Two weeks ago we treated ourselves to a Golden retriever puppy. His name is Theo and he is a doll!!! Smart, funny and sweet, and REALLY GOOD therapy for the kids.

Animals really do help healing!

I am posting a link to his picture, but it may need to be cut and pasted into the browser toolbar to work. I hope you get to see him!



Love and light,

Jacky

Hi Jacky,

Good for you! Pets are great for kids.

Did you POJA with them on the pup's care??? Just kidding <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

You picked a good breed. Goldens are pretty dogs and good with people as well.

Once Theo gets a bit older he'll want to be in the water a lot! That's their nature.

Best of luck. It's nice to hear you upbeat.

Mike

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Nina too:
[QB]Two weeks ago we treated ourselves to a Golden retriever puppy.

Hi Petal,

How wonderful! I had a Golden for 14 years. They have a lot of hair..they often stink from being wet at every chance. They can try your patience for the first 12 to 16 months with chewing etc....BUT just hold on till you get past that point and you and the children will have a pet that you will NEVER forget...He will bring joy and companionship to all your lives such as you have never seen from another being. And they are the cutiest darn things....even when they get older they are still cute.

Molson was my dogs name and he grew to weigh about 110 lbs...he was bigger than average I think...but he always thought of himself as a puppy ..even when he was much older. I give a thousand bucks just to have him try to sneak up on my lap just one more time...You must picture a 110 lb dog trying to sneak anywhere to really appreciate the story. Fact of the matter is I would let him get away with it every once in a while and he would lay there ..in the most uncomfortable position possible and be the happiest dog in the world...I would laugh and be the happiest dog owner.

Good luck...this is a very positive step Jacks. Just get past 16 months..

See ya cutie

roughnut

goldens are great dogs. I was a dog obedience instructor. Taught novice classes w/ an American Kennel Club registered club. I taught the class up from beginning but not ready to compete in obedience trials. My cocker spaniel had her Companion Dog Excellent degree. Didn't see many cockers competing.

Lots of goldens, labs, and dobes.

Your children are gonna love him. My d wants a dog but we are gone 13+ hours some days and I just can't figure out how to work a dog into our lives. so, we have 2 cats.

Puppies are wonderful! And there's not too many cuter than a fuzzball of a Golden. I used to show and train Goldens when I was a kid, I still show my friends for her, too.

Sort of fell hard for one of your OZ own in 1982, and have had Australian Cattle Dogs ever since. Just brought in a pup from Queensland in Aug 2001 <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Have fun!!!

Lori

Thanks for answering!

getting better, I actually DID POJA with the kids on feeding, but as for bathing, doggie poo pick-up etc, I am in charge of those jobs. I am also in charge of major training, both of the pup and the kids....they need to be taught the correct way to train a dog, but need no training in how to love him <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> .

Randy, I didn't know you had had a GR...I can see why you loved yours so much...maybe it is time for you to get another?

The puppy stage is not new to me. I raised two collies in the past, and doing it right meant we had two gorgeous dogs for the remainder of their lives. All the little training techniques are coming back to me with Theo.

Cinderella, wow...a dog trainer? I think I would like to do that, but also it must have been very frustrating at times! I wish you could get a dog; I should have done this a long time ago for us. It is just so great for the kids and I.

Bangarra, I remember you telling me about your dog a long time ago! I was amazed that you had to import it from Queensland! Maybe you can breed them over there and get them to be popular. The experience I have had with Australian cattle dogs is that they are smart and loyal, and great with kids and sheep!

Here are two funny things Theo does:

Since he is a golden retriever, he loves water. So on hot days he will splash all the water out of his drink bowl and get himself and the concrete all wet. Then he will lie in the water, with his legs straight out behind him!

The other thing is he likes to play on the kids' swing! He goes over there and throws the top half of himself over it and then walks it back and forth with his tail wagging! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" /> I took a photo of that, so when I get it developed, I will try to post a link to it.

And he is sweet and adorable and demanding and stubborn and smart and such a GOOD thing for a family in our situation!

Love and light,

Jacky

Jacky I think that is great for you and the kids.

I have had a Golden for the past two years, Dawson. He is a BIG lovable lug of a dog - so smart.

He is unfortunately a casuality of our D, I won't be able to keep him in a small apartment and WH can't take him either. I'm starting communications with a Golden rescue center, they take the dogs and place them in good homes or keep them the remainder of their lives. He's just to darn good of a dog to leave to chance. Believe me when I say this is one of the hardest things I've ever done. He's alot more loyal than some other males in my life.....

Not meant to be a "downer", I am glad to see some fun coming back into your life. I've read alot of your previous posts and know what you've been through. Keep posting all the new good things happening, like your puppy! Take care!

broken,

I am so sad to hear this news! If you have no luck where you ware going, try this site:

http://pub33.ezboard.com/btopgoldenretrievers

Maybe someone there will give your dog a good home. It is a site for lovers of Golden retrievers. Maybe someone there will take your dog into their home....and then you will KNOW he isn't sitting in a pound somewhere.

I know this is hard for you. If I had to give up Theo after only two weeks, it would kill me!

Love and light,

Jacky