Here you can follow the training, showing and every day antics of our beloved golden retrievers.
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Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Missing You

Dad....As a child I remember clinging to your hand sometimes not wanting to let go. Last year on this day you held my hand your last hours and I told you it was okay to let go.

Life is a journey
of sweetness and sorrow,
Of yesterday's memories
and hopes of tomorrow.

You are always with me and never forgotten.


Sunday, December 27, 2009

Busy Week Ahead

The "Broadway" litter turned 7 weeks old today! We have a big week coming up. Evaluations tomorrow, vet appt. on Tuesday, baths, nail clipping, feet trimming, and lots of crate training and house training! I have mixed emotions today. It's thrilling to see these puppies growing and thriving. At the the same time it's sad that it's almost time to send them to their new homes. I have to create a new business where I can go around socializing puppies. :) I must admit I have found my passion! Seeing the world through their fresh young eyes is amazing. I have spent hours observing, cleaning, playing, walking, cuddling, feeding, and setting up new interactive play areas for them. At each new developmental milestone it was interesting to watch it unfold before my very eyes. Everything stated in the articles I read was happening in real life with my puppies. I am forever humbled by this experience and will keep these 3 (Peter too) forever in my heart.

Christmas was a hard day for me this year, but being surrounded by family (goldens included) helped to make the day more than bearable. Jamie got to spend a lot of quality time with his pup Parker (aka green boy). Walks in the woods and short clicker training sessions have set these two up for a wonderful beginning together. Jamie will be back next weekend take Parker to his new home. Erik played his new acoustic guitar for us which we all love to hear (new sound for the puppies!). He is a gifted musician. Siena is always by his side when he is playing. I think that's why she loves to sing too! ;)

I'm anxious for tomorrow......wish Bob could go with me for puppy testing. Today will hopefully be the day I get stacked pictures taken of the gang. This puppy stacking is a lot harder than it looks.

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Happy Birthday ZAP!!!!

Zap-A-Roo-Puppy doo look at YOU is one year old today!! Off for an early hike in the woods (his favorite thing to do) then making a stop at the pet supply store so he can pick out a toy. Will post pictures of our handsome one year old boy later ;-)




Monday, December 21, 2009

6 Weeks Old!

The puppies celebrated their 6 week milestone by playing out in the snow yesterday! There have been a lot of changes in the past week. I'm trying to get them out to potty after every meal. Siena still nurses them a little, but it's more like a quick snack for them now ;) They are so much more active this week. Twice a day they have the run of the house for about an hour. It's at those times when I set up make-shift agility equipment. One of their favorite play areas is under the dining room table. Over the table legs, under the chair legs, chasing each other through the wooden maze delights them! New additions to their pen include a kuranda bed and a crate. I change out the toys daily so they always have something new to play with. The Christmas present I ordered for them arrived today and I had to open it and let them play. They grow so fast I couldn't wait until Friday! We also had visitors this past week which was fun for all of us. Kara and Donna spent the day with us last Monday. It was wonderful spending time together and having puppy socialization. Jenn and Ann were here on Friday. Siena enjoyed snuggling on the couch with Ann and made sure everyone paid attention to her before the puppies! Jenn was so nice to bring Sam for Zap to play with. The yard was a bit icy so they also had some indoor time to hang out together.

Thanks everyone for taking the time out of your busy schedules to come play with the puppies...it meant a lot to me! And thank you for the very thoughtful gifts!




The "Broadway" Litter's first snow (6 weeks)


Cadie's job is to empty out the crate ;)

Tunnel time!

New bed

The pups taste test the crate

Dining room play-o-rama

Big Blocks for Christmas!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009


Saturday, December 12, 2009

The Week in Review

Having puppies around the holidays, I thought, would be a little stressful. Not so! They are my calming force, they ground me, make me smile and more often than not you can find me immersed in their world. Apollo, Truly and Zap are regular visitors into puppyland (Max not so much yet due to his over active, loud vocalizations ;) Before the weather turned nasty this week the pups took a field trip out to the front porch. It was a gorgeous sunny day and in the afternoon the sun streams on to the porch in a glorious fashion that can't help but lift your spirits. As usual Mr. Red was the first to venture off the blanket with his brother and sister not too far behind. I can now add wood decking to some of the surfaces they have been exposed to. Still, even though the sun was warm we didn't stay out there very long as I didn't want them to get chilled. Last week I took the puppies to my vet for a quick check up and a weigh in so I could worm them. They were all over 6 pounds. The real surprise was Red boy... he weighed 6.2 lbs. That was only .2lbs less than Green boy! Cades was tied with red at 6.2 lbs. Siena was proud to show off her brood to the wonderful staff. Everyone in the office made it a point to greet her first before they dove into the puppy box!

I had a photo shoot with the pups for our Christmas card the other day. It was challenging doing it by myself, but then I thought of people who have large litters and I can't imagine how they get all the puppies to hold still at the same time!! I did manage to get a few cute pictures and ordered my cards yesterday....whew!

Yesterday was Siena's birthday! As a special treat we snuck off to the McDonalds drive thru and shared a cheeseburger. It was nice to have her all to myself for a few minutes. This drive thru thing is a ritual of ours after agility trials. Happy Birthday cee cee, nennie, nennie poo poolata, siena nenna!!!

Zap and I had a humbling lesson on Tuesday. This word was used several times during our lesson: fren-net-ic: (adjective)-frantic; frenzied. :o)

The boy just couldn't seem to get his head together so instead of working on go outs and other fun things it was all basic control stuff. Not what I had in mind; however, my now approaching 1 year old lad needs to slow down and think. At this age not a big deal, and since he picks up things so quickly I have no doubt we will be back on track in no time.

All in all there has been really good news coming in this week from Bob, Jamie and Erik (career/college related). It's refreshing and encouraging!



Looking forward to upcoming puppy visits this weekend and Monday from friends and neighbors!




Truly visits puppyland

Monday, December 7, 2009

4 Weeks Old!

Yesterday was the 4 week mark! Today we start solid food. Siena is spending less time wanting to nurse and who could blame her with all those new puppy teeth!
L-R: Green boy, Red Boy, Cadie

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Zap's Day Care

Today was Zap's his first official playtime with the pups (in the pen) . He was so gentle with them that Siena permitted him to stay and quietly play for about 10 minutes. He checked his adolescent energy at the door since Siena will not tolerate such nonsense around her babies! The puppies enjoyed their special time with him and took a long nap afterwards.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!

Hey, guys wake up it's me ZAP!







I love you Uncle ZAP!