MORE LITTLE NUGGESTS

MS CANDIFECTION

A beautiful young lady is emerging
With a glimmer of mischieveousnous still in her eyes.

Happiness exudes from every source of her golden glow.
From early dawn to twinkling starlit night
Her eyes reflect contentment and belonging.

Each day brings an array of adventure
Each evening is filled with warm companionship.
Oh yes, age three is very special.



GOLDWOOD MS CANDIFECTION

Glowing and fresh as the morning sun after a pringtime shower.
Energy radiating a rainbow of Northern Lights
Incandescent as a Japaneese lattern filler with fireflies on a summers eve.
Sparkling with the effervescence of a glass of golden champaigne.
Happy as a babbling brook rushing merrily over the rocks always on the way to somewhere.
A riot in 4th of July firecrackers igniting the midnight sky.

You are bigger than life itself
Happy First Birthday, Candi
We love you.
Katie '82

LITTLE GOLDEN NUGGETS

Goldwood puppies captured my heart and soul. These are only a few of the pictures I have left but they speak volumes. My poetry is very amateurish but I hope it presents some idea of how wonderful these little balls of golden fluff are and how they change your life forever.




















SAMANTHA'S GOLDEN COMET

You've come of age - a glorious golden three.
Behold this lovely young lady of 21 -
just like a bright, shiny penny!
We've shared so much in such a short time -
a myriad of tears and laughter.

What a team we are in the obedience ring
What fun we have tracking

You've taught me so much -
about life - patience - forgiveness.

What monumental heights we've achieved together -
one unbelievable new frontier after another!

How have I managed nearly four decades without you?
I love you, Samantha
My Golden Girl!
May your golden glow last forever.




















SAMANTHA

Like rare vintage wine, you become more precious each year.
You are the calm eye in the middle of the storm.
You are the light at the end of the tunnel.
You are faith and hope when all seems lost.

Just as the sands of time flow too swiftly through the hour glass of life
our bond becomes stronger
our understanding more compassionate
and only when we are together are we at peace with the world.

"Samantha" - Asked of God
You have answered my prayers.
Happy Birthday

Katie 3/82

DAKOTA UPDATE

Dakota has finally acknowledged the box of toys that hold all of Chaucer's and Melodie's toys. He has been taking them out one by one. The floor is littered with them and it is like walking through a mine field. Every couple of hours I have to put them all back only to turn around and finding him right behind me taking them out again. It has turned into a great game for him.

His current interests include watching the darn box elder bugs come out of their winter hiding and walk up and down the glass doors. He sits in front of the door and watches them crawl up and down. This dog needs a life! If they fall and land on the floor his nose follows them across the room until they disappear under the furniture or I catch them in the hand vac. Then I get a look that says "What the heck do you think you're doing?"

For some reason he doesn't want to go down the cleared back steps on the deck. He prefers to blast his way through the mounds of snow. He will come up the cleared ones, but not go down them. I have not figured out this strange behavior. He also has discovered that he can roll in the snow on the deck rather than going out in the yard and it's so much more convenient.

Tuesday was a great day for him. He was watching one of the box elder bugs on the door when suddenly his chipmunk appeared. He was so surprised. I took a bit of food out and he spent the morning watching the chipmunk fill his cheeks and scurry off to his hole with bloated cheeks full of sun flower seeds and the like.

He is on a diet - from treats - Grin! But he figured out a way to get more and he's been playing it to the hilt. And should I make a comment about his chewing of a toy that he just pulled out of the box, he gets up and takes it into the eating area where I cannot watch him. This is one smart dude!

We have been treating an ear infection. I have been pleased to see his cooperation since I did not bring him up. I wasn't sure how he was going to react to medical treatment. I've never had a problem with any of my dogs because I start them out as puppies to accept extra, unusual handling. Dakota obviously had a wonderful home since he has not been a problem.

He is frustrated by the rabbits. He pays far too much attention to their smells in the yard. I have warned my husband that soon there will be millions - well maybe only hundreds - of little bunnies running around our yard for Easter. The weather and snow have made it impossible to fix the fences to keep them out. We tried some very heavy varmint wire fence but were shocked to see the holes they managed to chew in the fence to get into the yard. The biggest shocker was to look out on the deck and see that one of them has become comfortable here, it was sitting and looking back through the door to us watching it. We are in serious trouble.

