Gantry

Well this is the first post to the GDB. I played with the thought of it and after asking around it was clear that there would be a few people interested in hearing about my experiences with these most awesome critters so here it is.
So let me introduce Gantry, my first foster "kid". I'm volunteering for GRR and one of the main duties is to foster wayward goldens until they can be placed in their new "forever homes". Originally I wasn't going to be allowed to foster younger goldens until I got my fence finished (I am short by about 100 feet on only one side) but due to the fact I don't have any other dogs an exception was made due to the fact this boy has mange.
Last week it was thought that I may be getting a little girl in the same kind of shape but the good samaritan (*good sam) feel in love with her and decided to keep her. Understandable because, as far as cute goes, there's golden retriever puppies then there's everything else.
Well here we have Gantry. He currently has heartworms, sarcoptic mange, an ear infection, and a bum leg (the vet thinks his leg may have been broken and left to heal on it's own). So needless to say he has a relatively long road to recovery ahead of him.
Supposedly his previous owner decided to move and leave him behind to fend for himself. Neighbors took care of him, hoping that the owners would return which, of course, they never did. I really have a hard time understanding why/how someone, in good conscience, could just leave such a cool animal behind. For those that know me, you know I'm not a big fan of the human sense of morality anyway and examples like this just solidify my beliefs.
That all being said, Gantry has a great personality. I was worried there may have been some psychological issues but there are none. He's very laid back and friendly. He just wants to be around people (a strong golden trait) and be showered with affection. He reminds me very, very much of my Zak, one of my previous boys. Gantry has no idea he has won, what I call, the dog lottery. His life may have sucked the first year but he won't be wanting ever again.