| We are here to Celebrate Karen's life. She would want us to remember her for all the joy she brought us. She touched so many people's lives, as demonstrated by the presence of all of you. Many of you have known Karen much longer than I have.
Karen and I had recently talked about when we first met - or when we had at least heard of each other. We first knew of each other because of our involvement in Rescue - over 10 years ago. At that time, NorCal GR Rescue was in its infancy. She was living in Aptos. I was in Sacramento. Karen was instrumental in getting NorCal GRR organized and established - She held many roles including president, and treasurer, she started the Rescue newsletter, and tried getting everyone to use email! Yes, Karen was well known for her many many emails. I want to retrace some of Karen's recent years, talking about her dogs, her life, and the various stories she told, and the stories for which I will always remember her. Molson, aka "The Big Guy", "Honey Bear", and "Cookie Monster", is the Golden who started Karen and Paul in goldens. He was purchased from an ad in the local newspaper, he came to live with them at 8 weeks of age in August of 1987 until May of 2001. Karen showed Molson in obedience as a youngster, and completed his Companion Dog title at the prestigious Del Monte Kennel Club show at Pebble Beach. The highlight of their day was a ride back to the car in a golf cart! An orthopedic injury forced Molson into early retirement; however, she found him a new career as a Therapy Dog, and for many years Karen and Molson brought joy to residents of local homes. His gentle, quiet nature made him ideal for this line of work. Molson helped raise many puppies and kittens over the years, and was a good 'stable pony' for the countless rescue dogs who have spent time with the Lindstroms. He was always there when they needed someone to listen. Most of the 200,000 miles Karen had driven to 'doggie events' were logged with Molson in the passenger seat (or at least close to it), his velvety soft head within easy reach of her hand. He was her constant companion and shadow, and she could not have loved him more. Karen and Paul's second golden was Thumper. Thumper came to the Lindstroms as a two year old rescue dog. Her original owners had lost their home in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and had to move to an apartment that didn't allow dogs. She was surrendered to Norcal GRC's rescue club, in fact, it was Steve Southard's very first rescue dog, who he placed Karen and Paul. Neither Steve nor Karen had any idea how involved in Goldens Karen would soon become. Karen put a CD (companion Dog - obedience title) on her in short order, and was working towards more advanced titles when a serious injury to Thumper's hock forced her into early retirement. Thumper was a complete joy to live with, and was a favorite wherever she went. She was truly a 'drop-in' pet, and got along with everyone and anything - in every way she was a truly 'golden ambassador'. Karen and Paul lost Thumper - at almost 14 years of age this last February. Rosie -- Can. Ch. Honor's Wild At Heart CD CGC TDI was purchased as Karen's first conformation dog. She picked up 8 points towards her U.S. championship, including a major at the prestigious Del Valle Dog Club of Livermore show, as well as over a dozen reserve Winner's awards before Karen decided to retire her from the breed ring. After completing her Companion Dog title, Rosie went on to become a mom to a litter of wonderful puppies. She is now spayed (Karen and Paul thought carrying a litter of 15 puppies was enough for one dog!). Any of you that have talked with Karen about breeding a bitch, or about having puppies, have certainly heard the story about Rosie. Karen always thought it was rather funny - that, here was a very fertile bitch - who whelped her puppies easily - and she had just had her spayed. Karen learned to appreciate that more and more as she encountered future non-litters, and very small litters, including a litter of one puppy! Rosie now spends her days getting spoiled by Paul as much as possible. She is a terrific companion and a true ambassador for the breed. Sandpoint Golden Retrievers was originally known as "Monterey Bay Goldens", located in Aptos, California. The name came from the AKC registered name of their first golden, Molson. Several other goldens carried the "Monterey Bay" prefix, including the puppies from Rosie's litter. Karen realized, while trying to come up with registered names for those first eleven pups that "Monterey Bay" was a little too long since the AKC limits the number of letters and spaces. In addition, the Lindstroms had acquired their property in Elk on the Mendocino coast, and thought that a kennel name which was not so 'area-specific' might better suit them. That was the start of "Sandpoint Golden Retrievers". Karen hoped that the name would become synonomous with healthy, happy, versatile goldens who bring as much joy into the lives of their families as their goldens have brought to them. Some time in 1994, Karen contacted Marjorie Moore for a cool boy dog that she could have fun with. On a dark and stormy night in November of 1994, Jackson