Retriever rescue group as good as gold for families
BY STEPHANIE KOHL skohl@pioneerlocal.com February 9, 2012 12:02PM
Barrington Hills 1/23/12 President of As Good As Gold, Robin Sweeny, of Wheaton, watches as Alan Hoffman gets a kiss from one of his three rescued Golden Retrievers, Simba, at his home in Barrington Hills, on Monday, January 23, 2012. Alan and Pam Hoffman have fostered six rescued Golden Retrievers in the past four years through the non-profit organization, As Good As Gold. | Ruthie Hauge ~ Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:10AM
Pam and Alan Hoffman are “foster failures” in the best way possible.
The Barrington Hills duo has a habit of adopting the golden retrievers they foster as members of As Good As Gold, Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois. The couple currently has three furry family members, including 13-year-old Baby, whom they’ve had for two years; 7-year-old Simba, whom they’ve had since last August; and 3-year-old Ellie, whom they’ve had since November.
“It’s very rewarding,” Pam said of being a foster, and adoptive, family. “I’ll always have a dog. I’ll always have a golden. They’re best friends. It’s so true.”
As Good as Gold, Golden Retriever Rescue of Northern Illinois is a membership based, all-volunteer, 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The mission of As Good As Gold is two-fold and includes the rescue, care and adoption of abandoned, mistreated and/or unwanted golden retrievers in the Northern Illinois area and the education of golden retriever guardians and the general public about the importance of spaying/neutering, positive training methods, diet and exercise, appropriate medical treatment and humane care.
As Good As Gold takes in all Golden Retrievers or Golden Retriever mixes and never turns down a dog because of age or medical conditions, said President Robin Sweeney. The group, with foster homes all over Illinois, takes in dogs and places them in foster homes until they are ready for adoption, or in the case of a very elderly dog, or a dog with a terminal illness, place it in a long term care home, where the families know the dog will be with them until it dies.
The Hoffmans have some experience caring for ill dogs. When Ellie came to them as a sick stray from Oklahoma, As Good As Gold thought she had diabetes, but really she had a liver shunt, which required an expensive surgery in New York. While Ellie has had some issues since the surgery, she is doing extremely well now. She still requires daily medication though.
“She has a wonderful life now,” Sweeney said.
In 2011 alone, the organization spent $230,000 in veterinary care. The organization does provide financial support to foster families caring for ill dogs, as well as for adoptive families who adopt a dog with long-term health conditions.
As Good As Gold generally has between 30 and 40 dogs waiting to be adopted at a time, but because of the extreme circumstances some of the dogs have been through, adopting a Golden is almost like adopting a child. In addition to an application, families wishing to adopt must go through a one-to-two hour home visit to make sure the home is appropriate for the Golden Retriever.
“These guys have been bumped around quite a bit,” Sweeney said. “... (But) once you adopt from us, we’re there for you.”
As Good As Gold has gotten its dogs from individuals who can no longer care for them, has rescued them from places like Oklahoma and as far away as Beirut, Lebanon, and also has working relationships with area shelters and veterinarians to take in Golden Retrievers.
“We really try not to let any Goldens slip through the cracks,” Sweeney said.
As Good As Gold is funded entirely through donations and fundraising. Each dog costs As Good As Gold about $2,100, but the cost to adopt a dog is only $300. As Good As Gold’s biggest annual fundraiser is coming up this spring. A Golden Night, which includes dinner, a silent auction and open bar, from 5:30 p.m.-10 p.m. May 5 at The Discovery Center at Brookfield Zoo. Tickets are $135 per person, or $1,100 for a table of 10. More information is available on the As Good As Gold website at asgoodasgold.org. The event raised about $170,000 last year.
“It’s been a totally different experience because I really wasn’t raised with dogs,” Alan said of being a foster and adoptive family. But his love for the dogs, and their love for him, is obvious as they sit next to him and at his feet just waiting to be petted. Now, he regularly hosts Meet and Greets to get the word out. The next one is scheduled for Feb. 18 at Petco in Lake Zurich. For more info visit asgoodasgold.org.
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