Our golden boy was born in Maine, not only did he enjoy traveling and running on the beach but delighted in greeting the guests at the hotel and then later on at the studio. When he turned seven years old, we relocated to northern Canada. Our crosscountry flight was quite an event for Hoover, as a living assistance dog he boarded the plane and stay by my feet for the whole trip. What a traveler he had become! During our first year in the north he adjusted well to the cold climate and long winters by the fireplace. As he got older he continued to look forward to strolls in the snow and long afternoon naps in the Alberta sunshine. Then he unexpectedly was diagnosed with Cushing Disease and the illness took its toll on him. We kept our promise....when he grew frail and weak and pain kept him from sleep, we did what must be done. We stayed with him till the end to make sure he was free of pain and ended the suffering for a battle that couldn't be won. Rest in peace my friend, we'll meet again on rainbow bridge.

Hoover, we're thankful for the love and laughter you gave us over the 13+ years. For all these reasons and so many more, our hearts are heavy. You were a presence in our home and now you are gone. From the grunts in your sleep, running after a ball and providing us with comfort as you snuggled like a velcro, the memories that we have will forever be treasured.

Thanks so much for being a part of our lives, we're grateful for your love, loyalty and companionship, it was an honor and a privilege. You were the most incredible dog with the sweetest personality. Everyone who met you, fell in love with you. You were beautiful inside & out. You will be spoken of often and always with a smile or a laugh.

Hoover, you were and will always be loved so very much.
Gone forever, but forever loved.....

Love, Mommy, Daddy and Charlotte

Two days ago, I buried my kind and gentle Maya. I love her dearly and I will miss her.

For almost 13 years, she was a loyal constant companion. She went everywhere with me, to work, to play, to travel, to walk. Always enthusiastic, always right there willing to do anything.

But most of all she loved swimming. She swam in the ocean breaking through waves, she swam in the lake circling around for hours. When we used to drive to the lake, miles before we got there, she would know it, and she would tremble in excitement.

She loved sticks, the bigger the better. In fact she loved trees. 5', 10' it didn't matter. The bigger they were the prouder she was that she could carry them.

She was gentle with the biggest heart. She would follow the kids around as they played. She would chase their snowballs and their toboggans She would eye their baseballs and their tennis balls.

She loved apples. One fall we lived on a farm with apple trees. When they fell to the ground she would eat them until she was stuffed. Thereafter, they were her favorite treat.

We will be planting an apple tree over her grave in honor of her life.

Maya, I miss you. I miss you in such a good way. For some reason I do not have a single bad memory of you and I feel honored by that.

"Maya, you are a really good girl."

Love Craig and all your friends

There were only two puppies left when we went to see the litter - a male and a female Golden Retriever. "Why is this the last male left?" I asked. "Is there any reason he hasn't been chosen?" "I don't know," the breeder replied, "maybe because he's so big." But big was fine with us and so we brought Bear home - a cuddly ball of yellow fluff.

I was prepared for a long first night of whimpering. But we put him in a crate with a blanket and didn't hear a peep out of him. Next morning, there he was, patiently sitting, waiting for us.

We fell instantly in love. Both of us had had dogs all our lives, but none like this one - intelligent, perceptive, patient, kind, gentle and loving. We used to joke that he understood every word we said, and indeed, when you talked to him he stared intensely into your eyes as if desperately trying to understand. We resorted to spelling familiar words but he still knew when we were talking about a walk!

Child, baby, or animal - I was never afraid when anyone approached him. I never ever heard him growl or show any sign of aggression. Over the years, he mothered puppies and kittens we brought into the house. They instinctively gravitated to him and would sleep snuggled up against the luxurious cream and gold fur of his belly.

His last year was a hard one - two knee surgeries over the course of a winter left him limping and thin. But we were hopeful that with the warmth of summer he would be his old self. It was not to be. Maybe the fact that he was not himself because of the surgeries masked the other symptoms. But by the time we investigated, it was too late. Cancer. I held him while he closed his eyes for the last time.

He was pure goodness and love. How can I not see him again. Surely he is in some place special. I believe Robert Louis Stevenson. "You think dogs will not be in heaven? I tell you, they will be there long before any of us."

