BEN, Age 8
Grade 3 Central Cambria, Edensburg, Pennslyvania
Best Friend: Duncan, 7 year old Golden Retriever
December 3, 2000

    My dog, Duncan is in the hospital. He has cancer in his sinuses. He goes away during the week to Cleveland, OH, and comes home on the weekend. He is always very happy to see us. He likes to chase balls and play in the snow in he winter time. I miss him very much when he is away.
    We have a puppy, Sadie, too. Duncan plays with her and teaches her things. He is the best dog, and I love him so much.

MADDY, Age 11
Grade 5 Olinda P.S., Melbourne
Best Friend: Bodhi, 14 month old Shih Tzu
November 17, 2000

    BODHI is the best dog you could ask for. She is my best friend because she
never tells anyone my secrets, she is fluffy and cute and is always there when you want to play something and none of your friends are there.
    The worst thing that could ever happen to me would be if Bodhi was taken away. My Dad says that Bodhi gets more attention than the rest of us!

CRAIG, Age 10
Brentwood, California
Best Friend: Jewel, Golden Retriever
November 1, 2000

    This photo was taken shortly after my Golden Jewel had her hip replaced. She needed this surgery to get her out of pain. The Dr. told me that she would become crippled and would no longer be able to play with me if she didn't have her surgery. She only had about a year left of possibly being able to continue to play with me if she didn't have surgery.
    It has been 4 long weeks now since she had surgery. She can't play yet
because her hip replacement might pop out. She needs to heal properly
first. She does lay next to me why I play Nintendo and she lets me brush
her to make her feel good. I'm hoping that by Christmas she can play again
like she use to.
    I miss the way we played together and I especially miss that she is unable
to sleep with me at night. I miss all the fun times we had, but look forward to her getting better and playing again. She is my best friend. I really do love her.

NICOLE, Age 11
Grade 6 Farnsley Middle School, Louisville, Kentucky
Best Friend: Fido, Black Shepherd/GOLDEN Mix
October 20, 2000

    Fido is my best friend because he loves me and cares for me. He helps me go
through hard times and is always there for me when I am upset. When I am hurt, either physical or in the inside, he is always there to make me feel better.
    Also, I can tell him my most darkest secrets. I can trust him, and he can trust me. That is why he is my best friend. I don't know what I would do without him.

DIANNA, Age 10
Grade 5, San Gabriel Mission Elementary, California
Best Friend: Rocko, 8 week old Golden Retriever
October 18, 2000

    I have just received a puppy. I think everybody needs to meet this loveable and active friend. Rocko is just the right size for any ordinary puppy. He is very active and is not trained yet but I am going to work so hard to train him and take care of him.
    I want to be in a dog show. I see all of these dog championships and I think to myself 'why can't that be me?'. There is probably a million people out there that want to enter a dog show. I want to prove that I can train my dog and he and I can do it together.

DARIANA, Age 12
Grade 8, New York, New York
Best Friend: Shadow, 4 year old Golden Retriever
October 17, 2000

    My best friend is Shadow!! He is the nicest dog I know. We got him when
he was 2 months old, for $750 since he is a 100% pure breed. He is a great
hunter and search and rescue dog.  Everybody in our neighborhood loves Shadow! When I take him on a walk, the kids who are outside start to shout "Shadow's out".
    Shadow is very smart: he knows how to sit, stay, paw, lie down, come, find, give the ball, dig, drop, after it, jump, and I taught him how to play hide and seek. He always warns if someone is near our door. Shadow is the best dog that I will ever have, and I LOVE HIM!

STEPHANIE, Age 13
Grade 8, Rossview Middle School in Clarksville, Tennessee
Best Friend: Sara, 3 year old Golden Retriever
October 5, 2000

    My best friend is my dog Sara, because she is always there for me when I am
down. She is always in a good mood. Sara is waiting at my bus stop for me when I get home everyday.
    If anyone tried to take her away from me I think I would just die! I could never trade Sara away for the world. Whenever I think about her I think about an ever-lasting friendship that will never die out or go away after she has died and gone to heaven. This is a dog that deserves everyone's love.
    Sara, my best friend in the whole world, will always remain in my heart full of love.

