We could use some advice from people who have gone through raising a pup with two older

dogs. Earnie, our 12 week old Golden "son" is getting too rough in his play with Peggy Sue.

Pigger, as we call her, is the **worlds most gentle Golden**. She is getting the worst of play

sessions between her and Earnie. Pigger will initiate the play, and obviously enjoys it, rolling

about the floor feinting, biting, growling--until Earnie gets too worked up. Earnie will get a bit

frantic at which point he turns into " Mr. Snapper". On one occasion, he perforated the

Piggers ear. She wouldn't play with him for 3 days afterwards. Now she's playing with him

again, but if it gets too rough she literally will jump on your lap or thepicnic table to avoid the

**pup from hell** until he calms down. We are attempting to discourage some of this rough

play, but Earnie gets mono-maniacal sometimes. He knows better than to try it with Becky--she

took a fall out of him and he keeps a respectful distance from her unless she wants to play with

him. Should we rescue the Pigger, or just let it go? Will she eventually lay the big bite on the

little turd, or will she always defer to him? Egad, puppies are fun! :-[  

Becky [Hey, I told you we should have run him through the Cuisinart. Now he's too big. How about the trash compactor?] 

Peggy Sue [Get that little (*%^*&^)(^ away from me! OW my ear! I don't want pierced ears!] 

Earnie [Grrrrrrr!!! Gonna getcha! Pantpant runrun run bite jump snarl fast as fast can be, you'll never catch me!!]  

Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; AKA Small White Shark, Grass Gobbler, Teddy Snatcher

Earnie got his first taste of the forest today! At the ripe old age of 12 weeks, he accompanied

us on a field trip Michael & I led for the purpose of collecting and identifying wild

mushrooms. We *almost* kenneled him, but Michael reminded me that Peggy Sue was

introduced to hiking trails at about his age. Peggy Sue is the worlds best hiking buddy. She

never gets more than a few feet away from us, she never needs a lead in these remote areas. By

starting Earnie out at this age we hope to train him to be a good, reliable hiker as well.

Earnie had a ball! He was far less trouble than we anticipated. He is used to riding in the truck,

we have been taking him for short rides from the age of 8 weeks. He rides in the cab with us,

and Peggy Sue and Becky occupy the canopy-covered rear. We have a pass-through window

so they can drool on us, and so Earnie can check on the big dogs by standing on his hind legs

and looking through the window. We started him with a flexi-lead on the trail, and after a

couple of miles we tried him off-lead. No problem. He never wandered more than 10 feet from

us the whole day. Our dogs wear Bear bells so we always know where they are. Earnie chewed

sticks, dug holes, and in general just enjoyed himself. He also got his first swimming lesson,

somewhat by accident. Becky & the Pigger were playing in a creek when he decided it looked

like fun--so in he went! He looked a bit surprised, but swam to shore with no difficulty. He

managed to shake water on us just like the **big** dogs do--! Earnie is learning to be a true

Golden--loves the forests, fields, and streams. For the record, this was a great day for

'shrooming--perhaps Earnie is good luck? Except for the rain!! It poured buckets on us all

afternoon. Being a typical Golden, Earnie loves the rain, and should be required to wear a

"dangerous when wet" sign. Being wet really fires him up! All in all--a Golden day. 

Becky [I think the little squirt might work out OK! I taught him how to carry sticks up the trail and hit the old folks behind the knees!]

Peggy Sue [I showed him how to roll in the moss & dig holes & swim!]

Earnie [The woods are a **great** place to go! Look at all those sticks to chew! And creeks to play in! And some of those Old Growth trees were 10 feet in diameter! Wow, really neato places to pee!]

 Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; AKA Small White Shark, Grass Gobbler, Teddy Snatcher

After hanging on every word of the food discussions [yes, really!] I decided to discuss the

subject with my girls. The comments about the diet of wild canids & feral dogs came up.

