Joy Levin

May 14, 2001 – September 14, 2011

I met Joy at age 2 ½  years. I was to be her foster Mom.  What a wild and crazy Golden she was.  I truly thought she would make a good US Customs dog but she instead stayed with me for 8 ½ years.

She challenged my 100 pound male Golden, Tanner, for top dog from the first day.   A body slam took care of that ambition.  After that, Tanner was in charge. Gutsy little girl.  Afraid of nothing.  Carolina thunder boomers did not faze her.  If she wanted something, a toy or ball, wherever it was she would get it. There was not a space too small for her to make it work.  As soon as that dryer buzzer went off she had her head in the dryer to get whatever toys had been recently washed and dried.

Joy did find her calling.  Home visits for GRRCC.  I cannot tell you how many we did over the years.  She loved it and always knew what to do.  I suspect she convinced some people that a mature, adult Golden was the way to go.  Our first elevator ride was the Arlington in uptown Charlotte.  Then the Ivey’s  Condo’s.  Never fazed that girl.  She was a maniac on every home visit.  Counter surfed, jumped on the furniture and explored all rooms and upstairs areas.

The best was Belks Charity Days.  I was really worried about Joy jumping on people.  She was perfect.  She did this for the past 3 years and always knew who to approach and who would not be receptive.  I am so amazed that she could do this as her home visits were meant to be a little crazy but she knew what to do at Belk’s Charity Days and to be a perfect ambassador for GRRCC.

I miss her so much.  I always told people that she got by on her looks as she was a very pretty girl but she was more than that.  She brought much joy to people, the home visits, Belks and the people that appreciated her lovely Golden spirit.