The Pack

This weekend, while digging through boxes in the garage, I uncovered a rare picture depicting the time when my Pack grew to 4 happy sporting dogs. Bear with me while I tell their story. It's 1992, Bellevue, WA - here they are anxiously waiting to go for a ride to the park. Let me introduce you:
L to R
- Sadie, 3 years old, Half Golden, Half Lab
- Sunny aka PaPa Dog, 6 years old, Golden
- Cosmo, 18 months and behind, in the shadows is her sister Ellie (these gorgeous girls were from Sunny's 2nd litter)

This was a very special time for all of us. Sadie would soon be adopted by Andi's mom who was widowed and had bonded with Sadie like nothing I had ever seen. Ellie had just been returned to us after enduring a difficult year at a place that did not understand her needs as a Golden. We had four dogs for a month and then three dogs after Sadie went to live with Grambo. For the rest of her life, Sadie was always a member of our pack even though she lived a few miles away. Funny how they never forget.

Sunny, Sadie and Cosmo at Grambo's house - 1994

Ellie was a special case. She came to us skittish, skinny and lacking the natural self-confidence that permeated all Sunny puppies we had ever known. We had made up our minds to keep her permanently; she fit so well with the pack. Her sister dog Cosmo was so mellow, smart and confident that she had become (before Ellie's arrival) our loaner Golden! Several of our trusted friends would take her for a walks, or to the park and once; on a three day camping trip in the Cascade mountains! Cosmo was such a natural with humans, she knew exactly what to do and when.

The girls - 10 years old - 2001

Friends Chad and Kathleen were amazed at how wonderful having a Golden Retriever was after spending 3 days in the mountains with Cosmo. They also adored Ellie and 3 months later, asked if we would consider letting them adopt Ellie. They had a new house with a yard and Ellie was their first child!! It was a match made in heaven. Ellie grew into a healthy, confident girl who received as much unconditional love as she gave. It was the happiest ending we could have ever hoped for.

Needless to say they are all gone now, waiting for us at the Rainbow bridge. They all had long, healthy, happy lives with their peeps. Cosmo lived to be 15 - still a record for our Goldens.

I started this blog in early 2008 to chronicle the history of my Golden friends and to honor their memory.  The Links below are my early entries - which explains the original name of this blog....
"My Golden K9 History"

Sunny aka PaPa Dog

Sadie

Cosmo's story

Cosmo and Ellie

Cosmo with Sunny