Wisconsin Adopt A Golden Retriev

Meet WAAGR's Special Needs Dogs

Sometimes, WAAGR takes in dogs that need a little more TLC. Maybe the dog has a broken bone, a some medical condition that takes a little more time to diagnose, or even something like heartworm. Whatever the case, WAAGR wants to help give dogs the best possible chance at a new life and to help them find their forever homes.

Medical bills are already piling up for our special needs
goldens. If you would like to help us with these bills via "snail mail", please send a check made payable to WAAGR to 12605 W. North Ave., #285, Brookfield, WI. 53005. All donations to WAAGR are tax deductible.

You can now donate for WAAGR via PayPal!
To utilize this option, click on the donate button below.

Will these dogs touch your hearts too? Continue reading below to find out more about TEDDY. We will continue to provide updates as they come in from their foster families.

Teddy #856
He has the curly

hair that would make many gals jealous and a handsome face covered in that curly hair. Unfortunately, Teddy can't run and play like most Goldens his age. At the age of 1.5 years, this poor guy weighs in at 142.5 pounds.

Meet Teddy. This guy is going to be in the wonderful care of our member Polly who has helped many of our Goldens in the past. With her love and guiding hand Teddy is going to work his way to the life he deserves. Teddy was surrendered from a Golden Retriever puppy mill in southwest Wisconsin on May 31, 2008. You can't imagine our astonishment to see a Golden Retriever in this morbidly obese condition.

At his size, he should only weigh about 60 pounds. At the puppy mill, Teddy was kept in close confinement, bored and miserable with a bucket of food available 24/7. At his weight, he could only take about 15 steps before collapsing to the floor. We spent some time with this guy and found out there was a sweet, love-starved smart guy waiting to come out!

Teddy was transported to the vet, where he was tested for everything under the sun and came up with a clean bill of health. He was given a canine conditioning plan including diet, exercise, mental stimulation and tons of LOVE! In his first two weeks with us, Teddy lost 2.5 lbs, and can now walk over 400 feet at a time without lying down to rest. He has several doggie friends to play with and has discovered toys for the first time in his life! Our friends at Dodgeville Veterinary will be exercising Teddy in the underwater treadmill once a week, floating some of his bulk and allowing him to exercise his legs safely. Teddy was a bit scared at first, but with the kind and caring vet techs, quickly got into "the swim" of things.

Teddy's weight loss will take 6 months to a year and he will remain in foster for some time. Keep watching the site to find out about his progress! Go Teddy!

May 19, 2010
My name is Teddy! My foster Mom has been trying to find me a perfect "forever home." She's talked to so many wonderful nice people who have seen my story on the Web site. The problem is when Mom tells them about all the rules to take good care of me, they kind of lose interest.

But the best thing in the world has happened for me: My foster Mom wants to keep me here forever and ever! I'm a happy Golden Retriever boy! I love my Mom, and Vincent and Ian and Autumn. Heck I've been here for 2 years! In that time I lost 82 pounds, but I gained my dignity and a family that loves me so much! I don't want to be a "foster dog" anymore. I want to be "Teddy, Important Part of the Family, We Can't Live Without You, Dog!"

A Big "Thank You" to WAAGR for taking such good care of me. No matter how long I was a foster, or how much money it cost, WAAGR always there for Teddy! I sleep on the bed with my mom. I eat carrots. I'm a good Golden Retriever and I am loved. That is the best. I am the happiest boy in the world!

I love everyone forever,
Teddy

March 2010 - I know, two updates in one month!
OK, so where is the confetti? Balloons? Teddy here. Can you believe it? I weigh 64 lbs! Remember the guy pictured above? That's not me anymore! I have been on a diet for 21 months, 8 days, and 4 hours, but who's counting? My foster Mom! She counts calories, and I guess it worked. Nobody recognizes me anymore, people come in and say "Hey, where's that really fat dog you used to have?" I even walked right past Dr. Holter, and he said "Which Golden is this?" I could rob banks and no one would suspect it was me! I'm fast enough now to make a getaway, but only banks that are full of Vienna Sausages.

I hope this doesn't mean I'll become an ordinary Golden Retriever, I mean, star status is addictive! Mom says I'll always be special, I still have "food issues" and will stay on "calorie count" for the rest of my life. Hey! Did you know slim dogs have a 15% longer life? I'm only 3 years old. If WAAGR hadn't saved me, I'd be a dead duck by now.

