Tag Archives: golden retriever

Golden Retriever of the Month – Denali

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Denali is an 11 year old golden retriever from Ohio who graces the cover of many greeting cards.  Denali’s owner, photographer Madalyn Ruggiero says he loves jumping up on the table and sits and waits to be adorned in the day’s costume.  Some days, he’s not in the mood and she has to work around his schedule.

Madelyn and Denali – Behind the Scenes – YouTube Video

denaliwig

Madelyn and Denali have appeared in the local newspapers on many occasions, and even on the local news.

Denali loves peanut butter, doggie ice cream, and beef sticks.  He doesn’t have a particular favorite toy, but is obsessed with snow and loves making snow angels.  He sleeps in his mom’s room at night and isn’t afraid of fireworks or thunder.

Facebook.com/Denali-The-Golden

Facebook.com/Denali-The-Golden

Denali was recently diagnosed with nasal cancer.  Madalyn explains:

“Last fall Denali started having lots of thick mucus coming out of his nose.. I took him almost every other week to the doctor. In the end of October the mucus turned into blood and that scared me. My doctor recommended I take him for a biopsy. I took him to Michigan State Vet School for a biopsy. Denali had some problems during the biopsy and was loosing a lot of blood. After they got him stabilized they found out he had cancer. The tumor in his noses was blocking air-flow completely on one side and was starting to go to the other. A friend suggested I take Denali to Ohio State University Vet Medical center and that’s where I met Dr Cheryl London. She’s a well know oncologist who was doing a nasal cancer study. Thankfully, she gave me hope and Denali is has been enrolled in the program since last November.“

Face of Local Greeting Card Line Battles Cancer – The Toledo Blade

Denali has a new little brother named Sir Wilbur who has given him a new zest for life.

Facebook.com/Denali-The-Dog

Facebook.com/Denali-The-Dog

Together they are making some pretty cool greeting cards and living the life!  Did I mention they like watermelon?

Facebook.com/Denali-The-Dog

Facebook.com/Denali-The-Dog

and car rides?

Facebook.com/Denali-The-Dog

Facebook.com/DenaliTheDog

You can check out their Blog or Facebook Page to follow their story.  I urge you to help out this golden-loving artist by purchasing a card or two.  They are very reasonable and you will have them on hand for that last minute occasion!

Purchase Denali and Sir Wilbur’s Greeting Cards

Here are my cards that I received from Madalyn.  (who needs to show me how to take a decent picture!)

photo

One thing is for sure – Madalyn has found her true calling with her “subjects” and is getting double golden love at the same time.  I wish her and the boys the best of luck.  Belly rubs and kisses to Denali and Sir Wilbur.

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The Tucker Files: Golden Retriever Aggression?

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I have to admit, Tucker has been more of a challenge than my previous dogs (except for a male alaskan malamute)  He is very dominant and I am pretty good at keeping him in check.  He has never shown aggression meeting another dog, and has never growled or snapped.  I can take a raw beef bone from his hands and stick my hand in his food bowl.  He hasn’t had a lot of exposure to young children, and when he did he approached them with a little too much “zest”

I managed to capture Tucker making his “killer face” tonight. (bared teeth, crinkled up nose)  At first I thought it was cute and was trying to teach him to smile, but as you can see, he actually sort of snapped at my finger, even though he didn’t bite hard.

On our last visit to the vet, when the vet reached for Tucker’s head, he made this face.  Needless to say, the vet immediately went for the muzzle.  Tucker took it well, and it was removed before the end of the exam.  I told him Tucker sometimes makes this face while we are playing.  The vet set he couldn’t take the risk.  I told him I didn’t blame him one bit.  I think it had something to do with the high strung vet tech who tried to weigh Tucker and backed him in a corner and he peed on the scale.  She continued to try and force him on the scale and you could tell he was avoiding the pee and not wanting to step in it.  I eagerly offered to clean up the pee and told her he wouldn’t get on the scale like that.  She shoved us into the exam room and told me we were “holding up progress”  This made me both irate and embarrassed, and our visit had not started off on a good note.  I’m not making excuses, but the place was literally packed and I think it was a bit much, even for Tucker.  I ended up crying on the way home and thinking that I was a failure in terms of having an obedient, well trained dog.  (When I have a treat in my hand Tucker is actually extremely smart and obedient!)

I am curious as to your thoughts golden experts!  Is this a sign of aggression?  If so, any suggestions on correcting this behavior?

Golden Video of the Week – Golden Retriever Puppy Loves His Bath!

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Ahh golden retriever puppies.  Here’s one loving his bath, courtesy of The Pet Collective.

My golden loves having baths. From what I read on other posts, some goldens don’t care for it at all.  What does your golden think of the bath?

