Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue & Sanctuary, Inc.

Important FDA alert and recall for Sportmix Dog and Cat Food containing high levels of a deadly toxin called aflatoxin. Please share! https://www.fda.gov//fda-alert-certain-lots-sportmix-pet-f

We are so excited to tell you that Skye, our young boy in need of double hip surgery, has arrived safely thanks to your support of Jody's Heart Fund on this year's Giving Tree. <3 He is sporting a pretty serious bunny hop, but two surgeries...and 12 weeks of recovery...will take care of that and ensure a long, happy, and pain free life. These very special rescues are not possible without you. Thank you for what you make possible...and we join Skye in wishing everyone a HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We're thrilled to share that our special Louie was adopted by an extra special family. Every year, Regan - the young daughter of Homeward Bound adopters - asks for donations for HBGRR for her birthday. She brings the raised funds out for the dogs around Christmas. Last year, she fell in love with 12-year-old Monk, an adorable boy who had been abandoned at the vet with terminal cancer. Regan convinced Mom and Dad that Monk needed to go home with them. She took care of him ever...y day for nearly six months until he passed. Fast forward: Mom and Dad saw the post about one-year-old blind Louie. They came out without the kids for a meet and greet with their Husky girl then surprised the kids by bringing Louie home just before Christmas. Now Regan has a new dog to watch over marking the beginning of a much happier New Year! Congratulations, and happy life Louie. We could not imagine a better match for you! See more

With grateful hearts for all your gifts of time, treasure, friendship and support in making dogs' dreams of "home" come true - we wish you all a Merry Christmas.

UPDATE!! Cristian is SAFE AT HOME! Thanks for your help team!! Cristian, a Great Pyrenees was adopted yesterday and jumped his fence in the Arden Arcade area...spotted at 930A at Becerra and Marconi and also Becerra and Robertson. CAN YOU HELP US LOOK FOR HIM??! He is scared. Don't spook him, please. Our team is on the ground. If you spot him, please post here or call us at (916) 768-3433. Let's bring him home! Please share to anyone who lives in the area.

Kibble and Bids raffle for anyone who bid or donated! Winners can pick up at Homeward Bound or we will get the prize to you.

Recall of Sunshine Mills pet foods extended. Please note and share. https://www.fda.gov//sunshine-mills-inc-expands-previously

Your support of the dogs through AmazonSmile and our Amazon Wishlist has been invaluable. If you are taking advantage of Amazon Prime Day deals on October 13 & 14 (or any day!) simply shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/68-0442702 or with AmazonSmile ON in the Amazon Shopping app and AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of eligible purchases to the dogs of Homeward Bound Golden Retriever Rescue and Sanctuary, Inc. Good for you; great for the dogs. Thank you!

This week, Amy M. - the adopter of Baylee (one of our Lab Lift dogs) came out to Homeward Bound to donate handmade dog toys made by her daughter and friends. They made the toys in honor of their teacher who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. They named themselves Harber’s Hope Club, and they have dedicated themselves to doing kind deeds to spread hope in her honor. It was a special moment and a shining light of human kindness during a difficult week. We and the dogs are very grateful.

Jody’s heart has always been full to the brim with joys and sorrows. It gave and gave for more than twenty years until today - when it finally gave way. It is with tremendous sadness that we share the passing of Jody Jones our founder, leader, teacher, and most of all - our dear friend. Words are incredibly hard to find at this time. None seem sufficient for the impact that this tiny, determined woman had on so many. To live a life of meaning is what we all hope for. Jod...y lived that and more. She literally made a difference in the lives of thousands. She taught compassion, hope, acceptance, and forgiveness and to always say yes, we can. And with equal determination, we now say yes, we can continue her legacy as she would wish. Homeward Bound has always been a work in progress. Dreams are like that. You pick up where you left off and you imagine something new. The job of those of us with years of tenure is now to walk in her shoes and inspire the next generation to carry forward the vision. They will make it their own. But at its heart there will always be a bright shining star leading us down the right path following one guiding principle: It’s All About the Dogs. It was good that our beloved Red went ahead. That way, he could greet Jody at the bridge along with Chelsea, Lucky, Tilly, and countless others. There is an incredibly special place in heaven for this amazing woman. Filled with birds chirping, endless sunrises, overflowing gardens, and dogs, dogs, dogs. Godspeed and guide us. We’ll meet you there, dear friend. <3

