Cinnamon is Called a Little Puppy

Cinnamon Roll #3

This story about Cinnamon happened on Labor Day as I was walking him around our neighborhood. We approached a house with 3 little boys playing on their porch on their walk and heard this conversation.

"Look at that cute little puppy", said one boy.

"That's not a little puppy that's a big dog", said the other boy to him.

Then as we were leaving sight the first boy had a change of heart and said, "Look at that big dog."

This might be the first time that Cinnamon was called a little puppy. Ultimately I think he helped educate a boy on the difference between a little dog and a big dog.

Wogan and Matsi Playing

Golden Light #12 is Wogan and Matsi Playing.

This is a film produced by Scott Melanson that was uploaded in YouTube on June 8, 2010. Wogan is the older light dog and Matsi is the darker colored young dog. Tammy Melanson was the trainer. In the film the young dog tries to get the old dog to play with him.


Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Sketch of George by Dusty Souls Art

Beautiful Golden Retriever Sketch by Dusty Souls Art.

By Imogen at Dusty Souls Art

This above sketch of a Golden Retriever named George is done in graphite on heavy cartridge. The artwork was the prize given to the March, 2013 Competition Winner at Dusty Souls Art.

The following was a tweet from Twitter about the sketch of George.

The winner of my last competition won this sketch of her friends golden retriever. pic.twitter.com/kqFYyTvKyb
— Imogen (@DustySoulsArt) June 28, 2013

To interact with Dusty Souls Art "Like" or Follow the following social media pages.

• Facebook
• Google+ Page
• Twitter @DustySoulsArt

This photo will be the first link on our new Art and Photos Page at Golden Light.

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Note: Golden Light is a neutral blog and we have no personal or business relationship with the artist who did the artwork in this post, nor is there any expectation of personal gain by sharing this information.
  The artwork included in this post was used with permission of Dusty Souls Art.

Liberty Ford (1974-1984)

Golden Light #11 is Liberty Ford.

Liberty Ford was the dog of the former President Gerald Ford and his wife Betty. Her registered name was Honor's Foxfire Liberty Hume. Liberty was born on February 8, 1974 and given to President Ford as a birthday present in the fall of 1974. Ann (Avis) Friberg was Liberty's breeder. Liberty died in 1984.

President Gerald Ford mentioned Liberty in a speech honoring William W. Scranton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on October 9, 1974.

As some of you might have seen in the last few days, either through the newspapers or television, the White House has a new addition. My daughter, Susan, and Dave Kennerly, our new White House photographer, got together a few days ago and surprised Betty and me with an 8-month-old golden retriever.  

This puppy has really taken over the White House. In fact, you may have seen some of us laughing up here during dinner. As I reached in my pocket to get a match to light my pipe, look what I pulled out of the pocket--some dog biscuits! [Laughter] 

Let me tell you the story about Susan and Dave and how they bought this dog. I first should preface that the Fords had had two previous golden retrievers. One lived 13 years and unfortunately died, and then another one died a year ago in August after 9 years. So we are fairly partial, I would say, to golden retrievers.  

Well, Dave and Susan called up a very highly recommended individual who had contacts with the people who raise golden retrievers all over the country. And Dave, as I understand it--who is communicating with the individual up in Minneapolis who happened to have a golden retriever about this age--Dave asked the individual if they had a dog and was it available, and the owner said that they had this 8-month-old golden retriever, but the proprietor or the owner was a little cautious--they're very possessive about these dogs-- and he asked in a very nice way who the dog's owner would be. 

And they said, Dave and Susan, that they had to keep it a secret. Well, the kennel owner said that they don't sell dogs that way. He would have to know who the dog's owner would be, and he wanted to know would the dog have a good home.  

So, Dave and Susan very specifically assured the dog owner that it would have a good home. They explained that the parents were friendly and middle-aged and they had four children. The kennel owner said, "That sounds fine. What kind of a house do they live in?"  