Oh precious Gentle Ben. Born on Valentine's Day - I guess that was our first sign of how you would capture our hearts and everyone else's. I remember when your human dad Ken and sister Jen snuck you into the house as a birthday present for me, your human Mom. I already had your big brother Paddy, a beautiful 6 year old golden. Why did I need another golden I asked??? I was extremely angry at first, we did not need another dog! I asked them if maybe we should take you back to the breeder; I agreed to keep you for a few days. The next morning you came running to me so eager to become a part of our family. Oh little Ben, how I grew to love you. I could not even go on vacations because I simply did not want to be parted from my little fur child. You saw me through so much, the death of a beloved younger brother, the loss of a special nephew, a serious illness and then the inevitable - the loss of dear old Paddy. We walked together - our very special time, you loved the occasional ice cream we would buy you, the trips out in the truck with Dad, swimming in the creek - so many special times together. How my elderly parents loved you. I remember how you cried the night I returned from Europe - it was unbelievable and quite shocking to witness. We had a bond so strong. On Nov. 20 we found out why you had been sick all weekend. "Cancer of the bowel" were the horrible words we heard our young vet quietly say. Saying goodbye to you Ben was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. Even at that horrible moment, you looked at me and knew why I was crying didn't you? I miss you and think of you every single day. I know you are on Rainbow Bridge and wait patiently for us - you know that you were so loved and missed by all who knew you, precious little fellow. Thank you Ben for so much love. Love Mom and all of your family.

Gone forever, but forever loved.....Today I am saying goodbye to the best dog and friend a person could ask for. Casey you were our first baby. I will always remember your gentle nudge you would give us, when we weren't giving you enough attention. You travelled many miles with us in your 13 years. You came to us at 7 months old, from a family that just didn't have time for you. You didn't even barely know your name, but you were a quick learner. On November 18, 1999 our second baby came into our family, you accepted Josie as if she was your own. You got into lots of mischief together. She misses you dearly, and still cries every night for you. (as do I) I try to explain to her that you are now without pain, and are running around Sheba, but it doesn't take the pain away of not seeing your beautiful face, or that gentle nudge. Max has had you in his life for only a year, but seems to be very lost without you. We are grateful of owning such a loving friend who would always give, and ask so little in return...we love you and will miss you forever....Thank you for all the wonderful moments !!!! we will always remember you !!!! R.I.P.
Casey was cremated, and will stay next to our bed and hearts forever....
Love Joelle, Derek, Josie , Drew, Max and Bubba.

Farewell, Dearest Amber,
You have been my darling daughter in a world of sons.
From the moment we chose you from a litter of eleven, I cherished you with all my heart.
It was a spiritual bond between us, and a gift from God, never taken for granted.
Each day of your 7.5 years was precious and filled with memories that contributed to a warm family life.
Our morning and evening walks that came to such an abrupt end, were good for us both.
We cherished our times in the boat and wilderness camping.
Your companionship was second to none, and could never be duplicated.
Your good natured personality should be in every human being, and it would be a better world.
As tears stream down my face, let me grieve for you, sweet girl.
None could ever deny my love for you. It is evident and for all the world to see.
We gave you the best in return for all your love and devotion.
I'm so sorry this tumor and cancer robbed you of the life you so enjoyed.
Your sweet, kind nature never wavered in spite of pain and suffering.
I cannot imagine our lives without you in it, especially mine.
Your name means, "Precious and Golden" and you lived up to that.
If any dog could be in heaven, I guess you stand a chance!
When Billy Graham was on TV, saying "Come" you rose from your bed and sat at the foot of the TV, looking up at his face on the screen, waiting for further commands.
I held you until the end, for "I will not leave you comfortless" John 14:18
I miss you so dreadfully, Amber, the emptiness consumes me. Time may partially heal me.
Forever, never forgotten, always loved, deeply missed..

~"Mommy"

Our Final Walk Together

As I read over this Canadian Goldens web site, my heart of sympathy extends to each of you traveling this lonesome road.
Each retriever is SO beautiful, and I love them all, and feel your grief.
This is a wonderful tribute to a breed loved by all, but especially those who have lost a cherished pet.