Peggy Sue & Becky offered these Golden comments: if you let dogs eat what they want to eat,

without humans butting in with their ideas of what is good for dogs--! Think about it! What is

**your** dogs favorite food? Is it the Eagle, or Iams, or some other expensive concoction?

Of course not! Try this test--put a bowl of your *human* idea of what's good for your dog

[Purina, Iams, Eagle, etc.] nextto a pile of horse manure, cow manure, wild blackberries,

huckleberries, dirt clods, dead fish, underwear, socks, blankets, green grass, etc. All together

now--what did your pampered pooch go for? Uh, huh, just as we thought! Remember now,

the wild canids had no humans to tell them horse poop was a poor diet and bad for their

coats. But--they survived! If you read the book "The Intelligence of Dogs" by Stanley Coren

you will find that the feral dogs of old ate much worse than the above items. Corpses were

thrown off the walls of cities, and dogs survived on those. So--I

guess the dogs did eat meat, but some of us may never know if what they ate tastes like the

chicken or lamb we now feed them. Personally, I have never dined on a fellow human. But

then, I've never eaten dog either. Perhaps we're missing something here?  

Becky [Allright! Does this mean I can go back to my diet of Elk poop?]

Peggy Sue [You **know** what I like!]

Earnie [Are all female dogs as disgusting as you two? Whadda ya mean, try it, you'll like it?]

 Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; AKA Small White Shark, Grass Gobbler, Teddy Snatcher

Earnie, our precocious 13 week old Golden, has had another life-altering experience. He's seen

snow! Took him along with the rest of our "pack" for a Chanterelle hunt about 50 miles from

here. It has snowed in W. Washington in the last few days. We didn't expect snow at the

mushroom site as it's fairly low, only 2400' elevation. Guess what. Quite a lot of snow,

particularly hanging on the big fir trees. Not so much that we couldn't scratch around for

mushrooms [found 50 lbs.!] but enough to fall out of the trees and smack you on the head

hard enough to cause you to see stars. My friend always calls these headache balls of snow

"snow-brainers". The older dogs are used to snow falling on them, they **love** snow!

Earnie had never even seen snow, much less been half-buried in a large blob of it. The first

time he got smacked with a load of snow, he was sure the sky was falling. After a while he jus

t took it in stride and played in the lumps after they fell off the trees. True Golden

temperament. I don't know about all Goldens, but snow makes our dogs **crazy**! They roll

in it, they eat it, they charge about with reckless abandon. Too much fun! Sort of a whole day

of the type of behavior you get immediately after a bath. We all got home wet, cold, & tired--

but what a great day! Earnie is becoming "king of the woods" in a hurry! A bonus of these

trips is the fact that Earnie & the girls are quite layed back for a couple of days! <VBG> 

Becky [Didja see me run down the trail full speed at Earnie, put on the brakes, and slide into him?? I rolled the little begger down the snowy hillside! Hehhehheh!]

Peggy Sue [I LOVE SNOW!!!! NOTHING makes me as nuts as snow! rollrollrollslideeatroll]

Earnie [What *is* this white stuff? Why are the girls rolling in it? Hey, this stuff tastes good! But--the sky is falling---!] 

Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; AKA Small White Shark, Grass Gobbler, Teddy Snatcher

Earnie, our 14 week old Golden boy, has developed a taste for Woobie guts. Woobies the

girls have known & loved for years are dieing like flies. He never met a Woobie he couldn't

disembowel. Woobies that enter his kennel [AKA The Lair] at bedtime shaped like Luciano

Pavaratti emerge in themorning resembling Richard Simmons. The yard is decorated with tube-

shaped cotton balls. This guy reminds me of those wind-up teeth you used to buy at carnivals-

-- 20 lbs. of teeth at high speed. Yack--like Pac-man on amphetamines. He **ate** the filling

[polyester] from a teddy bear which died a horrible death in his kennel. Don't know what the

nutritional value of polyester is, but it makes nice lawn decorations. Ah, puppies. Arrggghhh!  

Becky [He's killing all our toys! Time for a garage sale run for some fresh Woobies!]

Peggy Sue [What's this white stuff on the lawn? Hmmmm--!]

Earnie [C'mon, Mr. Teddy Bear--share my condo for the night! Heh heh heh!] 

Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; Marriage Test, Beckys Best Buddy, Chewin' Machine

Earnie continues to make us age faster. According to our manual on puppies, he's in an

assertive-aggressive stage for the next couple of weeks. Quote: "During this period he may

become assertive and somewhat domineering in an attempt to find his place in the pack". This

is breeder-speak for "Earnies going to be a bit of an a**hole for a week or two. If you live

through this stage, read the next chapter". This morning he learned how to dive-bomb Becky.

