About Missing Migo

The truth is...I will miss my Little Migo terribly. I thought it would be easy to say goodbye to this little demon, but I look at the face, that face that begs kisses, and I know I am going to miss him. Thank goodness for webcams...Caitlin is hooked up from Grenada, so I will be able to see him, and her (I will definitely miss her) when I need a Migo fix (which will be everyday).

I know he will be safe, and I love knowing that Caitlin will come home to him after class. I know how I feel after a long day having those faces greet me at the door. Therefore, for her, I am glad he is going with her. Having a companion with her will make her life in Grenada more enjoyable. They are after all, family. And living with family is always good (unless it is not).

Caitlin has promised she will write about their antics while living there and those writings can be found in a blog called “A Golden in Grenada”. It will be fun, and fresh, (like Meegs) and filled with many wonderful stories. So if you like my blog, the chances are, you will loves hers too. In the mean time, I will keep you all informed of life here, without my little demon. Thankfully, there are three more cute faces left here to kiss.

Happy Birthday Lexy!

Officially a double digit midget...we always celebrate our pets birthdays. Why wouldn't we??

The birthday girl with her special Princess hat on.

Her birthday was celebrated in style with an ice cream cake for all. She got a few gifts that were immediately taken by Migo. Figures.

Lexy Has Cait's Back....

My daughter Caitlin has always been convinced, through her heart, that her dog Lexy will live forever. Her veterinarian schooling has reinforced what her head already knew; that Lexy will not live forever. In her heart, yes, and now on her back as well.

Caitlin decided a long time ago that she would have Lexy tattooed on her back, so that she would be with her, literally, forever. So recently, she went to see a local tattoo artist to see his portrait work. She liked what she was, made an appointment, and this past Monday, the tattoo was made.

The exactness of Lexy is almost eerie. The tattoo not only captioned her well, but she has this knack of raising her left eyebrow at us, and the artist even captured that trait! The colors are gorgeous and he, painfully per Cait) was able to really define the colors of a Golden. I have included both the tattoo and a picture of Lexy for your review.

I am fond of tattoos, having one myself, but I am truly in awe that Caitlin now carries with her a lifetime companion, and not only in her heart.

Migo the Library Dog

This week, Migo, our youngest Golden will take his Therapy Dog exam. I believe he is ready. It has been a long 8 weeks of training, but worth every second, especially when you see how people respond to dogs. Medical research shows that animal therapy promotes shorter hospital stays, decreases blood pressure, and dramatically improves sense of well being. In most cases, patients excitedly anticipate their furry friends' visits; thus giving children, adults and the elderly even more reason to feel happier, healthier and more alert.

I have always been a believer in the power of animals to help heal our spirits, and in some cases, the human body. The stories are never ending; enhancing the quality of life through the human-animal bond. I know on a personal level how my dogs make a difference in my own life. As a natural stress reducer, animal therapy is an excellent method of incidental physiotherapy.

So Migo will join his sister Madison, our other Golden, at the local library to provide a service in which children will read to them. I love this program and love sharing my dogs with the local children. The kids respond favorably to the dogs and that’s what pet therapy is all about. I’m glad I am a part of something so positive.

A Dog Named Brady

Once upon a time there was boy dog named Brady, who had a crappy life, for most of his dog years. He lived with many owners for various reasons, but collectively they had little time or money to care for him. So as it happens to many dogs out there, he was sent to a doggy rescue organization (thank you God) only after several attempts by his owners to end his life prematurely.

We first learned about this sweet boy through Caitlin who was working (thank you God) at the time the owners tried to put him to sleep. The vets decided he was not a candidate and referred him to the Golden Re-Triever Rescue, Inc in New Jersey. Immediately following his placement in a foster home, we contacted the organization and asked permission to provide Brady with a home. Of course, being the great organization they are, this was major process to go through, just to adopt him. But we knew we had to have him, so we filed the paper work, endured the lengthy screening process (home inspection included), and eventually Brady found his way into our home (He had found his way into our hearts long before he had even left his last home).

Brady was an eight year old Golden who had a few health issues and because his last owners could not afford his meds, he came to us in a rather untidy state. His fur was missing in many spots, he had horrible skin which left him itchy and red, not to mention sore, and he did not smell pleasant. So we got him immediate care, got him washed up, and back on the right meds, and on a proper diet (he had more allergies than I could ever list here). We provided him with extra love and soon learned that he loved to be loved.

Within a short time, he was back on track, and was beginning to look a bit more dapper. Unfortunately, within a short time, his health began to fail again, and he started having seizures. After a brief stay in the hospital, he was back at home, and again on track. At his age, we were told that if the seizures returned, the chance of a tumor in the brain was probably the reason. And at that time, we would have to make a major decision as to how to move forward with his health care.

Brady lived with us for six months and in that short amount of time, we came to love him as if he had lived with us a life time. When it was time to make the decision, we knew we would eventually have to make, it was not easy. My heart still aches today for that sweet boy. But I know that we gave him the best six months of his life and when he got to heaven, he looked dapper (his hair had grown back and he had a healthy coat). I know that he and our first Golden, Tyler, are there playing together, and that makes things a little easier for all of us. It’s so easy to love a dog. Always consider a rescue.

Bright and Beautiful: Our Madison

Last year Caitlin enrolled Madison, one of our Goldens, into Obedience class with the goal of becoming a therapy dog. After two additional classes, Madison is now one of the Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs. Her sweet disposition lends her to fit the role beautifully.

She spends her therapy time at two libraries where she enjoys children reading to her. OK, she just sits patiently and has at times even dozed off, but the kids are thrilled to read to her. She and I will begin a program at our town library and I am excited to be a part of such a great program. Madison is too!

The program is a spin off of the Paws for Reading program which uses service dog teams and registered therapy animals and their handlers to help improve the literacy skills of children in an effective and unique manner. The kids get so excited to see the dogs. There are those children who merely come to work through their fears of dogs! No matter the role she plays, we are very proud of our Maddie!