What a special event!
As always, the dogs were happy, their owners were proud and
the crowd was so busy clapping they could barely wipe away their tears.

All dolled up in their special collar ribbons and wonderful blue ribbons befitting the champions they are, meet a few of our special guests at Norcal Golden Retriever's 1999 Spring Specialty . . .

Bill Haraf and Murphy led off the parade.  The last dog adopted in 1997 from foster mom Pat Lynch, Murphy and Bill are best of play time buddies.  Murphy's other owner, Jo, provides the formal training.  We're all happy to report that Murphy received his second leg toward his Companion Dog degree at this year's specialty.   When Murphy received his goodie bag from the generous folks at Norcal Golden Retriever, he immediately dove in head first and came up the tennis ball that he is so proudly carrying in his victory lap around the ring.

Pat Lynch thought that five was just not quite enough so she adopted "Wonderful Woody" into her family to make a nice even one-half dozen dogs.  Woody is special in that he had his front leg amputated at a tender 18 months after a fall from a truck.  His original owners wanted him euthanized but the Adobe Vet hospital couldn't bear to see so much love and life go to waste so they performed the necessary operations for free.  After two months bed rest at Pat's house, she couldn't bear to see him leave.  Judging from Woody's smile and speed as he bounced around the ring, he's perfectly happy with the way things worked out. 

The trio walking their special blonde girl around the ring are Keylin, Jessica and Kerrigan. Originally rescued from the Modesto shelter, this beautiful girl, now known as"Maggie" had been bumped from house to house before finally reaching her destined family. Of no fault of hers, Maggie's previous owners all had felt that they didn't have time for a puppy, or that dog hair in the house just wasn't their idea of fun. The Spiteri family had been doing some fostering for Norcal, hoping that one day they would find just the perfect dog for their family. Like most foster families who usually end up adopting one of the rescue dogs, the Spiteri's fell in love with Maggie immediately and knew she was the dog meant to be for them. Maggie seemed every bit as thrilled to leave her former family to join the Spiteri's, for her former family didn't even say good-bye to her as she left! Today, Maggie is enjoying her life thoroughly. She is very gentle with her three human sisters, ages 10, 8 and 2 1/2 and her 2 cat companions. She's a real hostess with the many foster dogs that visit her home, always caring and ready to play. Like the typical golden, all she asks for is love, and she has plenty to give in return!

Keylin, Jessica and Kerrigan along with Maggie are on the left. 
Murphy is holding down the fort in the middle. 

On the right we're pleased to introduce Winston - a former show dog who thought he'd be happier living with his two boys, Johnathon and Trevor, and spending his time indoors except when he's taking a dip in the pool,of course!  Trevor joined Winston on his special day.  Doesn't Trevor look great in his Norcal Golden Retriever Rescue tee shirt?

Wilson Kruger is the handsome red head in the front of our photo.   Wilson was rescued from the Oakland Shelter. It is speculated that he was thrown from a truck because he had an injured leg. After recuperating from Kennel Cough at Pat Lynch's house, he came to live at the Kruger household where he promptly put on 10 pounds because he was very thin. He is now the oldest and most distinguished golden in their household where he is dearly, and clearly, loved.

I missed the story of the charming blonde in back.  Can anyone send me the missing story?

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