arrived in California. He had had a long airplane ride from his birthplace near Calgary, in Alberta, Canada, but came out of his crate totally unconcerned with all the fuss being made over him, and proceeded to charm the entire Customs office, as well as capturing Karen's heart on the spot. Jackson became Ch. Justmoor Southern Renegade. Karen was so proud that she put all the 15 points it takes to become a Champion on Jackson herself. Well, there were times when she thought she needed help - and many of us - including Wendy Hunter and myself - that tried to get that last point on Jackson. However, Karen persevered and - although she drove all the way to Arizona to do it - she got that last point. Helene Brodrick went with Karen on that trip, and fondly remembers how thrilled Karen was to have won that last point - and she did it herself. Karen used to always rave about how Jackson loved everyone, and enjoyed being the center of attention at all times. I always saw, that Jackson loved Karen the most - and that she was the apple of his eye. Jackson was an active, happy, out-going golden, who loved to spend his days digging in the dog yard, chasing balls, sticks, and the other goldens, and generally just 'being a dog'. Karen told us how much Jackson dearly LOVED the new house in Elk - so much pond to swim in, LOTS of mud to dig in - a great place to be a dog. Karen lost her boy on February 13th this year. She had asked that we remember him as fondly as she did. On September 25, 1995, Pillsbury, the Dough boy, was whelped in Rosie's only litter. He was one of 11 surviving very healthy, happy, and hungry babies. There were 8 boys and 3 girls; Pillsbury was the #8 puppy to come into the world. His mother, Rosie and Karen got through the proceedings with the help of a good friend, and a pint of Ben & Jerry's Vanilla Ice Cream! Karen always wondered if that had something to do with Pillsbury's love of food. Karen and Paul knew it was time to start weaning the puppies when 3-week old Pills waddled over to Paul's dinner ...chicken parmigiana. The Dough Boy did very well in the show ring & has a Best In Sweeps and multiple Specialty class wins among his credits. His AKC bench championship was completed in just 14 shows from 1st points to last, with 4 majors, including two Specialty WD awards under breeder-judges. He finished his CD in three straight shows, and is now retired from competition and is officially, Ch. Monterey Bay Eat Your Heart Out CD. Pills is playful, outgoing, and very sweet. Though he has an overwhelming obsession with his "Kong" toy, he is the perfect Golden companion. He has brought a great deal of joy into Karen and Paul's lives, combining the best qualities of both his parents, and they couldn't treasure him more. Karen had her second litter of golden puppies in the Summer of 1998, when Kim Bryk of Ontario Canada, offered Karen the opportunity to lease her lovely bitch Can. Ch. Chuckanut's Diamond In The Ruf ("Karat") to breed to Jackson. Joshua was the last puppy born in the litter. A radiograph taken of Karat the week before whelping led Karen to believe that there would only be 7 pups in the litter, and that what appeared to be 'Puppy No. 8' was merely a gas bubble. Two full hours after his brothers and sisters were already nursing, 'Puppy Number 8' arrived, and immediately tried to make up for lost time in the eating department. Karen thought he was worth the wait. With the excellent handling skills of the Laurie Jordan-Fenner handling team, Joshua finished his championship with three majors. His first time out as a special resulted in a Judge's Award Of Merit at the GRC of Greater LA Specialty show - for which Karen was ever so proud. And, at the 2000 GRCA National Specialty in St. Louis, Joshua was awarded the title of Puppy Of The Year 2000 by the Golden Retriever Review. Tara, or as she is more frequently known, "Tara-Belle" (pronounced like 'terrible'), or "Holy Tara", or "The Tara-ist" (as Karen would say - are you getting the picture here?), is Joshua's full litter sister. She is quite a character, and keeps things very lively at Sandpoint, much as Jackson did as a pup. She has done very well in limited showing; she is a Specialty class winner and also has placed in Futurity events. Tara currently has 9 points towards her championship, and has also received three major RWB awards. Tara's big dog name is Sandpoint Solitaire. In 1999, there was Bunny - Karen got Bunny when she was over a year old……and, in co-ownership with Wendy McP she is now known as Am-Can. Ch. Fargold's Show Me The Bunny. With the agreement that Karen would have Bunny's first litter, Karen bred Bunny to Joshua - and had the caffeine theme litter. From that litter, Karen and Wendy kept Jitter - who is officially known as Sandpoint Thanks a Latte. Born in June 2001, Jitter was the puppy that got into everything. She is a really confident girl and will be a gorgeous grown up. Karen was happy with Jitter and how she was developing. Then, there is Riot. Shyans Shenanigans At Sandpoint. Riot is the youngest golden residing at the Lindstroms. He is a Joshua baby, out of Susan Maloch's pretty girl, Ch. Shyan's Morning Sun, born in September last year. In Karen's