Susan and Dave said, "Well, it is a big white house with a fence around it." The kennel owner said, "This is a big dog. Will it have enough to eat? Does the father have a steady job?" Well, on that question, they were stuck a bit. [Laughter] 

Needless to say they got the dog and, in the appropriate spirit of the city of Philadelphia, we have named her "Liberty." One of those inquisitive reporters that we have in Washington asked Susan who is going to take care of Liberty; who is going to feed her and groom her and take her out each night or every morning? And Susan did not hesitate one minute. She said, "Of course, it will be Dad." So, I have this feeling--this is one Liberty that is going to cost me some of mine. [Laughter]  

But in a very broader sense, that is the true nature of liberty. It comes with both privileges and obligations. Freedom, we all know, is seldom free. (Source)

Other Links on Liberty:

• Liberty's Pedigree Page at Golden Retriever Weekly
• Liberty's Wikipedia Page

Liberty Ford is a Golden Light because of the awareness she raised of the positive traits of the Golden Retriever when she was photographed hundreds of times in her role as the Presidential pet. Liberty has been gone almost 30 years, but her well-known owners make her one of the most recognized Golden Retrievers in the United States.

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

The photo in this post is in the Public Domain.

Anonymous Poem - A Golden Puppy

A Golden Puppy

I'll lend to you for a little while,
A Golden pup, God said,
For you to love her while she lives,
and mourn for when she's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years
or only two or three,
But will you, 'till I call her back,
Take care of her for me?

She'll bring her charm to gladden you,
And should her stay be brief,
You'll always have her memories 
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise she will stay,
since all from death return,
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn

I've looked the whole world over,
In search of teachers true,
And from all the folks that crowd life's land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give her all your love
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take
My Golden back again.

I fancied that U hear you say
Dear Lord thy will be done,
For all the joys this pup will bring
The risk of grief I'll run.
I'll shelter her with tenderness
I'll love her while I may,
And for the happiness I've known
Forever grateful stay.

But should you come to call her back
much sooner than I planned,
I'll face the bitter grief that comes
and try to understand.
If by my love I've managed
Your wishes to achieve,
In memory of her I loved, to help
me when I grieve.

When my faithful friend departs
This great big world of strife,
I'll have another Golden pup
And love her all my life.

Anonymous

Shared by cubbysan at the Golden Retriever Forum. It was collected years ago and source is unknown. If you know the author of this poem please share so they can be credited. 

Molly Crying in Airport

Golden Light #10 is Molly Crying in Airport During Reunion with Owner.

The following YouTube video features a soldier returning home for Christmas from Afghanistan and being greeted by her loyal Golden Retriever Dog named Molly who cries when seeing her. The video embeded here of the reunion has received over 6 million views since being uploaded a year ago and there are multiple accounts that are sharing this touching video.



Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Rudyard Kipling's Poem - A Dog for Jesus

A Dog for Jesus
(Where dogs go when they die)

I wish someone had given Jesus a dog.
As loyal and loving as mine.
To sleep by His manger and gaze in His eyes
And adore Him for being divine.

As our Lord grew to manhood His faithful dog,
Would have followed Him all through the day.
While He preached to the crowds and made the sick well
And knelt in the garden to pray.
It is sad to remember that Christ went away.
To face death alone and apart.
With no tender dog following close behind,
To comfort its Master's Heart.
And when Jesus rose on Easter mourn,
How happy He would have been,
As His dog kissed His hand and barked it's delight,
For The One who died for all men.

Well, the Lord has a dog now, I just sent Him mine.
The old pal so dear to me.
And I smile through my tears on this first day alone,
Knowing they're in eternity.
Day after day, the whole day through,
Wherever my road inclined,
Four feet said, "Wait, I'm coming with you!"
And trotted along behind.

Rudyard Kipling

Poem Source: http://prayersforpets.org/poems1.htm

Peanuts Cartoon (April 17, 1993)

The Peanuts cartoon created by Charles M. Schultz on April 17, 1993, is very funny as it relates to dogs. It has a comic take on who is really in charge in the canine and human relationship. You can read the cartoon at the link here.

Link Here

Carly Sentiveny-Collins

Golden Light #9 is Carly Sentiveny-Collins.

