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Drake was abandoned at some time in 1999 on the north side of Oklahoma City. The Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue Association found him and took him in. He was thin, covered in ticks and fleas, and was suffering from heartworm.
They cleaned him up, cured him of heartworm, altered him and tattooed him with his permanent mark of SGRR#383, which guarantees him a home for life. They have since added a microchip identity injection, too. We applied to adopt one of the SGRR dogs in April of 1999. We were cleared for ownership, since we had a nice new home and a fenced-in yard, and promised to never leave our dog outside alone for extended periods of time (no dogs as 'lawn ornaments'). Our first meeting with Drake was instant love on both sides. He came to us and sat down, looking up with gentle eyes and walking quietly along side me when I moved to the fence.
He was brought to us the next day and moved in to his own personal crate until he proved to be fully house-broken (already was), and safe alone without supervision (within a week). Because of his heartworm treatment, he was never fond of his crate, though he would obediently go into it any time he was told to 'kennel.' After a month or so, we dismantled it, and he has the run of the house.
Drake with his 'Dad' and late'Grand-dog' in 1999
He is the perfect mail artist dog: he loves delivery people, and enjoys snuffling the mail and licking artistamps.
Chuck and Drake (and the ever-present tennis ball)
Drake and Rabbit in 2001
Drake at home in 2003
In 2006, Chuck and I rescued a golden pup from the side of the road in Moore, Oklahoma, but before we could bring him home from the shelter, his owner reclaimed him. So we decided it was time to get Drake a little brother. Gander was a stray on the streets of Tulsa, Oklahoma and had pneumonia when he was rescued. He is not a 24 carat golden, as he has amber eyes and a liver-colored nose, but his personality is 100% golden.
He isn't interested in tennis balls, but he loves little kids and playing tug of war and chase games.
Drake and Gander played together regularly and loved exploring the yard together. 
Drake in 2007 was about twelve years old, and became a very mellow senior citizen with occasional youthful outbursts; especially when teasing Gander.
Late in 2007, Drake began losing muscle mass and slowed down quite a bit, but he was still happy and a wonderful companion to us and to his little brother. During the last week of May, 2008, Drake lost interest in his food and the vet thought perhaps he had Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and we began aggressive treatment.
Unfortunately he continued to decline and on the 7th of June 2008, Drake wagged his tail one last time and went to play tennis ball with God. It was discovered in the necropsy that he had cancer in his spleen, so the call to let him go was a good one.
His ashes have come home to stay and he was buried with his beloved tennis ball, kong, a rawhide and his collar under a cluster of daffodils to remind us each spring of our golden treasure which graced our lives for nine years. The spot we picked for his rest was the precise spot in the round flower bed where he had uncovered the nest of bunnies in 2004 (see the Home and Garden link for pictures).
One interesting thing happened just a few days before Drake died. From within a few months of coming to live with us, Drake could sit up and beg, which is unusual in goldens. He could balance that way for minutes at a time and even shake hands from that position. 
When Gander came to live with us, he learned all the tricks except that one. Gander is a 'lazy sitter' and could only prop himself up by putting his paws on us. One day, just a few days before he died, Drake tried to sit up for a treat but just couldn't find the strength. He looked so frustrated, I just comforted him and gave him his treat anyways. When I turned to Gander, he suddenly sat up and begged!
Perfect paw position and straight as an arrow. The difference is that he looks up when he sits up, and I think it is because Drake was always 4 inches taller and 30lbs heavier than Gander and Gander is looking up at his brother for approval.
Drake had only been gone for a few weeks when we were contacted by SGRR and asked if there was any way we could foster this poor old dog which no one wanted to adopt. None of the foster homes had room and a hot summer was forecast, and this poor old guy would be spending his summer out at Anne's. It's a nice kennel but isn't air conditioned for the SGRR dogs. So we went out to look. I wasn't ready for a new dog but Simon came limping out and lay happily by us to be petted. I picked up a nearby ball and he galloped out after it, and came limping heavily back. Drake knew--it was time to bring home a brother for Gander. So Simon joined our home. 
He's blind in one eye, has cataracts, scars all over his ears, face and legs (and like the old joke, we call him 'lucky'). He'ssweet and loving and totally addicted to the game of catch. The difference is that Simon isn't fussy: if it is round, square, soft or hard; throw it and he will fetch it and bring it to you! He does like this little game of keep away once he does bring it back: he will drop it in your lap or at your feet but he won't hand it to you. We've tried to train him to 'give,' but Simon is quite stubborn and loves this little keepaway routine.
Regardless, Gander is happy to have a brother again: he and Simon play fight and howl at sirens together; protect our yard from invading UPS trucks and school buses, and love to explore together. Oh, and they certainly and keep us snuggled and covered in Golden Retriever hair!
Are you interested in rescuing a Golden Retriever yourself? You can get information here:
Sooner Golden Retriever Rescue
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All pages copyright 2007 Janice Bryant/RubberRabbit. All rights reserved.