ANNAH, Age 10
Grade 5 in York, South Carolina
Best Friend: Tucker, 1 year old Golden Retriever
September 10, 2000

    Tucker is the best. He is loving, friendly, caring. He loves to be around people. He likes to eat a lot. Tucker has a beautiful coat. Tucker is one year old. He is healthy. Very hyper. But typical of the breed. He likes to chew anything he can get his paws on. He has chewed 5 bicycle helmets, many pairs of shoes.   
    Tucker is still very much a pup. And I'm a very lucky girl to have such a canine friend.

SARAH, Age 8
Grade 4 at MLS Elementary in Cairo, Egypt
Best Friend: Sunny, 3 month old Golden Retriever
August 26, 2000

    Sunny is my best friend. He cheers me up when I'm sad. I had a German Shepherd named Becky when I wuz little but we had to give it away. Then I had a cat but he ran away.
    Then I thought I could never love another pet but Sunny proved me wrong. I love Sunny and somehow I know I will be with him forever.

KARA, Age 11
Grade 6 at Nishna Valley Middle in Emerson, Iowa
Best Friend: Molly, ~ 4 year old Golden Retriever
August 8, 2000

    Molly is my best friend because when I come home from school she greets me at the door wagging her tail and giving me tons of kisses. At night time before going outside she goes and gives me a kiss and then goes outside and then comes back inside and gives me another kiss and then lies down beside me and goes to sleep.
    Molly smiles to cheer me up when I'm sad. She loves to play all the time. She is a great Golden Retriever, dog, and a great Best Friend.

SARAH, Age 11
Grade 5 at All Saints School in Florence, South Carolina
Best Friend: Sunny, 6 month old Golden Retriever
August 6, 2000

"Sunny is My Best Friend"

    Sunny is my best friend because while there are a lot of reasons, let me think. While I will have to say when ever I am sad he cheers me up by coming toward me like everything is all right and we will start to play.
    I got him on my birthday April 13, 2000. To me, he is the best dog! I wish I could send a picture but since I can't I will describe him. He has a brown/gold coat with a star on his chest.
    When ever I throw the ball he will fetch it and come back with a smile on his face. He is always ready to play! I also really enjoy it when he gets in the pool with me! We play all day! I think everybody should have a dog!
    He can't sleep at my feet yet because he has so much energy! No matter how long I play with him he still has energy but when he is older he will sleep with me. I will be so happy when that day comes! I guess that is the end!

MELANIE, Age 13
Grade 7, Home-Schooled in Swannanoa, North Carolina
Best Friend: Sundance, 1½ year old Golden Retriever
July 15, 2000

    Sundance will be two in September. We got her last August because our other dog had heartworms, and I needed a dog to train. She was almost a year old then, and she had been trained when she was younger, but she had forgotten some of it. She was for sale for $100, but they gave her to us free.
    She jumped a whole lot then, and was harder to walk than she is now. We didn't take her home then. We had to get her a chain or she would run away. She did have a chain, but we needed a stronger one. She didn't bark at all then, but now she barks a lot.
    We went to get her one Saturday, and we bought her doghouse. We had to go slowly because the doghouse could fall off the roof.
    Since then she doesn't jump as much, and I have trained her, but she still needs training, and she has name tags, toys, and lots of room to run and play.
    Once she ran away, and into someone's yard, and took a towel. I chased her and took her back home. She has gotten in fights with my other dog, Blackie because they both wanted a toy. She is aw good Golden dog.

KIM, Age 9
Grade 4 at Lincoln Steet Elementary in Exeter, New Hampshire
Best Friend Remembered: Laddie, 13 year old Golden Retriever
July 10, 2000

    Laddie was my best friend. He was adorable. We spent a lot of time together
playing and hanging out. I miss him a lot, he died in March. We swam together at the lake. He would jump off the dock when my Dad did sometimes. I will miss him forever. I will never forget him, he was my best friend. The end

CAITLIN, Age 10
Macdonald School Complex in N.S., Canada
Best Friend: Keltie, 12! year old GOLDEN LAB
June 1, 2000

    Keltie is my best friend, because I love her and she loves me. Whenever there is another dog in my yard, she protects me. I play with her. Sometimes I take her for walks. I can count on her, and she can count on me. I've known her all my life, and she is truly my best friend forever.

