Bama Goldens

12/11/2015

Have some disappointing news to share. Dr Brandt did Hope's ultrasound last week and Dr Hudman did Faith's yesterday with no sighting of puppies for either girl. Shucks! We were really hoping to go out of the breeding business with a BANG instead of a very slow sizzle. But sometimes these kind of things just aren't up to us, are they? We'll get through the holidays and then schedule the girls' spays. I do have the opportunity to try again, but I just don't think that my heart is in it again. But since I'm not rushing in for the spays, who knows what the next month or so will bring to my heart. Maybe I'll change it, but perhaps not. As it stands right now, I'm done with my breeding business. It's been a wonderful endeavor and I've met so many fantastic people along the way. We've put together families, made smiles appear, laughter ring, and even made lasting friendships. I hope that you will continue to use this venue to share your Bama Golden pictures through the years, share your stories and stay connected as always.
Love and Peace,
Carol

11/25/2015

I'm sure that everyone is probably very aware of just about all of these, but wanted to share anyway.

Happy Thanksgiving! May your table overflow with food, your hearts overflow with love and your lives overflow with whatever bounties you desire. Love to all!

11/23/2015

We are getting closer to finding out....the ultrasound date has been set for both of the girls for Thurs, Dec 3rd. Woot Woot! I'm getting excited...how about ya'll? :) :)

11/09/2015

For all of us that have lost one (or more) beloved family members.

11/09/2015

Faith is presently at the Dr H's having her 2nd breeding today. Once home, we all can take a collective sigh of relief. I am already seeing some changes in Hope that are looking positive for babies. She is resting more, giving me those drowsy eyes, wanting more belly rubs (yes, more than ever!) and wanting to spoon at night instead of pawing me to pet her. Really loving this low key Hope that's living with us right now, just wonder how long she plans on staying? Faith is always low key so not sure how much lower she will be able to go, ha ha. Will make ultrasound appts for about 30-35 days after their breedings so look out for news around the first part of Dec for Hope and 1 1/2 weeks later for Faith. In the meantime, let me know if you have any questions about puppies ;)

11/05/2015

Thank you, Kimberly Dietrich owner of Home Is Where The Hound Is, for coming to my rescue this week. Rick and I are getting ready to fly to Vegas for a quick 3 day trip. As I posted earlier, Faith is in season, but I thought very early. Tuesday's test results proved that she was a bit further along than we thought. So....Dr. H called me Tues night and said, "we need her back in here on Thurs for another blood draw and we'll see where we are for this weekend for a possible breeding." Wow! My mind went in a million different directions at once! Our flight leaves this morning very early (Thurs) and doesn't return until late Sat. First things first, call Kimberly. She tells me, "of course we can work this out." Gotta love this woman! Hopefully, Faith will wait until Mom gets back for her breeding, but if not, I know that she will be in good hands with Kimberly and her staff. :)

11/02/2015

It's been a nice couple of days not having to drive the 17 miles into Chandler to see the folks at Dr Hudman's office. But...the trek starts again tomorrow for Faith to start her progesterone testing. Oh yay! She's my drooler. Yep, over my shoulder and only when she's alone in the car without her sis in the back seat to entertain her. It makes it a bit hard to see around her big ol head into the rear view mirror to see the traffic behind me tho. I do have a really nice hammock from Orvis that the girls ride in on my back seat that contains them and all that lovely golden hair, otherwise I think Faith would certainly be sharing the front seat with me coming and going down the road.
Hope is certainly very needy wanting her belly rubbed more than usual this past week and wanting to cuddle at every opportunity that I'm beginning to feel almost suffocated. Just can't wait to add Faith to the mix, I may never come up for air ;)

10/29/2015

Time to take a breather. Had Hope bred twice this week via AI (artifical insemination). We were at Dr Hudman's on Tues and Wed and Dr H could already see a difference in her demeanor by Wed. She has also been acting calmer at home since the breedings. Asking everyone to send good vibes for Hope to have a healthy litter as this will be her last one. Once I breed Faith also (as soon as she come into season) and they both have their puppies, I am going to retire. That means if you are on the fence about getting a Bama puppy, don't hesitate! Let me know of your interest soon as the waiting list is starting to grow :) This will be the end of the Bama pups. They both make beautiful babies with Bumper so it will be a great way to go out!

