Dam: Sunshine Lace's Little Reba
Dear Viewers....
Steven and I have
bred MACH, MH, TDI, CDX, CT, TDX, SH, JH HRCH, UH and other
titles but this following message from a lady we sold a pup to in
the Spring of 2003 humbles me to the core. Jeanne Esch, Michigan
wrote me the following...she is a wonderful lady that has taken a
Sunshine Golden and made him an outstanding companion. She will
say differently, she will give Tucker all the credit, but they are a
team effort in helping to overcome her handicaps. We are so happy
that Jeanne came into Tuckers life and taught him what unconditional
love is all about.
Susan M Scherber
I have been
meaning to contact you... and well, the time just seems to fly by
doesn't it.
Viewing your website I really enjoyed the slide show of the pup doing a retrieve. I thinkit may have been a slideshow of Katie. I couldn't find it this morning when I was going throughyour site - but I wanted you to know that I thought it was great - both cute and wonderfulto see the pup retrieving.
You're litters look terrific - the moms are beautiful! It's hard looking at a site that has good Goldens as yours -those pups are hard to resist. But, I am most fortunate to have Tucker and he's strong and healthy andas full of energy as ever. I start each day, grateful for his company and end each day thanking him for his
help and companionship. He's a terrific dog.
I have attached a more recent photo of Tucker. It was taken by my 10 year old cousin, Emily. She entered the photoin the Racine County 4-H Fair and she got a blue ribbon on it. Of course we tease Emily that it was the subject that made it a blue ribbon winner! She doesn't argue that - but, Emmy deserves full credit - she did get a nice picture of Tucker swimming in the pond behind her house.
Tuck and I made a move since we spoke last. We now spend our time between Bloomfield, Michigan and Traverse City, Michigan. Tucker is at home in both places. In fact, Tucker seems to be at home wherever he is! That's a good thing as we have spent the summer and early fall going between many places.
You should be very proud of Tucker. He moves from setting to setting with such ease. In Traverse City he loves to run the long pier along the bay in the early morning or in the late evening - when no one is around except for a fisherman or two. He learned to do this when Lorraine, my friend who helped with his first year of training - came for a visit. He would go to one end of the pier with me and then run to her - and back to me. Now, I am able to put him on a stay - take my wheelchair down to the end of the pier (it's railed on 3 sides) and call Tucker. He flies down the pier -running like the wind. I love watching him run. I always feel as though he's running for me - for watching him I am reminded of that feeling of moving freely.
And, Tucker not only allows me that feeling - he gives me the experience! I am able to ride a 3-wheeled recumbent bike - with Tucker's help. He helps to pull the bike, if and when I run out of energy. He loves biking and can barely stand to wait while we get the bike out. He will walk beside me until we get to an open trail and then, when I let his leash out a bit, he looks back at me as if to say, "Now?" - and I tell him "Go ahead!" - and we take off! It is amazing for me to have the sensation of moving without the aid of motors on a wheelchair or plodding slowly with a quad cane - I love the speed of biking with Tucker in the open.
Don't misunderstand - Tucker is controlled while we bike - I trust him and he trusts me - but when we have the open space to bike and he is able to run full out - there is a rhythm in his run.... it is strong and steady... and I find those moments to be very difficult to describe. I can only say that there is a freedom - in those moments - sometimes tears come to my eyes - that I can know such freedom.
In Wisconsin Tucker plays with his canine friends Bella, Duke, and Bailey. He takes trips to Door County. He plays ball with my young nephews who laugh and giggle when Tucker drops his ball into the water dish and then puts his whole head into the large dish to retrieve his ball; then holds it in his mouthand shakes... splashing the boys.
Viewing your website I really enjoyed the slide show of the pup doing a retrieve. I thinkit may have been a slideshow of Katie. I couldn't find it this morning when I was going throughyour site - but I wanted you to know that I thought it was great - both cute and wonderfulto see the pup retrieving.
You're litters look terrific - the moms are beautiful! It's hard looking at a site that has good Goldens as yours -those pups are hard to resist. But, I am most fortunate to have Tucker and he's strong and healthy andas full of energy as ever. I start each day, grateful for his company and end each day thanking him for his
help and companionship. He's a terrific dog.
I have attached a more recent photo of Tucker. It was taken by my 10 year old cousin, Emily. She entered the photoin the Racine County 4-H Fair and she got a blue ribbon on it. Of course we tease Emily that it was the subject that made it a blue ribbon winner! She doesn't argue that - but, Emmy deserves full credit - she did get a nice picture of Tucker swimming in the pond behind her house.
