RROC began in 2006 with only a few volunteers on hand to spearhead the effort to create an incredible rescue organization. The expectation that RROC would achieve saving around 30 dogs was far exceeded within the first year of operation and today proudly touts more than 850 retrievers saved and adopted as of 2008.
Fionn (aka Roman)
Well, he first thing Roman did upon arriving in his new home was change his name. His new name is Fionn (pronounced Finn) MacCumhail (pronounced MacCool), named after the Irish legend who was part Robin Hood, part King Arthur. Fionn, the legend, was a natural in water and got his powers from salmon, and as it turns out, my Finn was born to swim and chose the smoked salmon dog food from a selection he was offered. So Irish hero dog is big, red, mine and happy.
He has been going to doggie daycare every day with his new brother, Chester, the schleppherd. They have so much fun! Finn loves the pool and even takes his naps in the wading pool (supervised, of course ;-) He's eating, he's putting on a little weight and he's sleeping on the bed and the sofa like a pro. He is also madly attached to his feline brother, Fergus.
At first it was hard because Finn was so submissive and insecure. If I called him, he would melt into a ball, but I figured out that I should just call Chester and give kisses and treats, and Finn would follow. He is becoming more secure, really coming out of his shell. In fact, they told me at his daycare today that they can see so much more happiness in him in the past two weeks, and that he is really bonded to Chester. Today when Chester came out first to go in the car, Finn actually cried at the gate, and since I've only heard him bark one solitary bark in two weeks, I know that this was a big step for him to cry for his brother. Since I've never adopted an adult dog before, I didn't realize that he wouldn't bond to me immediately, so we're working on that. I do think he likes me very much, but he's reserved a corner of his heart for now, I can tell. I know, too, that his heart is so big, and it is opening up a little more every day, that soon I'll be his Number One instead of Fergus the cat :-)
Rosie (aka Aquamarine) She is doing very well. She is a really laid back girl, she has her crazy puppy moments but for the most part is a very mellow dog. She's also REALLY SMART... we have a box of toys for her and she will go and nose around, find the one she wants to play with and PUT IT BACK when she's done and get another one. I swear :-)
She also is doing very well on potty training and hasn't had an accident now in about 5 days. We're crossing our fingers that she'll be mostly housebroken soon. We are so thrilled with our lovely puppy and can't wait to see the dog that she grows into.
Chester (aka Desert) Amber,
Thank you for your email. Chester (aka Desert) is doing GREAT. We absolutely love him, and he has adjusted extremely well. He plays with lots of other dogs in our neighborhood and spends a lot of time playing the yard with me. His training is going well, although he gets distracted pretty easily by other people and dogs because he's so social!! He's a smarty though and is picking things up pretty quickly. He is truly amazing, and I couldn't be happier with the dog we adopted.
Thank you RROC!
Best, Hyland & Laurence
Oakley (aka Jungle) Thank you for the follow up. I have to say both my wife and I are very impressed with your organization and very pleased with the experience. Our family decided to change Jungle’s name to Oakley. Agreeing on a name wasn’t easy between the six of us but it was fun and everyone likes the new name. Oakley is starting to respond to his name but is still learning it. So far he has settled in nicely and has already learned to sit and shake and is learning to fetch. He does really well in his crate at night on only puts up a little resistance at first but calms down quickly and sleeps through the night. We are still working on house training and as long as we keep to our routine he does pretty well.
RAGGEDY ANN – A SPECIAL LAB Rags arrived on the 2/11/2009 C.A.R.E. transport. Chet is a new driver for C.A.R.E. Here’s his and Rags story: My name is Chet and my wife Jennifer and I just started to do some volunteer work for C.A.R.E. and RROC – Retriever Rescue of Colorado.My first transport was to Topeka, KS and I saw Raggedy Ann in the shelter. I was a bit shocked, she has chemical burns on her little body, stitches in her left eye and half of one ear missing!!I found out she had been in one bad home where she got the chemical burns, was taken out of that home to only be put into another bad one!!She was then put into a closet for long periods of time without food or water!!Somewhere along the way, a bigger dog or a disturbed person tried to take her left eye out! I tried not to pay too much attention in fear of falling for her….but it had already happened!!I did my transport, Jennifer and I talked about what I had seen and we both cried.A week later, C.A.R.E. had another transport for me and it was to Topeka!!That was it!It was a sign!We had to bring her home! I went out on the next transport and when I got there to adopt her I hit a wall of opposition!Well if you know me that just makes me more determined!!I had to come home without Raggedy Ann and it was very hard to walk away and leave her there!Needless to say, a few stern phone calls later, some paper work, and money, she was ours!Now how to get her home and C.A.R.E. to the rescue! She has put on quite a few pounds and let go of a lot of stress her first week or two with us!Thanks to C.A.R.E. - I truly feel as if we have saved a beautiful life!!Thank You!!!I have added a few pics of her and her new bro and sis (both RROC dogs). Note “Rags” (that’s what we call her for short) is the smallest of the three! Chet Kelley
Amigo
Amigo came to RROC from a very loving home.
This beautiful 10 year old purebred Golden Retriever boy was the beloved pet of a man whose home was destroyed by a tornado in the midwest. Amigo almost didn't survive. The man lived with friends and relatives but there was no place for his buddy. When Amigo wandered onto a very busy street, the man realized that he needed to find a safer place for Amigo and that meant giving up his dog.
RROC offered to take Amigo and find him another loving home. Amigo's owner was grateful but couldn't understand how we would get him all the way out to Colorado. He was so amazed to learn about C.A.R.E. The poor guy sobbed when he delivered Amigo to the transport on July 19, 2008.
He has stayed in touch to learn how Amigo did in foster care, where Amigo had two canine friends and lots of attention. He thanked us profusely when told that Amigo was in a great permanent home.
Amigo's new family adores this gorgeous boy and takes him on long hikes. They are thrilled with what a loving, smart dog they've received!
Colorado Animal Rescue Express (C.A.R.E.) is a 501(C)3 Public Charity
