The Blonde Sisterhood

A hectic and tiring week has come to an end.  Sam is doing really well.  Yesterday he was rolling in the cool grass and later he was counter-surfing--All good signs!  After a long conversation with a friend, who I consider an expert on natural and holistic treatment for dogs, my optimism and focus has returned.  In the past I've had pretty good success in using Chinese herbs and I have no reason to not hope for this same success in using them for Sam too.  He'll begin taking them today.

On the flip-side, the unwanted affection and attention of Casanova Lucas for the fair and lovely Annie has finally waned. Persuading Lucas that Annie was not the girl for him, happened in the most unusual way.  Annie, unable to convince him herself that his advances were unwanted not just by her, but by all of us, we had an  intervention.  The intervention was not something that Carl or I did, but something Sheba did.  Sheba as you recall is our youngest Golden, and she is not afraid to stand up for herself or even start a fight. On Wednesday, for some reason anytime that Lucas got near Annie, Sheba began getting into the middle of the two, would growl at Lucas, and with that, Lucas would walk away from both of them.  This is something I've never seen Sheba do, and I can only conclude that 'the blonde-sisterhood' is just standing up for one another and sticking together!

~Sheba and Annie, the Blonde Sisterhood~

Flowers for Leontien

Leontien,  your friends, two and four legged at Golden Pines dedicate our first blooms of the season to you.  We send you comforting hugs and healing energy!  

To send Flowers for Leontien click here

What's Ahead for Sam

The overall news for Sam today was unfortunately not all good.  He had 8 teeth that needed to be removed. And what the vet and I thought was swelling from a root abscess because of a bad tooth and a blocked salivary gland is actually a mass, and given that he's a Golden it is probably cancer.  My vet and I discussed treatment options, but I was so stunned by what she was telling me, I just couldn't make a decision.  However I did decide to not do one of the options and that was to do surgery to remove the mass.  Because of its size, surgery would probably entail removing a good portion of Sam's jaw and at his age (about 13) I just won't put him through that.   

To be told that cancer is going to take yet another one of our dogs that has been so healthy has me feeling really defeated.  When Sam needed to have his teeth cleaned and the 'bad ones' removed, something about it had me a bit uneasy.  But I held onto the thought that it would all be routine and that everything would heal, and Sam would be fine.  So instead of being able to put all this behind us, I'm feeling the return of a familiar ache in my heart when I think of what's ahead for Sam.    

A New Addition--A Girl Named Annie

When it rains, it really does pour...Along with Sam's surgery coming up on Wednesday, on Sunday we welcomed a new addition, a 13 year old girl named Annie.  Her owner, who is named Steve, lost his wife about 5 years ago, lives alone and has stage 4 pancreatic cancer.  As his health has deteriorated, he has found it harder and harder to care for Annie and so he made the difficult choice to give her up.  And, as heartbreaking as it is to think about, Steve wanted to make sure Annie had a home prior to his passing away.  It was a sad meeting and I hope in our conversation I was able to assure him that Annie would have a good home.  I also told Steve that he could contact me anytime to find out how Annie was doing.    

~Annie and Our Gang waiting for dinner~

Annie is a lovely, confident and well cared for treasured Golden.  Steve and his wife got her, and her partner who was named Sid (who passed away last year) when they were about 8 weeks old.  Annie is pretty well mannered, and hopes for a bite of whatever it is  you're having, and she loves to sleep on the bed.  She met our gang, who are pros at meeting new dogs, with no problems, and fits right in.  The only problem is Lucas.  He has dusted off every single one of his hormones and will not, and I mean will not leave her alone!  Annie seems to take it all in stride.  But I have to be honest and say that his amorous behavior is causing a lot of stress for everyone because of his barking, panting and pacing and he will not listen to any of our corrections--And we have tried every one that we can think of.

Sadly, I don't think it's fair to Annie or Lucas if he can't get his hormones in check.  If he cannot in a couple of days, I will have to ask the rescue to find another home for her.  I hope this doesn't happen because I am totally smitten with a beautiful blonde Golden named Annie who when I look at, reminds me of my beloved girl Kasey--And whose eyes I look into and want to get to know better.