This is Steve's and my first time participating in Goldzilla!  We are more than thrilled to try to help fundraise for such a wonderful organization.

It all began last September (2013) when Steve and I were considering adding a dog to our lives.  We decided to start fostering dogs to see if a dog could be a realistic addition (Steve says I forgot the "c" in addiction- haha!).  We were so excited!  We got trained in, and got to know our mentor, who helped us find a dog that would work in our home/lifestyle.

Our first foster dog was sweet Cody.  Cody was a Golden Retriever mix from Polk County, Georgia.  He was on a euthanasia list down there because the shelter was too full, and luckily he was saved and driven all the way up here by a fantastic organization called "Mobile Mutts", a group of volunteers who drive dogs across the country.  We received him in October, and he was such a joy!  He was, however, very sick, as we found out as we got to know him better.  After his long and painful recovery from bacterial infections in his lungs, he was happily adopted out and is living nearby with his family.

Our next foster dog was our hyper Harley.  Harley was a black lab/mix puppy, who we received when he was 12 weeks old.  Such a cutie.  He was with us for about 2 months.  It was so much fun to watch him grow and learn- and snuggle.  Holy cow, that boy loved to snuggle.  A lucky young man and his roommates adopted him, and he is now a running partner and loveable companion.  What better for our sweet Harley?!

Then, we decided that we wanted something a little more...well...permanently golden in our home.  There was a surrender of many breeder dogs from a commercial breeder in Iowa, and most of the female dogs were pregnant!  40 puppies later, we decided we couldn't live without the tiny little puppy named JJ, now fondly known as our fluffy "Sadie Bear".  We met her and her siblings/mama at 8 weeks old, and she immediately went to sit in Steve's lap and take a nap.  Ever since we took her home at 10 weeks old, we are smitten, and have our little slice of Gold in our lives!

While we have had Sadie, we have also fostered another dog!  His name is Lobo.  He's a Golden mix from a shelter in Iowa who was surrendered after his owners broke up.  They sent him to a shelter, and they decided that he would have a better chance at finding his adoptive family here.  He loved being at my house, and Sadie and him were great friends!  He was quickly adopted by a nice couple, and has a fuzzy sister to play with as well.  Yet another happy ending!

We're hoping that by doing the Goldzilla Walk, we can raise more awareness for RAGOM and all the wonderful work that they do.  They are a fantastic group of volunteers that are not only great people, but great at what they do- whether it's matching people with dogs, or dogs with people- you decide!

Goldzilla is RAGOM's annual Fun Fair and Walk for Rescue. Funds raised at this event supports our mission of rescuing and rehoming Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes of all ages. This year, RAGOM will take in over 400 dogs. Your support is needed to help provide the veterinary care, training and fostering each dog requires before finding his or her adoptive family.

Donate today to support this great organization. Then join us at Goldzilla to meet the many dogs your donations help. Together, we will make many Goldens smile!

Prefer to donate by check? Mail checks to: 5800 Baker Rd Suite 120, Minnetonka, MN 55345. Please write the name of the person you're pledging in the memo line. For pledges to be reflected on their fundraising page, checks must be received by September 12.