everlasting style of always wanting to help out and her love for puppies, she took Riot home the day she went to see Susan's Joshua babies. He was such a nice boy, Karen just picked him up and took him home. She figured she would either keep him, or find him a great home. As the months went by, Karen told me how much Paul loved that puppy. That the puppy was always following Paul around, helping him work on his cars. And, she then defiantly told me, Riot could stay as long as he wanted - because he was Paul's buddy. Karen and I really started to getting to know each other, when I asked her if I could breed Carrie to Jackson. It was Jackson's first breeding, and Karen's first venture as a stud dog owner. I drove Carrie over to Santa Cruz, and showed her how I did breedings. Eight puppies resulted, and a few years later, Carrie had produced Jackson's first two Champions, Rachel and Spenser. Karen was the best gramma to these puppies. She was always so supportive and helpful. She helped raise Spenser - aka THE DUDE. She would spoil the heck out of them. Karen was at the show where Rachel finished. I remember it well. It was at San Rafael - at the Marin Civic Center. I had not been at that show site for at least a year - and thought that they would have electricity brought in on the field - like they had in the past. Low and behold, I get there, sans generator, and no electricity in sight. Wendy and Karen rolled in a little later, and I begged Karen for her generator. She said, I was more than welcome to use it, but it was parked a few blocks away. I asked her if she could bring it over - even drive it over. You know, Karen had spoiled me!! But, this time she was adamant, the generator was in the van. If I wanted to use it, I would need to go to the generator. I was quite disappointed - okay, maybe a little pissed - and ended up taking my 3 dogs into the ring, without using any electricity to prepare their coats. Amazingly enuf, Rachel won, and became Jackson's first champion. And, I was so happy that Karen was there, it no longer mattered about the generator. But, we often talked about it! And, how nice it was to win, without messing around with the blow dryers!! In early 1996, when I got my very own Justmoor dog from Marjorie Moore - Karen and I had even more in common. Afterall, we all know how hard it is to get a puppy from Marjorie! Karen and I would often compare and contract our two boys. We agreed, that if only we could combine the strengths of both dogs into one - we would have that perfect stud dog!!! Karen, in the meantime, had become quite famous for her ability with her and others stud dogs. If someone needed a dog collected, and Karen was close by - or not, she would get the job done. She had that magic touch. Recently, she had purchased a new latex sleeve from ICSB (I think) and was collecting one of the boys for a fresh chilled breeding. But, when she looked under the microscope, the semen was all dead. She collected her other boy, his semen was all dead too. She totally freaked. She was calling Berna, she was calling me, - she probably called many of you!! And, then, she figured it out, it was the latex sleeve that was killing the semen. We think Jackson was collected 3 times that day - AND the receiving bitch did get pregnant. How about the time we bred my Lucy to Jackson. Lucy had 11 puppies, 8 girls and 3 boys. A year and a half later, I decided to repeat that breeding. I told Karen - whatever you did the last time - PLEASE do it again. Sure enuf, Lucy had 11 puppies again - 8 girls and 3 boys. Now, tell me Karen knew what she was doing. Over the years, Karen had purchased many puppy paks from ICSB - and was probably one of their biggest consumers of the paks. (The paks are basically stryofoam coolers that fit snuggly into a box for shipment. However, did you all know of her alternate use of the paks? Often.she would have a Mexican restaurant in Austin Texas, Papacitos send combination plates over to Santa Cruz for Paul. Well, at least, that is what she told me!! Karen Loved Paul dearly. Yes, she did drive all over to go to dog shows, because she absolutely refused to fly. However, if she was at dog show in the area - she would not usually stay over. She would drive home to spend time with her hubby. It was always important for Karen to let people, who had sent bitches in to be bred, know if Paul liked the bitch. Usually this was indicated by how many chocolate chip cookies he would slip to the visiting girl! And, we all knew about how much Paul loves puppies. He even came with Karen to a puppy party at Dale Miskelly's house - just to see the puppies. Not that often that we have husbands around for our parties!! Salsa and chips. Guacamole. Karen always thought that the best bait to use to get little puppies stacked up for evaluation at our infamous puppy parties was to feed them guacamole on tortilla chips. More on the things that Karen loved. She loved Mochas - and Starbucks. If there was a Starbucks en route to a dog show - or while she was just running an errand - Karen stopped and got her mocha. At those remote dog show locations, she brought her Portable 4 cup coffee maker. And, she did not have just any coffee - it would