Pilot (Beau 03-026)

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Beau and Valentino are 12 week old brothers looking for forever homes.  They are both rather outgoing and not at all passive.  Red in color, they could stand to gain a little weight, but it must be hard to keep on the pounds with so much energy!  They love their attention and will make sure you see them, but when you start petting them they calm right down.

They will be going to the vet soon and will then be ready for their new families.

At a Glance #03-026

Golden Retriever Born: November 2002
Male Weight not specified

Status: Deceased

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Beau and Valentino are 12 week old brothers looking for forever homes.  They are both rather outgoing and not at all passive.  Red in color, they could stand to gain a little weight, but it must be hard to keep on the pounds with so much energy!  They love their attention and will make sure you see them, but when you start petting them they calm right down.

They will be going to the vet soon and will then be ready for their new families.

Updates

Saturday, January 24, 2015

 

On Jan. 2, 2015, with deep sadness, we helped our boy Pilot to the Rainbow Bridge.  His kidneys were failing and it was time; no question about it.  Nevertheless, we were unprepared for the fact that we would not be bringing him home from the vet’s office. We miss you so much, Pilot boy.

Pilot was a typical Golden in so many ways…sweet as can be, carried something in his mouth whenever possible, loved his twice-daily walks and swimming at the lake in the summer, perfected the golden nudge, by my side whenever possible. He also was an incorrigible counter-surfer…and for the first time in 12 years, we no longer need to keep a 10-pound dumbbell on the kitchen trash can lid to keep him out. We loved him, quirks and all.

A little collie puppy entered our home about 18 months ago...and Pilot was not amused. It took some time and patience for Pilot and Laser Beam to become pals, but they did, eventually, and Laser misses his 'big brother' and mentor.

All the daily routines that Pilot was a part of seem so strange and empty now. His absence is huge, but we think of him with so much love and so many happy memories. Thank you to RAGOM for bringing Pilot to us and enriching our lives. You are always in our hearts, sweet boy.

Robby, Rich, Laser Beam, and the cat boys (Edison, Einstein, and Newton)

Rest in peace, Pilot.

Nov. 3, 2002 – Jan. 2, 2015

 

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Nearly eight years ago, my husband and I made a long drive from Iowa to Brainerd, MN to meet Beau.  I'll never forget seeing him jump out of his crate in his foster's SUV and right into my heart.  Needless to say, he went with us when we headed south back to Iowa!

Here are a couple of pictures taken shortly after getting home and meeting one of his cat brothers.

We changed Beau's name to 'Pilot.' (My husband and I are both private pilots.) He is a wonderful dog and has brought us so much joy. One of the things that I noticed right away was his spunk. Spunk can be good and bad, but with Pilot, it's almost always good - in the form of energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, high spirits, and just plain living in the moment.  He is sweet and affectionate and always up for a game of tennis ball.

We are fortunate to have a family lake cabin in the Brainerd area, so every summer we head to Minnesota and spend time at the lake. Pilot loves to swim and will wade out, then stop and turn and give us 'the look' until we get with the program and throw out something for him to swim out to and retrieve.  Amazingly, he does not care about rolling in the dead fish on the shoreline.  That alone makes him a wonder dog in my book!

Pilot had a predecessor, Babe, who was my first golden. Babe and I went through some peaks and valleys in my life, and we were very close. After she died (at 15+ years!) it took quite some time for me to be ready to open my heart to another golden. Pilot has filled that void that all golden-lovers will recognize. I hope to always keep a golden touch in my life and I thank RAGOM for helping me find that perfect dog both now and in the future.

As Pilot has aged, he has become camera-shy. It's hard to get a good picture of him now, but here are a couple recent ones.

I feel privileged to be able to support RAGOM's work by volunteering as part of the Transport team and the Dog Updates team.  I have met some fine people through the Iowa volunteers and also (via email) throughout the organization. I am so impressed by what can be accomplished by this group of dedicated people. Thank you for all the effort that goes in to rescuing these dogs that are worth their weight in gold and enriching the lives of their forever people!