Dakota has accepted the sander for his nails but once in a while he lets me know that I'm not home free and we spar for a bit and then he puts his head down and lets me finish the job. He has a heavy coat and needs combing to get all of the loose under coat out. I wonder if he's going to blow his coat come spring. I have a Booster Bath and hope that he will accept that too. He's enjoying the walks and glad to get out of the house and see the neighborhood. He also has become guardian of his new home and takes his job very seriously.

Computer problems have prevented me from adding pictures and my continued stories of Gold Country. Hopefully I will be back on track this coming week.

RAYMOND

TO RAYMOND

Head held lofty high
Mind serenely alert
Ears attentive
Nostrils keenly honed to the wind
Eyes reflecting an inner depth of proud dignity
Steady and sure-footed
Tail befits the unfurled banner swaying gently
Surrounded by an aura of eagerness and fixed attention
Majesty at its finest!
.....Katie '78


THE GOLDWOOD GIRLS

There they go - sailing across the fields
like waves of golden sunlight
warming the morning's crisp, clear air.

Punkin - The Grand Dame
the personification of a Golden millenium

Sassy - So loving and trusting again!
At last assured that not all of mankind
is lacking in compassion

Melody and Bonnie - A pair of golden nuggets
with just enough polish to make them
irrestistably charming!

AND

Conda - A 24K golden tomboy!
Eager to get on with it all
Not to be outdone by the others.

And there - atop the hill
His serene, loving eyes grandly attentive
The proud protector of

HIS Golden Girls

Goldwood's Little Raymond
reigns

Katie '79

A GOLDEN IS.......

A Golden Is.....
by Peggy Hilton
Goldwood Kennels

A little round ball of cream fluff
with a soft, pink tongue that happily
licks faster than the tail wags.










The companion every little boy should have that sleeps at the foot of the bed, meets the school bus, romps thru the fields, and plays outfielder at your summer baseball game.

The one who licks away tears until you laugh then joyously wags all over at success.

Man's best friend with a heart as big as all outdoors.

The one with the sad, brown eyes and drooping ears BEFORE the scolding has ever started.

The seventy-five pound, no longer puppy who suddenly decides to jump into your lap while you're watching Monday night football, because -- well, just because!

My psychologist

My confidant

My window to God
The eyes for those who are sightless

A four legged clown, with an incredible love of life, that will follow you anywhere just to be with you because happiness is being with people.

The companion in the field that sacrifices warmth and comfort to retrieve a bird for his master's table.

A friend that breaks thru icy water to bring back a duck that his master downed on a cold, windy day.

The determined puppy that, at the age of two, is still working on completing the 18-hole golf course in your back yard!

My communication link back to the wonders of nature. The official greeter but guardian when necessary.

BUT MOSTLY A GOLDEN REPRESENTS

Trust Faith Beauty Love
Hope Happiness courage

MAKE ME WORTHY OF HER --- MY DOG!

12/78 Peggy Hilton

GOLDWOOD'S GOLCONDA

WELCOME TO GOLDWOOD, CONDA!

What a beauty you already are!
Creamy white coat
Flashing brown eyes
Proud stance.....and
Overflowing with love.
Every minute of life a challenge
Your days are filled with adventure.

So much lies ahead for Goldwood's youngest
Proudly you will carry on the
traditions of your predecessors.

You surely will blaze a trail of
Success, confidence, loving moments...
Eager to get on with it!
Darling Golconda
You have many wonderful years ahead.
How very lucky to be at Goldwood!
Katie 4/79

GOLD COUNTRY

This is my first post in a series on Goldens. Not just any Goldens mind you. No, these are special Goldens. This is Gold Country - Goldwood Kennels. Two of my four Goldens were from this celebrated kennel. This is not to say there aren't other kennels just as wonderful. My other two Goldens came from equally exceptional homes. Perhaps it is because this was my first experience with this remarkable breed. Maybe it is because of the people at Goldwood. I think it is due to the sum of all of its parts.