Carly is a 9 year old Golden Retriever who works as a member of the pain management team at Lucille Packard Children's Hospital in Palo Alto, California. Carly is owned by Sandy Sentiveny-Collins who is an RN. Carly is a Golden Light for the way she helps children cope with their pain in the hospital.

Here is a video about Carly's work at the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital.

 

Carly works about ten hours a day at the hospital. Hospital physicians can write Carly Consults when patients need to visit with Carly, and then Carly fulfills those visits when she is at work. Sandy Sentiveny-Collins describes Carly's work in the above video this way,

Carly gets working in the hospital. I am not sure how she gets it. I didn't teach it to her. When we are outside she is much more athletic and active. As soon as we walk through the doors she slows down her pace. She walks pretty slowly throughout the hospital. She'll stop whenever children approach her and want to pet her. She'll let them do pretty much whatever they wan to do.

Special thanks to Carly for all her hard work in the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital. Many children are blessed to get a Carly Consult.

 

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Cinnamon Makes Jonathan Laugh

Cinnamon Roll #2

On Tuesday evening, July 23, 2013. Jonathan and I were walking our Golden Retriever Cinnamon around our city block. Half way through the walk, Jonathan picked up a stick to play with as he is accustomed to doing. I don't necessarily think that is an autism trait, but maybe boys just like to play with sticks.

After a while Cinnamon snatched the stick out of Jonathan's hands and started eating the stick. I think Cinnamon thought Jonathan was playing with him or feeding him. This made Jonathan laugh. I reminded Jonathan after this that Cinnamon was his very own dog. After that I got Jonathan to hold Cinnamon's leash (with me also holding the leash as well) for a while as we continued our walk. This made both boy and dog (and Dad) happy.

I have wrote about this incident because Jonathan seemed to be genuinely happy with his dog. Sometimes seemingly small moments can make a tremendous difference.

Ruby Tingum

Golden Light #8 is Ruby Tingum.

Ruby Tingum is a Golden Retriever who lives with Bruce and Caroline Tingum's family in Encinitas, California (part of San Diego County). She is an autism service dog who is very gentle around children and received her training from Tender Loving Canines Assistance Dogs, Inc. Ruby's role is to protect Garrett Tingum, a 10 year old boy with severe autism. Ruby Tingum is a Golden Light for the help she provides to the Tingum family and Garrett Tingum as he navigates through life.

In addition to autism, Garrett Tingum has mild cerebral palsy, apraxia (motor planning disorder), and pica (eats non-edible items). Garrett's most dangerous behavior is his tendency to escape his home and run into the street or go into people's homes. Ruby has been especially trained to find Garrett when he goes missing. Here is a video on Ruby's story of comforting the Tingum family.

   

Caroline Tingum described Ruby and Garrett's friendship in the above video, "Garrett has a friend. He's never had a real friend before. You know you don't think of children with autism as being lonely just because they can't express it. Ruby has filled that void I think."

Special thanks to Ruby and all the talented and loving dogs who are making a difference around the world for autism. If you liked this post you may like to read about other Golden Lights with the label "Autism". Ruby Tingum has also been featured on our Autism Light blog as Autism Light #288.

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Charles F. Doran Quote

---

Folks will know how large your soul is, by the way you treat a dog! (Source).

---

For other quotes go to the links on the Golden Light Quote Blog.

Lutheran Church Charities K9 Comfort Dog Ministry

Golden Light #7 is the Lutheran Church Charities K9 Comfort Dog Ministry

The Lutheran Church Charities K9 Comfort Dog Ministry is based in Addison, Illinois. The ministry's Golden Retriever dogs are frequently deployed to scenes of disasters to comfort people. They have comforted people, especially children, at the site of recent disasters including, the Boston Marathon disaster, Sandy Hook Elementary shooting, Hurricane Sandy, Indiana flooding, and the Joplin, Missouri tornado. Most recently they have been invited to Prescott, Arizona where 19 firefighters perished on July 1, 2013. The Lutheran Church Charities K9 Comfort Dog Ministry is a Golden Light because of the way it has helped the Golden Retrievers to spread comfort by the hard work they put in to train and facilitate travel trips around the United States for the dogs in the Lutheran Church Charities K9 Comfort Dog Ministry to do their ministry.

