Age: 14 years
Gender: Male
Breed: Golden Retriever
Status: Sanctuary
Update: January 17, 2026
Bo, like the fictional Benjamin Button, appears to be aging in reverse!
Much to his adoring foster family’s delight, he’s become even happier and even more active. They especially enjoy his spunky behaviors — from running after his foster mom in the backyard and instigating play with his doggy sister Cookie to greeting them, smiling, at the door with enthusiastic tail wags and a toy in his mouth. Truly a ray of sunshine, living solely to love, Bo not only loves putting his head on their laps, he even loves putting it on their legs when they’re standing!
To say that his fosters LOVE Bo is truly an understatement, and he’s become more of an 
integrated member of their family with each passing day. Still a great fan of belly rubs, he still loves his neighborhood walks with his foster dad every morning, bounding down the driveway when it’s his turn, head up and tail wagging. Not to mention the fact that Bo still makes friends with every person and dog he meets. And he still enjoys riding in the car — even to the vet! His family so appreciates the kindness, thoroughness and excellent care he receives from the staff at the Animal Hospital of Seminole.
Bo has three beds, making certain to visit each of them and his fosters in turn. Then, as a special treat, they lift Bo up onto the living room couch to join them in watching a Rays’ game, which he loves!
Before Christmas, Bo was gifted with a spa day and trim at the groomer’s. He returned home acting particularly spunky and modeling his new “do” as proudly as a peackcock! And although his foster mom has tried to teach him to “speak,” his one trick remains “sit,” and he’ll only “speak” (bark) when he wants to come inside.
Once the weather warms up, the family hopes to take him for rides on the pontoon boats that they rent at the Freedom Boat Club. His doggy sister Cookie loves them and they think Bo will as well.
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Big-hearted Bo celebrated his 14th birthday by feasting on the turkey burger cooked for him by
his doting foster mom.
Relaxed, comfortable and content in his Sanctuary home, Bo remains the sweetest of love sponges, always putting his head in his fosters’ laps, having his belly rubbed, and joyfully thumping his tail. What he loves most, though, is when his foster dad picks him up and puts him on the couch next to him to watch TV.
Whenever his foster parents come in the front door, Bo greets them with great happiness and a toy in his mouth, competing with his canine foster sister Cookie for prime space against their legs. Although he gets along well with her, he doesn’t have the stamina to play with her or do zoomies now. And yet … he still loves his morning walks, bouncing outside with his handsome head up and his full tail wagging, even if it’s only for a few blocks.
He also loves going for car rides, sitting calmly in the middle of the cargo area and savoring the sights. Sleeping more now, napping on and off for hours throughout the day, Bo luxuriates in lying in the sun and sunbathing while he snoozes. He does, however, still have a large growth on his head that sometimes bleeds and one in his eye that must bother him, but he never complains, and sits patiently while his foster mom gently cleans it.
Almost completely deaf, Bo knows and responds to his foster mom’s hand signals for “come” and “sit.” She recently taught him to come to the back door when he’s out in the yard at night by flashing the porch light off and on. He perfected it after only four times, proving beyond a doubt that you CAN teach an old dog new tricks!
Because of the love and dedication of our foster families and the donations of our supporters, who generously help the GRRMF Sanctuary program, we are able to assist deserving dogs like Bo live out their days in comfort and love.
