No stories, as Tucker is my first dog in about 35 years. Just wanted to say I really enjoyed your post. As a fellow flyfisher, I dream of Tucker becoming my fishing buddy. But that is a ways off. I would love to know what you worked on with Sammie to get her to become your fishing buddy, but don't want to hijack this thread.
Heart Dog Memories...
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Excellent post Pete. From your words I can imagine Sammie zig-zagging the hillside, her tail fanning back and forth while she works the scent. A truly wonderful memory for you.
Unfortunately Kelby and our time together was cut short. Nothing like that special moment of yours stands out, but instead a series of memorable moments, most of which were short and sweet. There is an instance I remember when Kelby and I were exploring the area behind the house. It was winter and several inches of snow on the ground. She was several yards ahead of me, no doubt on the trail of a coyote or something, when I decided to hide in some brush and test her reaction. I have done this before with our first Golden...... only to look up a few minutes later to see her beat feetin' towards the house. But Kelby soon realized I wasn't around and came back to find me, like all good Goldens do!
: When she did find me, she leaped into the air, spun circles in the snow, and just for good measure knocked me down for a few good kisses. That's my girl.........
Unfortunately Kelby and our time together was cut short. Nothing like that special moment of yours stands out, but instead a series of memorable moments, most of which were short and sweet. There is an instance I remember when Kelby and I were exploring the area behind the house. It was winter and several inches of snow on the ground. She was several yards ahead of me, no doubt on the trail of a coyote or something, when I decided to hide in some brush and test her reaction. I have done this before with our first Golden...... only to look up a few minutes later to see her beat feetin' towards the house. But Kelby soon realized I wasn't around and came back to find me, like all good Goldens do!
: When she did find me, she leaped into the air, spun circles in the snow, and just for good measure knocked me down for a few good kisses. That's my girl.........What a great story Phil. Sammie was indeed special.
I have so many wonderful memories of my beloved Spencer who was lost far too young at barely five to a very rare cancer. I think the funny memories of his daily trips to the neighbors will always stick with me.
We have a couple of acres and at that time no fence. Spencer loved kids and the people next door had many young grandchildren. Spence loved to go visit and they did not mind, so it became his daily ritual to wander next door when the grandkids were there. During the summer months this was pretty much daily. The kids adored "Big Spence" as they called him. One problem, he was gaining weight and I realized they were feeding him. I talked to the kids several times about this. Little Zach, about three then, proclaimed cheerfully "but Big Spence loves Cheetos!" This was a battle I was not going to win, no matter how much I asked them not to feed him, they did.
So I told Spence he could no longer go visit. I told the kids they could come here anytime to see Spencer, but he could not go see them. He sulked. I would sit outside on the deck, or water my flowers, and he would wander in that direction and I would have to call him back. The funny thing was, Spence was never in a hurry. It took forever to water my flowers and he would sort of meander in that direction I think hoping I would notice. As soon as he crossed the property line and I told him to stop, he would give me THE LOOK. It differed from day to day, sometimes hurt, sometimes utter arrogance, but always the same message. Clearly he was trying to tell me that he had absolutely NO intention of crossing that property line and going over there for Cheetos! How dare I question his motives? Then he would turn and make this huge wide circle and walk the entire property line, heading east, then south, and finally west toward me again. Very slowing, proving his point that he was doing a perimeter walk only!
It was a ritual that remained until he passed two years later. Spencer and the Cheetos. The long perimeter stroll, the LOOK. I'll never forget, and always smile when I think of the lovely dance we engaged in. That was my boy!
I have so many wonderful memories of my beloved Spencer who was lost far too young at barely five to a very rare cancer. I think the funny memories of his daily trips to the neighbors will always stick with me.
We have a couple of acres and at that time no fence. Spencer loved kids and the people next door had many young grandchildren. Spence loved to go visit and they did not mind, so it became his daily ritual to wander next door when the grandkids were there. During the summer months this was pretty much daily. The kids adored "Big Spence" as they called him. One problem, he was gaining weight and I realized they were feeding him. I talked to the kids several times about this. Little Zach, about three then, proclaimed cheerfully "but Big Spence loves Cheetos!" This was a battle I was not going to win, no matter how much I asked them not to feed him, they did.
So I told Spence he could no longer go visit. I told the kids they could come here anytime to see Spencer, but he could not go see them. He sulked. I would sit outside on the deck, or water my flowers, and he would wander in that direction and I would have to call him back. The funny thing was, Spence was never in a hurry. It took forever to water my flowers and he would sort of meander in that direction I think hoping I would notice. As soon as he crossed the property line and I told him to stop, he would give me THE LOOK. It differed from day to day, sometimes hurt, sometimes utter arrogance, but always the same message. Clearly he was trying to tell me that he had absolutely NO intention of crossing that property line and going over there for Cheetos! How dare I question his motives? Then he would turn and make this huge wide circle and walk the entire property line, heading east, then south, and finally west toward me again. Very slowing, proving his point that he was doing a perimeter walk only!
It was a ritual that remained until he passed two years later. Spencer and the Cheetos. The long perimeter stroll, the LOOK. I'll never forget, and always smile when I think of the lovely dance we engaged in. That was my boy!
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