Just entering Goldwood gives you a rush. You are instantly surrounded by feelings of warmth and love. Taking a deep breath all of the stress of the day disappears. You smile and your eyes are drawn to the pictures of the Goldwood Greats. One of those was Raymond [pictured above]. What a remarkable guy. Certainly the epitome of a great hunting dog and loving father of many offspring.

My Goldwood experiences launched me into a world of dogs. I published my first dog magazine - Animal Crackers. It was my entry into the world of writing poetry about dogs. They are not poems that would bring me a degree from college, but they are what I fondly call "doggie people poems." Many were inspired by my relationship with Goldwood. It also opened the door to the world of obedience training, tracking, and a handful of ribbons from competitions. That led to seminars on dog care in the home through the local libraries. From there a dog column along with a question and answer section appeared on television and newspaper online web sites.

All of this materialized and was nurtured because of my association with Goldwood. It is a magical place. Everyone is happy. You are insulated from the outside world and transported into the wonderful world of dogs - Goldens. You come away wishing you could stay just a little bit longer. But you have caught the brass ring. You have a piece of this world in your arms...a Goldwood puppy. Your life will change and change for the better. You will begin an incredible journey.

I hope to share with you pictures, poems, and thoughts about this special world and the people who made this such a rememberable moment in my life. The years have flown by but the memories linger to savor and relive from the front porch and the rocking chair or curled up next to the fireplace.

NOTE: The following posts will cover my Goldens, not only from Goldwood, but from a very special lady who breeds wonderful Golden companions, and RAGOM. I have many pictures to post and it is taking me time to get them into my computer and enhanced. Also, I have many poems to transfer so please be patient if you don't find a new post every day. Please come back to read more about these wonderful creatures and their origins and how they have enriched my life.

MELODIE MOMENTS

Melodie had her moments and her personalities to match. During her 13 years I was never able to master the job of trimming her. She deserved better. Goodness knows I tried. I even had her breeder give me a lesson. But it just wasn't one of my talents. It didn't seem to bother Melodie. She would sit patiently on the table while I worked on her lovely face, ears, and form.

When I finished, I'd put her down and she would romp off, with ears flying, into the family room and sit there and look at me in such a grand way. She had two personalities. One when she was trimmed and stately and another when she was a tomboy. We loved both. Her behavior was so totally different and I think she actually loved the change and played it to the hilt. All I could do is just laugh and tell her how beautiful she looked. She looked so pleased but I often wondered if she really knew what a rotten job I'd done. I think she just appreciated the attention and effort.

Melodie was an allergy dog from day one. She had a team of doctors. They all loved her. She reacted differently to each one of them. Her dermatologist was my favorite. He was tops in his field but it took getting used to his lack of conversation and always straight face. But he knew how to manage her allergies. She didn't see him often but I remember one day in particular. This was probably a year or two before she died. She was to have a check-up. We went into the room. I sat down and for the first time in all of those years, Melodie politely jumped up on the chair next to me and sat patiently, looking especially lady-like with her recently trimmed body. The door opened, in walked her doctor. He stood a moment and looked directly at her with his straight face and said nothing. Melodie looked him in the eye and he burst out laughing. They had a meeting of the minds. It was my favorite visit that I will always remember.

Later in her life, Melodie ran into some back problems. Her vet, unsure what was going on, suggested I take her to an alternative doctor that had helped some of her other patients. She thought that accupuncture/accupressure might help. At least we'd get a answer to what was causing her problems.

It turned out that she did have a spinal problem that was helped with accupressure. Melodie loved going there. She always felt so much better afterwards. She loved her doctor so much and always showed her appreciation after her treatments. It was amazing to watch their relationship develop over the later years. I was never that sold on alternative medicine but I saw its positive effects and feel it has its place in traditional medicine.