Here is a video of the news story when the Golden Retrievers of the Lutheran Church Charities K9 Comfort Dog Ministry came to Newton, Connecticut to comfort those impacted by the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting in December, 2012.

In the above CNN news story, Tim Hetzner, Lutheran Church Charities President, said about the impact of the dogs, "To some people and we've seen this with children, it brings a sense of calmness in times of confusion for them during this period. To some it helps them process their grief, they'll start crying and they'll hug the dog, and to some children they'll come up sad and they'll walk away happy." The following is a video where Tim Hetzner explains more about the Christian theology behind this ministry of the Lutheran Church.  In the above video Tim Hetzner notes that all the Comfort Dogs have their own business cards and Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, and email for people to be able to continue to interact with a specific Golden Retriever in the future. Golden Light hopes to spotlight some of the specific Comfort Dogs and their social media presence in the future. If you would like to nominate a specific Comfort Dog please leave a comment with the dog's name and the reason why you feel they are a Golden Light.
You can follow more about the work of Lutheran Church Charities K9 Comfort Dogs at the following social media pages.

• YouTube Channel-LCCharities
• Facebook Page-Lutheran Church Charities
• Twitter @K9ComfortDogs

For another blogger's posts on the K9 Comfort Dogs visit The Golden Daily blog and search the tags for "Lutheran Church Charities".  

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.
The Lutheran Church Charities Comfort Dog Ministry Logo was used with permission of Lutheran Church Charities.

Tuesday Montalvan

Golden Light #6 is Tuesday Montalvan.

Tuesday is a Golden Retriever owned by Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan. Luis Carlos Montalvan is a 17 year veteran in the United States military who sustained serious injuries in the Iraq war. Capt. Montalvan suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder like many veterans. Part of what helps Luis in his journey through life is the presence of a faithful Golden Retriever wherever he goes. Tuesday is a Golden Light for being a service dog for Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan.

Some of the services that Tuesday does for Luis Carlos Montalvan is he senses when he becomes anxious and calms his nerves, helps him walk when he has vertigo, and reminds him to take his medicine on schedule. CBN did an interview with Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan about how Tuesday has changed his life.


The following is a video of David Letterman interviewing Luis Carlos Montalvan with his dog Tuesday.

Luis Carlos Montalvan wrote his memoirs in the book called Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever that Saved Him. Published in the Summer of 2011 it is available to be purchased at Amazon. The book won the 2012 USA Best Book Award in the Autobiography/Memoir and Audiobook Non-fiction categories (Source). The following is a video of the trailer to the book Until Tuesday.

You can follow Tuesday's ongoing Golden Light adventures in the future through Luis Carlos Montalvan's website at www.luiscarlosmontalvan.com or on his Facebook page.

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Cinnamon Goes on a Road Trip

Cinnamon Roll #1.

On Saturday, June 29, 2013, I left my home in Pittsburgh and said goodbye to the "Mommy" who rescued me after I was abandoned and left wandering the streets as a little guy. She gave me such a good start in life and I will always remember her. I met my new family and went on a long and fun road trip.

I got to ride in the back seat of a car next to my new brother. I didn't understand some of the energy and anxiety my new brother with autism was expressing in the car, but I didn't bark and let him touch me if he wanted too. I tried to remain calm.

I barked just once on the trip, when I saw a mean looking Rottweiler outside of our car at a rest stop on the highway. I heard an ambulance go by and didn't bark. I also heard fireworks in the neighborhood of my new home and didn't bark. People walking on the sidewalk near our house after midnight bother me though until my parents tell me it is okay.

The trip took all day because of frequent stops and the sunset was beautiful when we were getting close to my new home. When we pulled off the highway into the city where I will live, I stood up in the back seat and looked out the window to see all the new surroundings. When I got to my new home this little cat ran into hiding. She ran so fast I don't know what color she is. I stayed up past midnight and got up at 7am. I can already see I'm going to have to grab cat naps during the day when the family is out doing things without me. Did I say cat naps? I mean dog naps. Until next time.