I can run and run and run, I picked up a stick and ran around the house like an idiot for 15 minutes the other day while my Mom yelled at me to "get over here and get in the van fuzzbutt!"

Thank You To Everyone that followed my story, donated to my effort, or just sent love and good wishes. Because of you, I will have a long, healthy, slim life full of squeaker toys and tennis balls! Woofs and Wags to everyone I love, and I love everyone forever, except that coyote that howls at night and scares me.

March 2010
Teddy's foster mom reports that "you know you are thin when you easily fit into the laundry basket!" Teddy now weighs 65 pounds, down 78 pounds from his starting weight of 143. As many of us in WAAGR have said, Teddy, you rock! We are so proud of the progress you have made. A big thank you to Teddy's foster mom who has been with him every step of the way!

Dec. 2009
Teddy's WAAGR Holiday Message
Hello everyone! Recognize me? I'm Teddy.........aka "Skinny Butt," "Slim Jim" or my personal favorite, "Tedlett," which is French for "Little Ted." I've been working hard all year staying on my diet and getting lots of exercise. I have included my secret weight loss plan just in case Santa is reading. Santa should live with my foster Mom, then he would be skinny like me and we could all be on Oprah, and I would give everyone in audience present of tennis balls.

Here is diet secret:
Morning: Watch Mom measure food, bark loud! Maybe she will drop some. Eat fast. Don't bother begging, won't work on my Mom. Tough lady. Go outdoors, run, run, run. Play tug with Ian.
Mid Morning: Carrot Time! Count out 3 baby Carrots. All mine. Go get your own Vincent!
Noon: Go get mail, run, run, run.
Mid Afternoon: Sit in front of mini-fridge, this gets Mom's attention. 2 more carrots.
Evening: Run, run, run, make skinny snow angel, eat snow, Vincent says to taste yellow kind, no way Vincent! Go inside, only tiny bit of food in bowl because it's RAW MEATY BONE NIGHT! (I think that this is where we would lose Santa).

Follow this plan and just like me, Teddy, Skinny Golden Retriever, LOOSE 72 POUNDS! That's right, I've gone from 143 to 71 pounds, much easier to walk, run up and down stairs like a maniac, make snow angels and get in van. Mom says we have 10 pounds to go, and the last ones are the hardest. She says that if I get down to 60 pounds, she'll buy me a Speedo swimsuit. Next time you hear from me I will be "goal-weight." I think you get tennis balls too.

Happy Holidays To Everyone That I Love For Always,
Teddy

Message from Teddy's Foster Mom:
Food and treats fill a furry stomach, toys help to pass the time, a cozy bed makes naptime oh so comfy, but at the end of the day that cold nose comes looking for you. This busy holiday season, make sure you give the gift of time to your dog. Toys and treats are great, but it's your love and attention that will make your faithful companion's holidays the brightest while everything else is at its busiest. As we head into this hectic time of year, with all its parties, presents, and pressures, be sure to take time out on a busy day for a favorite walk or to sit on the couch and rub those well-loved ears.

Sept. 27, 2009
A very big announcement from Teddy's foster mom: Teddy broke the 80 pound mark, and now weighs 78 lbs! He has now lost 68 lbs. from his original 143 pounds, so that's basically the size of a whole Golden Retriever! Our goal weight for Teddy is still 60 pounds, so we have 18 pounds to go. We are clearly on the home stretch with this very deserving golden! Way to go Teddy and keep up the great work!

August 2009
I can't believe it's been a year since I got rescued by WAAGR! I guess they weren't kidding when they said I'd be a "Long Term Foster!" Let me catch you up on my progress. I came into WAAGR weighing 143 lbs. Get ready...........do I hear a drum roll?
I now weigh 86 pounds! I have lost 57 lbs.! Think about it, that's almost another whole Golden Retriever!
Stuff I can do that most Goldens take for granted: I can roll over, sleep on the bed, play ball, run, sit, scratch my head with my hind foot, play tug-o-war, swim...............it gets better every day! In the rescue parade at Dog Fest this year I wore my cool racing vest. People recognized me from last year and cheered as I walked really fast around the track! I also had my picture taken in the K-9 Squad Car with my friend Officer Henry Wilson from the Madison Capitol K-9 Unit. He even autographed the back of my picture, "To our good friend Teddy, Keep up the good work, Think Slim, Be Slim!" Officer Wilson calls me "The Man"
Well, gotta run, seriously! My foster Mom has a tennis ball and a carrot for me.........26 pounds to go! I love everyone forever.

