Guin enjoys snuggling up on the couch with her loving foster family now – but it took a community effort to help this neglected, disabled senior dog heal.

Suffering from infections from fleas and filth, Guin was in tragic shape when local rescuers at Adopt a Golden Atlanta found her. The blind and deaf 12-year-old golden retriever was languishing in a shelter – clearly in pain. Her fur was almost completely missing. She was mistrustful of people. Day after day, prospective adopters passed her by, possibly intimidated by the special care she would no doubt require. Fortunately, Adopt a Golden Atlanta (AGA) swooped in and placed Guin with a dedicated foster family.

When Guin arrived at her foster home, she couldn’t know what would be in store for her. The senior dog had a long medical journey ahead of her. Photos of Guin before treatment show a mostly furless dog lacking confidence.

Guin Before Surgery

Guin Before Rescue (Courtesy of Adopt a Golden Atlanta)

They worked tirelessly to gain Guin’s trust and show her the care she needed to thrive.

AGA also reached out to Lady Freethinker for help – and thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to sponsor the surgery she needed for her second chance at life!

After receiving the surgery she needed and treatment to ease her pain, Guin has transformed! Her fur is growing back and she trusts her foster family enough to cuddle and play. In a video update shared by her foster family, Guin can be seen joyfully padding around in a circle while enjoying scritches.

Even though she can’t see or hear, Guin confidently goes on walks now. Guin’s foster guardians are even working with a trainer to develop special methods to communicate with Guin that don’t rely on sound or sight. And it’s possible that Guin will stay with them for good, as they are “so smitten that they’re considering becoming her permanent foster family,” according to AGA.

We don’t know what 12-year-old Guinevere endured before her rescue, but this resilient dog clearly has a bright future ahead of her. Guin is living proof that senior dogs, disabled dogs, and overlooked dogs everywhere have hearts of gold if only given the chance to love.

“Guin is as gentle as they come, with not a single aggressive bone in her body,” AGA shared about the older pup.

Lady Freethinker thanks our supporters who made it possible to show Guin the love she deserves. We also applaud Guin’s foster family and AGA for giving Guin the care she so desperately needed – and encourages everyone to consider adopting overlooked dogs.