Cinnamon Roll chronicles special days in the life of the Golden Retriever Cinnamon.

So God Made a Dog

Golden Retriever lovers will enjoy this video called "So God Made a Dog". It's a parody of the 2013 Super Bowl Ad called So God Made a Farmer. 


Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Henry Gardner

Golden Light #5 is Henry Gardner

Henry Gardner was a Golden Retriever from Scotland. He developed a healing relationship with an autistic boy named Dale Gardner. Henry Gardner is a Golden Light for his contribution to the life of a boy with autism.

Jim and Nuala Gardner had a lot of problems with their son Dale's self-destructive behavior. As they struggled with what they should do, they acquired Henry for Dale, and the dog changed everything. They were able to create a voice for Henry the Golden Retriever to facilitate their communication with Dale and other positive effects poured in over time.

Nuala Gardner wrote the book, A Friend Like Henry (2008) to document the dramatic change in her son Dale (now in his early 20's) as he developed a relationship with their Golden Retriever named Henry. The book is evidence of the positive effect that a dog can have on some children with autism. In Dale's case his dog Henry helped improve his behavior, communication, and self-concept. The following is the YouTube video made to give a brief glimpse at the story of Henry and Dale.

After Thomas was a movie based on the Golden Retriever Henry and Dale's relationship.  Henry is called Thomas in the movie because of Dale's love for the Thomas the Engine character.

The dog in this story called Henry died in 2006, but his legacy of having changed Dale's life lives on. Dale said, "He was my dog and I loved him. He died in April this year (2006) and even though I love our new dog (also called Henry) it was terrible for me. The first Henry was special (Source)."

Dale Gardner's parents are very proud of what he is accomplishing as a well adjusted young adult. After Henry arrived into their life, Jim and Nuala Gardner had a daughter Amy who also developed autism. More information on their family can be found in an article written by Daphne Lockyer.

Special thanks to Henry Gardner for being a Golden Light. The help he gave a boy with autism was a life-changer. Jim and Nuala Gardner were featured on the Autism Light blog. You may read their feature at their page at the Autism Light blog.

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Autumn Moser

Golden Light #4 is Autumn Moser.

Autumn Moser is a 9 year old Golden Retriever from Ellsworth, Wisconsin. She is owned by Jason and Melissa Moser. In July, 2012, when Autumn was 8 years old, she was instrumental in finding a missing boy named Scotty (Scott) who has autism. Autumn Moser is a Golden Light because she was able to find a missing boy with autism even though she had no special search and rescue training.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, July 3, 2012, a little boy named Scott Meyer went missing from his Pierce County, Minnesota home. Scott Meyer was 5 years old at that time and is nonverbal because of his autism. The community searched for 20 hours to find the boy and were concerned because of the hot weather at the time. Jason Moser had his Golden Retriever Autumn come with him as he searched for Scott. At about 8am on July 4, 2012, Autumn led his owner Jason to an area hidden under a tree near a small slope where they found Scott Meyer about a half a mile from his home but near a dangerous body of water (Source).

The following is a news story on the rescue of Scott Meyer by Autumn and her owner Jason Moser.

The Two Little Cavaliers blog praised Autumn's efforts in this way.

After 20 hours of the community searching for the lost little boy it was an 8 year old Golden Retriever with no special search and rescue or other service dog training that eventually helped to find the little boy. A dog that was almost left home because of the heat and no special training. Jason Moser who is Autumn the Golden Retriever’s owner said he decided to bring her in the end because she loves kids and loves giving them kisses (Source).  

Read more information on Autumn finding Scott Meyer at the following blogs and news websites.

• Two Little Cavaliers Blog
• The Daily Golden Blog
• The Star Tribune
• The Huffington Post

Special thanks to Autumn and all the talented and loving dogs who are making a difference around the world for autism. 

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

This post on Autumn Moser originally appeared on the Autism Light blog on June 18, 2013 and was modified slightly for Golden Light.

