success stories: 2018-2025
DUke
Year Adopted: 2022
Adoption update: 2025
When our first golden passed at age 13.5 in January 2022, I was struggling to find the will to get out of bed. Summer, my 10-year-old female golden, was also severely depressed without her big brother. So, we had to do something and soon before we lost her, too.
Upon learning of Duke's potential match with our family, I looked for any—and every—reason not to bring him home.
But, he was obviously meant to be ours.
Once I decided to consider him, his arrival was a long time coming: I was stuck in a traffic jam on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge for hours on the way to the Baton Rouge meeting point.
As soon as we got home, Summer perked up immediately.
He mended a whole household of broken hearts.
Duke—now at age 7—enjoys his lake lifestyle and never fails to make us laugh!
Thank you Judy for knowing in your gut our Gunner sent Duke to help us heal!
-Christy B.
LUCY AND TRIPP
Year Adopted: 2009 (LUCY)
and 2020 (tripp)
Adoption update: 2025
We have adopted two amazing goldens from GSGRR.
Our first was Lucy, back in 2009. We had recently lost our golden that I got when I was still single.
So, Lucy was the first dog our two sons really remember. They essentially grew up with her. She was so sweet and loving. She lived until 2019, and it broke our hearts when we lost her.
Shortly afterward, I reached out to Judy at GSGRR and told her about how much Lucy meant to our family. Judy added us to the waiting list for our next golden.
About months later, we adopted Tripp, our second golden from GSGRR. We got him in December prior to the COVID pandemic.
He was a HUGE blessing to our family—especially during all the awful stuff that came with 2020. He was the most affectionate and sweetest dog I've ever been around.
He and I bonded immediately on my drive home after picking him up. I was driving along the interstate and all of the sudden I felt a slight weight on my shoulder. It was Tripp, resting his chin, just checking on me.
As my kids would say: He was the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time). He was perfect for our family, especially as my wife and I became empty-nesters.
Sadly, he developed cancer at the age of 7.5, and we had to let him go in May 2025. It was very unexpected. We miss him dearly, and I'm sure we will be looking for our next golden again soon. I can't say enough great things about GSGRR President Judy and the other members of the rescue.
RIP Lucy and Tripp.
Chris, Jennifer, Andrew, and Ben C.
