Thirty-six golden retrievers were rescued from Turkey in what is considered the largest international rescue of the breed.
The pure bred pups from Istanbul are experiencing for the first time what it's like being a dog.
Lauren Genkinger, president of Adopt a Golden, helped bring them to Atlanta.
“This is all a huge adjustment and to see them running around and playing like real dogs should," Genkinger said. "I think today they're saying 'wow, what have we gotten ourselves into?”
The dogs arrived at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport late Saturday night after a 12-hour flight and seven-hour layover.
Each was abandoned by their owner when the golden retriever, once a status symbol in Turkey, stopped being popular.
Genkinger said she got a call from a Turkish shelter asking for help with overcrowding. She flew the 36 dogs to Atlanta and took them to the Pet Lodge pet resort so the dogs can adjust before they're adopted. Since the dogs are not very familiar with English, they even have an interpreter.
The dogs will be available for adoption in early June.
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