Annie’s path from international stray to beloved companion

Patti Dickey, president of Adopt-a-Golden Atlanta, felt an instant connection the moment she met and adopted Annie, a Golden Retriever who had recently made the long journey from Turkey to Georgia. “Annie and I were meant to be together,” Patti says, recalling that first meeting at the home of Lauren Gekinger.

Lauren, founder and president emeritus of Adopt-a-Golden, learned about the struggles of stray dogs in Turkey years ago. “Most of the dogs over there had been roaming the streets of Turkey, but not Annie,” Lauren explains. “Annie had picked a resort to live at. She lived by the guardhouse and would beg for food, and she found an Italian woman who would feed her lunch every day religiously.”

True to her diva nature, Annie embraced life fully, even after a diagnosis of mammary cancer. One of her signature activities was sneaking into the koi pond to try and catch the fish—an adventure she never quite gave up, always taking time to check on her koi companions.

After surgery, she was referred to the UGA Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Patti remembers how Annie would proudly walk into the hospital on her own, but enjoyed a cart ride to the treatment room. “She acted like a beauty queen,” Patti laughs, “smiling at everyone, nodding like, ‘Hi, I’m here.’ And I’m thinking, ‘There’s nothing wrong with you. You just won’t get up and walk.’”

Though the cancer eventually led to Annie’s passing, Patti praises the hospital’s staff for their compassionate care and determination to fight alongside Annie. “These guys truly love the animals,” she says, “and it comes through in everything they do.”

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To make your impact and support the Miller and McIntyre Cook Golden Retriever Oncology Research Fund: https://ugavetmed.com/3OhcDsp