Golden Retriever - Spencer, The best Golden anyone could wish for!

Golden Retriever - Spencer, The best Golden anyone could wish for!

By: Michelle -Gig Harbor, Washington

Spencer came in to my life at 7 weeks when I was 7 years old. He was always a timid and LOVING friend. At 6 months he went through two major surgeries for treating hip dysplasia and was forced to be crated for two months and in this time he learned to smile which he continued to do every time he met someone new or saw someone from his family.

He was afraid of strange sounds (like the vacuum) and would come hide behind your legs, bury his head behind your back or crawl on your lap, despite his size, he still thought he was a puppy all through his life. He loved the beach, going for walks and car rides, apple cores, the word BOGO and eating toilet paper rolls. He chewed on everything and that ultimately made him have to undergo 3 stomach surgeries, but he learned his lesson within his own time.

He loved to play tug of war and always slept on couches or beds, rarely the floor. He drank out of toilet bowls and would leave a trail of water droplets on the floor. He was the kindest spirit, that of a wise old spirit. He loved meeting new people and exploring new places where he would sniff every pole and corner. He got really excited every time someone would wear gloves or socks and would nudge them with his nose. He loved his neck scratched and would put his head in-between your legs hinting to you that he wanted his neck scratched.

He loved rolling all over the floor after a bath. Whenever he'd have dreams he would sleep bark and his feet would twitch. He would always follow you around no matter how much you move around, he was a true companion who stuck through everything and always made you feel better. His collar mystified him; every time you'd take it off or put it on he'd get real still and look forward. He was a human in disguise: he would sneak human food, smile when he was happy, watch TV, sleep with a pillow and on a bed or couch, enjoy a summer breeze on the porch, sigh when he was uncomfortable, bark when he was frustrated and come to you when he was scared and seek comfort.

He loved exploring when it snowed and he'd end up with snow on his nose. He had a mischievous side too; he'd eat the sweeped up stuff even though he wasn't supposed to and steal your spot on the bed. He was a true gentleman, he'd NEVER bite, and he rarely barked, crisscrosses his paws and would greet me everyday after school. I'd spot him peaking under the fence and then by the time I'd open there he'd be there waiting for me and wiggling like crazy.

He was very beautiful and had a white patch on his chest, golden hair that curled and a pink and black nose, dimples when he smiled and little "eyebrows" that showed his emotion, and his best feature was his seal eyes that revealed his kind spirit. He began developing gray hairs in the last few months of his life and got very thin (he was overweight all his life due to his hip bone graph and plates).

He then began to develop bumps all over his body and began to vomit daily and he was embarrassed, but I'd go out with him and pet him on the back and tell him it's okay, I'm here to help him. We took him to the vet and were told he had lymphoma and would probably only have 6 weeks to live. That was not enough for us; he had only been with us for 6 years. We researched herbal treatments and chemotherapy, but our vet suggested we didn't. We got him on steroids to make him feel better. One day he seemed like his old self, energetic, happy, and he barked and played and then the next day he passed away with his family around him on his favorite spot on the couch.

He was cremated with his favorite blanket and still lives with us. That's all he ever wanted, to be with us. When we'd go on vacation and couldn't take him he'd stay at this "retreat" and we'd come home to see him with a cute colorful bandana and that happy greeting smile. He was my BEST friend and had the best, strongest, wisest and kindest personality of anyone I know. I will forever remember him, I think of him everyday.

I hope to meet him again sometime and I know it's true that he was my guardian angel and he continues to watch over me and my mom and sister. Spencer you are loved so much and made such an impact on our family, you taught us all so much. I love you more than words could ever say. See you again spenc-dog.

Your family loves you!

(Hope you are having fun with your dog family up there)

Michelle -Gig Harbor, Washington