UPDATE: I WAS ADOPTED! THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR SHARING MY POST AND HELPING ME FIND MY FOREVER HOME! My name is Rubble. (I’m the one on the left.) I guess someone mistook me for trash because I got left behind and not found. That’s OK. The nice people at Homeward Bound said I had a golden heart and offered me a place to stay while I looked for my forever home. I’m not a Golden Retriever as you can see. Best guess is part Great Pyrenees (I’m so soft!), Border Collie (I like to... herd), maybe some German Shepherd? (look at those ears!) and part Kangaroo (I spring into action!). Whatever I am, I am four and a half months old and adorable. Because of my breeds, I need a good human teacher who knows about dogs with herding instincts; a good, big dog teacher would help too! I am smart as a whip, already know how to sit and wait for the ball to be thrown, I bring it back and leave it just like a Golden Retriever. I LOVE water and think a life full of adventures would be ideal! I have been hanging out in foster care with my big foster brother. He has taught me about housetraining (got that down!) and how to play nicely (that took some doing but he is a patient teacher). I’m looking for a family with older kids (13+) and no kitties (I like them TOO much which I discovered they don’t like at all!). Like all puppies, I get morning and evening zoomies, so you need to have the time to help me work those out. Like they say, a tired puppy is a good puppy! I will be on HB’s Available Dogs website page tomorrow. But you don’t need to wait. If you are a previous adopter, you can just call and leave a message about me. If you are a new adopter, follow the link posted here and complete an application for me! I’m looking forward to finding a family that doesn’t think I am rubble and will love me forever and ever. If you can help, please share! https://homewardboundgoldens.org/adopt.html See more

An Update on Jody - This is River formerly Lilac of the flower litter. She is one of the reasons for part of our special project need this year: replacing the puppy quarantine flooring. She and her littermates arrived in April exposed to Parvo - unbeknown to us. River’s sister, Rose, was heartbreakingly lost. But Jody our leader was determined that River would not suffer the same fate. She whisked River to Doc’s for emergency care, and then personally watched over her ...24/7 providing intravenous fluids, praying, and encouraging her on until this beautiful pup turned the corner. Today, she is a bright, smart, stunning girl living her best life with her big Golden brother and human family enjoying kayak trips, mountain hikes, and ocean visits. With sheer determination and unending faith, Jody has willed countless dogs to recovery. Which makes this time so especially hard. The fall that Jody took in August was caused by an underlying health issue that has grown progressively more serious. We find ourselves helpless to heal her the way she has healed so many others. It is a sad and anxious time one in which we considered cancelling this year’s Kibble & Bids activities. But these are the critical funds that sustain our mission and her vision; with Jody, it is always all about the dogs. Your prayers and well-wishes for Jody, Mike, and their family are welcome and appreciated. This is the reason why they could not join us for the Facebook Live toast last night in their honor. The family asked us to respect her privacy through the event knowing that it was important to her. So, we raised a glass together - to Jody and Mike’s vision, the dream that became Homeward Bound, and the nearly 10,000 dog lives savedso far. Because it is what they expect of us. We regret that we could not share this news with you sooner. We hope you understand that respecting her wishes now is as important as your thoughts and prayers. If there is a way to will her to recovery, we will find it together. From the bottom or our hearts. Thank you.

Kibble and Bids Founders Picnic

Our team was hard at work delivering Sponsor Baskets today in anticipation of tonight's Facebook Live Toast to our founders, Jody and Mike Jones! Thank you to Nature's Select of Northern California, Dog Mom's Bakery, Holly's Hill Vineyards, Crystal Basin Cellars, our own Golden Gourmet Kathryn, and Barbara Mayer for your contributions to the Kibble & Bids 2020 sponsor picnics. And to our hard working delivery team, tool! There are lots of tails wagging their love and appreciation. We're grateful for everyone's support! See you all right here at 6PM (and for those who "don't do" Facebook, we will post the recording later).

Tonight's the night! Don't forget to join us right here at 6PM for our Kibble & Bids Facebook Live Toast to founders Jody and Mike Jones and the 20 Years of Rescued Love that they inspired! Send your best wishes and photos through the comments. We may not be able to be together in person - but even a pandemic can't keep the Homeward Bound family apart!

Ninety-nine percent of the time, dogs come to Homeward Bound on their way to their forever homes. But one dog found his home with us. And tonight, at the age of 15, we had to say ‘goodbye.’ Red was our once-and-forever feral friend. He came to us at the age of seven; part of a group of captured feral dogs that were rounded up and adopted out. Most returned to the wild; Red’s mom knew better and brought him to us so we could keep him safe. Since 2012, he reigned over the senior yard welcoming new dog friends, begging cookies, loving bagels, and bonding with a select few humans that he trusted with his heart. He didn’t know all of us, but we knew him. And we loved him. We lost a piece of our hearts tonight. Run finally free, sweet boy. We’ll see you at the bridge. <3