Bruce UPDATE Golden Retriever & Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Mix New Canaan, CT

ADOPTED 5/5/11!!


Age: 1 year

Weight: 40 pounds

Adoption Fee: $450



Latest Update from Bruce’s foster family on 4-7-11:


Bruce is progressing in leaps and bounds! He just had his best walk ever today. He took treats from everyone we met, no exceptions! We met 4 different sets of people, some with dogs, and some without. He traded sniffs with 2 other dogs and walked next to them. He touched noses with one of 3 Goldens that were together and let 2 of them sniff him at once. He even let 2 different people at different times pet him. It was AMAZING!! I am so happy for him.



We finally let Bruce meet the rabbit today and he did great, no chasing, he just wanted to play. The rabbit is very dog savvy and stands his own, so Bruce was actually a little afraid of him.



UPDATE FROM BRUCE'S FOSTER FAMILY 3/21/11


Bruce is currently being fostered in a home apart from Marshall and has really started to come into his own! Without that sibling rivalry constantly going on, Bruce can now be his own dog. He is much more relaxed when he goes for walks and is not always trying to be in the lead. Bruce actually takes his time now, stops to explore and sniff in the incredible scents all around. He even pees on his walk nowadays - perhaps since now it isn’t his brother’s territory anymore. He walks shoulder to shoulder with his Border Collie friend and does not seem to mind when his pal came in the yard afterward.

Bruce bears the ills of lack of proper socialization as a puppy and is initially a bit aloof and independent. He is somewhat wary of strangers and doesn’t get excited when meeting new dogs or people. However, with his foster mom and dad, he is cuddly and affectionate. They can turn him inside out with loving and Bruce adores snuggling closely. When his foster mom talks to him in a “happy voice,” he is much more accepting of strangers and new situations. He needs a great deal of positive reinforcement but is coming around wonderfully. Scolding him harshly causes him to cower.



Bruce is very proud of the new trick he has learned where he catches treats right out of the air! He walks well on the leash, is totally house-trained, and has a moderate energy level.



Bruce is ready to “go home” now! His ideal home will be one where his owner is home more often than not. He will need a calm, yet confident owner who will help him feel secure. Bruce will need a home where there is a fairly set routine without a lot of chaos and activity, or a lot of comings and goings. Bruce would get along fine with another submissive dog in his adoptive home but they will need to be introduced slowly and with encouragement. He is a very sweet and sensitive dog and will continue to blossom with the right owner.



Many rescue dogs have an unknown past and we never truly know what has happened to them in their former life. But what we do know is that their life from the point they are rescued forward will be one of security and comfort.


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Bruce was found as a stray near Auburn, AL with his buddy, Marshall. It is astonishing that no one came to claim these sweet puppies but what lucky pups they are because they now have the opportunity to be adopted individually by someone who will love them like they deserve to be loved.




Bruce is totally housebroken and has grown accustomed to riding in the car and is an eager traveler. He has learned to “sit” on command and “come” when he is called. He has learned not to jump up and he is also learning leash skills. Bruce is sweet, loving and attaches himself very quickly to his human. His foster mom says Bruce has made great strides in the past few weeks but it needs to continue when he is adopted.



Bruce is one of the toughest cases we have had in our program. He is being lovingly cared for in foster home with his littermate, Marshall, but despite all the efforts to make it work he just is too filled with anxiety to do well with his brother. The changes in his life, the suspected neglect, and lack of leadership in his former world, caused Bruce to cling to the idea that he was the leader of his "pack," making it difficult for him to tolerate new dogs and people with Marshall around. While we originally felt this pair should remain together, Bruce and Marshall’s foster mom and dad have discovered that they will do better on their own.



Bruce will need to spend the rest of his days with a family who understands dog psychology and the need for human leadership. We never want Bruce to feel as though he has to "lead" again. We want him to be free to enjoy the good life as a subordinate pack member - knowing his human will always provide. Because of his needs, we will not be placing Bruce in a home with children under 16. We are looking for a calm household with someone home more often than not, where the routine and expectations remain fairly constant. We are hopeful that with exercise, good nutrition, calm and assertive leadership, and patience, Bruce will round the bend. Somewhere awaits his “heart person” who will see the brave little dog that faces every day with growing spirit and anticipation of what a wonderful future brings.




PLEASE APPLY by submitting this online link: APPLY ON-LINE TO ADOPT through our rescue.




About Our Rescue



Before being approved to adopt, all potential adopters need to complete our online application and participate in our pre-adoption review process. The process includes the completion of an online application, a reference from the applicants' vet, a phone interview, and a visit to the applicants' home. The application process helps us determine what type of Golden would be best suited for the applicants' life style. In some cases, the specific dog you are interested in may have found a home before this process is complete or further assessment may find that this dog is not the right match for your family. We are regularly getting new Goldens in need of a home, so we encourage you to apply and get approved so that when the right dog comes along you will be ready.



A contract is signed the day of adoption. Under the terms of the contract, all adopters are required to bring the rescue to a vet within 7 business days. The dogs receive basic veterinary care prior to adoption. If your vet identifies an illness that an adopter is not willing to treat, then the dog is returned and a full refund is provided.



The information provided on each dog is based on observations of our vets, volunteers, fosters and when available, trainers. While we do our best to report any and all issues, SGRR does not make any guarantees as to the health or temperament of any dog. Dogs evolve differently in different environments and we cannot predict with any certainty how the dog you adopt will act in your home.




Many of our dogs are fostered in private homes and we do not have a facility to visit. We are committed to our dogs before, during, and after adoption! The rescue retains title to the dog and can never be released or sold. Should the adopters no longer be able to keep the dog, SGRR must be notified so that we can take the dog back into rescue and place it into another home. We reserve the right to remove a dog at any time should we find the adopter is no longer caring for their Golden in a way we see fit. Adopters then have to agree to follow up visits as needed.


Be a ray of light for this Sunshine dog - make a tax deductible donation toward medical and other expenses. Every cent of your generosity goes directly toward the care of a Sunshine dog.