Dog, My Friend

When God had made the earth and sky, the flowers and the trees. He then made all the animals and all the birds and bees. And when his work was finished, and not one was quite the same. He said "I'll walk this Earth of mine and give each one a name". And so he traveled land and sea, and everywhere he went, a little creature followed him, until it's strength was spent. When all were named upon the earth, and in the sky and sea, the little creature said, "Dear Lord, there's not one left for me." The Father smiled, and softly said, "I've left you to the end, I've turned my own name back to front, and called you, "Dog, my friend".

Author Unknown  (Source).

Dean Koontz Quote

---

"Golden retrievers are not bred to be guard dogs, and considering the size of their hearts and their irrepressible joy in life, they are less likely to bite than to bark, less likely to bark than to lick a hand in greeting. In spite of their size, they think they are lap dogs, and in spite of being dogs, they think they are also human, and nearly every human they meet is judged to have the potential to be a boon companion who might, at many moment, cry, "Let's go!" and lead them on a great adventure" (Dean Koontz-Source).

---

Note: Author Dean Koontz is an owner of a Golden Retriever.

For other quotes go to the links on the Golden Light Quote Blog.

Marty Becker Quote

---

"Our pets lend a touch of grace to our lives. They teach us the real meaning of unconditional love and bring out the kindest and most generous impulses of humanity."

---

by Dr. Marty Becker (Chicken Soup for the Cat & Dog Lover's Soul).

For other quotes go to the links on the Golden Light Quote Blog.

Blair and Tanner

Golden Lights #3 are Blair and Tanner.
Blair is a black lab and is the first non Golden Retriever to be honored on Golden Light. Blair is a Golden Light because she is acting as a Guide Dog to Tanner, a blind Golden Retriever. Tanner is a Golden Retriever who is blind and has seizures. These physical problems put him in a difficult spot to enjoy life. His life was dramatically improved when Blair stepped into be his own seeing eye dog. Tanner is a Golden Light because of how he shows that despite physical obstacles Golden's can live good lives with some special help.  Here is a CNN video of this heartwarming story of Blair and Tanner. 
Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Sophie Perlzweig

Golden Light #2 is Sophie Perlzweig.

Sophie Perlzweig is a 5 year old Golden Retriever that is a trained autism therapy dog. Sophie visits Floral Park Memorial High School in Floral Park, New York every other Tuesday to interact with autism students who are in the after-school program called Promoting Academics through Life Skills (PALS). Sophie is a Golden Light for the contribution she makes in the lives of PALS students with autism.

Sophie is owned by Roni Perlzweig of Bayside, Queens in New York City. Roni Perlzweig is a math teacher at Floral Park Memorial High School and she has been bringing Sophie to the PALS program at her school since January, 2011 (Source). The following is a video of Sophie's interaction with the autistic students.




Special thanks to Sophie for being a Golden Light. Sophie is a fine example of how autism therapy dogs can help in temporary school settings.

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

This post on Sophie Perlzweig originally appeared on the Autism Light blog on July 10, 2012 and was modified slightly for Golden Light.

Albert Schweitzer's Prayer for Animals

Hear our humble prayer, O God, for our friends, the animals.

Especially for animals who are suffering; for any that are 

hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry;

for all that must be put to death.

We entreat for them all Thy mercy and pity,

and for those who deal with them, we ask a

heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.

Make us, ourselves, to be true friends to animals,

and so to share the blessings of the merciful.

by Albert Schweitzer
(Source)

The photo of Albert Schweitzer is in the Creative Commons of Wikipedia.

For other quotes go to the links on the Golden Light Quote Blog.

God's Golden Retrievers

God decided that human beings needed a reminder that He was their best friend. While dogs are known as "man's best friend", it wasn't any dog but a Golden Retriever that God chose to reflect His character.  

I am extremely loyal to human beings; I love them each as if they were the only person in the world. My favorite thing to do is spend time with humans and I cry when I am left alone. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

I have a kind and gentle temperment. I have the personality and intelligence to rescue people in times of disaster or serve as a companion to the blind or deaf. I am full of compassion. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

I love children and instinctly know how to act around them. If I do bite I have the characteristic of a "soft bite". I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

I like to retrieve things and give them as gifts to my human. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

I have big ears. I am always available to listen. I hear things even when humans don't want me to. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

I am large so humans can't overlook me. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

I have big, expressive, brown eyes. I see things going on even when humans don't want me to. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

I have a water resistant fur coat. I am always ready to serve in any condition. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

I require plenty of exercise. Humans should spend time with me. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

My coat always comes in variations of a Gold color. This is to remind people of the streets of gold in heaven. I am a Golden Retriever. I am God.