I still see Melodie flying down the hall with ears waving in the breeze, head held high, and a look of happiness on her face. I know she had a wonderful life doing everything she wanted to do. I think she caught three rabbits in the backyard. She ran the lives of two Goldens as well as our lives and home. Every day was a challenge for her. She had her routine and freedom to be all she wanted to be. She had a wonderful sense of humor and was not above teasing now and then. She loved waste baskets, computer paper edges, anything hanging out of your pocket, and the puppy pool. I don't think she missed being a hunting dog. She was too busy living life.

A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS

Melodie spent her life doing what she loved most. Indeed, she was a "mommy dog" and she took her job very seriously. This little lady established her routine early on and added to it when necessary. To her very last day she never lost a beat. Her perceptions of what her tasks were continuously amazed us. Not so much the daily routine, but the added responsibilities she took on when she identified them all on her own.

Obedience was the framework for her life. She learned rapidly and never forgot it. What was so amazing was that I had to change some of those commands and then change them again and she adjusted to these changes without ever questioning me. She understood why they were being made and never rebelled. To this day I don't think I could have accomplished this with any of my other dogs.

Melodie was still a very young puppy when we discovered that Candi had thyroid cancer. It was quite a shock. Candi was immediately taken to the University of Minnesota Veterinary Hospital where she had surgery. We were so fortunate to have a great doctor who successfully removed all of her cancer and no further treatment was needed.

We brought Candi home to recover and Melodie immediately took over. She determined that Candi had to get back on her feet and needed to get her strength back. She went into her nursing mode. She watched after Candi day and night checking on her almost hourly at first. She made sure that Candi came to the kitchen for meals and made darn sure she ate. All through the day she determined when Candi had to go outside to potty. That meant that she had to get me too. She went out with Candi and brought her back in. I decided that Candi needed to exercise to bring her strength back up. Melodie decided when Candi should go for her walk. She would come and get me and stand there until I paid attention. Candi and I started out on very short walks and gradually worked our way up. Melodie checked her every day when we returned. Then it was Melodie's time to walk. It was a good thing I was working out of home because all of this took up the better part of my noon hour.

Candi recovered and as she got better, Melodie backed off and settled back into her daily routine. Then something happened. I do not know exactly when because it was so subtle, but Melodie started barking off and on. I became aware of it in the back of my mind but didn't give it much thought at first. Then it started to irritate me. At some point I stopped and paid attention with every barking session. There was a pattern but I sure couldn't figure it out. During this time Melodie had to go to the doctor. She was an allergy dog and required vet trips every so often. Candi started getting very upset when Melodie was taken to the car. She refused to be separated from Melodie so I started taking her to the clinic too. She calmed down and I didn't think any more of it. I cannot remember how I discovered that Candi had lost her hearing and that Melodie became her hearing dog. It was wonderful watching the two of them work things out together. Candi was one lucky dog to have Melodie as a companion.

The day came when we had to say goodbye to Candi. She had four years with us after her surgery. We asked the vet to come to the house as Candi was most comfortable here and felt safe with Melodie. It was a sad day for all of us. But after that, Melodie was so mad at the vet that she would have nothing to do with her. It took the two of them some time to become friends again.

Then one day a darling little male Golden puppy came into our lives. He was a real sweetheart that I named Chaucer. Melodie was no longer in her mourning period and she seemed delighted to see this little guy. She moved into her mommy mode again. It was wonderful to watch. She pretty much took Chaucie right out of my hands and began training him. Single handedly she house-trained him. She completely took over his life. He learned the right and wrong from her. I just sat there, day after day, with my mouth open every time she took matters into her own paws.

When summer came, she took Chaucie out to the back yard and taught him how to use the puppy pool, then she went up to the back steps and watched him. For some reason she no longer wanted to play in the pool as she had done with Candi. Chaucie loved the pool and the hose.

During Chaucie's life one could never tell whether he was afraid of her or loved her. Most of the time they had a fun life together, but there were times when Melodie seemed to disapprove of his behavior and let him know it. But he still loved her and showed it often.

Sadly, two days before Thanksgiving, we had to rush Melodie to the vet. It was time to say goodbye. This one hurt. She had just be into the vet for a complete physical exam that included everything from blood work, x-rays, and an ultrasound. She was pronounced well and healthy and ready to go on with running the house, us, and Chaucie. It was such a shock. She had been having some minor traumas and jerking, but nothing that worried the doctors. The only cause we decided was a brain tumor. By the way, she had lost her hearing and she relied on Chaucie to be her hearing dog. Our loss still hurt to this day.

