Hi Barb -

Just wanted to share with you that we celebrated Badger’s 1 year birthday on Feb 21st. I am attaching a few pictures.

Badger has turned out to be a wonderful dog. He is a nice 71 pounds and so mellow. I think he looks so much like Captain and am wondering if Captain sleeps upside down as well with all four paws up in the air? Because Badger sleeps like this a lot. Badger has a big head and the blackest nose you will ever see!

We are just finishing up our Intermediate Obedience class, however, I’m not sure he will do as well as he did in basic obedience for passing the final test. He just can’t seem to handle the fact that he must stay and NOT retrieve the toys when she comes by and squeeks or throws them. Practice, practice, practice.

I’d like for him to be a therapy dog and I think this because as a nurse I miss the clinical setting just a bit and by taking this path it would get me more into the clinical setting again even if it is to just bring joy to the face of others while petting a dog. But don’t know much about it or where to begin. I’ve done some web research, but not really sure how to start things. If you have any suggestions or input, please share.

Again, thanks so much for this wonderful dog. I only wish Litchfield was closer for visitation. My oldest is always out on your website watching for the latest puppy pictures to appear and then of course, wants another. I keep telling her unfortunately the puppies don’t stay small for long!!

Take care,

Lauri

Hi Barb -

Just wanted to share an update with you. Sabin (Ruby x Captain Sept. 09) is doing great. He has such a wonderful personality – calm, confident and spunky all at the same time. He will be starting puppy obedience next week – I’m sure he’ll do great. Even though the rest of us haven’t enjoyed the snow I think he is secretly sad that it’s almost all gone – he loved to play in it. I’ve attached a few of my favorite puppy pics – he’s almost as big as my other adult golden so he doesn’t look much like a puppy anymore. Thanks again, I think you have a fantastic breeding program and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or puppy.

~ Janessa

Hi Barb and Family,

I wanted to send you some pictures of Toby (Captain+Maddie, Feb 2008). He just turned 2 years old and we are so happy he is a part of our life. He is extremely well behaved and we get compliments all the time on how beautiful he is (that’s probably not news to you). Smile emoticon He got his Canine Good Citizen at only 10 months old! We just recently moved and two of our neighbors have Goldens from you as well. One of them, Mozart, is a half brother and they love to play together. We visit the dog park a couple times a week. Between that and our long walks/runs, he is usually pretty tuckered out…at least for a Golden. We’re looking forward to camping with him this summer and trips up to the north shore. Also, Lori and I got married this past summer. I included a picture of the proposal. Naturally, Toby was off exploring something more important.

Hope everyone is well. Take care.

Eric & Lori

Hi Barb,

Just went through your recent pics and blog. Always make me smile! Coby and Sundance are wonderful!! I know you hear this all the time, but everyone raves about them. We were away for the weekend and my best friend took care of them in our house…she has two dogs, a golden and a Bern. Mtn. Dog, and she raved about their excellent behavior and calmness. They went for baths yesterday and the customers and staff were so complimentary…The staff said, ” It was our pleasure. They are handsome, calm and wonderful dogs.” They loved how they waited for their treats, taking them ever so gently! I sang your praises yet again

We just love them and feel so fortunate to have them. Thank you again for all that you do to raise such wonderful dogs. Rob & Sarah

Barb:

Wanted to give you an update on Stella (Captain/Maddie – Nov 2009).

She is weighing in at a little over 27 lbs of pure joy! In February was had our parvo shot only and in the next week will have the last of the puppy shots. Her eye is 100% recovered from the vaccine reaction. At a year the plan is to give her a proactive serious of eye drops and then the distemper and hepatitis.

To say that she loves water is an understatement. Water in any form – snow, standing, shower, frozen she adores and continues to want more.

Stella & Greta both just graduated from Puppy Kindergarten and are heading into the Total Puppy class next week. Stella is exactly what I wanted. She is calm but playful, listens most of the time and wants to be around people and other puppies constantly. Everyone we meet comments on how 1st beautiful she is but than how surprised they are at how well behaved and calm she is. She is +99% housetrained, comes when called about 90% time and outside of encouraging her to take a nap she is truly exceeding my expecations.

Puppyhood is awesome but also looking forward to see what she looks like as the months progress!

It might be premature, but what are your thoughts adding another dog to the family? Not thinking today but is there an ideal separation of age that does make sense? She has so much fun playing with other dogs that it started me thinking about what it would be like with one around more often. Of course the only other dog would be another Rolling Oaks Golden – I am now officially addicted to the breed and your puppies.

Here are some recent photos – I think she looks like her dad!

Paige

Hi Barb,

Our family was the lucky recipient of a puppy from Captain and Emmy’s June 2009 litter. Sierra has been such a wonderful addition to our family and is such a great dog! We love every day with her and couldn’t have asked for a better puppy. We are sending you a few photos of Sierra playing at the dog park on February 28th.

She goes on two walks a day and is always eager to go to the dog park about 3-4 times/week. At the dog park she is the “welcoming committee” as she runs around to say hello to all of the humans first and afterwards she goes and plays with the dogs. In addition, when she was in training classes this Fall, she passed the obedience test to become an AKC “Star Puppy”. We were so proud with how well she did in her obedience classes!

Just want to thank you for all the love you put into your puppies. We are complimented everywhere on what a beautiful and well-mannered dog she is. Kari & Patrick

Hi Barb, I hope all is well with you. We celebrated Sofia’s (Jasmine/Captain) 1st birthday yesterday. She got two bones and new soft toy which is a treat because she Likes to chew them up or play tug of war with them rather than just Hold them and lick them! Sofia is so sweet and beautiful and has been a true blessing for us. Everyone continues to say that she is the most beautiful Golden they Have ever seen. Thank you for breeding such a wonderful dog. You may be hearing from us Again to adopt a brother or sister for Sofia! Regards, Karin and Michael

Hi Barb- Sorry we haven’t checked in for so long! Hilde is doing really well. (Ivy/Captain pup) She is a happy, happy girl. She is really well behaved and seems to almost anticipate commands before I give them. In this picture she had spent the weekend snow shoeing, going to the park and out and about around town. She loves to go with us when we do errands on the weekend. She LOVES to go to Chuck and Don’s the pet store. She often gets treats and always gets lots of love. When Hilde is the most tired and really wants to sleep she settles in on the corner of the couch with the pillows as shown in the picture. Good thing the couch is Golden Retriever colored! -Amy and Ray

Barb,
Well, I don’t think it’s the terrible twos. She’s awfully sweet. She did, however, discover that deep snow has its advantages. She noticed right away that the snow was deep enough that she could just walk right over the back fence, around the field, into the neighbor’s yard, and then back to the front gate to bark at Luca as though he should let her in. Congratulate Captain and Emmy. They made a beautiful girl. Here she is just about a week before February 17–which was her 2nd birthday. She can’t figure out why the ball won’t just roll downhill.
Diana

Dear Barb,

While I am downloading some pictures, I have to send one to you.

Leo is a charmer, lover and people dog. He has lots of loving from Larry, Luke and I and can’t decide who he likes best. His new challenge is staying in the yard with his Pet Stop invisible fencing. We have had to turn it up several time and the neighborhood dogs and kids still are too tempting some times. Mostly he stays, though.

We love him and I am looking forward to better walking weather.

Greetings to Russ,

Cindy