Gottenbos family

While I grew up in Hacienda Heights, California I had 3 Saint Bernards. I instantly fell in love with the breed so when I had a family of my own I wanted my children to experience the love of a Saint. Our first Saint (as a family) was our beloved Abbey. I had searched for years for the exact Saint I wanted and when I held her I knew she was the one (I heard her ever so loving "piggy noises" in my ear). She was a beautiful black mask, smooth coat Saint. Abbey was the glue of our family. She loved us unconditionally and she would snuggle and hug us (literally) following us everywhere we went. Abbey was a very protective girl. When my husband was not at home I never worried because I had Abbey. Later we added Emma (our wise girl with an old soul),  Indigo (our blue eyed baby that always demands to be the center of attention and has become the NEW GLUE of our family), River (our very special rescue Saint), and Ranger (our BIG gentle giant). In all we have 4 Saints of our own and there is no doubt they OWN our house. Growing up my children brought many friends over and they all loved our Saints because they were always "so chill." Granted, they were very excited to meet new people and would run around like bulls in a China shop (and of course drool for a bit) but once they settled down everyone was comfortable and in heaven. I mean who wouldn't want to use a Saint Bernard as a pillow?
 
My family began saving Saints from shelters about 6 years ago. I would call friends and find homes for them and though it was emotionally draining on all of us (because we wanted to keep them ALL) we agreed we wanted to help RESCUE SAINTS. As a family, we all agreed to rescue, nurture, and nurse them back to health and if need be teach them manners and socialization to get them ready for their FOREVER HOME.  
 
We have fostered, off and on, for about 6 years now. Fostering in our family is a GROUP EFFORT as we all share in the Saints daily care. The first two girls we fostered for Sunny Saints were very sick with what was thought to be Kennel Cough but turned out to be pneumonia. I spent almost an entire week with the girls in our steamed up bathrooms to help break up their congestion and I slept on the floor with them to monitor their breathing. I was exhausted and felt like I had twin newborns in the house but with the help of our daughter Tori (who would relieve me in shifts) and our amazing and compassionate Vet Dr. Ryan the girls slowly began to get better and have both found forever homes. We also fostered Baby Lilly for a short while (so little and so precious and full or fire and energy) and enjoyed having her and watching her grow. She is now in her forever home too!
 
I am a Health Tech. for RUSD, Paul is a Manager for Toyota, Andrew is going to school to be a teacher and works for RUSD and Tori works part time while going to college to be a physical therapist.

-Kathi