Today, we brought home the remains of Dakota, our beloved 9 year old Golden. He died last Wed, with his family all around him.
He was the best of friends. He had a little crook in his tail and a tiny tuft of white hair on his head. You could tell him any where.
My dtr, Laura called him a medicine pet, because he could always make you feel better. He was so empathic.
Dakota had a special way of hugging you. You would sit in front of him on the floor and he would bow his head and press it into your chest.
My dtr Ally, cannot imagine who she will have to talk to as a teenager. Dakota was such a good listener.
He loved to play, and was such a clown. He was always up for a good play. Even on his last day, he brought the ball to us,with his tail wagging just a bit. He loved his stuffed animals. He was so gentle, they were never damaged in the least, (just a little slimed!)
Dakota was unusual for Goldens, He did not like the water. I can still see him with the other dogs at the lake. We had to put a lawn chair in the water, so he could keep his front paws out of the water. He was always so silly.
Our house and life are empty without him. I miss hearing his many different types of barks, I knew them so well, it was like he was talking to me. I miss the sound of his breathing beside us while we slept.
My husband is so sad. I know he feels that there could never be another dog like Dakota.
He had such a gentle and loving soul.
Dakota helped me through a severe illness last year. I do not think that I would have done as well without his constant companionship, and his company on those walks we took together.I can never thank him enough.
Dakota you will be missed. We thank you for your love, loyalty and companionship for those 9 years. We so wish that you did not have to leave us so soon.

We will never forget you, Love your family, Wendy, Jim, Laura and Ally

Today, we said good bye to my beloved Gleason, he was just one month shy of his 14th birthday. The details of his afflictions are not important but suffice it to say that the burden of his years was now too much for him to bear. In spite of this he held his head with the same pride that was always his trademark. He was a wonderful friend whose presence will forever be missed by my family. There is purity about a Golden, in their loyalty, friendship and love for their family. To this end Gleason reigned supreme. From the time he was a puppy he always wanted to be with people and loved children. There was a warmth and innocence about his face that could turn a bad day good. From the grunts in his sleep to running after a ball, the memories that I have I will forever treasure. I am grateful for the privilege of having had such a loving friend from who I received so much and asked for little in return. Gleason you are my once in a lifetime dog and we will miss you.

Love David

Faithful and trusting to the very last moment. Maggie is still my best friend. Her time on Earth spanned 3777 days and with me were a slightly fewer 3718. Every day of her life that comes to mind I recall seeing the love she had for me beaming from her smile, shining from her eyes, and flowing from that perpetual wagging tail. During this time silence abounded and it still reverberates through the chambers of my mind. On occasion she might chuff at the pizza man, but rarely did she bark. She showed me every single day, but not once did she ever speak her true feelings for me or utter words of affection.

Now, as I think of her and try to muster together the words that would sufficiently describe my feelings towards her I suddenly understand her silence. If given eternity to find these words I would fail to adequately describe what she means to me. Hence in 3718 days could she not find these words, neither shall I find them now.

