My story about Oscar, Dudley, Oliver, Gillie & Poppy.

[gilliedew]

Hi there

My name is Jill and I am so very pleased to have found this Forum. i have read and enjoyed your postings and pictures especially this last week as we recently lost our beautiful boy Goldie called Oliver aged 14.

We first had Oscar, who we bought from a breeder in Barkingside, hopefully it was not an omen but Oscar rarely barked. He was very posh, looked rather down on us we felt, but we loved him very much. We brought him home to Norfolk and he was very good in the car but once through the front door gave us a huge pile right on our lovely cream carpet even after being given a turn around the garden.

We had him for 12 years but found him another friend when we felt he was getting a bit lazy and fretful. Dudley gave him the runaround and demanded his face to be washed by Oscar which was lovely to see. Sadly we lost Dudley at 8 years old and within a year, Oscar was too infirm and sadly had to be put to sleep.

We thought we would then have a rescue Retriever, which through word of mouth we heard of one in Cambridge who was such a handsome chap called Oliver. We were overjoyed to have a Goldie to love again but my goodness what a handful he turned out to be. We found him to be snappy through being teased by children pulling his tail, poor boy. It took years of patience, calmness and love to turn him around but he always had a spark that we had to cope with and knew the warning signals especially as he disliked builders getting him to move. Always two steps forward, one step back but he turned out to be the most needy loving dog of them all, we adored him despite his occasional lapses. We had him checked over and it seemed he had a large heart, so we visited his breeder who also had just ended breeding with his mother and we proudly then had Mother and son. Gillie took Oliver in hand and ruled him with a rod of iron, no question who was boss. we moved to the seaside and they loved running on the beach and my husband became known as the Retriever Man.

Gillie had lymphoma and passed away after we had her for about five years and recently Oliver left us as well. Leaving us with Poppy called as we first had her home on Rememberance Day and she is now 3 years old.

We have a hole in our family without Oliver, we are very sad to be without him and one day hopefully we will be put in touch with another Golden Retriever to love as we have asked to be considered when one becomes available. Thank you for reading my story, it was nice going back down memory lane once again.

Kindest regards

Jill

[lenny]

Hi Jill welcome to the site, so sorry to hear of your sad loss of Oliver,like most of the people on here we do know how you must be feeling, the loss of a special dog takes a long time to come to terms with. It sounds like he had a wonderfull life with you, and of course Dudley and Gillie. Im sure Poppy will have another playmate soon and your family will be whole once again. The memories you have of Oliver will be with you always. and Im sure you will have many more golden moments to look foward to.

[Ellas mum]

Hi Jill, and welcome.

Nice to hear that you're enjoying our lovely website.
I'm so sorry to hear of your recent loss of Oliver, and as Lenny has said, we all know how hard it is when we have to take that final step and let them go with dignity and our love, but leaving us with wonderful memories. You have had some lovely Goldens in your life, and I hope it isn't long before Poppy has a new companion, and another Golden will have found a Forever Home. Do let us know.

All good wishes, Jean

[gilliedew]

Thank you so much for your replies. I tried to post a pic but no luck but will keep trying.

It doesnt get easier saying Goodbye however many times we go through it, this one has been very sad indeed and a huge hole left behind.

I now am trying to deal with a pining Poppy who is sporadically eating and out of sorts. The chicken and rice has been tried and worked for a day but she is off her food and we are having to think up new tasty meals. Chappie has worked today but tomorrow is another day.

Still it is all in the life of a Golden Retriever Mum, like me and I wouldnt be without her for the world.


Many thanks again


Jill

[Hel_Pen]

Hello.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I found this site 6 months ago when I lost Daisy. She had a tumour and was only 6. I have comfort in her half sister Jazz, but you are right it doesn't get easier to lose them. I hope Poppy feels better soon. When I got Jazz back in a routine again it helped her.

Take care.

Helen and Jazz.

[Samsmum]

So very sorry to hear of your loss of Oliver - it does take time to get over the loss of a much-loved companion like a Golden. They make such an impact on us, I think that is the reason why we miss them so much. They have wonderful characters and have so much love to give.
Do hope you soon have a friend for Poppy, and a complete family in your home again.
Best wishes - Samsmum.

[gilliedew]

I do hope this works, it is a picture of our Oliver in his prime.

http://i1043.photobucket.com/albums/b43 ... mas035.jpg

[lenny]

What a hansome boy,you must have been so proud of him.

[Ellas mum]

What a lovely, handsome boy he was Jill.
You must have so many happy memories.

[sammingtonsmythes]

What a gorgeous boy Jill.I really sympathise with you.We lost Sam(6) recently and Jan found us a bundle of love called Monty as a friend for Ellie.I adored Sam and he me.They all take a piece of our hearts don't they.So sorry Poppy is pining i do so hope you find a suitable companion for her soon.It does get a little easier with time doesn't it and a new golden who needs your love is out there for you both to help you heal.All the best Diane Ellie & Monty

[Samsmum]

Oliver was a really beauty; at times like this, it is best to remember the good times - it gets us through until we give a home to another beautiful Golden. Do hope you soon get a new companion for Poppy.
Best wishes - Samsmum.

[Samsmum]

Monty and Ellie are beautiful, too, and look as though they have always been together.

[gilliedew]

I do hope this pic can be viewed.


We are now the proud parents of another little girl, thanks to Jan.

We were overwhelmed that we were allowed to have her and so quickly too. She is a beautiful natured little girl and we had to have a long journey to bring her here and she behaved beautifully.

Poppy and her are finding their feet together but no antagonism and it looks as if it will be the start of a beautiful friendship. Poppy is a quiet laid back little girl and our new girl is full of beans and raring to go all the time. So if a bit of each other rubs off, it will be just perfect.

I am loving having two active girls after our poor Oliver had slowed down so much due to his age, I am sure it is doing Poppy a lot of good to not be the only one as she had never been on her own before and was not very happy at all.

It was good to meet Jan, after reading so much of her good works for all of the Goldies and their new owners.

I am so happy to join your band of happy Retriever owners and hope to have lots more to tell you about how we are getting on, fingers crossed, it will continue in the way it has started.

Regards

Jill

[janrobinson]

Hi Jill

Lovely to see your new little girl's very happy face on the site. Look forward to seeing many more and of Poppy too

[sammingtonsmythes]

Sooo happy for you Jill!!What a lovely happy face she has.I hope now the healing process can start as you heal your lovely girl with your love.
All the best Diane