Next: Melodie Moments

MELODIE

My life was pretty much running on a track of Goldens and Shepherds. A day came, however, after loosing my first Golden that I decided I needed a change. For years a dear neighbor told tales of growing up with Springers. I always left with my side aching from laughing so hard about this breed. I needed a laugh. I started a long walk learning about them and whether they would be a good companion for my other Golden. Abruptly I came to a screeching halt....Springer rage slapped me in the face and raised a red flag. This stood in my way because of the serious nature of the problem and how wide spread it had become. I talked to the breeder of my Goldens and she advised me not to bring a Springer into my home as a companion for Candi.

I don't remember how I found Julie but I'm sure it was through AKC. I called her and told her what I had hoped to find but that I was being advised not to look any further. There were a number of phone conversations between Julie and myself. She patiently told me all about the Springer rage and answered my many questions. She also told me about her breeding program and how she avoided getting the problem into her dogs.

It all seemed a like a long road and I wasn't sure if I should continue. But in the end I found myself at Julie's home and a litter of Springer puppies that stole my heart. It was so hard to choose. They were all wonderful. I came armed with advice from my vet as to what to look for and how to choose. However, that all went out the window as I watched one little female that didn't follow the litter. She pretty much remained independent and wasn't swayed by the others to join in trying to get my attention. Julie said she had been first out of the whelping box and was the Alpha puppy. I was bothered by her continuous scratching. But I knew that Julie was a very conscientious breeder as all of the puppies had learned to deal with grooming which included an electric trimmer and they all had been part of the family and handled by the children and been around the house. They knew about appliances and were comfortable with them too. So, I finally decided on little Miss Independent, who Julie said was "a mommy dog". After her explanation of that I knew this was the right Springer for our home since we were not hunters. Everything pointed to the fact that MELODIE would fit very nicely into our lives and be an excellent companion to Candi.

We took Candi with us when we picked up Melodie and let them get to know each other before we took off for home. Melodie had her own kennel next to Candi but it was so large since it had housed a Golden, we held her during the long trip. Once we got home, we let the dogs into the house. Melodie trotted around the house as if to check everything out. Once she had covered the main floor, she seemed satisfied and sat down and looked at me. It was time to let her out in the fenced backyard. She again proceeded to check it all out with Candi following her.

My memory has pretty much faded since that time except for the fact that the next step was to take her to my vet, to my Golden breeder, and to my obedience trainer. She totally captivated their hearts. Peggy, my Golden breeder was blown away by her and all fears about bringing a Springer in to be a companion to Candi went out the door. My trainer pronounced her perfect and a wonderful puppy. My vet said she was a healthy puppy all around but a little concerned about allergies.



At the time of Melodie's arrival, my office was part of our living room. I put the puppy pen nearby and placed Melodie into it. She had toys, water, and everything a puppy could want. However this was not Melodie's plan and she let me know it. She was not about to be kept in any type of container. It was a blow to her dignity and she kept at me until I took her out. My next alternative was to put a leash on her and attach it to my desk. She wasn't particularly pleased about this but she accepted it for a while.

Life got back to normal if you accept the fact that living with Melodie was normal. I don't think that living with a Springer is ever normal. Melodie immediately took over the house, our lives, and Candi. I was beginning to understand what Julie meant by her being a mommy dog. Our lives were changed forever. This little Miss made every day a new adventure.

When summer came, Candi took her out and taught her all about the puppy pool. The two of them had so much fun playing in the water. The time finally came when Melodie and I went off to obedience school. Candi went along to make sure all went well. Training went so well that we had to adjust a few things. Melodie was exactly like her Golden predecessor, Samantha, she patiently watched Sharon demonstrate things and then proceeded to do them exactly as they should be done - never making a mistake.

Melodie went on to graduate with honors and ribbons as the pictures will show.

To be continued: Melodie's unique life.

