Here's some BIG news about this year's RAGOM Picnic and Fun Run/Walk.

Although it's always been open to the public, we're emphasizing this by changing the name of the event. So mark your calendars for September 18 and make plans to attend Goldzilla 2010, the biggest Golden Retriever event in the Midwest! Read more

Duke 10-215

Duke came to RAGOM suffering from heartworm, anaplasma and Lyme's disease. He was emaciated—weighing only 44 pounds—and anemic. Duke spent several days in the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center's intensive care unit for stabilization and evaluation. Ultimately, Duke was diagnosed with lymphoma, and the painful choice was made to send him to the Rainbow Bridge.

We did our best to save this handsome, sweet boy, but it was a costly struggle. We are so grateful to those who helped support Duke through sponsorships and donations. If you would like to make a donation to defray these costs, your gift will help RAGOM continue to fight for dogs like Duke, and it will honor the memory of this gentle dog who did not deserve the hand that life dealt him. Rest in peace, Duke. We hardly knew you, but what we knew, we loved. Donate

Mozart 09-225

UPDATE: There have been several possible sightings of Mozart since he went missing. We are hoping and praying that the next lead will bring Mozart home. If you would like to help with the search, please contact the family first so they can give you the most recent information and direct you where you can help most. Their phone number is on this updated flyer.

Mozart (09-225), a RAGOM dog, has been missing since July 10 when he bolted to chase something on the edge of some woods east of Dalton and North of Ashby, MN on Long Lake.

The family has been out searching each day for their beloved Mozart. They have had the assistance of several people, as well as many RAGOM volunteers, without any luck. The family has contacted neighbors, the Otter Tail County Humane Society, the Otter Tail County Sheriff and local radio. (Thank you Becky for all your help with contacts.) They have also blanketed the area with "Lost Dog flyers" and spoken personally with many residents within a 3-5 mile radius.

Mozart is totally blind. He is wearing a dark green collar with his RAGOM, rabies and microchip tags. He may also be dragging a leash. Mozart came into RAGOM as a stray. He is a sweet and lovable boy and somewhat shy with new people. Mozart is also afraid of storms and thunder and may be hiding because of all the storms in the area.

The family wants everyone to know the phone calls, prayers and offers to help are so appreciated.

Each of our furry competitors is working hard to lose weight and make his supportive fans proud. There has been some trash talking going on--Fabio growled this, Bubba barked that, we're a little fuzzy on the details and the boys aren't exactly cooperating with our questions. We did hear that Bubba is accusing Fabio of doping, that his "thyroid" medication is something else and that is the only way to explain his weight loss to this point. Since Fabio's foster mom is the first to admit that she isn't a jogger, Bubba claims there is no way that Fabio could be losing that much weight simply with diet and walking. Fabio's camp is vehemently denying these doping allegations and says the truth will come out. Bubba is working hard jogging with his foster mom and wants to make sure that everyone is competing on a level playing field. Suffice it to say that the dogs (and their trainers) are obviously taking this "friendly" competition very seriously!

The dogs have completed their latest official weigh in. Fabio has lost 4 more pounds for 29.5 pounds lost to date, congratulations! Unfortunately, Bubba has already reached his first plateau and hasn't lost any weight since the last weigh in, which he says just proves that Fabio is cheating. While no one really believes that Fabio is cheating, it just goes to show how hard it is to lose weight, even with proper diet and exercise. Bubba says he's building muscle and will use that muscle to kick Fabio's tail in the upcoming challenge!

Fabio and Bubba have been issued their first official "challenge". One of the Biggest Loser competition's fans has thrown down the gauntlet to the dogs--walk half a mile and report your time to the official Biggest Loser judges. As the dogs are fostered in different cities they can't compete head to head, so the times will be reported in secret to the official judges who will determine the champion. The winner of this challenge gets official bragging rights and the right to trash talk at will until the next challenge--these canine trash talkers should love that prize! Best of luck to both our contestants!

Obesity in dogs, just like in people, is a very serious health condition. Extra weight can lead to a host of health problems ranging from heart and kidney disease to joint problems, just like in humans. That is why we are so concerned when we receive a dog that is grossly overweight--we know that we need to help that dog lose weight before it is adopted, to give it the best possible start on its new life as a happy, healthy RAGOM dog.

Fabio 10-157

Keeping that in mind, we have decided to put the weight loss of two of our most overweight dogs front and center with the RAGOM Biggest Loser Challenge! These portly pups will compete head to head for bragging rights as RAGOM's Biggest Loser. We will post their original weight and weight loss to date, and have scheduled updates moving forward as to their progress. We might even have a surprise challenge to throw at our happy contestants as we go forward. The end of the challenge will be when either of the dogs is adopted or reaches their "ideal" weight in the opinion of their vet.

Our first contestant is Fabulous Fabio 10-157 and his foster/trainer Dayle. Fabio came into RAGOM's care at an insane 132 pounds, a mere 24.5 inches at the shoulder in height. To date he has lost 25.5 pounds! He's made great progress thus far, but he has a long road ahead of him to reach his ideal weight. Dayle has been tweaking the recipe she is using to help him reach his weight loss goal--she thinks it is the key to Fabio's eventual victory in the challenge. She promised she'd share the secret at some point but we have a sneaking suspicion that vegetables are involved!

Bubba 10-122

Our second contestant is Bubba the Bold 10-122 and his foster/trainer Lou. Bubba became a RAGOM dog at the ridiculous weight of 125 pounds, 25 inches at the shoulder in height. To date he has lost 7 pounds! Bubba's a bit behind Fabio in his weight loss program, he got started a bit later and doesn't have the "advantage" of a bad thyroid that is now working correctly to aid in his weight loss. However, with Lou's help we know that Bubba will give Fabio a run for his money in the weight loss department!

Please check back often for updates on our fearless competitors and cheer them on as they strive to lose weight and get healthy!

RAGOM needs YOU.

We are all about rescuing and rehoming Goldens but we need YOU to help us! RAGOM rehomed hundreds of Golden Retrievers in 2009 and now, with 2010 starting off busy as ever, there has never been a better time to adopt your special friend.

Currently, we have more than 60 beautiful dogs awaiting their forever homes and more coming in almost every day. But, they can't find that special family without meeting YOU. And, they can't meet you if you don't apply.Won't you please consider filling out an application and becoming the next proud owner of a special Golden from RAGOM. The dogs need YOU now!