Tuck and I made a move since we spoke last. We now spend our time between Bloomfield, Michigan and Traverse City, Michigan. Tucker is at home in both places. In fact, Tucker seems to be at home wherever he is! That's a good thing as we have spent the summer and early fall going between many places.
You should be very proud of Tucker. He moves from setting to setting with such ease. In Traverse City he loves to run the long pier along the bay in the early morning or in the late evening - when no one is around except for a fisherman or two. He learned to do this when Lorraine, my friend who helped with his first year of training - came for a visit. He would go to one end of the pier with me and then run to her - and back to me. Now, I am able to put him on a stay - take my wheelchair down to the end of the pier (it's railed on 3 sides) and call Tucker. He flies down the pier -running like the wind. I love watching him run. I always feel as though he's running for me - for watching him I am reminded of that feeling of moving freely.
And, Tucker not only allows me that feeling - he gives me the experience! I am able to ride a 3-wheeled recumbent bike - with Tucker's help. He helps to pull the bike, if and when I run out of energy. He loves biking and can barely stand to wait while we get the bike out. He will walk beside me until we get to an open trail and then, when I let his leash out a bit, he looks back at me as if to say, "Now?" - and I tell him "Go ahead!" - and we take off! It is amazing for me to have the sensation of moving without the aid of motors on a wheelchair or plodding slowly with a quad cane - I love the speed of biking with Tucker in the open.
Don't misunderstand - Tucker is controlled while we bike - I trust him and he trusts me - but when we have the open space to bike and he is able to run full out - there is a rhythm in his run.... it is strong and steady... and I find those moments to be very difficult to describe. I can only say that there is a freedom - in those moments - sometimes tears come to my eyes - that I can know such freedom.
In Wisconsin Tucker plays with his canine friends Bella, Duke, and Bailey. He takes trips to Door County. He plays ball with my young nephews who laugh and giggle when Tucker drops his ball into the water dish and then puts his whole head into the large dish to retrieve his ball; then holds it in his mouthand shakes... splashing the boys.
When we are in the Lansing, Michigan area, Tucker sees his other friends, Sammie and Mabel. These country dogs show Tuck around the woods. But Tucker comes back to the house about every 5 to 10 minutes - seemingly to check on me. His attention to me when he could be running in the woods is surprising to me. I would think he might find some great dog adventure and not run back to check on me - but he is most faithful. One day, when I dropped him at his groomer because of a test I had to have - Tucker jumped back into the my van through the open window. He ended up going with me and did quite fine - waiting beside me and then going, a little reluctantly, with the tech. while the procedure was run. He stayed with the groomer the next time I dropped him off for his trim. I decided that he knows when his support may be needed!
Tucker continues to make friends in the communities we live and those we visit. He's known in a small Traverse City grocery store as the "candy-lifter"; one day as we waited in line to pay for a purchase - the person behind me started laughing and said, "Your dog is taking candy." I turned to look and there was Tucker with a candy bar in his mouth! Everyone had a good laugh. Now, when we enter the store they ask Tuck, "What are you hungry for today?" or "What candy do you want today, Tuck?" He most always leaves with a sample of a hot dog or biscuit - I guess he made his point - that grocery stores are notjust for people! :)
Tuck visits the owners of a Traverse City restaurant nearly each morning that we are in the area. When we miss seeing them for a day or two - they call to be sure that Tuck and I are doing okay. In other places he knows the baker, the artist, the maintenance person, shop owner. At the doctor's office he is welcomed with open arms by my physician, nurses, and other patients. I think he is a great stress reliever in that setting.
Tucker continues to help me with the tasks of daily living. He's a whiz at taking off braces and socks and loves to carry by backpack so much that I have to place it out of his reach so he doesn't play with it. I think he thinks, "If I get the backpack - we'll go somewhere!" Tucker likes to go! And he likes to do! I cannot imagine my life without this helpful, funny, smart, caring, dog who helps me not only to not... just live completely... but to make friends... and to play and to laugh.
There are not words to describe how much he means to me and how he enriches my life. I thank you yet again, for your help and your talents in breeding and choosing Tucker for me.
I wish you and your family all the best as the fall progresses into the holiday seasons. May you know laughter, peace, and good health.
Sincerely
Jeanne - and Tuck too.