How wonderful to be at home with my husband and our much loved (but aging) dog! Carmen, the dog, spends much of her day sleeping. Her eyesight is starting to fail and she's definitely slowing down but never in terms of all the love she has to share! She is my first dog. She is now age 12. We adopted her at approximately age 10 from a rescue group. I don't think we will ever choose to live without a dog after our experiences with Carmen.
I had wanted to have a dog for a long time and started volunteering at the Humane Society to get some real life experience. I really enjoyed doing that. The dogs were always SO grateful for the time and attention of the volunteers. I suggested several dogs there that we might consider adopting to my husband, Henry, but none of them clicked with him.
When we went to visit a 6 year old Flat Coat retriever that was up for adoption from Homeward Bound, who stuck herself like glue to both of us? Carmen, the golden retriever, made it perfectly clear that she was the perfect dog for us. Within 15 minutes of meeting her, my husband and I agreed completely. So, we drove home with her that afternoon!
She came to us fully trained and in the best possible medical shape. She was spayed at age 10. As a result, they speculate that she was someone's backyard puppy producer, abandoned when she became too old to produce any more puppies. Homeward Bound, the rescue group, did an exceptional job of ensuring that she received all of the medical care she could use. Our vet was very impressed with that as well as with Carmen's demeanor in general.
Carmen knows her way around. She has been well socialized. She is so gentle that if she starts to chew on something of concern, you can open her mouth and remove the item without a hint of protest from her. And, of course, she is bursting with love to give.
Having had her as part of our family for two years, I dread the thought of losing her. And yet, I have to say-- we have been so extraordinarily lucky to have had her be part of our lives.
Here are some pictures of her:
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