Golden Retriever To Star in Summer Production of “Annie”

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Portsmouth NH – Buckley the golden retriever was chosen from over 70 dogs auditioning for the role of Sandy this past Saturday for the Prescott Parks Art Festival production of “Annie”

Buckley - Seacoast Online

Buckley – Seacoast Online

The Prescott Park Arts Festival production of “Annie” will run June 28 through Aug. 25.

For landing the role, Buckley also received a year supply of dog food donated by the Canine Cupboard.

Congratulations Buckley and owner Jean Kane of Portsmouth.

Portsmouth golden retriever lands role of Sandy in “Annie” – Seacoast Online

A Brand New Service Dog Golden Retriever Puppy Cam!

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The East Cost Assistance Dogs (aka Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities) are featuring a live stream puppy cam of golden retriever mom “Gucci” who gave birth to a litter of 8 puppies on May 05, 2013.  Some of the puppies (named the “Gucclettes”) are black, so I am guessing that dad may be a lab.  Can you imagine how cute these puppies are going to be?  These dogs will be trained to assist people with disabilities, including wounded veterans, with things like opening doors, turn lights on and off, retrieving things, and many other tasks.

Gucci and the Guclettes - ECAD - Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities

Gucci and the Guclettes – ECAD – Educated Canines Assisting with Disabilities

If you need a puppy fix, check out the live puppy cam on Explore.org.

East Coast Assistance Dogs – Live Puppy Cam – Explore.org

Puppy Cam Features Future Service Dogs For Disabled Veterans – Mashable

The Tucker Files: Gourmet Dinner for a Golden Retriever

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Say what you will about table scraps, but I feel table scraps are far better than most kibble on the market. Sometimes we spoil Tucker. I guess I should say sometimes we “extra spoil” Tucker. He is perpetually spoiled.

Here’s Tucker waiting for his dinner. He always puts one paw up while begging. I have already explained the menu – perfectly cooked tenderloin (rare-med rare) fresh local asparagus (I.e pure gold) and lobster fettuccine. Rich, I know. I mixed it with his kibble. (Origen Adult Dog)  I always soak his kibble in hot water for about 5 min, so the food expands in the bowl, instead of his tummy.  Heard this from a breeder, it is supposed to help prevent bloat.  It makes a nice gravy.  We make sure his teeth stay clean with the occasional raw bone.

waiting

Here’s dinner.  Since I didn’t get anything for mother’s day, I treated myself.  The expensive stuff was all on sale.  This meal was under $40 and fed three!

gourmet

Did I mention we love food?

Time for a poll!

A Golden Retriever at the Museum

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It’s “art imitating life.”  Artist Tom Mosser has created a masterpiece of his golden retriever “Lucas” (the viral sensation) gazing lovingly at a giant painting of a tennis ball.

golden.main.smear

Tom says Lucas is enjoying being the center of attention, but worries the fame may be going to his head…

Locasthestar

This print is currently available in a signed, limited edition.  At the time of this post there are only about 20 copies left, so don’t delay if you wish to order one.  You can email alanjsmith@juno.com for details.

On their Facebook page, A Golden Retriever at the Museum, there is currently a contest to win a “Golden Retriever at the Museum” jigsaw puzzle.   The names of the contestants are written on tennis balls and Lucas choses the winner.  How cool is that?

Tom Mosser is an ambidextrous artist from Pittsburgh, PA,  This art is considered  “Ambidextrous Impressionism”  Visit his website at http://www.TomMosser.com to see more of his work.  Tom is also a long time golden retriever lover and is currently working with rescue groups on fundraisers.

Here is a photo of Tom and Lucas at work in the studio.  Lucas inspects all the prints before they are sent out.

tom.and.lucas.inspect.prints2

Tom and Lucas are being featured on the local news tonight on WTAE.com. Congratulations on your TV debut Lucas!

Update:  Here’s the story and video:

Local Man’s Dog Inspires Worldwide Phenomenon – WTAE.com – Video

It’s the weeeekend! Golden Retrievers Everywhere are Celebrating.

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For many of us, this is the first nice weekend of the year.  Golden retrievers are celebrating!  These pictures are not of golden retrievers celebrating this weekend, but are to inspire you to get out with your golden and do something extra fun.  Tucker’s tail wouldn’t stop wagging tonight as he chewed on his “glowie” ball at the park.  He has had a busy day.  Tomorrow we plan to take him for his first swim of the year.

Here is Lacey, Taz and Bond from Liz’s Golden Retriever page frolicking in the waves…

Lacey Taz and Bond from Liz's Golden Retriever Lovers page

Lacey Taz and Bond from Liz’s Golden Retriever Lovers page

Here is a group of goldens from Imgur living life to the fullest…

truckgoldensWhat do you plan on doing with your golden this weekend?