10/25/2015

She's ready! Got the call today from Dr. Hudman to bring Hope in on Tues for her first AI...yipee :) Put the call into Linda aka Bumper's mom and owner so we are all set. Will keep everyone informed. Now just waiting on Faith to come into season and repeat all the above process with her. Can't wait for some puppy breath around here!

10/19/2015

Heading back to the vet's today to pull a third progesterone on Hope. She is slowly rising and Dr Hudman hopes that Hope will be ready for her breeding by the end of this week. Me too since that 18 mile drive and back through the desert grows weary about now. It's not too bad when you only do it now and again, but several times weekly, sheesh! I've decided that I'm too old for this commute thing, ha ha. Really makes me appreciate the great vets I had back in VA that were just around the corner and within 5 minutes of our old house. But then again, I would go to the ends of the earth for my girls if needed! So we are off and maybe today we will see the wild ponies playing in the desert along the way :) ps. Faith is still not ready for her car rides to Dr H's yet. Guess she wants her private time with mom in the car?

10/11/2015

Pedigree: AmCH Autumnwind's Mr. Bumper Mcbear

Yay! The time has come.....What time you ask? The time to start taking Hope to the vet and gathering her progesterone levels :) Now what do we do with these? We determine when to breed her to Bumper http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=441550. This is getting exciting! I know some of you have called or written in the past year to ask about puppies and I told you to watch here for more info. Stayed tuned as I will keep you informed as to when I do the breeding and when I take Hope, then Faith into the vet for an ultrasound for pregnancy confirmation. If you or someone you know, are still interested in that new addition to your family, please let me know (you may call or write me here) so I can put you on the official wait list that I will be starting today for both girls. You can find the girls pedigrees and clearances at www.k9data.com and look up their names Hope's (Bama's Rockstar's Hopes And Dreams) or Faith's (Bama's Faith In Reaching Our Dreams). ps. Faith will probably be about 2 weeks behind Hope with her timing if she goes with past history. So if all goes along to MY plan, Hope's pups should be ready about the end of Feb/first of March and Faith's about 2 weeks later. Now remember I said that was my plan, not their's nor God's, ok? ;)

09/08/2015

Saw our pool guy today as he was leaving (and I'm hauling the delivered dog food into the garage). His comment to me was, "I see the dogs have really been enjoying the pool this summer." I also noticed his very large net is very full of very blonde dog hair too. So immediately I'm overcome with guilt for causing this man extra work. Then I realize that I pay him very well each and every month to come service our pool weekly. Plus I skim lots of dog hair out of it almost daily myself since I'm not too keen on swimming with all that hair floating around me. Now who was the bright person who insisted on the dogs just getting into the pool anytime they wanted? Oh yes, that would be my husband! He taught them while I was in VA. I asked him to wait just another week until I was home so I could teach them that they needed to be "invited" into the pool. So now they just go in whether we are in the pool or not. As Faith went swimming this morning right as we were leaving for Rick's Dr's appt. I guess Blondes really do have more fun! At least at our house they do :)

08/22/2015

Fergus Golden Retriever Survivor

Why, oh why, would anyone want to treat one of our loving Goldens in this manner? Brings me to tears to just imagine the horror this poor furbaby is having to go through!

A young Golden we named Fergus was brought into a shelter with burns down his back. Someone poured battery acid on him. This is his story of survival.

08/15/2015

Excuse me...has anyone seen my cape? LOL

08/06/2015

So so true!

06/29/2015

Spotted a shark in our pool! Took this picture about 2 weeks ago. Yesterday, she forgot she didn't have her vest on and got in the pool with Faith and us anyway. She is a fantastic swimmer! Both of them are, so the only way we have any peace in the pool is to make sure they are inside the house while we enjoy the pool.