John M Cox

My Dearest Tally,
One snowy night I drove to the country with the kids to check out the puppies. I was anxious about the nasty weather on the hwy and wondering if this was a commitment I really wanted for a very long time.
You were one of 2 little girls in the litter. Your sister was a bit of a stinker biting on our pant legs and laces. You on the other hand were napping soundly with your brothers in the hay under a big warm light.
We put you in a box and brought you home. You were a soft ball of golden fur. Each of us fell in love with you the first time we looked into your deep brown eyes.
The first few nights we had you home we tried to make a cozy bed for you under the computer stand. You cried terribly when left alone. One night Graham slept on the floor with you. After that I got a tall box and put you beside my bed. When you cried during the night, I would put my hand in to stroke you. For the next ten years you slept beside me.
I connected so easy with you. You came to me during a period of recovery in my life when I felt scared, lonely, sick and unsure. You were always at my side looking at me with calm understanding and strength. You were my friend, my comrade, my child. Always happy to be with me no matter my mood. You were my couch partner who happily watched whatever I choose. As I cooked in the kitchen you lay in the middle and liked everything I prepared. No matter where I had to drive you were happy just to come for the ride. You were always in my sight and now I only catch a glimpse of you and wonder if it's for real.
I had dreamt many times over the years that you had been lost or stolen. I would wake up in a panic. Yet nothing could prepare me for the way I feel about your true passing. You filled my insides with love and joy and now that spot is physically empty. It's actually so painful. This bad dream is real. It's the worst nightmare I have ever experienced.
I pray that my faith and belief in a higher power does not waiver, and that the signs that I received about your spirit are real and not imagined. That you are now here with me, young and spry. Your red noisy color on and a ball in your mouth. I close my eyes and see that gentle sway of your butt and your tail standing proud. Or that scary smile you would show us when we came home.
I miss all the dog hair on my pillow, and billows of it floating around on the floor.
I loved how you rolled on stones out on the grass and chased those birdies and that squirrel out of our yard.
I smile when I remember how you jumped into the neighbor's car with them.
When you finally dragged that huge tree branch out of the lake and how you tried to pull Jeremy's hat off as he wore it because the pompom on top was a ball you wanted.
I remember you chewed up Teddies face, the kitchen chair, and liked to take the blankets off my bed after I made it.
I chuckle when I think of how you would stand behind that little gate or when you didn't you would clear all our companies drinks off the coffee table with your big tail.
I imagine you in your winter boots as you tried to walk in them all gangly across the kitchen floor. Or how silly you were as you ran around trying to dry off after your bath.
You also scared me many times like when you got stuck under my bed or when you ate the foil chocolate coins one Christmas. Then the time you stuck your tongue on the metal rail one winter. You also frightened me when you hit you're head on that moving car at Grannies and when you chased the deer in the field and hit the snow fence. I worried about the sounds you made when you were having a bad dream and how I would wake you up and hug you and tell you everything is all right.
I remember you digging so intently in the sand at the beach working so hard on your project with your shoulders hunched, your ears hanging forward and your tongue wagging. Only to come and stand by us as you shook the water from your fur.
Weather it was a ball, a stick or a stone you were always ready for fun. Ready to Get that Kitty, Find the Stick or Get your baby, you were always full of enough energy and zest for everyone.
I close my eyes and remember us walking together in the field. Your head and body held so proud as you trotted along. Of course off your leash. When on your leash you dragged me all along the way as you were always in a hurry.
My beautiful proud Tally. You touched each of our lives so completely. We feel heavy as we enter the house not to be greeted by your sleepy sweet face. Tally your loyalty and gentleness, live right inside us. You have changed us and made us better people for having been gifted these ten years with you. I am forever grateful for being able to call you mine.
So my sweet, sweet girl, stay close by until we are together again. Let us see you in our dreams where we can smell your smell, feel your fur and kiss your nose again
Give BaBa and Papa a hug for us.
Go now and run and play my beautiful Tally. I will be o.k.
Love Mom

During these past four months you have been your wonderful self and we all found it so hard to believe you were so sick. Even in your final moments when we held your head in our hands and told you how much we love you, your tail was wagging and you licked our faces. Although you barely walk you never showed your pain.

Can't imagine the house without you, let alone summers at the cottage. You spent every summer with me there and how you loved to play in the water while your friend Mikey kept nudging sticks into the water and whimpering until you would jump in after them. Now you and Mikey are both together in heaven no doubt playing and slobbering all over each other. We will always see you lying on the back of the boat - your ears flapping! How you loved life and everyone thought you were nine months young instead of nine years old. Now there is no one to feed scraps to in the mornings and clean out the pots. We still feel you everywhere our beautiful golden boy! Someday we will be together again - we will always love you and remember you for the kind happy dog you were. Thank you for all of the wonderful moments!

~ Peggy Fraser-Smith

Poem: When the Time Comes

If I should be that I grow frail and weak
And pain should keep me from my sleep,
Then will you do what must be done,
For this-the last battle-can't be won.

You will be sad I understand
But don't let grief then stay your hand,
For on this day, more than the rest,
your love and friendship must stand the test.

We have had so many happy years,
You wouldn't want me to suffer so.
When the time comes,
Please let me go.