PILLOW TALK

It is hard to believe I must be the only person on this planet that has been having an ongoing battle between pillows and pillowcases. I am on my third pillow in a nightmare that has finally been resolved and I am sleeping ever so peacefully,– except for the snoring. Some time ago I went shopping for a new pillow. I do not like pillows that are puffed up like huge auto air bags. My first attempt was a perfectly lovely pillow that felt just wonderful in the store. I was sure it would take me off to dreamland in no time. Alas, starting with that first night and continuing until I could not stand it any longer, it was horrible. I ended up with a stiff neck and slept with a small blanket folded into a pillow until I could get to the store and find another one. Pillow number two was even better than the first. I talked with a sales person and my description of what I needed was fulfilled beyond my dreams. Home I went, assured that my sleep would be sublime now. Wrong! The same thing happened. I was sure I was starting to get curvature of the spine. What could be wrong when just hours ago I was so happy. My husband dismissed the whole thing and thought it was my advancing age. He blames everything on that now. He was having no problems with his new pillow. One that was exactly like mine. What was I going to do? It was time to put on the old thinking cap and try to figure out what was going on here. I sat on the bed and looked at the pillows. Right away I saw one difference. His was nice and flat like I wanted mine to be, but mine was the size of an airbag. How could two people with the same pillows have two that now looked so different? Well in a nutshell this is what I discovered. Pillowcases are all the same size – in circumference and their length depends on whether you have a standard, queen, or king. I went to my computer and spent hours looking at pillows and pillowcases. All cases are 20 inches and their length depends on whether you have a standard or king pillow. However, there are a million different pillows. Pillows for back sleepers, side sleepers, and stomach sleepers. There are pillows of foam, of feathers, of puffy stuff, and combinations. You name it. To pick a pillow you choose from column A and column B. Off I went with a measuring tape. Ah ha! The plot narrows. No matter what they tell you, they are not telling you the whole story. Standard cases may be standard but they do not fit all standard pillows. Well, not exactly. You can stuff just about any pillow into a pillowcase but it doesn't mean that it will be the same once it i’s in the case. Its whole personality changes. No longer will it behave as it did in the store when you tried it out. It becomes confined...trussed like the Thanksgiving turkey. The other side of the coin is when you get around to washing the pillowcase, it will no longer be the size it was when it was new. I came home and measured pillowcases. I even went back and measured cases from years ago. None of them were 20 inches. Even the commercial cases I bought were not 20 inches. It is no wonder my pillows took on a different life when they became part of our bed. Back to the Internet. Site after site of pillowcases were all the same size. Claims of standard cases fitting standard pillows abound. But this is not the real world. An e-mail to my wonderful sister-in-law came back that she never buys cases. She makes them out of old sheets. Sure enough, there are simple instructions on the Internet for making your own cases. However, they too are sized just as the commercial ones are -– 20 inches. The only thing you gain is if you use pre-shrunk material. But the other advantage is that you can make them to actually fit your pillow so that the pillow performs as it was meant to be. I did not have any extra sheets to convert. Solution: I shopped the Internet until I found the exact pillow I wanted. I fell in love with it and salivated at the thought of it cradling my head night after night. I immediately ordered it. And while I was waiting for its arrival, I found a wonderful place in Florida that makes pillowcases of European size. Yes, a case that actually would fit my pillow with room to spare and size to shrink-– which it did on the first washing. But the pillow lays peacefully in the case and awaits my head each night. Oh what bliss. It i’s wonderful. The pillow is nice and flat and just the right thickness. It even has a small “pillow top ” like our mattress that is lightly quilted. My neck is back to its normal position. During the night I find myself scrunching it up just like a dog scratching its bed into comfort. Yes, the case did shrink a bit, but it was the length not the width and it still works. My nights are again peaceful and I drift off to sleep knowing I will wake well rested and not angry at the world of pillowcases. As I drift off I can no’t help wondering why I am the only person on the planet that had such a perplexing problem. But that can wait for another time because I don no’t really care.

And why is my husband happy with his? Well, I looked at him during the night. He sleeps on the whole darn thing and flattens it flatter than a pancake. Somehow it works for him. Now if I could only resolve the snoring.