JESSICA, Age 14
Grade 8 at Raton Middle School in Raton, New Mexico
Best Friend: Savannah, 6 month old Golden Retriever
May 17, 2000

    My Golden Savannah is always there for me when I'm down. She is my ultimate best friend and she will always be my best bud. She Cheers me up by when I'm feeling down she will grab a toy (mainly her stuffed smiley face) and she will have me chase her around the yard and that always makes me feel better. She always knows when I'm sad and that is why we are best buds forever.

ANGEL, Age 11
Grade 5 at Woods Road Elementary in North Babylon, New York
Best Friend: GoldieLocks, 4 year old Golden Retriever
April 28, 2000                                               

"My Best Peep"

    Well, there are a lot of reasons why I think GoldieLocks is special but the cutest thing is when she always watches out for me when I'm sick. Like when I get bored from lying in my bed and she will just come, put a paw on my bed and just lies there with me!
    Or whenever I go under water in our pool, she grabs me by the hand and pulls me out to the steps. Or, when I'm not under water, she just stays alert. She's my best friend - I want it to stay that way! Forever!

KATIE, Age 11
Grade 5 in Alice, Texas
Best Friend: Sugar, 3 year old Golden Retriever
April 8, 2000

    My best friend is my dog Sugar because she ALWAYS cheers me up when I'm down. Like the time when my parents said we were moving, I went outside with her (she's an outside dog) and she licked my tears away like she knew what I was feeling!
    A few years ago when we were on a walk, she found some old worn out Barney slipper (the kind you wore on your feet) and took it home with her, and ever since its been her favorite toy. She knows when I say to her "Okay, I'm going back inside, Sugar." She grabs her Barney shoe as I'm leaving to tempt me back outside, and I usually fall for it!

ERIN, Age 15
Grade 10 at Panama Central School
Best Friend: Shelby, 8! year old Sheltie
March 30, 2000

    My dog Shelby is a Shetland Sheepdog (a Sheltie ). She is now 8 yrs. old and is the best dog ever. I love her very much and wouldn't be able to live without her. She is very sweet and well trained and is always there for me when I am feeling down. She is always there to make me feel better and to brighten up my day.
    Shelby loves people a lot and is very friendly. She is my best friend because we do everything together and go places together and she never complains. She is and always will be my favorite dog.

LISA, Age 12
Grade 7 in Alaska
Best Friend: Skippy, 8! year old Golden Retriever
March 6, 2000

    Many Goldens I have heard of and met have been great dogs, but I have to say (like any Golden owner) my own Golden is the nicest I have met and the one with that little bit of JAZZ in him!
    Skippy, my dog, is a very sweet Golden Retriever and he is a very healthy dog. He is very sensitive and is also very sweet, if someone yells, he hides in my room and comes to me for comfort, but in a way, I get a lot of comfort from him and I am just comforting myself so much more.
    If anyone ever said "What kind of dog should I get?" I would probably say "Golden Retriever because they are easy to train and sweet, and very loving."

DASA, Age 13
Year 8 at St. James in England N.e Lincs
Best Friend: Julian, 2 year old Golden Retriever
February 27, 2000

    Julian loves going to school with me, but he won't go without his blanket. He also has his favourite car. He won't go in our black car only the white one.
    When I come from school he is always behind the door and is really happy when I come. Sometimes too much!! He makes me happy when I had a bad day in school. I don't know how he does it. He always wags his tail and brings one of his toys in. He makes these sad eyes and I just can't resist and have to play with him. He's the best.

NATALIE, Age 10
Grade 4 at St. Ignatius School in Reading, Pennsylvania
Best Friend: Buster, 6½ month old Golden Retriever
February 21, 2000

    My puppy, Buster, is my best friend because he is very playful when you want him to be and he is calm when you want him to be because he is very friendly. He listens to me most of the time and if I have no one to talk to, Buster is always there and willing to listen. Sometimes I think he can understand what I am saying because he will never make fun of me. He always finds a way to make me laugh, like when he goes outside to go to the bathroom and it is snowing. He just runs around in circles and plays or when he runs down our porch steps onto the sidewalk, when it is icy, and slides off the end of the walk.
    Because of all the fun times we have shared these last six months, because Buster loves me so completely and because Buster will never stop being my best friend and loving me, I love Buster - he is my best, best, best friend.

