Faraway Goldens

HAPPY HOLIDAYS everyone, from Finnegan and Gemma! May 2010 be a fantastic year for you.

Here is Finn’s son Brewster (x Bella) at 5.5 months old– in his first formal attire!

…and here’s Brewster’s brother Hogan! (hummm family resemblance?)

In early December 2009, Finnegan got to go hunting with daughter Promise– who taught him a thing or two about flushing birds! Here they are showing off the one that didn’t get away. Promise will be ready for hunt tests soon!

I heard recently that Tango, Emberain Tanguero Ultimo WC (Finnegan x Ticket) earned his Working Certificate in So. Calif. in November at 9 months of age. Good boy Tango!!

I am so proud to announce that Guide Dog Lavette’s sister Lakota is also now a Guide Dog for the Blind! Lakota lives in AZ with her new partner, his wife plus children and grandchildren to play with during her “off” hours. Here she is when I went to meet them after graduation.

Great news! CCI’s Larissa (Finnegan x Guide Dogs’ Ryka) has been chosen to be a breeder for Canine Companions for Independence! That makes 3 of Finn’s pups for CCI and 2 for Guide Dogs. Larissa is a lovely girl, raised beautifully by PRs Paula and Katie– here they are with her at turn in for advanced training.

Finnegan and I went pheasant hunting on Sunday, October 25, 2009 with Darin and Finn’s daughter Jessie (x Jazz). It was so beautiful, watching the dogs flush and then retrieve big rooster pheasants. Here is a photo of Finn with one, and bringing it back to heel position at my side. These birds were huge! Thanks, Darin!

Here is one of my favorite photos taken of the Finnegan x Bella pups (and I took LOTS!)– this is (L–>R) Papa Foo, Sarah holding Mellow Yellow, now known as Hogan, and Momma Bella — with the fog streaming in over Bolinas Lagoon in the background. What a wonderful litter of pups the Quartet turned out to be– and all found such great homes! And I found a new friend in Sarah.

I am so proud of Finnegan’s daughter Lavette (x Guide Dogs’ Ryka) who graduated on Sept. 19, 2009 as a working guide dog– at only 20 months old!  She is Finn’s first pup to become a guide. I’m amazed as she was the feistiest pup in the litter of 11, always stealing everyone’s toys. Here she is as a 6 week old pup, ready to pounce on her sister to snatch the tug toy, and another photo of her at 7 months in the snow.

BRAVA, LAVETTE!!

In September we spent some lovely fall days at Faraway with “adopted” daughter Kirstin (Ted’s German cousin’s daughter) and her boyfriend Arne visiting from their home and the University of Hamburg. Here they are with Ted, Gem, & Foo on the trail!

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY Flingamajig!!

August 28, 2009.

Click here to go to Fling’s page.

In late July 2009 Foo and I spent a few days with friends at Shaver Lake where we did some hiking, swimming, and made our own dog toys!

Holly, Finn Scout, and Libby swim in a lovely pool on a creek high above the lake

See all the photos of our adventures on Shutterfly!

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Lamara (Finn x Ryka) has been selected as a breeder for Guide Dogs for the Blind as of June 2009.

Now it’s Kaylee’s turn! Another new breeder for Guide Dogs for the Blind as of July 2009:

Kaelen has been chosen as a stud dog for CCI! July 2009.

In June 2009, Keara was selected as a breeder for CCI. We are very proud of this sweet girl!

On Feb 21, 2009 Finn x CCI’s Pearl pups Viana and Victor matriculated into advanced training in Santa Rosa, CA. Here is a family portrait.

In February 2009, many of Finnegan’s pups for CCI matriculated. Here are Vico (x Pearl) and Keefe (x Brynna) in the North Central Region.

On Feb 7, 2009 I was able to join the puppy raisers for CCI pups Venezia, Vargas, and Keony in Oceanside to begin their advanced training. Keony was in the kennels in season so I missed seeing her, but I had a great time with Venzy and Gus!

Cynthia raised Venzy and Debbie and Dick raised Vargas for Canine Companions for Independence — and they did a wonderful job!

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