Why Dogs and Food?



Why Dogs and Food?

It's simple. Write about what you love. And what is better than dogs and food? If you are anything like me - and millions of other people - you will relate to and understand the unwavering love I have for my dogs and my passion for cooking - and eating - great food. I hope you will enjoy reading about my day to day experiences with good food and a couple of very special dogs.

Thanks for visiting.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole. ~Roger Caras


Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot little puppies. ~ Gene Hill







Walter and Henry

We were living in Evergreen, Colorado when Jake, our 11-year old sweet and beautiful Golden Retriever, was diagnosed with kidney failure in the Spring of 2001. It was devastating news. We were told by the doctors that he only had about 6 or 7 months to live. We gave him medicine to help him be more comfortable and all the love he wanted and needed, which was certainly not hard. He was a love.

One day when the Cable guy was making a house call, I answered the door with Jake by my side and the man at the door reached down and petted Jake and told me he had a baby Golden Retriever out in his truck. I told him to bring him inside. From the moment this little 10-week old white puppy jumped out of the truck, I was smitten. I had never seen a white Golden Retriever before. I guess you could say I just had to have one. That is when I was introduced to Kyon Kennels in Canada.

Kyon breeds these Norwegian and Swedish white golden angels and sells their puppies. We wrote to them and began the process of adopting a beautiful baby Kyon True Cream Golden Retriever. Walter was born on June 7, 2002 and he was in our home 8 weeks later, flown to us from Canada to Colorado. We introduced Walter to Jake and although Walter seemed to fall instantly in love with Jake, I am not sure Jake was up to the challenge of a bouncing puppy. But they ended up being friends. I think Walter’s presence helped Jake stay around a little longer, but ultimately, Jake passed at the end of January, 2003. Walter took it hard. He would anxiously walk around looking for his big brother and sit by the back door and cry. It broke our hearts. So, there was only one thing to do – get him another brother.

With a call to Karin and Wally at Kyon Kennels, we inquired about the possibility of getting another puppy and we were in luck! Annie and Strummer (Henry’s mom and dad) were having a litter early February and the pups would be ready to sell end of March, early April. Henry was born on February 9, 2003 and 9 weeks later we made another trip to the Denver airport to pick up our second Kyon boy. The rest is history. Walter and Henry, 8 months apart, became fast friends and inseparable brothers. We couldn’t have asked for two sweeter, more beautiful and loving dogs. There is no replacement for our beloved Jake but these two boys sure helped us cope with our loss and find new joy. And now they are the loves of our lives. And yes, they do make our lives whole. We cannot imagine life without them.

Visit Kyon Kennels at http://www.kyonkennels.com/ for no other reason than to see all their beautiful dogs or link to FANS OF KYON KENNELS on Facebook by clicking on the Kyon Gang in the photo to your right.

2 comments:

Susan Campisi said...

Liz, I don't think I've ever seen a white golden retriever before. I don't think I even knew they existed until I saw Walter's and Henry's pictures! They sure are beauties.

Liz Berry said...

Yeah, it's like walking two little movie stars. Everyone stops us and asks about them because they really are striking. And the best part is that they are so incredibly sweet, too. I am very happy with them!