Our New Puppy

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I know I usually write about food, but I thought you would all enjoy seeing our new puppy.  Isn't she a cutie!  This picture was taken when we first got her.  

Since we moved to our homestead, we have had a goal of getting a golden retriever or a golden doodle puppy.  I grew up with golden retrievers and we have the space for a bigger dog so we decided to look for a golden retriever.  

Since we were traveling to Ohio for Christmas to see family, I started looking for puppies online a couple of weeks before.  I was able to arrange a puppy pickup for Christmas day. We drove about an hour south of Columbus to a beautiful snow covered farm where we picked out our sweet puppy.  We bought her from the Zook family. If you are in the market for a golden retriever puppy, you can reach the Zook family at (937) 302-6427. We had a wonderful experience and feel confident recommending them. 

​The boys did not know we were going to pick out a puppy.  They thought we were driving to my parents' house and were surprised when we pulled into a driveway that was not their grandparents'.  My parents live in the country too so it could easily look like we were on the way to grandma's.  We did head to my parents' house after the puppy detour so the boys were able to share the excitement with family.  My parents were very helpful since they have had golden retrievers and now have a golden doodle.  My parents' had an extra dog crate which they very generously shared with us and loaned us their books on training golden retrievers.  

Last summer we raised a huge garden and sold produce at the farmer's market and our own roadside stand.  We also raised 4-H market lambs and pigs and baled and sold hay from our pastures.  We saved all of the "farm" profits to put towards our new puppy.  Amazingly, our puppy cost the exact amount that we had saved from our "farm" proceeds.  

It took us a couple of weeks to name the puppy. We wanted a name that the whole family liked and one that was meaningful to us. We thought about Christmas themed names since we got her on Christmas day, but just couldn't settle on anything. Finally, our oldest thought of Marigold. We thought Marigold was very fitting since she is a golden color and our family has strong horticultural interests. In addition, the marigold was originally called Mary's Gold after the mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary. We loved the name and it's origin and thought it was perfect for our Christmas puppy. Her full name is Marigold Holly so she is doubly representing both Christmas and horticulture, but we just call her Marigold or pup pup.  

She is really becoming a part of the family.  Our youngest, Robert, tells me all the time that she is his sister.  

And like any puppy, you never know what she will do next.  I was surprised to walk in and see this.  

The dishes were clean, but I can't remember if the dishwasher was still warm or cooled down, either way, she liked it.  

We are new puppy parents so I don't have a lot to recommend yet, but if you are potty training a puppy, this cleaner is essential!  My sister recommended it to us and it really works.  I started with this spray bottle and then bought the huge 128 oz. refill which was more economical.  I have refilled my spray bottle twice already.  This stuff is amazing at cleaning puppy accidents.  No stains or gross smells left behind, just a fresh clean citrusy scent.  

If you have a favorite puppy toy, treat, etc. please share.  We are so new to the world of puppies and could always use recommendations.  

Our sweet Marigold has us wrapped around her little paw.  She just climbed into my lap as I was writing this.  It is amazing how much joy a pet can bring to a family!  

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