GoldenHearts
New member
I just joined this forum because I want to learn everything I can about taking care of dogs that are bred for hunting. I brought home my first field golden retriever Skippy, as a pet, and a companion to our then 11 year old “conformation” golden retriever, Oscar. He was 10 weeks old at the time and is now 1-1/2 years old. He and Oscar got along fabulously and we thank goodness for Oscar’s presence throughout Skippy’s puppyhood. We probably couldn’t have given Skippy nearly the amount of exercise and mental stimulation that he needed if it weren’t for him.
Although Skippy hasn’t been trained to hunt, he’s become a great helper to me as I work a few hours a day picking up trash in the campground that my husband and I take care of. He has found things that I couldn’t see below the tree lines, and he will crawl into places that I can’t reach with my “picker” to retrieve cans, bottles and bags. Naturally he adores playing fetch, and he’s getting really good at catching a Frisbee. When he finds a branch in the water that he wants he will fight mightily to remove it and then proudly prance home with it.
We spend nearly every hour of the day together outside, whether we’re working in the campground, riding forest trails in our UTV or hiking around forest rivers and creeks.
Sadly, Oscar died 3 weeks ago after a rather sudden and severe onset of congestive heart failure. We gave Oscar everything we could give throughout his life. He was a happy and healthy boy with a real zest for play and adventure. We hope that the same will be true for Skippy.
I look forward to reading your stories and comments about your dogs, especially things that you recommend for keeping them happy and healthy.
Although Skippy hasn’t been trained to hunt, he’s become a great helper to me as I work a few hours a day picking up trash in the campground that my husband and I take care of. He has found things that I couldn’t see below the tree lines, and he will crawl into places that I can’t reach with my “picker” to retrieve cans, bottles and bags. Naturally he adores playing fetch, and he’s getting really good at catching a Frisbee. When he finds a branch in the water that he wants he will fight mightily to remove it and then proudly prance home with it.
We spend nearly every hour of the day together outside, whether we’re working in the campground, riding forest trails in our UTV or hiking around forest rivers and creeks.
Sadly, Oscar died 3 weeks ago after a rather sudden and severe onset of congestive heart failure. We gave Oscar everything we could give throughout his life. He was a happy and healthy boy with a real zest for play and adventure. We hope that the same will be true for Skippy.
I look forward to reading your stories and comments about your dogs, especially things that you recommend for keeping them happy and healthy.
