Meet our baby boy from Istanbul Turkey!

Some of you may or may not have known we have been on this journey for the last 4-5 months. We wanted to expand our family in the four-legged way. When we heard about the Golden Reterivers being rescued from Turkey we knew we wanted to try and adopt a rescue. Chris grew up with Golden's so he had been wanting one for awhile. Why from Turkey you ask? The breed was very popular and after awhile there were just too many and unfortunately, many ended up living on the street. They are considered one of the most laid back and nonaggressive breeds so the ones roaming on the streets of Turkey were often hurt by other dogs. Also, and because of their non-agressive personalities,  they weren't able to fight for food the way more aggressive dogs do. Even though our information is limited, here is what we do know. He is about 3 years old. He was found roaming the streets and we doubt he's ever lived in a home until now (TEARS).  He is decent with commands but is still learning, (he also DOESN'T understand them in Turkish so thats why we assume he's not ever had a home (TEARS). He is gentle, sweet and calm. He's not great on a leah (YET!,  hey its new to him). He is about 59 lbs but we need to gain weight. He got one of his canine teeth out so his tongue sticks out to one side. He snores when he sleeps sometimes. He loves the car, he's a great car rider! We are still learning a lot about him, and I'm sure he is equally learning about us!



Adopt a Golden Atlanta was amazing even though it took patience while we wait for the right dog we knew they had everyones best interest in mind.  I admit it was difficult to go to a handful of adoption days before we finally got Fenton and we couldn't be any happier , but we understand and trusted the process. It reminds us to be patient and the right thing always works out!

And now that we finaly have Fenton here is how we got him! If you are interested in the AGA adoption process and getting a Turkey Dog too,  they have over 1,000 applicants from all over the United States.

• First off, we called our vet to make sure this breed works with our current dog and lifestyle.

• Then, we called Adopt A Golden Atlanta, someone called me back with in 48 hours and explain how the organization works and the process of adoption.

• Next, we decided to process and placed our $25 application fee and were set up with our someone from the Application Team. This person from then on out is our contact person with AGA and she answers any questions we have and is our advocate in helping us get a new dog since she knows us the best.

• After that we got our home check from Linda. She came over to meet us and our current dog and basically was the person to evaluate us, our home, our needs, and our wants. Linda checked our home, checked our fence, we needed additional locking on our fence before we got approved and we had to send photos. I appreciated they cared so much about the dogs and their safety! (some Turkey dogs are jumpers and need higher fences, it's not that they won't love their new home, but they are so used to scouting food they think they need to do that) Fenton is not a jumper! It was so embarrassing I stepped on Gabby while she was here and I thought.... ok we are never getting a dog now.

• Then comes the hardest was going to a handful of adoption days. Despite the fact that we went to a few before we got Fenton, the process was so organized and efficient. You basically sign in and either get a "walk-in sticker" (which means you have to do the steps above before you get a dog) "in process" (which means you are somewhere along the application process) or "approved" (which means you are good to go). So after you get there and sign in and get your sticker, you usually wait in line. They then have a volunteer walk with you around while you meet the dogs taking notes and helping you. At the end, you write on a list of all the dogs and your top choices and then the Volunteer submits them to the Dog placement Team.

• Then you wait and see if there are any potential matches!

• If there is a match you get a call from the Foster (this is the person who is housing the dog and ultimately makes the final decision since they know the dog the best) they may have a few questions and if all goes well and they believe this is a potential match, they set up a house visit.

• Then the house visit, for us the most important thing was Gabby and no one knew how it would go but it went well! Before you know it Gabby was walking underneath Fenton, of course she got smacked in the face a few times from his tail, but I think she liked it since she didn't move.

• Then we finalize the Adoption and we renamed him from Santa to Fenton! The moment I got into the car I cried....No one told me it would be so emotional and also happy and hard at the same time. Understanding and know these Turkey dogs and their background, you soon realize how much they have been through. Streets, taken, on an airplane, surgery and now in someones home. The thing is now here I am taking him and moving him to another home again. It was hard, I knew it was the process and I was excited to have him, but I understand his love for his Foster mom and the bond he had with that family and home. I appreciate AGA and their love for the dogs and their safety and happiness. So all the tears were our of love and excitement for everyones new life but it was so truly BITTERSWEET!

