We Remember 9/11

Honor…Hope…Healing

Give River a Fighting Chance

Your gift brings her the specialized care she urgently needs.

Honey is a gentle soul hoping for a calm, loving home

Did you know – September, 1991

Minnesota Twins defeat the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.

Get your Fall on with cool new fashions!
Expires:  10/6/2026

Together, We’ve Saved 4,500 Dogs

Honoring the gentle moments rescue makes possible.

Be Part of Our Anniversary Party Page!

Gathering 35 years of memories

 

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A look back at the world when GRRMF began

For more than three decades, GRRMF has been rescuing and caring for golden retrievers with the same steady heart. The world around us has changed in countless ways — from the price of everyday things to the technology in our homes — but our mission has stayed constant.

This timeline is a light, nostalgic look at what life felt like along the way.

The world has changed. Our mission hasn’t.

Scroll to explore our history →

Prices on everyday items

  • Gas was $1.14
  • A movie ticket was $4.21
  • A gallon of milk was $2.30.
  • A loaf of bread was $1.25
  • A dozen eggs cost $1.01
  • A postage stamp was 29¢

Everyday life looked different, but the joy of bringing a golden home felt just the same.

Technology at the moment

  • Most homes still had dial‑up internet
  • AOL chat rooms were the place to be
  • “Be kind, rewind” was printed on every VHS tape.
  • Blockbuster was still everywhere
  • People carried flip phones
  • Streaming didn’t exist yet
  • The first iPod had just launched

The world was slower, simpler — and rescue work happened through phone calls, paper forms, and handwritten notes.

Top TV shows

  • 60 Minutes
  • Roseanne
  • Murphy Brown
  • Cheers
  • Home Improvement
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • America’s Funniest Home Videos
  • The Fresh Prince of Bel‑Air

Blockbuster movies

  • Terminator 2: Judgment Day
  • Beauty and the Beast
  • The Silence of the Lambs
  • Hook
  • Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
  • The Addams Family
  • Cape Fear
  • City Slickers
  • JFK
  • Thelma & Louise

Dog culture of the time

  • Most rescues coordinated everything by phone and fax
  • Microchipping was just becoming common
  • Golden retrievers were climbing the popularity charts
  • Veterinary medicine was shifting toward preventive care
  • Foster networks were small and entirely volunteer‑run

GRRMF milestones

  • GRRMF rescued its first golden
  • The foster network expanded across mid-Florida
  • The first website launched
  • Social media brought new adopters
  • GRRMF celebrated 35 golden years
  • The mission remained the same: every golden deserves a second chance

 

And Through It All…

GRRMF volunteers opened their homes, drove long distances, and cared for goldens who needed a second chance. Foster families grew. Supporters found one another. And year after year, the mission stayed steady.

Today, the world looks completely different — but our commitment hasn’t changed. Every golden deserves a second chance.

Thank you for being part of this journey — past, present, and everything still ahead.

Be sure to click on the dog's name below for a close up view and please check back often for updates.

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Canine Companion DogFest 2026

Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Shady Park - 721 W New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Ocala Home & Garden Show at the World Equestrian Center – Day 1

Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Building Expo 1, 1598 NW 87th Court Rd. Ocala, FL

Slow and Low Bar-B-Que Yappy Hour for GRRMF

Saturday, September 26, 2026 | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Slow and Low Bar-B-Que 5490 Stadium Pkwy, Melbourne, FL 32940

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- Want To Adopt -

If you are writing us about adopting a dog and do not have an adoption application on file with us, use this link to review our policies and process and complete an application.

If you have completed our adoption application, and/or have another inquiry, please use the email link to contact us.

Adoption Application Email Us