Shimi and Pazi written by Barb R.

We have two golden retrievers, both GRRA rescue dogs. They're wonderful, and, as with all of our "four legged kids", they manage to find ways to entertain and stymie us, too. The incident below happened a few months ago, relatively soon after Simi had joined our family.

I take my newer dog, Simi, to a group dog daycare once a week. It's also at a place where I board my dogs when we're out of town. Since we were planning a vacation, I took Pazi (old dog ~ age 12) and Simi, who's 1½ or so, to dog daycare. I figured it would re-familiarize Pazi with the place, since it had been months since she stayed there.

After I got out off work, I went to pick them up. The attendant took the leashes I'd brought, brought out the girls, and I put them in the back of my little Mazda. When I got home, I put the electric collars for our invisible fence on the dogs and proceeded to go next door to deliver the groceries.

I gave the groceries to my neighbor and noticed Simi had followed me over. I scolded her, and said something like, "You know better! You haven't run through the invisible fence for months now!" I took her back within her boundaries, called Pazi, threw some balls for the two of them, and let them chase a couple of squirrels in our ravine. Then, we all went into our house.

After I got in, I found the phone blinking with two urgent messages, both to call the dog daycare right away. I did. They said, "You don't have Simi there with you, do you?" I said, "Yes, she's right here." They said, "Are you sure?" Well, at that point I went to look at her (and discovered that "she" was a "he") and found a different collar - blue like Simi's, but a different blue than what she'd had on - and realized that I had a different dog! So much for knowing my own kids!

I took my guest back - laughing along the way. I noticed that when I put Pazi and Simi (who was really the male dog) into the car, Simi didn't flinch like she usually does when I shut the hatch, but I thought it was because Pazi was with her. Also, she (he) didn't greet me with as much enthusiasm as usual, but I'd had laryngitis that week, and my voice had sounded weird which bothered Simi. I attributed the cooler behavior to that. The male retriever went with me very willingly, got in my car, ran around the yard with Pazi (who seemed very happy with his company), didn't run down through our ravine and away, and came to me when I called her (him) by the wrong name. He willingly went in the house with me and stayed off my furniture! Aren't retrievers just plainly wonderful, awesome dogs whether they're yours or not?

Anyway, I got him back to the dog daycare, and took my dog (who looks exactly like the male but is the right sex) home with me.

How's that for a funny one?

Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta™, the original Golden & Labrador Retriever Rescue in Atlanta, is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to saving Golden Retrievers and Labrador Retrievers that have been left in animal shelters. Started in 1991, Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta™ is registered with the State of Georgia and is licensed by the State Agriculture Department as an animal shelter and rescue group. Please click here to make a donation - no donation is too small and all donations are greatly appreciated.

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