I adopted Dewey (previously Chester) just over 2 years ago as senior golden of about 10 years old. He was 20 lbs overweight and needed a knee repaired. At first he seemed content with the sedentary life I expected with a senior golden. But not for long. After some weight loss and a knee surgery he perked up, but he still was only up for a quick lap around the neighborhood before coming home to rest. Then we discovered the dog park. And tennis balls. And WATER. It turns out his true golden retriever nature was there all along. I am sure he would chase tennis balls until he collapsed (we always have to stop him, he'd never quit on his own), he eagerly befriends anyone with a Chuck-it. But water is his true love - lakes, rivers, puddles - any body of water he sees he MUST swim in. He gets mad at us if we have negligently forgotten to bring a tennis ball, but he'll swim after rocks if he has to. He is just returning from a vacation on Lake Michigan where he spent a week running on the beach and chasing balls in the water (long after our younger dogs were panting and ready to rest). Even though he was "about 10" two years ago, when people ask how old he is I still say "about 10" because if anything it seems he has gotten younger. Last week someone asked if he was a puppy. This is a pic of him saying "hurry up and throw the ball already!"
Thanks for an awesome addition to our family,
Erika N