be Starbucks of course - and she had all the flavorings - mocha, hazelnut, and French vanilla. At the freezing National in St. Louis in 2000, she brought the coffee maker out to help warm everyone up. And, then, as I mentioned before, the theme of her last litter was Caffeine. Jean Ettinger suggested she name a boy puppy "Good to the last drop" and call him Maxwell - and she did. Karen would also often bring Margaritas and all the mixings to the dog shows for special occasions. Last July, she was particularly proud of her newest acquisition - a battery operated blender!! And, we all know Karen loved her Wine, wine wine. While she was quite the connoisseur, she actually preferred the bubbly type. There was nothing finer for Karen, than to be at home with her hubby, her dogs, and a glass of good bubbly. She loved to send out little goodies to her many friends- often as a gag - and often just because she felt like it. Remember when she found a magazine all about SHOES - and sent it to Mary Meador??? There was the time that Wendy Mcp was marinating steaks for dinner with her husband Marty. Well, Bunny - energetic little Bunny that she is, found the steaks upon cruising the counter - and found them to be quite tasty. Wendy called Karen in a panic - and asked how bad was it that Bunny had eaten the steaks - Wendy did not want her husband to find out what Bunny had just done. Well, a couple days later, what should arrive on Wendy's doorstep, but a boxful of Omaha Steaks!!! Karen was festive. We often found her decorating our set ups at the dog shows. She even had decorative chile lights inside her van at the National in New Mexico last year. For Karen, dog shows were about being with her friends, having fun - oh yeah, and even better if her dogs won!! If she went to a dog show, and I was not there, she was always the best about calling promptly with Dog Show reports. She would be on her cell phone while she was driving to or from a show. I think that she used that phone as the means of entertainment - and to shorten those long drives. A few years ago, I remember one Saturday nite, Karen called, and said she wanted to run something by me. She and Paul had had a romantic dinner, and Paul thought a great project for Karen would be to set up a website magazine. Well, we all know Paul is renown for his computer knowledge and skills. Between the two of them, they thought the golden community needed a place to share golden stories, pictures, and news. And, the Golden Retriever Weekly was born. Karen also set up a new list, golden show results, for people to share show results This was a "NON-discussion ' group set up for show results ONLY! No congrats, no brags .. just the facts, ma'am. In reality, I don't think Karen needed either of these forums for her to communicate with the golden world. She had her very own golden internet - with volumes of emails daily - and numerous hour long phone calls. There are so many people that Karen spent hours with - via email or by phone. She hated call waiting, and refused to have that feature on her own phone. It was amazing that we could all usually get thru to her!! Teal was her favorite color. And as you can tell, mine is purple. We had an unspoken kind of contest, to see who could find the most unique items in those colors. She was always getting me something in purple, and I would give her things in teal. She even gave me a purple hula hoop. Karen was usually dressed rather casual - and comfortably. One of her favorite stories was about the occasion, was at some Speciatly - where she had put on a dress to show a dog - and Howard Falberg complimented her, You clean up real nice!!! Oh how she loved to tell that story. Vet expertise. We all could always count on her to help if there was a vet medical issue. Karen had learned a lot with Molson, and Paul's Newfoundland. If she did not know the answer, she would find it out. She had close relationships with all the veterinarians in her area. In fact, some of those veterinarians have actually closed their offices today, just to be here to celebrate her life. Karen had great concern for the health and longevity of goldens. She often found herself in the center of great debates about these issues. Karen was always helping with doing advertisements/and making up fancy pedigrees. Helping Sylvia for a while with the GRNews, she learned from the best. Karen brought a whole new level of marketing to the golden world, when she found Pamela Cooper, who took the marvelous beach pictures of Karen and her goldens. Oh how we all loved all those pictures. Raising puppies. Karen loved raising puppies. She often might just bring home a puppy (without Paul noticing, of course!) to help socialize the little one. She loved showing puppies at dog shows - especially at specialties. She never felt her handling skills were good enough for the big dogs - although she would always remind us, she HAD finished Jackson herself. The outpouring of love for Karen has been phenomenal. Here are some words from many of her friends and acquaintances.
Let's make Karen proud of us all and be as Golden as she was. Let us celebrate her life, though it was way too short. Karen, we love you, and will miss you. |