So, Riva and Ziggy’s story really begins with Marley. Marley was our beloved English Golden Retriever that died suddenly 5 years ago. Our hearts were broken. We woke up in tears the next morning and my husband looked at me and said, “puppy?” and I said “yes”. We jumped in the car and drove to the same breeders where we got Marley and immediately brought Ziggy home. I always said Marley was an old soul, but this was Ziggy’s first time here on earth. He was just full of love and energy and fun! Ziggy immediately healed our hearts and we knew Marley would approve. We had always been a one dog family, and I had never considered getting a second dog (my husband would probably have 10 if it were up to him), but we were content.
 
One day in the spring of 2021, a friend posted a picture of a dog her sister was fostering that was looking for a forever home. I cannot explain what happened when I looked at the face in that post. I have seen tons of dogs posted on Facebook, but for some reason, I just knew this one was meant to be ours. I waited 3 weeks before checking to see if she had been adopted, but somehow knowing she was not because she was waiting for me. My husband, of course, couldn’t say yes fast enough.  

The back story is that she was one of 100 puppies rescued from a high-kill shelter in Utah that were picked up from a reservation in Arizona. The organization that brought these 100 puppies to Colorado is called Soul Dog Rescue. Their main focus is providing free spay and neutering, food, and care for dogs in underserved areas, mostly in the four corners area. When the situation calls for it, though, they will step in and rescue animals. The area is extremely poor, so there is not enough money to take care of the people, let alone all of the dogs that people own, or the dogs that run wild. Based on her history, we were a little worried that she might be aggressive, so we asked to foster her until we were confident that she would be good with our grandson who was just a year old at the time.

Needless to say, Riva (my husband named her after the ski run on Vail Mountain), could not have been more gentle. She was mostly afraid of everyone, but was never, and has never been aggressive with any human or other dog. After Riva was with us for 10 minutes, my husband said, “This dog is nothing but sweet.”  Ziggy became her security blanket. She pretty much just tolerated us at first but was glued to Ziggy at all times. She always seemed to be fearful of us or anyone that came around. It was obvious, in her short life up to that point, that she had been harassed, neglected, and abused. It was heartbreaking, but we knew we could reach her with enough love. 
 
When we first got her, she escaped from her harness while a landscaping project was underway at our house. We spent the next 3 hours chasing her all over Singletree, fearful that she would escape into the backcountry around the neighborhood. With the help of a number of wonderful neighbors, but mostly one who interrupted a mountain bike ride to help recon on bike (you know who you are Chris, we were able to corral Riva and bring her home. After that experience, we were afraid to let her off the leash, but slowly Riva has shown us that we are her family now and she isn’t going anywhere.
 
Back to Ziggy; he is the most gentle and easy dog ever. Quickly Ziggy began to love Riva even though he would tattle on her when she was doing things puppies do (not kidding).  As they have grown together, they alternate between play and sleep, but always together. Ziggy makes it clear that he was here first and that he is number one, but Riva doesn’t care. She loves him and she is happy to be part of the pack. I have always had Golden Retrievers, “Designer Dogs” as I like to call them, but after experiencing the way Riva looks at us, we are rescue converts for sure.

Soul Dogs invited us to their first ever Gala Fundraising event at the Natural History Museum in Denver this past April. It was an amazing evening that frequently had me in tears as they talked about, and showed videos, of the work they do and the dogs that they have rescued. We clearly were not the only ones moved as they raised $165,000 that night to help continue their work.

Anyone that loves dogs knows how they change your lives and know that they give you everything they have in their brief time on this earth. Ziggy has never known one moment of not being loved, cared for, or feeling secure. He has always known his place in this world and in our family. We will never know, but I don’t think Riva had one day of feeling loved, cared for. or secure during her first 4 months of life.  Watching her now feel that love and security brings some of the greatest joy I have known.

Over the last 3 1/2 years, Riva has blossomed into the most kind and loving dog who appreciates every little thing we do for her. We call her our “pillow pup” because she does love comfy pillows, couches, and beds. She used to sit as far away from us as she could get, but now she sits close to us and craves affection. We could go on forever about her sweet and humorous behaviors. Many of you know her (and Ziggy’s) greeting when walking at the bottom of June Creek Road. Also, if you ever need vole remediation, they are amongst her favorite snack. Again, I am not kidding! We suspect she survived on rodents early in her life.

Our friends often say, “Riva is so lucky that you guys took her in.” But we feel equally fortunate that we have experienced the joy Riva brings. We are also touched by the mission and tireless work of Soul Dog Rescue.  Check them out at this website: www.souldog.org.