ELAINA, Age 10
Grade 4 at Millwaukee Jewish Day School in Wisconsin
Best Friend: Molly, 2 year old Golden Retriever
February 21, 2000

    My Best Friend is my dog, Molly. She is a Golden Retriever. She is a light breed Golden. I love her because she is always willing to play a game of make-believe. Molly also makes me feel better when I had a bad day especially when I feel like I have no human friends. Also I just love her because she is very cute when she is tired or sleepy.
    Molly has never learned to fetch yet but I still love her! She always takes someone's sock when they are hanging around especialy when they are from the laundry! Molly has always been a great pet and still is. I always feel great and glad I have her as a pet and a friend when I am with her. 

SHELBY, Age 8
Grade 3 at Jackson Elementary School in Jericho, NY
Best Friend: Shadow, 1 year old Golden Retriever
February 18, 2000

    My dog is Rusty. He is a year old. Rusty is special because he sleeps in my bed at night.
    My dog had his own first birthday party. We gave out doggie goodie bags with dog treats inside! We invited all of our friends with dogs and met at a dog park. The dogs were running around and my friends and I were eating munckins! Rusty got dog toys, treats, and chew toys as gifts!! Rusty did not say thank you, not even a bark or anything!!! I think my dog is a really special friend to me.

HAYLEY, Age 12
Grade 7, Home Schooled in the US
Best Friend: Shadow, 3 month old Golden Retriever
January 25, 2000

   When my old dog Lady died a few years ago from leukemia, I didn't want another dog for a long time. Lady was a Cocker Spaniel and she had been my best friend for a long time.
    Until this year I started reading and getting interested in dogs. My mom didn't really want to get one because Lady was her favorite dog and she didn't think she would want another one. So I made a deal with my Mom that if I took care of the cats for two months I could get a dog. Because I had to prove myself responsible.
    I also did tons of research on dogs looking at which was the best breed for me. I really wanted a Lab but my mom said they would get to big. They aren't that much bigger than Goldens though really. So I finally ended up getting Shadow a little girl Golden Retriever. At about 2 months we started taking her to a trainer and now she can sit, down, come, stay, leave it, and walk on a loose leash. But now she's not little anymore. She has huge feet and the vet says she could get up to 80 lbs. She weighs 32 lbs. now and she's happy and healthy!
    Shadow is my best friend because I guess she gave a little piece of Lady back to me. But the best reason I have Shadow for my best friend is that she is a sweet unique trusting and loving dog.

THOMAS, Age 9
Year 4 at Kellington Primary School in Yorkshire, England
Best Friend: Nala, 9 month old Golden Retriever
January 22, 2000

    Hi, my best friend is Thomas. My best pal is Nala my puppy. She always plays with me and we have loads of fun together. She always knows when I'm upset and she comes and cuddles up with me and always cheers me up. 
    Once when I was upset she got me by the sleeve and took me in the garden and we played football for ages. Nala loves playing football.
    She always acts really daft and rolls around and chases her tail she always makes me laugh. I love her to bits. She's the best dog I could ever have.

ANDREA, Age 10
Grade 5 at Baldwin Lane in Big Bear, California
Best Friend: Lillian, Pomeranian
January 1, 2000

    My best friend is like no other. She has four legs and she is furry. Her name is
Lillian. When ever I am down, she's there, if I am sick she's there. She also understands me. It's like she can talk but in body language. She loves me and I love her. Even though I might spank her for a wrong doing she still loves me. If I had a choice between having Lillian as a friend or to have one million dollars, I would chose to keep Lillian.

LAUREE, Age 12
Peters Township School in Pennsylvania
Best Friend: Snuffy, 7 year old Golden Retriever
January 1, 2000

    My dog Snuffy is the best dog in the world!! He is seven years old and he still is a good dog. What makes him so special is that he takes care of me. He always sticks by your side and he is very well trained. When I am sad or crying, Snuffy will come over to me and start to lick me and put his head on me. He will also come over to you and lay beside you.
    My brother takes him hunting as we are country people. We own nine acres and we take Snuffy for walks in the woods. He will protect you from other dogs or animals, because when I was little a dog came up to me and pushed me over and I started to cry, so Snuffy went over and stood next to me and he protected me.
    I don't know what I would do without him. He is also good with our three cats. He chews the burrs out of them when they have burrs stuck in their fur. I love Goldens!!!