer. Good news is that Bennie is doing very well given his diagnosis and even had some great bloodwork recently, so he is ready to pawty it up for his 11th Barkday.

Visit Recon Brewing and mention GRIN on Thursday June 20th and Recon Brewing will donate 20% of your food bill to GRIN! You can visit anytime throughout the day to make an impact. Know that the special barkday boy will be on site from 5 to 7 PM.
Friendly dogs are welcome to join in the pawty! Dogs must be on leash!

For all the fosters and owners with scared, skittish, or mill dogs, we have some important advice for you especially if you are working to grow your dog’s confidence on walks or when they are introduced to new people.

With walking and introductions, it’s important to remember that your dog’s safety is a top priority,
GRIN requires that all fosters utilize a martingale collar (aka no-slip collar) which is provided to them. Martingales make it nearly impossible for the dog to back out of the collar. When fitted properly, the martingale collar tightens when tension is placed on the leash and does not choke the animal.

Aside from the utilization of martingale collars to protect your furry friend, we recommend the process of double leashing for all the fosters and owners with scared, skittish, or mill dogs. This is the practice of placing a leash on a collar such as a martingale and then placing a second leash on a second attachment point such as the loop on a harness. Double leashing provides the handler with additional control and enhanced safety for both the pet and the handler through increased means of control and reduction of risk including harm or injury when used properly. The art of double leashing comes from the realization of human error including dropping a leash or not properly securing and fitting a harness or a collar and mechanical error such as the harness or collar becoming loose or broken.

Do you double leash your dogs? Why do you double leash?

Share with us in the comments.

Welcome to the Woof, Wag & Wine Trail, where you and your furry friend can embark on a delightful journey through three charming wineries, indulging in exquisite wines and gourmet treats along the way. Each winery stop offers you wine samples paired with food and a special treat for your pup. An event dog bandana is included in the package. Stay a little longer and enjoy a canine themed cocktail along the way.

This event will go on all month long, but GRIN is the featured rescue for the last week of June (June 23rd thru 30th) ! The 3 wineries (Cask 307, Grand River Cellars Winery & Restaurant and Debonne Vineyards) will be featuring a different rescue every week where a portion of the proceeds will be donated. There are menu specials and lots of fun planned for humans and dogs.

This is a ticketed event!

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.grandrivercellars.com/events/woof-wag-wine-trail-2/

We are thrilled to share that the Golden Retriever meetup in Crocker Park helped raise $3050 for GRIN! We would like to say a huge thank you to Emily Roggenburk for organizing this event and making fundraising for GRIN a focus of the event. So much golden fun was had, lots of happy pups and wagging tails. The humans were pretty happy too, how could you not be when you’re surrounded by these majestic dogs 💜

Emily donated 20% of sales from her store to GRIN that day and the following couple of days which brought in $1081 for GRIN! Emily even created Golden Retriever merch specifically for this event💚

We received $969 in donations day of and a very generous donation match of $1,000 from Morty’s Munchies! We are beyond blown away at all of the support from these two amazing local businesses!!

Please check them out, Emily Roggenburk & Morty’s Munchies are both huge dog lovers and advocates for GRIN.

Emily’s storefront is located in Crocker park and online https://www.emilyroggenburk.com

Morty’s Munchies has two locations ones in Strongsville and one in Cuyahoga Falls, also online at https://mortysmunchies.com

Check them out if you have a chance!!

On Saturday October 12, 2024, we will be holding a Denim & Diamonds Gala, celebrating GRIN’s “Diamonds in the Ruff”! The event will be held at the Woodside Event Center in Broadview Heights.

The committee is busy planning a night of fun and entertainment as we toast our organization and the incredible work we do!

The Gala is our largest fundraiser of the year, and we are currently seeking donations – we hope you can help! Needs include:

• Premium wine, liquor, & craft beer
• Restaurant & retail gift cards (any denomination)
• Designer Handbags
• Sports tickets- OSU, Browns, Guardians, Cavs
• Unique experiences- brewery tours, golf, ski passes, hotel stays, etc.

If you are interested in donating any of the above, or have another item in mind, please email Lindsey Murray at [email protected].

We will be back at the Yard on 3rd on Sunday June 30th from 12-4pm. This dog themed event will feature dog vendors and several local area dog rescues. The Yard on 3rd is located at 38040 3rd St, Willoughby, OH 44094.

We are currently seeking volunteers with dog and people friendly goldens or doodles to serve as ambassadors at the event. If you are interested in attending, please email Lindsey Murray at [email protected].

From now until June 30th, the Yard on 3rd is featuring a Miss Peaches cocktail where a portion of the proceeds will be donated back to the rescues that attend. Stop on out, have a drink and support a good cause! Hope to see you all there on the 30th because we have a veryyyy special guest appearance! Everyone’s favorite little fella Gilbert will be in attendance!!

We don't have a Sunday Intake Series to share this week, we'll be back next week! Instead, we are excited to share an update on Darling, who has been in foster since September. This red-haired beauty was found as a stray matted and hungry and found her way to GRIN. Darling is still learning how to be a dog and most importantly trust. has been taking medication to help with her fears, most recently she has been prescribed medication to help with PTSD.

