An MTGRR Success Story

In America and beyond, Golden Retrievers are a well-loved breed. And for a Golden in distress, there’s no better friend than the Middle Tennessee Golden Retriever Rescue, headquartered right here in Franklin.

Ginger is a MTGRR success story who happily calls herself a Franklin dog. She’s part of the Waller family consisting of Gerald, Marcie, Aaron and Daniel.

Ginger’s “before” story is not a happy one.  Rescued in late 2008 by MTGRR, she was one of six dogs that had been used all their lives to produce litters.

MTGRR volunteer Sarah Sherck explains, “Over-breeding and lack of vet treatment caused them to develop painful infection called mastitis. The infection can kill the litter and cause severe swelling and huge tumors. In addition, the excessive breeding resulted in an aggressive form of malignant ovarian cancer for at least one dog. MTGRR paid extensive medical bills to treat these dogs and placed them into loving and responsible hands, where they are getting affection, care, and kind attention for the first time in their lives.

Marcie, the “mom” at Ginger’s forever Franklin home, says, “It has taken some time for us to win Ginger over. We have had her a little over a year and I think she is finally convinced this is her forever home and that we are safe and love her very much.”

As dog-lovers the Wallers are truly golden. After they sadly had to say good-by to their oldest Golden due to bone cancer, they added another to their family — Bama, adopted a week before Thanksgiving.

MTGRR is regularly in need of foster homes before dogs are placed in their forever home. You can access their website through our blogroll

Stop in at Keke’s Kitchen Dog Bakery and Boutique and meet another family that’s discovered that Franklin is a great place for dogs and dog lovers.

Located one block south of Moores Lane on Franklin Rd. (next to Gateway Village), Keke’s, owned by Keke, Leo and Stephanie Sotiros, is an extension of a business that opened in Wisconsin in 2005.

When they were ready to expand, Franklin was their choice. “This city fit all of our criteria,” says Stephanie.

“This is a very dog-loving community,” she says. “People open their hearts and their homes to dogs. The rescue effort is amazing and I admire how the community helps support the rescues, shelters and breed rescues.”

Among their best sellers are their cookies, freshly baked in Keke’s kitchen. Over 75 varieties are naturally preserved, made with nutritious ingredients with no sugar, salt, wheat, or or corn.

And even non-dog owners can find something for themselves: Greek Baklava and Stephanie’s Fudge Brownies are always available. Plus, there’s the boutique side of the business featuring Keke’s original artwork.

Collars, leashes, beds, toys, grooming products, naturally-preserved dog food and chew treats, protein treats and more are also in the inventory.

The Sotiros family has added to the Franklin dog population with Saxby (Scottish Terrier), Poppy (French Bulldog) and Vinne, a Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen (PBGV) who is a trained Search and Rescue Canine for Williamson County.

For many years, Stephanie bred, raised and showed Bernese Mountain Dogs and Clumber Spaniels. In the past, a Maltese, Wirehaired Dachshund and a West Highland White Terrier have been a part of their lives.

Check out www.kekeskitchen.com. Keke’s does mail-order, and you can have gifts sent to others.

Send your address to randy@franklindog.com and we’ll mail you a clear window sticker that declares you a “Proud Owner of a Franklin Dog.”

Your pet will be overwhelmed with emotion.

Albert Payson Terhune (1872-1942) in my mind ranks as an American treasure. Out of his love for dogs, including his collies at Sunnybank Kennels in New Jersey, he wrote numerous epics of heroic dogs who served their masters with great devotion.

Prior to a family vacation a few years ago, I stopped by our Williamson County Public Library and checked out the audio version of Lad, a Dog. I recalled seeing the 1962 movie version at a drive-in theatre with my parents on a vacation of our own and thought it would make good listening while my passengers slept. I under-estimated the power of Terhune’s picturesque writing. Everyone was interested.

Only recently I recalled that the name I choose for the American Eskimo Dog of my boyhood was from another Terhune book, A Dog Named Chips. Nowadays, sitting on my bookshelf is the appropriately weathered copy that my wife, Lisa, thoughtfully searched out as a gift for me.

A Dog Named Chips, though more light-hearted than other Terhune novels, is just as engaging…enough to make a dog-loving boy name his best friend Chips.

Randy Smith

Remember our story about local musher Rodney Whaley? Well, Vickie , his wife, gave him an out-of-sight Christmas present: a 12-month-old husky. Koyuk (in the forefront of the picture) is already running with the team.

By the way, Rodney is one of the organizers of the inauguaral Music City Dryland Sled Dog Challenge. To find out more, contact Rodney at rodneywhaley@att.net or at www.tnsleddogs.com.

Are you starting 2010 with a new Franklin dog of your own? Let us know at randy@franklindog.com