Freddie’s Fresh Start
Freddie during transport to his foster home.
Every rescue has a story, and today we’d like you to meet one that has already captured our hearts: Freddie, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever with a gentle spirit and a lot of life still to live.
Freddie came to GRRoM after a sudden and heartbreaking change in his life. His lifelong owner moved into memory care, and at 140 pounds, this sweet senior found himself without the family he had always known. Thankfully, his neighbors and family helped him find his way to us, knowing that GRRoM could give him the second chance he deserves.
Like many rescue journeys, Freddie’s didn’t go quite as planned at first. He was transported up to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but it quickly became clear that the foster there was a bit overwhelmed by his size and needs. In true GRRoM fashion, our team of dedicated volunteers jumped right in—meeting halfway in Grayling to bring Freddie back downstate and into a foster home where he could truly thrive.
Freddie is settling into his foster home beautifully after a big hair cut to remove the years of debris, mats, and dirt. He’s surrounded by farm life, complete with other dogs like Cody and Moose (also a GRRoM alum), who are teaching him the ropes. His foster mom is giving him the time, space, and patience he needs to decompress. This “3-3-3 rule” (three days to feel safe, three weeks to settle in, and three months to truly adjust) is a reminder that every rescue dog deserves compassion as they transition into their new world. Freddie is no different—he’s learning that he’s safe, loved, and home for now.
At 140 pounds from years of eating a diet of cheeseburgers, Freddie has some work ahead of him. His health and mobility will improve as he gradually sheds the extra weight, but in the meantime, he’s showing us just how resilient and loving senior dogs can be. Every day, we see more of his personality shine through—his loyalty, his sweetness, and his gratitude for the care he’s receiving. You can follow along with his journey and cheer for him on his very own Instagram page!
Freddie’s story is a reminder of why GRRoM exists: to give dogs like him the chance to start over when life takes an unexpected turn. We know that with time, support, and love, Freddie will be ready to find his forever family—one that will cherish him for the incredible Golden he is.
Welcome to GRRoM, Freddie. Your fresh start begins now. 💙
9/27/25 Update:
Whew, friends… Freddie had his very first vet visit, and it was a BIG day!
We were smart to shave him down, because it turns out Freddie has ringworm (a fancy word for a fungal infection). That explains the flaky skin and itchy spots he’s been dealing with. The vet also thinks there may be a little bacterial component, so Freddie is now on a “spa schedule” — two antifungal baths a week and a daily mousse treatment.
But here’s the good news: his bloodwork looked awesome! Blood sugar, iron, thyroid, kidneys, and liver all checked out great. He does have a few lumps and bumps (sebaceous cysts, skin tags, and lipomas), but nothing that needs attention right now.
And the scale? Drumroll please… Freddie weighed in at 127 lbs — down from 140 lbs based on the information from his previous home. He was likely already losing by the time he was surrendered, but we know the farm life and healthier meals are helping as well. The vet has him on three small meals a day to keep the weight loss steady and safe.
Even better? Heartworm, Lyme, and parasites — all NEGATIVE. He also got all his vaccines, and while his joints are working hard to carry his frame, the vet is hopeful that losing more weight will ease the stress on his front legs.
A huge thanks goes to Dr. Judy and the wonderful team at Cedar Animal Hospital for showing Freddie so much love and care. He’ll be back in three weeks for a recheck, but for now, Freddie is feeling hopeful and ready for this next chapter of his journey.
Big thanks as well to everyone who has stepped up to donate towards Freddie! These medicated baths and vet check ins will add up quickly. We also anticipate some additional costs as Freddie continues to lose weight as his excess skin will likely be problematic in keeping him clean in his nether region and may need to be surgically removed. Your donated dollars will be put to good use!