The biggest reason I am writing this post it so inform everyone about these rescues and why I believe so strongly in this cause and their organization.

First off, I already had a dog and AGA knew finding a dog that was a good fit for her was the first and most important thing. They care about finding a FOREVER HOME! So they work tirelessly in making the best choices and matches. It takes patience but trust me, it's worth it.

Secondly, they aren't money hungry at all! They care so much about the dogs and what you paid is helping pay them back for the medical expenses your Turkey dog has already cost them and the money helps save more dogs.
****Think about what you would spend on buying a pure bred Golden Retriever and now you are getting one that fits your family and lifestyle***

They have an amazing surrender program! If you adopt a golden from them and something happens, maybe they don't fit your family or there is financial issues, they happily take the dog and replace them with another great family!

They continue to offer advice and have someone available 24 hours if you have an emergency. The also offer a second opinion at no cost on medical issues if your current vet has a recommendation.

All dogs are microchiped and after you adopt one you register with your information, but AGA is always and legally will always be a secondary contact. So if something happens and they can't get ahold of you they can always call AGA.

And last but not least, there are many many many other reasons we love this organization. We are now a part of the club!!! We can't wait to participate in all the Golden events with our new Golden baby!!!

Below are links on how to get your AGA baby and some press about the Dogs from Turkey, from National and Local news!

Adopt A Golden Website
Vist for more information about adopting, volunteering, and also donating!

AGA Facebook Turkey Dogs

www.11alive.com Turkey Dog Adopting Story

www.11alive.com 100th Turkey Dog arrives in Atlanta, 200th in America, Fenton was apart of this new group!!!!!

^^^CLICK ON LINK ABOVE TO SEE OUR BABY COME TO AMERICA!!!! ^^^

www.hlntv.com Watch this video, and learn more about this rescue effort (See on HLV Nationally)

These are just some of the latest....but feel free to search more

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30 Things I've Learned In 30 Years

Understand and respect different opinions more and judge less. AKA Agree to disagree.


Don't ruin an apology with an excuse


Supporting another success won’t ever dampen yours.AKA Be happy and supportive of others


Be genuine inside and out.


Consistency is always key to growth and change.You won’t have to start over if you never give up.


You have to put your air mask on first before you can help out others. AKA take necessary time out for self help as needed.


When it comes to friends it is completely about quality not quantity.


A lack of planning on your part does not cause an emergency on my part.AKA organization will always come in handy in the long run


Humility is always not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.-CS Lewis.

The person who talks bad about other people looks worse than the person they are talking about.

Don't fight fire with fire. The flames will only get bigger instead of burning out.



Two things define a person: Your patience when you have none and your attitude when you have everything.



If you don't like something change it, if you can’t change it, change your attitude don't complain -Maya Angelo 

Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful.


Looking left and right takes your eyes off YOUR Goals.AKA don't compare yourself to others, focus on you.

Acknowledge your mistakes and regrets and learn from them.AKA  Don't be cliche and say “ I don't regret anything”


Keep all levels even and high and strive for balance.  AKA what good does it do if you are at 90% for one and 10% at another?


Laughter is one of the best parts of life.

Organize your life so you have no excuses.


People have to want to change for themselves, you cannot make them.  AKA You can take a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. 


Don’t ever let any number define you.
What ever you decide to do, make sure it makes you happy.AKA If you don't enjoy it, why do it? 

Make sure you don't start seeing yourself through the eyes of those who don't value you. Know your worth even if they don't.

It’s never too late to start over. If you weren't happy with yesterday, try something different today. Don't stay stuck, do better. Everyday, week, month and year is an opportunity to do it better.

Love the parts of you that don’t change, some are just a apart of “who we are”.

You are not better then anyone, God creates us all equal and we are in his eyes AKA don’t act entitled

Exercise to be healthy, not skinny and eat clean to nourish your body.

Understand and set personal boundaries.


Don't do something with the expectations of praise of attention.


Learn, love and respect your credits and criticism. You can gain so much more by but being open and not taking things personal.