Fur-Ever Golden Retriever Love Contest Winners and Honorable Mentions

“Golden Birthday” by Karen Mier, Madison, WI
Pictured in Photo: An 8 year young Kaytee (blind since 8 weeks)
Age as of 10/8/02 entry: 8 years-3 months
Click here to learn more about Kaytee's special story WOW

“Aged To Perfection” by Andrea Beeler, Hendersonville, NC
Pictured in Photo: An 8 year-7 month young Chip [Formally—Crown Royal Kazak Chips Ahoy CD]
Certified Therapy Dog, Therapy Dogs Incorporated, Age as of 10/19/02 entry: 9 years-11 months

	“Takin' It All In” An 8 year-10 month young Cooper [Am/Can Ch. Winfield's MVP Cooperstown CGC NA NAJ] At Bridge (10/30/92 to 7/23/01) Photo by Rick Cervenak, Gresham, OR
“When Can We Go Out and Play?” An 8 year-6 month young Kelsey [Ch. Winfield High Tea At Trillium CGC] Age as of 10/31/02 entry: 8 years-7 months Photo by Rick Cervenak, Gresham, OR

In the prime of Cooper's life (almost 9 years old) he was diagnosed with Chronic Lymphasitic Leukemia. We tried everything and would have done anything to save him. But in just 5 weeks, he lost his battle with cancer. He fought like a gladiator but it was not to be. He was a gentle soul and cherished companion. He brought smiles to everyone's life that he touched. He achieved more than we could ever have imagined: he was an American and Canadian champion; had 2 agility titles and only needed one more leg to get a third; made his dam an outstanding dam; not to mention all the beautiful puppies that he sired over the years.

Our hearts ache over the loss and emptiness we feel. I've never been so sad and helpless in my entire life. He was the life and soul of our house as well as the patriarch of our pack. He was so brave and so strong up until the very end. I could see in his eyes that he was trying to say goodbye and it just ripped my heart apart. Even though we still have 3 dogs, our house seems so empty. He was our heart dog and he will be forever loved and greatly missed. I know that over time we'll be able to move on but right now I'm struggling over wondering why he couldn't be saved. He was such an extra special dog. I hope there is a doggy heaven and that we will spend all eternity with him. — Rose Cervenak

“Shark Eyes” by Gay Eberly, Okemos, MI
Pictured in Photo: A 12 year-6 month young Nugget [Eberly's Shenandoah CGC TDI AM/CAN/SKC CD]
Sadly, currently at The Bridge (3/30/90 to 8/19/02)

“Love Wrapped in a Fur Coat” by Deborah Nicolle, Beverly Hills, CA
Pictured in Photo: A 13 year-1 month young (rescued) Cookie
Age as of 12/31/02 entry: 13 years-1 month

“Zippidy Doo Dah! Zippudy Dae!” by Lori Cacciatore, Vancouver, B.C. Canada
Pictured in Photo: A 12 year-8 month young Hunter
Age as of 10/18/02 entry: 13 years-1 month, Sadly, went to The Bridge on October 24, 2002

“Whitey” by Mark Keller, Chester Springs, PA
Pictured in Photo: A 9 year-2 month young Ernie [U-CD Little Ernie of Doncaster CD JH NA WC TDI]
Age as of 10/4/02 entry: 9 years-5 months

“A Pooped Swimmer” by Debbie Breakstone, Orlando, FL
Pictured in Photo: A 13 year-6 month young Chumley
Age as of 10/2/02 entry: 13 years-10 months, Sadly, went to The Bridge on February 1, 2003

Dear Chumley, I write this with a heavy heart, even though you still are here, for when I look into your eyes, I know your time is near. I made a vow to love you, and be there till the end, for you are my heart dog, my companion and best friend. You've been there for the good times, and got me through the bad, a special gift from G-d you are, and I cherish the time we had. You were the reason to get up some mornings, and the comfort I needed at night, as long as I had you with me, I knew everything would be alright. I'm not worried where you're going, I'll be with you my best friend, and when you get to heaven, grandpa will be at the other end. So thank you dear sweet Chumley, for all you've given me, Fourteen years of pure pleasure, of being your mommy. Love, Debbie

“Reilly's Big Birthday!” by Roxanne Scully, Putnam Valley, NY
Pictured in Photo: A 10 year young Reilly, Age as of 10/2/02 entry: 10 years

“A Relaxing Day on the Potomac” by Karen Fischer, Stafford, VA
Pictured in Photo: A 10 year-4 month young Jake, Sadly, currently at The Bridge (6/19/92 to 10/19/02)

Here is a picture of our Golden, Jake. He succumbed to osteosarcoma (You can see the tumor on his left rear leg). We took him out for a boat ride on the Potomac River. Riding on our boat was something that he'd always loved to do, and we wanted him to have a wonderful day with us. We have another Golden, Nicky, and 2 cats, who, like us, miss Jake terribly. — Karen

“Sadie at Her Beach” by Leann Pickering, Warwick, RI
Pictured in Photo: An 8 year-3 month young Sadie, Sadly, currently at The Bridge (5/5/93 to 3/30/02)