XOXOXO
Teddy

Feb. 2, 2009
The Shining Star of the Great Lakes Family Pet Expo (pictured at right with our president Craig)
As shared by Teddy himself
Friday, Jan. 30
Mom gets help from Julia the nice vet assistant getting me up into the tub for a bath. I can now stand during my entire bath (When I first came to WAAGR, they had to roll me from side to side to get me washed and dried). Then, down to the floor for my comb-out and toenails. This is where we need lots of help! Julia lays across me to hold me down while Mom combs me and clips my nails. I scream like a puppy, and struggle allot. I am very strong and hard to hold. Mom says I'm a big baby and it's not funny.
I look beautiful! We visit everyone on my way to the scale. Good news: I weigh 104 lbs.

Saturday, Jan. 31
We have to get up early. I sleep on the bed now! I can get up onto the futon by myself, so Mom pushed it up to the end of the bed, and one more step up to get onto the bed! I snore all night long. It's too early to get up.............
On the road! This is wonderful! Just me and Mom, no Vincent, no Ian, no Autumn or that new guy Porter Kinda makes up for that comb out and toenails yesterday. Drive forever.
Come to really big place with tons of people. Meet lots of WAAGR people. I wear a vest with the word "DONATIONS" on it with pockets that people put money into (Mom says maybe I could get a job doing this full time).
I have never seen so many people or so many dogs. Everyone wants to pet me. I especially like the little children. In order to go potty, you have to walk miles and miles to the door, and outside there are a thousand dogs going potty.
Mom makes me wear a leash, she says that we're not in Kansas anymore. I don't think I know where Kansas is, I remind Mom we live in Richland County.
Go back indoors, find WAAGR people, visit more people, rip up one of my stuffed toys, go to sleep.
Wake up! Got to go be in a Parade! This is wonderful, so many more people all in line with big dogs, little dogs for the Parade. There is a little dog that can stand on her back legs and dance round and round. She has a dress on, big deal, no pockets for money. They call our names, and away we go, just like Ian at the dog show! We hear "May we have the Golden Retriever please?" (just like the announcer man at Westminster). Mom says, "Teddy, let's do down and back and a stack." I'm a real show dog! People clap and clap. We must have left before they passed out the ribbons.
Go back to WAAGR booth. People petting me that have read about me on the Web site, Hello, Hello. People petting me that saw me at Dog Fair in Madison. Hello, Hello. A lady wants to take me home for adoption, quick look busy ripping up my woobie, tell her to get that little dog wearing the dress.
We finally get to go home at 6 p.m. Long day. Busy day. Dogs live in the moment, REALLY LONG moment today. Mom showed me the new toy she got me today. Calls it "indestructible", hmmmmm, sounds like fun.
Get into van and sleep all the way home.
Bye for now, I love everybody.
Teddy, Happy Golden Retriever Dog

Dec. 15, 2008
Teddy's Special Visit With Santa Paws - photo courtesy of www.sharketanimalportraits.com
Greetings Everyone!
You might not recognize me, I'm Teddy, a "special needs" Golden Retriever.
You see, 6 months ago I was rescued by my friends at WAAGR and since then I have gone from 143lbs to 108 lbs! That's right, I've lost 35 lbs so far!
My foster Mom said I was such a good boy this year, and "someone special" wanted to meet me.
His name is Santa Paws, and what a nice man!
He knew my name, and was so friendly and kind, and he asked me what I would like to have for Christmas. I told him that because of WAAGR, I had more than I had ever hoped for.
I can go up and down stairs, roll on my back and make snow angels, get in and out the van by myself, and even get up on the futon to sleep with my Golden sister Autumn.
Santa Paws said that I still need to loose about 48 lbs., and that I will need surgery on my right knee before I can have my true Christmas wish and the best gift of all..........a home of my own.
He told me that somewhere my perfect forever home is waiting just for me!
So, Happy Holidays to all my friends and to my WAAGR family too. And.....just in case you meet Santa Paws, there's little treats in his left pocket!

Love, Teddy

From Teddy's foster mom: Golden Woofs and Wags, to everyone who help Teddy, and all the "Special Needs" Goldens with their generous donations! Your support is greatly appreciated!

