| It was love at first sight when I met Andy at 8 weeks of age.
I had gone to Brynmar Golden Retriever Kennel with a friend who was buying
a female puppy. I already had five female Goldens with Brynmar bloodlines.
My first Golden was a female, so I had always been interested in girls
only. I never gave male puppies a second look. Well, after
my friend selected her puppy, the breeder brought out the most gorgeous
male Golden puppy I had ever seen. She looked directly at me and
said, “Look what I have.” My heart skipped a beat as I cautiously
asked, “Is he for sale?” She answered, “He is available only to a
very special home.” She looked at me and smiled. I knew right
then and there that I wanted this puppy to become part of my life.
But, being someone who doesn’t like to make rash decisions, I told her
I would have to think about it. Well, the days passed, and I couldn’t
get that handsome puppy off my mind. I finally gave in, called the
breeder, and told her I wanted to buy him. A little over a week later,
I went back to Brynmar Kennel and brought home Andrew Mark (Brynmar’s Abigold
Andy).
Andy was very different from my female Goldens. He was very
mischievous and was always getting into things that were off limits.
The girls had never bothered anything, so this was a new experience for
me. Andy was very smart, and quickly learned how to open kitchen
cabinet doors, turn doorknobs, and open gates. Nothing was safe when
Andy was in the room! It seemed he was always in trouble – to the
extent that for the first two years of his life, I’m sure he thought his
name was ANDY NO. But, he was my “lovable clown,” and I could never
stay upset with him for long. I would take one look at that face,
and I would be smiling.
Andy developed into a very gorgeous adult Golden. He had the
ultimate Golden head and expression and a perfectly proportioned body.
He remained extremely handsome until the end. His personality never
changed much from that mischievous puppy. He was always getting into
something – even at the age of 12. However, he was the sweetest dog
I have ever known. He never lost his temper, and I don’t think I
ever heard him growl throughout his entire life. He was loving and
patient with adults, children, cats, and other dogs. He had a huge
tongue, and he gave big kisses that covered your entire face!
From the time Andy came to live with us, Emily (who had been the
youngest before Andy) had her eye on him. They immediately became
close friends. But Emily and Andy soon developed a different relationship
– that of girlfriend and boyfriend. They were an inseparable couple
for the rest of their lives. They were soul mates.
When Andy was about 4 years old, he and Emily had a little adventure.
I was doing some housework while all of the dogs played in the fenced yard.
It was cold outside, so I had left the dog door open from the fenced yard
into the garage so they could come in and out as they desired. This
was a normal routine for them when I was home. Well, unknown to me,
while I was vacuuming, my garage door opener malfunctioned, and the garage
door opened about 8 inches – just enough for curious Goldens to transform
themselves into “pancakes” and squeeze under. The garage door opened
into the unfenced part of the yard, and this door was never open when the
dogs were playing in the garage. Next thing I knew, my father (who
lived next door) called to tell me my dogs were running loose outside the
fenced yard. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest as I frantically
ran outside to find them. The others came back when I called them.
But, much to my horror, Emily and Andy were nowhere to be found!
I was terrified. After searching all night for them, I found Emily
the next morning walking up the road toward our house. I was crushed
when I saw that Andy was not with her. It was winter and there was
snow on the ground, and to make a bad situation even worse – it was the
first day of deer season. This was a very dangerous time for two
golden-colored dogs to be running in the woods. Emily had icicles
in her coat, and she was very tired, but she was okay. A couple hours
later, I got a call telling me that Andy was at the Dog Pound. I
immediately went to pick him up. I was so thankful to have both of
my babies back safe and sound. Well, when I got home with Andy, Emily
immediately ran to him as if to ask, “Andy, are you okay? I was worried
sick about you.” Then, Emily did something totally unexpected – she
growled and grabbed him by the fur on his neck as if to say, “Don’t ever
leave me again!” That moment provided a little comic relief to what
had been a very stressful 20-hour period.
Emily and Andy remained inseparable throughout the years. They
were like a little old married couple. As they got older, both had
health problems, but they were always together. Emily passed away
on May 26, 2005. I was so afraid Andy would give up on life, but
he continued his normal routine even though I know his heart was breaking.
He would still do funny things such as knocking the lids off the dog food
containers in the kennel and trying to eat as much food as he could before
I caught him.
Andy had been ill for about a year, but even so, his death came suddenly
and somewhat unexpectedly on November 5, 2005. He died in my arms
at home in our kitchen. He was 12 years and 5 months of age.
Even though my heart is breaking because I no longer have my “lovable
clown” here with me, there is a reason to smile. I can picture Emily
running to meet Andy as he approached Rainbow Bridge. She ran to
him and said, “Andy, are you okay? I was worried sick about you.”
Then she growled and grabbed the fur on his neck and said, “Don’t ever
leave me again!”
I am deeply saddened by the loss of Andy and Emily, but I know in
my heart they are together again.
Together again, my tears have stopped falling,
The long lonely nights are now at an end.
The love that we knew is living again,
And nothing else matters now — we’re together again.
And, so, my dear Andy and Emily, may God bless you and keep you in
His care until we meet again. |