A recent win for Darling was when she let the foster’s oldest daughter who has been away at school brush and pet her. That sounds like progress to us, Darling! Keep up the good work, dear girl!

GRIN Volunteer Spotlight—Sister Mary Berigan

We welcome Sister Mary Berigan into this month’s GRIN Volunteer Spotlight. This amazing woman is now fostering her 43rd GRIN dog, a puppy named Phoebe, who we updated you on earlier this week! Sister Mary’s journey with GRIN began in 2006 when she welcomed her first GRIN dog into her home in Elyria (Lorain County). Along the way, she has adopted 12 GRIN dogs while also being a foster home. Currently, she has four dogs adopted from GRIN: Laura (camera shy), 13; Ella (red), 7; doodle Grace (doodle), 7; and cream Bridie (cream), 4. But her love of goldens began in 2002 when a student’s family gave her a puppy from its litter. And the rest, as they say, is history!

In real life, Sister Mary taught school for 13 years. After that, she was a principal for 12 years. During that time, she began volunteering for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates)—a nationwide program devoted to children. A judge appoints volunteers to serve as advocates for children who experience abuse and neglect. Her friend, Donna, and Sister Mary were both advocates and saw what children suffered. Together, they founded Blessing House, a crisis care facility, that houses children (birth to 12 years) who cannot stay safely at home. Blessing House, 20 years old since its founding, has helped over 1800 children. Sister Mary is the Executive Director.
Sister Mary remarked on the crossover between fostering and caring for children—often both the dog and the child are traumatized. Her job is to care for both and to get them ready for the future. About GRIN, Sister Mary says, “It’s so awesome to see all the work that goes into helping the dogs from intake, dealing with health or behavioral issues, settling them into foster homes and then adopting them to a happy future.” Sister Mary is regularly relied upon to foster some of the most challenging dogs that GRIN takes in. We couldn’t do it without you, Sister Mary. Thank you!

Today's the day to stop by and visit us at Hollywood Feed in Rocky River and Strongsville. GRIN representatives, both human and canine will be on hand from noon to 2 PM to say hello while you shop. We hope to see you there!

Hank has been adopted! This one-year-old boy joined GRIN in May as an owner relinquishment - his family was moving somewhere that didn't allow dogs. It took Hank's foster family only a week to decide that this floofy fella was meant to be a part of their family furever. We know a happy dog when we see one! Congratulations, Hank!

Wow, GRIN Community - you know a good thing when you see it! The June 29th Pool Pawty sold out in record time. But have no fear, a second Pool Pawty is in the planning stages. Mark your calendars for August 24th and stay tuned to social media for registration details as we get closer to August. We'll share all the fun photos from the June Pawty right here, too!

Nine-year-old Josie joined GRIN in March from a vet office who was asked by a breeder to euthanize this mill mom. Sweet Josie is learning to adjust to living in a home with people who will show her love and kindness. A shutdown girl, Josie’s foster family is giving her lots of patience and grace to help alleviate her fears. Originally spending much of her days in her crate, Josie is making slow, steady progress. She has been eating out of a bowl now for a few weeks with the help of magical dinner dust. Josie is still skittish of her foster mom, but she is coming out of her crate more and there have been some reports of tail wagging and limited attempts at play! Her foster family is introducing brief walks on the leash, but Josie prefers going out in the backyard without it. Slow and steady wins the race, Josie! You’ve got this!

Medical Update: Chloe

Two-year-old charmer Chloe joined the GRIN family in early April as a breeder relinquishment. Upon intake, our vet partner performed a spay, dental and a vulvoplasty to fix her hooded v***a. Post-surgery she was recovering from a urinary tract infection as well. As Chloe’s healing progressed, her devoted foster family started to notice some new symptoms including urine dribbling and more testing was conducted. Chloe was diagnosed with a possible ectopic ureter and kidney dysplasia that is likely a congenital abnormality. In simple terms, her kidneys just don't work correctly. On May 23rd, Chloe had a cystoscopy, a procedure that uses a tube to examine the bladder and the urethra which revealed a rather odd and pronounced ectopic ureter on the left and a borderline right side that was still emptying into the bladder. In addition, she also had a vaginal septum that was corrected. Chloe rebounded well after surgery, but urine leakage continued, and she has been prescribed Proin on a trial basis to hopefully help with leakage.

Despite everything Chloe has been through, she is a delightful Golden girl. She is a little shy when she first meets you but warms up quickly and will give you the golden nudge to keep petting her. The resident dogs in her foster home have been extremely welcoming, sharing all their toys, their beds, their yard, their home, and their people. She has learned to master stairs so she can sleep where everyone else sleeps!

Chloe’s medical bills have totaled $8,251 to date. If you’d like to help with the costs of her care you can donate via the button below, on the GRIN website (https://grinrescue.org/support/donate-to-grin), or via Venmo .