Day 95

8/17/22

Let the new adventure begin! In September, we will be adding to the pack!

A number of weeks ago, I had Gus in for a vet appointment. During the visit, I inquired about golden retriever breeders who might use the same veterinary clinic. The doctor gave me the name of one and I did get in touch with her. Such a nice lady! She led me to a breeder in Kenyon, MN who actually had a litter in the works!

Now, I was looking down the road a year or two when Lilly and Ranger might be in a semi-retired role as Therapy Dogs. However, I am a firm believer in fate, so I reached out to the breeder and filled out the copious pages of an application for "down the road." Cassie, Puppy Mama (That is her name at our house.) sent me to a site to read about her philosophy, care in breeding, how she chooses the puppies for each new owner and so much more. I am sure there were vast numbers of applications, but she let me know we went to the head of the line. Fate stepped in and we were chosen for the current litter.

This AMAZING breeder allowed us to see videos and pictures of everything leading up to the birth, an hour-by-hour of the actual birth itself and incredible daily pictures and videos of the 10 puppies in the litter. We fell in love!

Today, we were invited to come down to meet the mama and pups. Words do not describe the feelings of awe and love Mac and I experienced during our visit. THESE PUPPIES ARE BEYOND ADORABLE and I wanted all of them!

Cassie, the breeder, was wonderful during the visit and invited us to sit with the babies, snuggle, ask questions and enjoy their antics. She is a nurse at The Mayo Clinic and has two Therapy Dogs who visit there as well. Cassie will decide where each of the pups will find their forever home, so we do not know which fur baby will be our boy.

When we knew we were on the "short list" for a puppy, we started to think of names. Ranger and I were at Mercy one day when a visitor tearfully asked us to spend some time with her seriously ill husband. We received permission and headed up to his room. Without a great deal of information, I surmised that the patient was possibly in a hospice situation. Our gentle knock was followed by a feeble welcome and we ventured into the darkened room.

The man was very quiet and didn't stir as we entered. I introduced the two of us and he turned his head slightly to look Ranger in the eyes. There was a real moment when I saw the two of them connect and form a silent bond. I could tell that the struggle was real, but he actually smiled. I asked him if there had been dogs in his life and he acknowledged that there had been a few.

Searching for something to cheer him, I reached for my phone and asked if he would like to see pictures of our future puppy and his littermates. He nodded and I proceeded to play a video of those playful little nuggets. Now, the smile was real.

He asked me what we were going to name the addition and I told him we hadn't yet decided. On the spur of the moment, I told him HE could name our puppy! He was so very quiet for the longest time and I thought he might have fallen asleep. As I turned to go, I heard him whisper, "Call him Sam. Sam is a good name for a dog." Ranger and I paused in the doorway and I responded, "I will name him Sam. Thank you so much for being part of our joy."

Sam it is.