Handsome Hunter...

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When we got Lola, I joined an FB Golden Retriever page which proved a great source of knowledge, support and information.  One lady in particular  (called Lynne) was always generous and patient with her advice.  She and her husband have owned GR's for 37 years, breeding and showing.  

When I first got to know Lynne, her doggy family consisted of an old Golden called Gibbs, a second Golden called Marcus and a little  Dachschund called Holly.

Just over 18 months ago they got a new puppy.  A male Golden Retriever who they called Hunter.  From the first photo she posted on the group, I fell in love with him.  He was the most gorgeous little bundle of fluff with the beautiful almond eyes and cheeky smile.  

Although it was his looks that first drew me to him, it was his emerging character that completely endeared him to me, because it quickly became apparent from Lynne's posts about him, that he was not only a bundle of energy, but full of character and very, VERY mischievous.

To read about his antics and hear Lynne despair about his cheeky stubbornness was hilariously funny to us onlookers.  Despite years of experience with the breed, she openly admitted she had never known a dog like him (and as well as always having dogs of her own, she also puppy walked for Guide Dogs for the Blind and Dogs for the Disabled so she's had a lot of dogs through her training) and it was her willingness to admit that he had her scratching her head at times over the best way to deal with him, that gave me, as a new and first time puppy owner, a sense of relief that puppy training wan't always straight forward (although now we're out the other end, we realise how good Lola was!) 

I have followed Hunter's progress closely over the last 19 months and watched him grow in to a very handsome boy, who on the whole, is perfectly trained (well done Lynne!  :-))  

Despite his lust for life (he does everything at a million miles an hour) since the second he entered the show ring, he has excelled himself both in behaviour and looks.  It's like he knows exactly what's expected of him and what to do.  And he absolutely loves parading around and showing off.  He has been placed in every show he's entered (lots and lots) apart from two.  He's qualified for Crufts 2020 three times already this year.  I am sure he will be a future champion.

Well you can imagine my excitement when Lynne commented last week that she and her husband and all the dogs were going on holiday to Northumberland for a week from last Friday, and offering to meet up with anyone in the area.  I quickly messaged her to say we'd also be in holiday in the area and she very kindly invited us to their holiday cottage for coffee and cake so off we went this afternoon.

What a fab time we had!  So lovely to meet Lynne and Graham and their wonderful doggy family.  They were all in the garden waiting to greet us (apart from their oldest boy who was diagnosed with glaucoma last week and is on lots of medication.  He was asleep in the living room.)

Hunter is every bit as stunning in real life as in his photos.  So friendly and typical of Goldens, bringing me lots of toys to play with him with.  He actually reminded us of Lola a little in looks and personality!  Marcus, Gibbs and Holly the little Dachschund are absolutely wonderful too and it was joyful to spend a few hours with then all (and savour a very generous slice of Lynnes boozy homemade fruit cake.  The best I've ever tasted.)

Dogs are always attracted to David and this time was no exception.  Hunter, Marcus and Holly all clamoured for his attention, with Holly actually trying to get up on his knee (apparently she is not a lap dog so they found this fascinating)  Even old  boy Gibbs got to his feet and slowly shuffled over to David for a cuddle when the others left him alone for a few minutes to come and play with me.

We left Lynne's just before 5pm and went for a drive along the coast, before ending up in Alnwick for a fish supper, then heading back to our cottage.

Pjs on again with a G&T and another film, ended another wonderful day.  

Wish we were here for a week!