Not too long ago I was at the pet shop to get stuff for my dogs. As I walked the aisles, I suddenly realized that I only needed to purchase 3 of everything, not 4. I had been buying 4 of everything for longer than I can remember.It was my first pet shopping excursion since I lost my Gracie. I wanted to run out of the store and never buy another thing related to dogs.But of course I continued my sh...

If you happened to read the previous post, you know that our aging golden retriever Gracie had become ill this week and was hospitalized.I asked the doctor if it was a stroke. It seemed a little like that because she kept her head titled and she couldn't walk and even her eyes seem to be traveling in all directions. I learned wonderful news: strokes are very rare in dogs. Whew! One less item on my...

  It's funny how things change in the blink of an eye. Life provides us with peaceful times where the world around us just naturally follows what we consider the rules of our lives. But as they say, every once in a while, it throws us a curve.Last week I walked into the kitchen to wake my elder golden retriever. She considers the kitchen her bedroom, away from the younger dogs who she finds a...

Sulley is one of the nine pups born two years ago in July. He was such a cute puppy and now he is a handsome young dog who looks remarkably like his dad.                               Sulley (front) and his brother Bailey.        &nbs...

Just two years ago our goldens birthed 9 gorgeous puppies. Hard to believe they are growing so quickly -- two years old -- and almost out of their puppy years. (However, I am not sure that goldens ever leave their puppy years!).The pups were born on July 7, 2007 around 7PM.  All sevens! We even made the front page (yes, front page) of the local newspaper. We are very happy to report that all ...

Hi! It's been such a long time since there's been news here. My mom had surgery and has to wear something on her arm. I guess it hurts her to use it so she can't really type.My name is Virginia Jane and I am one of the three golden retrievers that live here. I am the most responsible one, that's why I've taken matters into my own paws to write to you. The other goldens are Gracie and Charlie Joe. ...

Don't Count Your Chickens (or Pups) Before They're HatchedWell, disappointment again. No puppies. You might wonder why we could make such an 'obvious mistake'. But it's really not so obvious.When a female dog, who is descended from wolves and retains some of their traits, goes into heat, she will often begin to show first signs of pregnancy.That's why vets can tell around the 21st day if the...

Living out in the country, we observe all sorts of winter animals and birds. Many of them come up to our deck looking for a snack, which we usually have available. Just recently, our standard poodle puppy (now 10 months old but still acting MUCH younger) discovered squirrels. Once one caught her eye darting in and out of trees, she was transfixed. She now sits at our full length windows and stares...

Charlie Joe is our resident canine male. He loves having three female dogs around him, although he has remained true (so far) to only one wiith whom they have had two litters of gorgeous golden retriever pups.   Charlie was born on 03/03/2005. When we went to possibly purchase a golden puppy, we were definitely getting a female. We had decided.  Well, it took all of about 30 seconds (n...

We live out in the country, our house almost surrounded by trees. Many wild animals have passed by our windows and continue to do so. However, squirrels found that coming right up onto our deck provided the chance to find crumbs and not fight other animals for them. I must admit that sometimes I helped with a peanut or two.   Gracie, my first golden, was driven practically crazy as she stoo...

When we inherited the six month old golden, it was from a very kind older couple.   They had purchased the puppy from a pet store, it was love at first sight. They didn't want the dog for themselves, but for their grandson. They had already checked with the parents who were as excited as they were!   They took Sandy home, the name already given to her at the store. Alb...

When Gracie became part of our family, she entered a home with two other dogs. We had a wheaten terrier named Lucy, and Camelot's Lullaby (Lottie), an old english sheepdog.   We lived next door to my husband's office and Lucy was the official office dog. Every morning after breakfast and brushing, she would stand at the back door of the house. I would open it and say "Go to work!" She woul...

I never planned on owning a golden retriever. Over a decade ago, I was researching various breeds, but that was not one of them. Then, on a Friday evening in January, I walked into my house after work and three dogs greeted me (we only owned two). One I had never seen before: a six-month old reddish golden retriever.   My husband sheepishly told me that her name was Sandy and "we're on...