One of the most popular breeds in the dog world today, the Golden Retriever's appearance, personality, and standards show that truly God knew what he was doing when he created this animal. The question is whether humans will understand what God was doing.

By Alan T. Stokes (Golden Retriever Owner)

Revised: October 3, 2004

Golden Bridge

An Adaptation of The Rainbow Bridge Story for Golden Retrievers

Just this side of Heaven is a place called The Golden Bridge. When a Golden Retriever dies that has been especially close to someone here, that dog goes to Golden Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water, and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the Golden Retrievers who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by. There are no more ear infections or hip problems for any Golden there. The Golden's are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress that beloved gold head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Golden Bridge together........

Alan Stokes
June 19, 2013

My Golden Retriever

You encourage me to obtain the exercise I really need,
And enjoy walks leisurely but even more with speed.

Born from a genuinely loyal and devoted breed,
You make me feel like I will always succeed. 

What did you want to say to me as your tail happily moved?
I know you love me but I’d like to have any doubt removed. 

You are very friendly to any child you happen to meet. 
Helping to dry crying tears by being so funny and sweet. 

When thunder comes the world gives you such a scare,
It seems you just need to know I’m nearby and care.

It is so remarkable that you’d rather give up your bone,
Then spend one extra moment outside and all alone.

It seems you can never get enough walks with me,
Or the opportunity to chase a squirrel up a tree.

I’m grateful that God above created your kind,
And if you lived in heaven I sure wouldn’t mind.  
    
Inside your big cuddly body is a heart of gold,
Though now you are young soon you will be old.

And when your time comes to leave me I will not forget,
And it will be difficult to have any other dog for a pet. 


By Alan T. Stokes

October 1, 2001

Note:  Written about my 2 year old Golden Retriever, Shalom’s Benjamin Jacob.  A.K.A. B.J

The Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of Heaven is a place called The Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill or old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; his eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling to each other in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together........

Author Unknown

---

For other quotes go to the links on the Golden Light Quote Blog.

B.J. Stokes

Golden Light #1 is Shalom's Benjamin Jacob (1999-2009).

Circa 2002, B.J. and Alan 

Shalom's Benjamin Jacob (B.J.) was born on January 17, 1999.  Alan and Anne Stokes purchased him from Diane & Joseph Cudo who were breeders who lived in Elk River, Minnesota at the time. He died on December 16, 2009 after a mouth cancer diagnosis. His illness was diagnosed by the caring professionals at Patterson Veterinary Hospital in Mason, Michigan. B.J.'s remains are buried in the Heavenly Acres Pet Cemetery in Howell, Michigan in their unmarked field.

B.J. was a mascot at the former Salvation Army Silver Lake Camp in Minneapolis, Minnesota for 5 years. Longtime Golden Retriever enthusiast and camp physician, Dr. William Carr, expressed disappointment one day that B.J. was neutered and wouldn't be reproducing because of the superior personality that B.J. had in representing the breed.

B.J. was a very gentle dog although he weighed in at 110 pounds. He moved with his family wherever duty called and despite his size didn't complain about spending a year in a one bedroom apartment. He was the first Golden Retriever that the blogger of the "Light Blog" Series owned and in tribute to him, he is being named the first Golden Light.

The poem "My Golden Retriever" was written in honor of B.J.

Golden Light Honors the Lives of Golden Retrievers.

Debra Marlin Quote

---

Surely if God could look like something of this world that we could all see and relate to, it would more than likely be a Golden Retriever. (Source--Yellowdog, 1997). Added 6/17/2013

---

Follow Debra Marlin on Twitter @yellowdogbooks.

Note: This quote was featured on the Quote Light blog page for Debra Marlin (b. 19XX).

For other quotes go to the links on the Golden Light Quote Blog.