Take me to where my needs they'll tend,
Only, stay with me till the end
And hold me firm and speak to me
Until my eyes no longer see.

I know in time you will agree
It is a kindness you do to me.

Although my tail its last has waved,
From pain and suffering I have been saved.

Hi,
I stumbled upon this forum while searching for a place to talk about my family's golden retriever, Dexter.

Dexter came into our lives when he was only a little pup. He was the chunkiest thing I'd ever seen, and he was a huge suck. He refused to sleep alone, and always needed someone to hold his paw while he slept. He quickly became the family's favourite little furbaby, and we all considered him family...to me, he was a brother. He always wanted attention, and was always smiling. He was my mother's baby, even though she had 6 other non-furbabies. He came everywhere with us: camping, swimming, travelling, everyday outings. And when he was left at home, he was always waiting by the door with a shoe in his mouth, even if we were gone for 5 minutes. He didn't seem to notice the difference in time, if we were gone for a second, or for a weekend...no matter what, he was always excited to greet us.

He lived in a large family, 8 people in all (excluding significant others), 4 cats and a rabbit. He was actually scared of the cats. If he needed to get upstairs, but one was sitting on the stairs, he'd cry and cry until we moved the cat for him. The cats seemed to love their power over Dexter, because they'd start to roll around on the stairs, stretch out, and then make themselves comfortable on the stairs. They sure loved to tease him. He always was a big suck... :)

We found out this year that Dexter had some kind of cancerous growths on his back end, and the vets were looking into options for him. My family started to break. I was the one who was stubborn and said, "We'll pay whatever we have to! He's family!" My mom was the realistic one, knowing it could cost us alot more than we could afford. My parents have been struggling with money since I was born (I'm the eldest child), and 5 children later...well, it's not easy. We took Dexter into a specialist, and were told that it didn't look promising. They could do radiation treatments, but only 6 before he got sick from radiation...and they said it wouldn't cure him, only keep him going longer, the other option was surgery, yet they weren't sure that would work either. Because of where his cancer was, they'd have to break his pelvis and amputate his back leg, and still, it wasn't a sure thing. It was horrible news...I didn't want to hear it. He was still a puppy to me (even though he was now almost 11).

Then the news got worse...2 days after meeting with the specialist, Dexter went downhill fast. We had been told we had a few weeks left with him, but we could tell it wasn't the case. He wasn't able to stand very well, and was bleeding profusely from his tumors which seemed to have tripled in size over the weekend. His infection was spreading rapidly, and we knew he couldn't hold out for long. He was burning with fever, and his energy level was almost gone. We decided to give him a shot to numb the pain for 24 hours, so we could spend one more day with him, and we made it the best day of his life. He had constant attention, petting, loving...treats galore and a photoshoot with each of us. It was the longest day of my life...knowing the end was coming, and I felt selfish because I didn't want him to go, but we had to face facts...his way of life had diminished, and he wasn't going to be happy like this. The next morning, the vet came out to our house. We arranged to have our Dexter put to sleep in our house, where he could be comfortable. When the vet arrived, Dexter tried to get up to greet him at the door...sillly boy. We all sat around him, telling him what a beautiful, good boy he was, and when the time came, he was still our little furbaby...sleeping while being surrounded by his family, while I held his paw...for the last time.

We miss you so much Dexter... Love: Larry, Nancy, Amanda, Devin, Brandon, Tyler, Jordan and Michaela Gallant-Turner
(Dexter is to be cremated privately and kept at home with his family)
Dexter: February 1997-February 3, 2007

Hi,

Thank you for the opportunity to add Kramer to your lovely list of golden friends. I have attached a photo.

Kramer, our beloved golden, died on January 16th after a short and unexpected illness. What seemed like the flu turned out to be cancer, and our world changed in an instant.

Kramer was a great friend and loved all of his people with his whole heart. He was gentle, patient and kind. He had an uncanny ability to understand when something was wrong with one of his human friends and offered lots of cuddles to help out.

We miss him terribly and are thankful for having had the chance to have him in our lives. With time, we hope the memories will become less painful and we will be able to smile about all of the wonderful times we shared together.