05/22/2015

Rick and I are back in VA for daughter's wedding! Unfortunately had to leave Hope and Faith behind in AZ with a new sitter. The sitter came highly recommended and we interviewed her beforehand and found her highly qualified to handle our girls. We boarded our plane on Wed thinking all was well with our world. Had already recieved text from sitter thanking us for trusting her with our girls and me going, "Ahh, was that great!" After arriving in VA quite a few hours later, we receive another text with her asking if Faith has problems with her hips? HUH??? is my response in my head. I send her back the answer that her hips have been cleared by OFA and she is not to be walked, to please rest her and just keep an eye on her and let me know how she's doing in a few days. Now my mind is spinning out of control. What has Faith done to herself? Or is she eliciting sympathy since Mom and Dad are not home? ARRGGGHH These four legged children of mine are giving me grey hair! LOL Oh well, guess I'll just have to wait until I hear futher word or until Rick flies back next week. In the meantime, I have a wedding to attend and enjoy :)

05/10/2015

Happy Mother's Day! May your day be Golden

05/03/2015

10 Golden Retriever Facts That Will Make You Smile

Thanks for sharing this with us Pat Coffey Watters! Enjoy everyone, hope it brings a smile to your day :)

Cheezburger.com - Crafted from the finest Internets.

04/13/2015

Hope has been moping around the place for the past several weeks. She goes outside and stands on our patio and gazes into the yard and stares into the big hole that's been dug into "her playground". Now I have 2 x-pens wrapped around a small area of the patio and side yard so the girls will only have the option of going into the side yard once exiting the house. When we have the workers in the backyard, they leave the gate open and I really don't want the girls to be able to run free then or really at anytime right now, since I don't want them to get hurt during construction of our pool.
Faith, as always, doesn't seem to be at all bothered about her routined being upset. Nor that there's a big hole in her playground. She's just going with the flow right now. She goes down the side yard, does her business and looks for rocks to bring back in the house. (Lucky me!) But Hope sits forlornly on the patio and stares at that hole...and I'm thinking, am I going to have to get her therapy? Will she ever get in this pool when it's done? Or will she just throw herself in first chance she gets because she's so excited to be let back into her "playground" that she won't care there's water and I won't need her shark suit? I guess only time will tell! Stay tuned. And if you haven't seen the pictures of our pool construction and want to, just follow me personally (Carol Scott Machovec) on Instagram. :)

03/17/2015

Hope really has bad timing! Now I say that with love and sympathy as she is in heat again, but I will not be breeding her even though Dr Hudman told me it would be ok since her last litter was only 2 puppies and she is so healthy. Here's my problem, my baby girl (2-legged) is getting married on May 24th, Memorial Day weekend, in VA. If you look at your calendars and count out the weeks it's just too close to call when the puppies would be whelping and when I would be gone. Plus, I am planning on being in VA for approx 3-4 weeks! Not only am I going for the wedding, I am also planning on staying to visit with family and friends but will wait until my grandsons are out of school and then drive them back to AZ with me in our 2nd car that has been sitting in my parents' driveway since my last trip back in Sept. Rick will fly home directly after the wedding so we can release the dog sitter here. He has progressed enough that he and I both feel that he can take care of things alone (and with a few friends and neighbors nearby to help if needed).
I know that there are some of you that really had your hearts set on our next litter, but please realize that this is my youngest's wedding (and hopefully her only wedding!) and family does need to come first. Hope and Faith will come back in season later this year and I am planning on breeding both of them at that time. For those of you that were just not ready to commit yet, you still have time! But this will be your last time to get a Bama baby from me as I will be retiring after those 2 litters :(
While I'm in VA for those weeks in May/June and you would like to show off your Bama baby, let me know and we can schedule a day and time that works for both of us. Since I'm going to be out of my regular routine, I want to keep busy, so call, text or e-mail me and we can set something up! I'm not sure when the next time I'll be able to get back to VA.
Here's another question I wanted to pose to those of you that fly in and out of Dulles: Do you ever use a car service? If so, can you share that info with me please? I'm looking to have a service pick us up at the airport and take us to my parents' home in Clarke County where my car is parked.
Hope this finds everyone warming up and thawing out from your winter. Can't wait to get back to VA and see all the green! But here's only my request, could it please be at least in the 70's so I don't freeze? LOL

