Ivy

More Photos of Puppy Ivy (2 1/2 months to 4 months old) by Foster Dad Ed

A Letter From Ivy's New Family

Dear SEVA GRREAT,

We have been members and volunteers with SEVA GRREAT for many years. We wanted to thank you for bringing Ivy into our lives. We feel certain she was sent to us by our beloved Elliott (also a GRREAT dog). We got him at eight years old when we fostered him briefly. It quickly became clear he was home to stay. Though we only had 5-6 years together, they were fabulous loving years we wouldn't trade for anything! He died recently after a long battle with debilitating neurological myopathy at 13 1/2 years old. He was the perfect dog and our "red rug." He passed over peacefully in my arms at home with our vet's help and attention. We have two other "dog children" - Max (mixed Shepherd) and Blue (Aussie) and we have two boys, Colton and Ian, ages 6 and 9. We have a full house but it was empty without "Yelliott."

Two weeks after he died I talked with Ann Bartlett about some upcoming GRREAT events. I asked in passing about the dogs we had in the system at that time. When she mentioned Ivy I had a strange feeling of hope and fear. She sounded too perfect for our family. We met her within days. She immediately fell for the boys and we fell for her. We had wanted another Golden and one we could train and travel with.

She is brilliant and beautiful. She even senses how to behave around little people. She is thrilled with all dogs. Max and Blue wondered what we had brought home at first but have taken to her easily. Ivy knows Max hung the moon and thinks Blue is a wise elder. Max puts up with her attentions like a regal prince with an occasional paw on the head to get her out of his mouth. Blue treats Ivy as a fragile infant even though Ivy is already bigger than she is.

Ivy, like Elliott did, has come to realize she is here to stay. We spend our days playing fetch, making rounds to visit friends and family and their dogs and trying to find places to swim. We found out she really wanted to swim when we took her two doors down to play in the yard while we swam in the above ground pool. Ivy didn't believe we meant to leave her out so she climbed the ladder steps and jumped in with us. We start school with her on June 12th. As fast as she learns, we can't wait to get started! The ladder climbing and her wide-eyed interest in life make us think we may even enjoy agility training with her.

I can't thank Ann enough for the wonderful start in life she gave to Ivy and her siblings. She gave them the best love and socialization possible. I also send special thanks to Dot and Ed for their excellent foster care. Ivy came to us ready to be loved and incorporated into a family.

Ann and I have talked about how it seems that Angel and Elliott must have met up in heaven to arrange this home for Ivy. She has helped heal our hearts. Ivy is so Golden (like Elliott) in her likes, choices and temperament. We can not imagine life without her.

SEVA GRREAT is a wonderful organization and Ivy is a walking ambassador for the organization and it's ability to bring joy and safety to displaced dogs and loving families.

The Richardsons: Meg, Rob, Ian, Colton, Max, Blue and Ivy

Blue, Ivy and Max

A Quickie Note from Meg (6/2000)

Ivy is so wonderful! We just took a trip to West VA and she is THE BEST traveller ever! She is also the star pupil in her puppy class and learned to ring the bell for a treat on the first lesson!