Precious Goldie Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Posted by Gina in Blogging, Dogs, Favorite Things, Friends, Life, Me Moments, Memories, Personal, Photos.trackback
About twelve or thirteen years ago Cliff met Cindy where they both worked and we have been good friends with her and her husband and children ever since. We started babysitting their two girls when they were about 4 and 2 and Goldie was a puppy. Cliff and I would go over there on a Saturday night (even when we were dating) and keep their precious little girls while they went out to eat and to a movie, etc. Cliff and I came to love those two little girls so much and their sweet yellow lab too. The youngest little girl called Cliff “Ciff” when she was little. Great memories. Through the years we have also gone over there to let Goldie out to do her business almost every year when they went on vacation. The last time we babysat was about three years ago when their little boy was about four. Being the dog lover that I am, (Cliff was going to let Goldie out a few nights ago while they’re vacationing in Florida) I wanted to tag along so I could see Goldie. (After going around the world to tell a story, this is the point of it.) I was so shocked and saddened to see little Goldie has gotten to be a little old lady. It is so sad to watch her try to get around with her little arthritic hips. She was a shadow of the healthy dog she used to be and so slow moving. I guess I had not prepared myself for her having gotten so much older in three years. She was always such a sweet baby. Cliff brushed her for 20 minutes to get rid of some of her shedding hair and she loved it. I was a little sad to see she didn’t seem to recognize me but it was so good to see her.
^ Cliff loving on her.
^Their house…they’re a lot wealthier than us. 
^ Her little arthritic hips.
Aww, poor pup. It’s too bad they age so fast (looking at Tucker, all grey and curled up on his bed next to my chair).
I love labs. She is a very beautiful dog and I am sad for her. But it looks like she is well taken care of!
sweet…
Good morning from North Idaho. I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your blog and appreciate your faithful updates. It is 70 here this morning and overcast. It feels very good compared to yesterday’s 90. v.
Thanks vt! It means so much to me to know you read my blog. I wish it was 70 here!
Its so hard to watch our friends get old. It makes me sad to think they will not be with me forever. ((hug))
Hello! We’re back from vacation. Oy, sick though. Missed everyone! How ya doin?
Sorry you’re sick.
Welcome back!! Missed you.
Poor dog! I hate to see an animal in pain (or a person either)…
They all get old so soon, don’t they? It’s the one truly bad thing about dogs. Their life span is just so darned short. One good thing I’ve noticed lately is that I’m seeing big dogs at the dog park who are 12 and 14 years old but are still walking miles at the park each day. I think it’s partly due to the fact that regular dog park goers get a lot more exercise on a daily basis than other dogs. When I think back to dogs I had in earlier years, I can see that Buddha gets many times more exercise than they ever did. It’s the off-leash dog park. They get to really run and stretch their muscles on a daily basis. Better quality food is available now, too. That’s got to make a difference.
I know it must make a difference. Goldie never got much exercise.
Our 19 year old lab mix has been taking glucoseamine chondriton and vitamin e and it has really helped with her arthritsis. Ours never got much exercise either but we can see a significant difference in our dog. If your friends are looking for a way to ease the pain of arthritis in Goldie’s hips i’d start there.