Love you more than anything, Pal.

Your Loving Family,
B, E, S and C...also Kennedy and Usher

Sucky will always be in our family's heart. The stray that came to used with a collar named , "Lucky"- my daughter just a small toddler could only say "Sucky" so Sucky is what you became. When I called the number on your tag, the people said that'd come get you, they never did.....so very "blessed we were". Never once grawled at my daughter who rode you like a horse, just the most patient dog I've ever had and been around. All our cats, thought you were their mother. At times in winter, you would have 3 cats on top of your beautiful coat and and 3 nestled up beside you. We will miss the big mess you made on the kitchen floor after drinking water, we swore you slobbered more out than drank. Our big "galuke", we miss and love you so much. We only had you for 8 years when the terrible hemangiosarcoma came knocking at your door this past summer. Brave battle till the end, we will never ever forget you, thank you for being so gentle with the kids...until later!!!! Suck-Suck!!!!

Steve, Monika
Emilee and Luca

I have attached a picture of my beautiful girl. Georgia came home with us when she was 6 and a 1/2 weeks old and changed our lives forever. She bravely fought the cancer that took her away from us in May this year and there hasn't been a day since that I haven't thought about her. Despite the pain she was in she didn't want to leave us and I felt her presence in the house for weeks afterwards. I have her urn and photo near me every day. Georgia is always on my mind,

L. Simpson
Burlington,

Funny, our family picked the name even before we saw him (football fanatics) and it just so happened when we laid eyes on him or shall I say when he stepped on all of his brothers and sisters to get to us, we new it was a "fait de compli". There was no question that Titan lived up to his name. His head was huge, he had long lanky legs and he was 14 lbs at 8 weeks. He grew to be 27.5" tall and even the largest Lab on the street seemed miniature compared to him. He was also extremely intelligent. We were talking to him in full sentences by 6 months and he understood. He was stubborn and of course he had the ever popular golden sense of humour. His favorite prank was to watch his Daddy fall asleep then stand aprox 1" from his face and burp! From day one we spoiled him rotten and in return he gave us his undying love and devotion. He was definitely a Mommy and Daddy dog (Nana Donna and Nono Ray was special in his heart as well) but he certainly gave his brother (Jonathan) and sister (Katie) attention when they asked for it....you know teenagers! One thing he never mastered and I know there will be non-believers but he never liked the water. No matter how many treats we lured him in with he would get up to his ankles and make a hasty retreat back to shore.

We were just getting use to having his 5ft 8" frame sprawled across our bed when God decided he needed him more then us. You see Titan came to us the same day my stepchildren came to live with us permanently. It was fate, Titan was there for them in order to make our transition a smooth one and when we all adapted it was time for him to move on. Unfortunately his transfer papers came in the guise of Bone Cancer which is extremely fast and painful. Hence we made the decision to let him live his last days as a Dog and that he certainly did. Right up to the second last day he ran, played and of our course stole our socks and shoes, making us run barefoot to catch him. When the vet told us that he had no femur left we knew then that it was time. So in a nice spot beside the house (in the shade of course) and with a full belly we all said our "goodbyes" and our "I love you's" .

No one ever replaces a Titan because of course they are "giants among men" and that is what Titan was to us. His heart was exactly that and we know to this day that he is now in someone else's home giving them the unconditional love and laughter that he gave us. We will never forget and will always love!

Mommy,Daddy,Katie,Jonathan, Nana Donna, Nono Ray
and Denver (Titan's new little brother)XXXOOO

Thank you for your site. It is helping us through the pain of losing our beloved Golden "Tanner" two days ago. Tanner was like a child to us, the lonliness and void in our hearts is almost unbearable. Tanner would have turned 13 on Oct. 22, 2006, and he was the joy of our lives. He was diagnosed with liver cancer only one month ago and although a stubborn tough fighter, he was in pain at the end. When the moment came to say goodbye and as I lay on the floor with him and whispered in his ear, I knew he was at peace. Tanner was a "big brother" to our 8 year old daughter who is now lost without her best friend. Tanner was loved my everyone. We will miss the swims at the cottage, your constant smile and greetings as we come through the door, the walks in the parks and constant companionship. You were our buddy Tanner and our home will never be the same without you. Our hearts ache and we will never forget you. Till we meet again, be pain free and eat all the ice cream you want up in heaven. We love and miss you so much Tanner.