She is **not amused**. He gathered speed across the family room,leaped onto the futon, and

launched himself at her, landing squarely on her head. I would be interested if someone could

explain the physiology making it possible for a 60 lb. Golden to let out a roar the size of the

one thatcame out of Becky. It even scared me. It deterred Earnie for, oh, about 5 minutes or

so, too. Puppies--arrggghhh!

 Becky [Try that one more time, kid, and you're gonna be a eunuch!!]

Peggy Sue [Uh, oh, Earnie, I wouldn't do that if I were you. She can be a real bitch!]

Earnie [Huffhuffhuff I can Flyyyyyyyy! Hahahahahah gotcha, Becky!] 

Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; Marriage Test, Beckys Best Buddy, Chewin' Machine

The recent discussion on feeding fresh meats to our Goldens got me to thinking. Actually, the

unwanted solicitors knocking on our door helped with this idea. I believe I have a great *idea*

for an endless supply of meat to feed our dogs. Of course, the supply may dwindle somewhat

in the off-election years. But there are always a few religious zealots, insurance salesmen, lost

motorists, etc. bound to knock on your door from time totime. How about those guys in suits

riding bicycles all over your neighborhood trying to convert you to their religion? Ever wonder

how they taste? A bonus of this variety of meat is it should be pretty free of parasites. Unless

you count the whole organism as a parasite. I guess care should be taken not to feed the dogs

a steady diet of insurance sales persons, as they will surely develop an attitude over time.

Variety is the key here. A few Republicans, a Liberal or two, the occasional Avon Lady--!

And--for those of you who don't have a stomach for this sort of thing, and insist on feeding

kibble-based diets--there's always Soylent Green!  

Becky [Dad, you better hope there aren't too many insurance sales persons on the list--!]

Peggy Sue [I notice people come in different colors and shapes. Do they taste different, too?]

Earnie [Just my luck. I bet none of the rest of my litter went to a whacko household.] 

Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; Marriage Test, Beckys Best Buddy, Chewin' Machine

Earnie, now at 14 weeks, has had his first big weekend of socialization. My wife has worked

17 years on the Catlin Gabel Rummage sale, the biggest sale of its kind west of the

Mississippi. Thousands of people come from all over for this 4-day event. It's held in a huge

Exposition Center in Portland, Oregon. What better place to see how Earnie reacts to crowds

& hullaballoo? Off to the sale, pup on lead! In the door, where 10 [at least] people swoop

down upon the cute puppy to fondle him. He did what I would have done. He peed. Arrgghh,

thinks I--- this isn't going to work. Wrong! After the initial shock of being the #1 attraction, he

**absolutely** loved it.

No fear! Huge carts we move rummage on were rolling in the isles, folks dragging big

cardboard boxes, etc. No problem. Hundreds of people pettedhim. He even rode on top of

the rummage carts while we moved stuff around, tail wagging. Pretty cute, like a captain on the

bow of his ship. No other accidents, we spent 3 days there and he always made it outside to

the grass. Of course, the next day he piddled all over the new car. Nobody's perfect. But he's

close!  

Becky [Why didn't **I** get to go? I love that kind of stuff! Danged kid, anyhow.]

Peggy Sue [Not me, nope, don't wanna go there. Cardboard boxes scare the crap out of me. And killer carts? No way, Jose!]

Earnie [Ohhhh look at all the hands to pet me! And I got to shop in the toy section and pick out new woobies every day! That was the best part--thousands and thousands of

woobies----!] 

Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; Marriage Test, Beckys Best Buddy, Chewin' Machine

We're famous! In todays mail was a complimentary copy of "Dr. Ackerman's Book of Golden

Retrievers". Several months ago he asked for photos of dogs to use in his new book. So, I

thought "what the heck"? I sent him about 20 pictures and then forgot about the whole thing.

What a nifty surprise! He used over half the pictures I sent him in his new book! Becky &

Peggy Sue are featured all over the pages of the book! As a special treat [HA!] for those of

you who have wondered what this crazy olde phart looks like--there are pictures of me with the

girls! [Insert big ego here] Most of you may have seen photos of my dogs on Helen's web

page. I never sent any photos with me in them so her page wouldn't suffer. My dogs are good

looking, and a joy to behold. Alas, I doubt you could apply the same to me. Oh well. For

those of you who purchase the book, Becky and/or Peggy Sue are on pages

7/8/9/11/13/18/54/81/84. Some are full-page photos. I am the old guy with the grey beard.

