A 'golden' meet-and-greet

BERLIN HEIGHTS — The event served as a golden opportunity to raise awareness for an important cause while having some fun on a warm, fall day. On Sunday, more than 100 people and their golden retrievers attended the Golden Retriever Meetup at Quarry Hill Orchards in Berlin Heights. Among those in attendance: those affiliated with Goldens for Good, an organization run by two women, Emily Roggenburk and Brynn Szorady, dedicated to spreading their love for golden retrievers. Both noted the meetup helped raise awareness for Golden Retrievers in Need, a nonprofit volunteer rescue for golden retrievers. The nonprofit: • Fosters and rehomes dogs throughout northeast Ohio, helping golden retrievers that come to them from puppy mills and breeder relinquishments • Partners with local restaurants and businesses to host events • Promotes fostering • Raises funds for medical care and supplies for foster dogs During Sunday's event, the goldens roamed Quarry Hill's grounds. Humans, meanwhile, enjoyed fresh produce, cider, ice cream and stopped by tables filled with vendors offering items, such as dog treats and apparel to help raise awareness for rescuing and adopting golden retrievers. Vendors at the event donated portions of their sales to the cause. Enjoying the meetup was Chelsea Ware with her dog, Miles. Ware works at Westpark Animal Hospital in Cleveland and adopted Miles because she loves golden retrievers. People can learn more about adopting or fostering golden retrievers by visiting goldensforgood.com and/or grinrescue.org.