Mom, Dad & Abby xoxo

A digger, a thief, and a pool drain clogger. That was our Junior. He was also lovable, kind, selfless, and always a puppy at heart everyday. Yes, he was a golden. My father, a man who does not show his emotions and a former non-dog lover, went from avoiding Junior, to petting him on the head, to suggesting we bring him along on family trips, to going out of his way to make sure he came whenever possible, to as I later found out from my mother, sitting in our backyard under Junior's favorite tree, crying when Junior left us. I am thoroughly convinced it is impossible to have a golden and not come to love them as family. We will never be able to replace him. I can only hope to one day honor him by bringing another golden into our lives.

Like many others, Junior was taken from us far too soon and so suddenly. A cancerous tumor ruptured his spleen and caused massive internal bleeding. 10 hours later he was gone. Closing his eyes was one of the most difficult and painful things I have ever had to do. Just know we all miss you and it breaks our hearts when we are reminded you are no longer with us. We will never forget you Bunior....

Sharbot (after Sharbot Lake, Ontario) died 4 days past her 10th birthday (Nov. 26, 1995 - Nov. 30, 2005), so shockingly fast (18 hrs from fine to gone) due to a burst blood cancer tumour. She was...well...a golden. I often thought to myself:

If only humans had the capacity to love like this.....

She is pictured at Pike Lake, On...does she look happy?She was cremated alone and will be laid to rest in her beloved Pike Lake in the summer of 2006. Present at the ceremony will be our new male golden (being flown in from Thunder Bay to Ottawa tomorrow night)....may he have her heart.....

We miss you Sharbot.....and I miss kissing that black nose of yours everyday....

Shelley, Jeff, Mitchell, Hannah and Bryce Usher

Cubbie was so special in our lives. He was one of our children with the exception of having fur. My husband always said that if he were human he would have been a comedian. He was truly an Angel from Heaven...always there to comfort us if we had a bad day. It was as if he actually knew something was wrong. He could look at me with such love and devotion in his eyes. I loved how he would interact with us, and insist we play by bringing some toy or other objects out to us for attention. He would never give up! Cubbie also knew who our or should I say "his" good friends were. When the company arrived to visit he would lead them to the kitchen cupboard and bark and then they would give him his special treats.

Unfortunately, Cubbie was taken from us far too soon! He died of a massive heart attack while playing in the backyard chasing squirrels. We thought we would have him at least another 5 years in our world, as he was in such amazing shape. Life is so unfair sometimes.....so when you have someone you love and cherish, as we did with Cubbie, make sure you tell them and hug them often, as you never know when they will be taken from you to fly to the gates of heaven. I'm sure that's where our little boy is now, and I know he senses how much he was loved as we cuddled daily. We miss you Cubbie!

Love, Pam, Jammie and Amy

I am posting this memoriam in remembrance of my amazing boy Riley who left us on January 6/06. I know in my heart that he is no longer in any pain and is patiently waiting for us at the Rainbow Bridge. He was my companion and one of my closest friends. He was the gentlest of souls who captured the hearts of anyone that had the honor of making his acquaintance. Riley was Sherry's guardian and my sidekick who dominated our lives in a most beautiful way.
Our home and our hearts may be empty right now, but "I'm glad that you stood in our way."
Riley was unconditionally Our Love, Our Life and most of all Our Best Friend.

Joe Picotte

Hi Lisa... here is a link to some photos my husband took of our gentle Foster. We had Foster for 12 years. We said good bye to him a couple of weeks ago and I can't believe how much I miss him. He was gentle, reliable, stoic, dependable, loving and the best boy you could meet. I feel empty. We have a 1 year old who is precious as well but will never take his place. What I'm finding the most difficult is that when a human dies you are excused but not so when it is your pet.