I will shamelessly include information on how to purchase the book below. Hope I'm not

breaking any of Wade's rules. 

Becky [I bet this makes some of those titled dogs jealous, huh dad?]

Peggy Sue [Finally! I achieved the fame I deserve with **no** mention of my bad habit---!]

Earnie [Oh no. The Red Bitch was uppity before--now she's gonna really have a swelled head. Guess I'll try to hump her again--!]  

Dr. Ackerman's Book of Golden Retrievers 

Dr. Ackerman's Book of Golden Retrievers is the best first step you can take in the ownership

of a Golden Retriever. World-renowned veterinary clinician and author, Lowell Ackerman,

DVM offers the most up-to-date and accurate information available on the selection and care

of the Golden Retriever, including a detailed itinerary for proper care of the growing dog, plus

coat care and condition, facts about feeding and nutrition, dental care, exercise, and methods

of preventing infections and parasite infestations. In a special chapter, Dr. Ackerman identifies

and discusses the Golden Retriever's most pressing medical conditions as well as preventive

screening available. 

This beautifully illustrated book covers all the health care aspects of owning or caring for a

specific purebred. Learn about the important health problems in the breed as well as how best

to prevent them. The cost is only $9.95 each plus shipping and handling.

Within the continental

U.S.A, S&H is $2.95 per book; elsewhere, handling is $6.95 for international mail delivery. To order, send an e-mail message to phi@primenenet.com with the following information: 

Book title (Dr. Ackerman's Book of Golden Retrievers-PHI103)

Your name and full mailing address

Payment information (VISA/MC, number, expiry, name on card). 

Click here when you're ready to send an order by e-mail 

You may also elect to pay by check or money order or provide your credit card number by

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Mail these requests to: 

Pet Health Initiative

P.O. Box 12093

Scottsdale, AZ 85267-2093

OR

Call 1-800-525-7387 (toll-free 24 hours)

OR

FAX 602-276-2932

 Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; Marriage Test, Beckys Best Buddy, Chewin' Machine

[Insert belly laugh here!] Are there **really** folks out there naive enough to think *any*

amount of training will keep their sweet Golden pupper from annihilating rugs, furniture,

drapes, underwear, bedspreads--etc.? No matter how well you train 'em, they'll find something

to get into. Earnie is now at 4 months. He's housebroken [finally, we hope] but he's in a fierce

chewing stage. New teeth are arriving, gotta chew.

He's laying under my chair as I write knawing on a denta-bone. He sneaks a little taste of the

chair leg occasionally as if I can't feel the grinding. If I left him alone for *five* minutes, I

should expect disaster. He needs constant supervision, inside or out, and he's getting it. Still,

he gets a piece of the shrubs while passing by, a mouthfull of dirt or grass on a potty run, and

always scores a fir cone or leaf of some sort to bring in the house and chew up. While playing

with the other dogs puppy exuberance kicks in and he grabs a mouthfull of carpet. All the

woobies are being systematically gutted. He poops kapok and polyester fill. He eats bugs.

Barkdust. Lord knows what he eats on our mushroom hunting trips. I watch carefully but all

you need to do is bend over to pick a 'shroom and when you stand up he's got *something* in

his mouth. Ah, puppies. Peggy Sue demolished several sets of VW seat belts before she

outgrew the puppy stage. They're replaceable. Peggy Sue isn't. This too, shall pass. :-[ 

Becky [I am the perfect dog. I never destroyed anything!]

Peggy Sue [Yeah, well, you were a year old when you arrived. I needed to screw stuff up or the folks would have thought I had something wrong with me.]

Earnie [HA! Gutted another woobie! LOVE the way the stuffing comes out in a long string, tastes great, less filling--! ChewchewchewdigchewpeerunharassPeggySue] 

Michael & Scotty

The Golden Gang

Becky; The Red Scourge of Squirrels, Feline Track Coach

Peggy Sue; Pixie, Lover of Every Creature; Fecal Gourmet

Earnie; Marriage Test, Beckys Best Buddy, Chewin' Machine