Nov. 17, 2008
Teddy is back living full time with his foster mom and he continues to amaze and inspire everyone who knows him. He has gone from 143 lbs to a new low, 112 lbs. Teddy has lost 31 pounds in 5 months!

Teddy can climb five steps, get in and out of the van on his own, roll on his back, swim, play tug-o-war, and scamper after his tennis ball! One of his really big accomplishments is something all dogs might take for granted: Teddy can now choose to sit if he likes! Before losing the last 10 lbs, Teddy could only stand or lie down, Well, now he can support his weight with his front legs allowing him to perform this seemingly easy function. And such a sweetheart, Teddy has to greet every person he sees with a full Golden Retriever body-wag!

But, with the good news, there always seems to be a new challenge. Teddy will soon need surgery on his rear right knee for an orthopedic problem with his knee cap, which causes it to slide over to the side with every step he takes. Operating on a dog his size is very dangerous because of the anesthesia risks, so Teddy needs to lose as much weight as possible before we can face that challenge.

We will remain committed to Teddy's rehabilitation for as long as it takes. To reach his goal weight of 60 lbs. Teddy must still lose 52 lbs.

Can he do it? Check back for updates! GO Teddy GO!

Sept. 2, 2008
As reported by Teddy's foster mom: BIG NEWS ABOUT TEDDY!Yesterday, Teddy and I attended the Capital K9s "Dog Paddle" event at Goodman Pool in Madison. We were the guests of Dr. Ken Lambrecht, DVM, of Westside Family Pet Clinic and Four Paws Swim and Fitness. Dr. Lambrecht was a major sponsor of the event, and he and his staff had an "Ideal Weight" informational table, along with scales. We spent the day "body scoring" and weighing dogs starting with Teddy. From 143 pounds 13 weeks ago, our sweet boy weighed in at 122 pounds. TEDDY HAS LOST 21 POUNDS!!!!!!!!

Teddy has a LONG WAY TO GO! His goal weight is 60 lbs. so that's another 62 lbs to go. As you probably know, Teddy has been working out in the underwater treadmill at Dodgeville Veterinary. This is expensive (even with our discount) but the only way to safely exercise Teddy without fear of injury, and the results are astounding. Teddy is able to go over a half mile at 1.5 miles/hour raising his heart rate, is and building lean muscle. He is now able to go up 4 stairs, and can now walk without encouragement over 500 ft. before resting. Teddy is exploring his environment, and discovering a world any other dog his age would take for granted. On Labor Day, Teddy went swimming, and fetched tennis balls! I can easily say it was the best day of his life, he had a smile a mile wide!

Well, Dr. Lambrecht and his staff really love Teddy, and wanted to be a part of his rehabilitation. He has offered to provide all of Teddy's vet care, and rehabilitation FREE OF CHARGE TO WAAGR! This will put Teddy into the underwater treadmill 3-4 times a week. Several vet supply reps from dog food to glucosamine/chondroitin are donating products for him as well! Teddy will live in Madison during the week with vet tech, Carolyn Pauly, and come home on weekends to be with me. So it was with a few tears that I said goodbye to my Teddy Boy last night and sent him off with Carolyn to begin his new adventure.

July 23, 2008
As of today, Teddy weighs 131 lbs.! As reported by his foster mom: He did an amazing 1/2 mile in the underwater treadmill today with his best Canine Conditioning pal Ashley. It was so cute, as I walked past the rehab room, I could hear Ashley talking, so I poked my head in. 'You're not slacking any more Bud! Let's get going! You're not fooling me! Let's move Buddy Boy.' Boy, that Ashley really knows how to motivate a guy! She is so proud of his progress.
Teddy can now:
Go up 4 stairs!
Get in and out of the van, BY HIMSELF!
Almost roll over on his back, 3/4 of the way!
Walk outside for meet and greets with his public, this is done with a full body wag! I love this guy!

June 22, 2008
Teddy has lost 4.7 pounds so far. Way to go Teddy! Here is a picture of him with his friend Ashley. Teddy has been working hard with the underwater treadmill and is doing better. He did a total of 0.16 of a mile one week. Good for him!

His foster mom also reports he has a new girlfriend, Emmy, the Parson Russell Terrier. They play together most of the day when Emmy comes to daycare.

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	*Providing Bright New Beginnings To Displaced Golden Retrievers*