We couldn't have asked for a better fairwell for Foz. As he lay on our front lawn for the last time, the sun shone for the first time in 28 days and friends and neighbors came by to cry with us, kiss and hug Foster and say their good byes. That's how I know how special he was. The next day we had cards, flowers and a meal brought for us. Every card said the same thing about him; what a gentle soul he was. I cannot believe how special he was to everyone. I sure hope he knows that.

I can only be comforted knowing that he is with his cousin Shylo who passed away last spring.

Feel free to put this on your website.

Regards,
Lori Pshebniski

We lost Hunter to a hepatoma tumor in November 2005. He collapsed in our home and 22 hours later he was gone. We took him to the vet and x-rays showed a very large tumor in his abdominal cavity. We brought him home for the night and back to the hospital for emergency surgery the next day. Our vet called during surgery to explain that the tumor was the size of a soccer ball, was entwined in Hunter's liver and other organs and was bleeding heavily. Hunter would probably not survive the surgery and if he did, he would not live for more than a couple of days. He would undoubtedly be in pain. We made the difficult decision to let him sleep forever and they didn't wake him up from surgery. We miss him every waking moment.

I have read so many sad stories of Goldens who suffered through their last days. If I can be thankful about anything, it is that Hunter didn't have to suffer any more than he did.

Hunter came to us from Chelsea, my sister-in-law's Golden. We said the only way we would ever get a dog was if Chelsea had pups because she was an incredible dog. She did and we knew Hunter was like her from day one. He was an incredible dog who instantly became everyone's friend. Hunter was loved by all who knew him and he brought something special to every life he touched. Even our cat Holly misses him and waits for him by the door every day.

Hunter was such an integral part of our family that he appears in almost every family photo from the past 9 years. Our hearts are very heavy with the loss of such a good friend. I will never again be greeted by that perpetually happy smile and wagging tail. Cathy will never again have him beside her on her nightly walks.

We struggled with the idea of getting another Golden, but having Hunter in our family for 9 years and then losing him so unexpectedly has taught us something. A house is just an empty, lonely place without a big friendly Golden Retriever, who will love you unconditionally no matter what. Hunter's absence leaves an incredible void. We will get another Golden to fill that void, not to replace Hunter but to honour him.

Rest in peace my friend. See you at the Rainbow Bridge.

Glenn, Cathy, Allison, Andrew, Nolan & Holly

Lisa,
This is a poem I wrote for my Golden who was put to sleep on August 29th 2005. After a 3 month battle with not being able to produce red blood cells as a result of removal of a mast cell tumor on her spleen, her quality of life was depleting rapidly. Up until the very end she never gave up, she was brave and after having her for 13 1/2 years with no health problems, we miss her strength and devotion dearly. This painting of a golden looks so much like her its scary. If you would like to post this on your site that is fine with me, just something to let her know she will never be forgotten. Thanks.
Lisa Luvera
New York


We can't see you, but still you are here,
In spirit and our hearts, we will always keep you near

Everyday that passes,
We miss you more and more.

But your strength and devotion,
Is what we remember you for.

You were a golden, that's what we knew,
But since you were born, your heart was golden too.

You blessed our lives with every dance you did, every nuzzle you made
The memories of you will never ever fade.

Thanks for all you taught us, that life could be short but certainly is sweet,
And know that there will be another time when we will again meet.

We love you baby

Gone is my friend, the one who loved me through all that came. Our time together drew to an end and though I would have moved heaven and earth to save you this terrible Cancer would not be beaten. I've always told the story of how you picked me when you were just six weeks old. I only now really realize how true that is. I wasn't even looking for a dog. I was out trying to find myself when you found me. You were irresistible, your eyes so soulful, loving and a little mischievous. Someone to share my love with I thought, but reality became someone to receive undying love from. Our lives became intertwined and there was no longer a you or me but an us. As I'd run into friends and acquaintances part of their normal salutation was How's Jake? Everyone knew probably cause I bragged at length about your every adventure and misadventure. You've come to know me, understand me better than most humans and even still you loved me. There's a new puppy now, the one you were suppose to train. Even still not a day passes without the mention of your name and the sadness of your absence. Thanks for the love, we'll never forget you "Giacomo Watch The House"

~Len Corrado