“ALL AMERICAN SENIOR” by Lisa Poslock, Reading, PA
Pictured in Photo: A 15 year-9 month young “Pappy” Boone, Age as of 11/24/02 entry: 15 years-10 months

Pappy, truly a Golden wonder, was rescued at age 13, and saved from being euthanized. He is still going strong and is healthy except for an early cataract. His nickname is Pappy Boone. He keeps my youngster Goldens in line, but loves them up like a grandpop! — Lisa

“Deanna—My First Dog, My first Golden, My Only Heart”
by Heidi Vandermade, West Hollywood, CA
Pictured in Photo: An 8 year-2 month young Deanna, Sadly, currently at The Bridge (2/23/93 to 4/28/01)

This is the picture of Deanna that I love the best, the one that truly brings out her noble and unmistakably Golden personality. She was taken from us VERY suddenly because of a tumor that was in her nose. She only first showed outward symptoms on a Monday, although, I suspect she started feeling the pain before that. But you know how they are, they don't let on. We said our final good-bye to her the next Saturday. It was the most devastating thing I have ever had to endure...and I still think of her the first thing every morning. — Heidi

“Beautiful Max (basking in the sunshine)” by Barbara McKown, Poway, CA
Pictured in Photo: A 10 year young Rescued Max, Sadly, currently at The Bridge (? to 12/10/98)

Max, our first Golden, was rescued from the Escondido Humane Society Nov. 1996. Max was between 8 and 10 when we adopted him. This picture was taken the summer before he died. He had a mass on his neck that the vet felt was cancer and that had invaded his whole body. The mass pressed against his throat. It grew so fast, it was huge. Yet as sick as our boy was, he always had a happy smile and a wagging tail to greet us. — Barbara

“Our Precious P-Dog” by Candy Doub, Saugus, CA
Pictured in Photo: An 11 year young Precious
Sadly, currently at The Bridge (2/1/90 to 5/19/01)

Precious was the daughter of Willie and EmmyLou who both crossed over the year before. Precious was just what her name says. She had the sweetest spirit and her warmth was felt by all who loved her. When she was born by Caesarian section, she was one of two puppies born to EmmyLou, and she had to be resuscitated and kept in an oxygen tent. It was uncertain if she would survive, but survive she did and became a wonderful addition to our family.

Precious, or P-dog as she was called for short, enjoyed the affection of her mom and dad for 11 years. When I came home from work at lunchtime to check on her one day in February, 2002, she appeared very ill. I rushed her to the vet where she was given exceptional care, but the vet did not think she would make it. She was diagnosed with liver cancer that February, the month she turned 11, and four months after her mother, EmmyLou, had passed. After one week in the hospital, she came home for her final journey, which we were told would probably come by the following week. We were very pleasantly surprised when that first week came and went and Precious seemed to be feeling better!

Since Precious was unable to get up and down the stairs, her human dad, Henry, couldn't bear to leave her alone at night, so he slept on the floor with Precious for a month after she came home from the hospital. His devotion to her was beyond words. He did lots of reading about animals and their nutritional needs during illness and began to steam broccoli and carrots for her every night, along with boiled chicken breasts. She loved it and seemed to thrive and come back to life with his tender loving care. Their bond was stronger than any I've seen. She made a miraculous three-month remission with the loving care of her human dad, Henry! Those three months taught me a valuable lesson, one I will never forget. If a terminally ill dog shows a desire to live, we should only help them do just that. It clearly was not yet her time. Those 3 months were the greatest gift Henry and I have ever received! We knew when she was ready to go to the Bridge, as her muscles had atrophied and she had lost her ability to walk. As difficult as it was, we made the decision to help her to the Bridge by taking her to the vet and staying with her until she found her way! — Candy

“You're Disturbing My Nap” by Susan Sullivan, Erie, PA
Pictured in Photo: A 9 year-5 month young Alex, Age as of 1/31/03 entry: 9 years-7 months

“A Golden Star” by Jeanne Urna, Lincoln Park, NJ
Pictured in Photo: A 10 year-10 month young Lamé, Age as of 1/29/03 entry: 10 years-10 months

“Sleeping Cowboy” by Lisa Pace, Frisco, TX
Pictured in Photo: A 10 year-2 month young Charlie, Sadly, currently at The Bridge (1/30/91 to 11/17/01)

“Dreams of a Tired Beach Bum” by Judith Gintz-Aminoff, Southern France
Pictured in Photo: A 13 year-1 month young Floppy, Age as of 10/16/02 entry: 13 years-4 months
Sadly, went to The Bridge on December 9, 2002

My name is Floppy and here I am on my birthday after a dip the ocean, snoozing in front of my fave ball. I had just turned 13 and my mom thought I should have the treat of swimming (I’ve loved to since forever, I was born near a clean little river) for the therapy it gives my weak rear-end. I am still feeling my oats (this photo notwithstanding) and not feeling my age because my folks still treat me like a kid. My mom is always smiling at me, but there are also these little tears in her eyes, and she hugs me good-night tighter than ever now. I guess she loves me more than anything still. Ditto for me.