Following the success of the April “Looking Forward, Looking Back” profiles, a RAGOM volunteer emailed the web editor and suggested we feature the oldest surviving RAGOM dog…one that was adopted in the early days of RAGOM and might still be enjoying the Golden life today.

RAGOM was founded in 1985, so it would be a Guinness World Record dog if one was still around from the first year…as Golden Retrievers typically have a 10-13 year life span. But one dog and his owner were suggested and that, as they say, is the rest of the story!

Sprocket came into RAGOM’s care in 1997 from a shelter in Sauk Rapids as a four year old who’d run away from his family one too many times. He had storm anxiety and a talent for climbing fences. Following his latest escape, his family decided they were done bailing him out of impound and relinquished him to his fate at the shelter. RAGOM was contacted and Lori W. offered to foster him.

According to Lori, the first time she met him following his transport to a pet supply store in Elk River ... "He bounded out of the old Volvo, hit the end of the leash, and started jumping and spinning like a Golden Tasmanian Devil! Inside the store, he bounced off every shelf in the place. I thought, "How FAST can I get him placed?" He was so beautiful, with silky feathering and lovely medium honey-gold coloring."

Lori had a potential family interested in him and his home visit went very well. However, the family called the next day and said their cats were so upset by his visit they refused to come out of hiding. So Lori continued her pursuit of finding his perfect forever home. But, as happens with many foster moms and dads, Lori soon realized Sprocket was already in his perfect forever home. When asked what ultimately sealed the deal for Lori, she replied; “His gentle, laid-back, "whatever you guys want is fine with me" attitude, and he and my other Golden, Ripley had bonded very quickly. “

Lori decided she needed to find a job for Sprocket so he completed obedience training, complete with an earned blue ribbon upon graduation. He and Ripley became certified with Therapy Dogs International, and spent several years doing visits through Pals On Paws with Lori. His job was to provide love and comfort to those in need. In spite of his first impression on Lori, he was always the most gentle, unassuming, polite dog in the world.

Sprocket never lost his love for adventure and escape. During one visit to her family home in West Virginia, Lori took Ripley and Sprocket to her old neighborhood, which is a very rural area on a hilltop. Ripley and Sprocket got their leashes tangled, and while Lori was trying to untangle them, Sprocket's leash came unhooked, and he took off into the woods. Given the geography, depending on which direction he went, along which ridge-top or hollow, he could have been miles away in a very short time. Frantic, Lori, her husband and his whole family were searching the area, hoping to find Sprocket. Finally, they found him... a family had discovered Sprocket in their yard visiting with their toy poodles, and they were walking him along the road, hoping his family would come by and see him.

If you’ve done the math, you’ll know that Sprocket is now 15 years old. Lori attributes his long and good health to her commitment to a holistic lifestyle that includes a raw food diet, herbal supplements, chiropractic care and acupuncture. Even at his advanced age and “suspension” issues (hip and joint problems) he is not on any prescription drugs, although Lori is prepared to provide them if his mobility suffers or he appears to be in pain.

Sassafras, Ripley, Seko & Sprocket

He continues to enjoy stuffed toys, playing tug of war and munching fresh apples. He takes life at a leisurely pace and takes much in stride, as good old Goldens are famous. He also shares his life with two Greater Pyrenese, Brody and Ozark, and another newly adopted RAGOM dog, Bushido 07-631, now known as Darwin! The old man is going to show the new kid a thing or two about living the Golden life!

Sprocket has seen other Goldens come and go in his family, as Lori also adopted Seko, Sassy and Ruxpin. In addition to being a foster mom, Lori was involved as a RAGOM volunteer for years including founding the RAGOM newsletter and website, a Placement Coordinator, Board Member and wrote training and educational material.

Lori and her family have shared 10.5 years with Sprocket and he continues to live the Golden life, albeit at a slower pace. What a beautiful gift Lori has given this sweet Golden, a life full of purpose, adventure and love. Every dog deserves such a wonderful gift.

All of our dogs need your help to live a golden life. For $325, you can sponsor any RAGOM dog. We'll assign you a dog, or if a certain dog grabs your heart, you can request one, and you can watch his or her progress on the website, reading about vet visits, socialization, foster care, and potential adoptive families. Some dogs will need multiple sponsors due to extraordinary medical expenses. It's a rewarding way to get involved - and help a specific tail start wagging again.

There are a number of dogs waiting to be adopted and we are committed to making them healthy and finding them good homes. Our dogs can always use your help too, and sponsoring a dog is a great way to participate if you are unable to foster one yourself. Of course, a donation in any amount is always greatly appreciated!

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