02/25/2015

I really need to get back into the habit of walking my girls daily now since in a few weeks we won't have much of a backyard for them to run around in and get their exercise. Soon we will have a giant hole dug in the middle of our yard and they will only have access to the side yard until the new pool is finished. Now aren't we like the most awesome parents to build our girls a pool? I even ordered Hope a life vest with a shark fin on the back since she's not real keen on swimming yet (they've gone swimming in Zoey's pool next door). Yes, Lisa Mason, I said Zoey's pool :) Faith loves swimming already so I'm hoping that Hope will soon get with the program after she sees Daddy and Mommy having such a great time in the pool with Faith that she just won't be able to stand it and want to jump in with her shark vest. I can hear the Jaws theme playing in my head now, can't you? LOL

02/08/2015

Katy Johnson, would you please send me a message either on this FB page or personally? I don't post $$ due to the fact that Bama Family members (you included) get a discount when returning. Plus I like to discourage those buyers who only shop for puppies based on price, they are more focused on the money and not the temperament and quality of the puppy. Money can always be worked out in the end, the other things can never be compromised on! Thanks so much :)

12/31/2014

As we close out 2014 and prepare for 2015, I wanted to take a moment and thank each and every one of you for coming here to check in to see what's been happening with our lives. Normally, I just post about our beloved 4-legged babies, but this year I shared a bit further and took you into the hospital and rehab unit with Rick. It was a very scary and uncharted area where I personally thought I would never find myself. We both thrived on the prayers and good wishes that were sent not only through this FB page, but by text, mail and phone for days, weeks and months. Thank you for keeping us going! He is still recovering and has a long road ahead. We don't know what the future will hold for us, but know that God has a plan and trust that plan.
In the meantime, we forge ahead with our last few litters with Hope and Faith this coming year, one each. I've already started their wait lists and if you want to be on one of them, please let me know! These will be the last litters that I will be producing. If you are thinking, "but she's in AZ now!" It's not hard to get your puppy back east, trust me! I've never steered you wrong yet, right? Hope's last female pup just went to VA. They were able to video chat with me to see the puppy while she was still here. Then her new daddy flew into Phoenix, picked her up (I had gotten her the proper paperwork for TSA from the vet's office) and flew home. I was told she was great passenger in her little bag and behaved wonderfully. I know that her new dad was a bit concerned, but once home he realized that all went so smoothly he said that he couldn't believe how great it went. And if you prefer not to fly and want to take a wonderful road trip, it only takes about 33 hours to get here :) Drive out and see the Grand Canyon with the family. That's only a few hours north of us. Or drive another 6 hrs west and see the Pacific Ocean.
Happy New Year's to everyone! I hope that 2015 is all that you want it to be. May it bring you happiness, peace and prosperity to you and your family. Thank you for being part of our Bama Goldens Family

12/25/2014

Merry Christmas to all our Bama Families. For those of you who may not be Christian, Happy Holidays! (Everyone who really knows me, realizes that I would never try to hurt someone's feelings but do try to tread carefully where religion is concerned. We are all God's children and are loved equally!)
I hope today that you find happiness and joy while you spend time with your loved ones both far and near. Whether it's sitting around the dinner table or on the phone having a wonderful chat. Remember to say "I love you" to each of them today. Give hugs when you can. We are very much like our dogs in the fact that we really do crave the human touch as it's very comforting and relaxing.
Also remember that's it's a big no no to feed your dog leftovers or treats from the dinner table. These tidbits can upset his tummy. He has come to rely on his regular dog food as his source of nutrients and when we add foods that are high in fats (like today's meals) they will disturb that balance. Plus that also teaches them to wait around the table for more food at other meals for more food or to expect leftovers more often. Just because our routines are mixed up for today, let's not mix up theirs :)
Love to all! Carol, Rick, Hope and Faith

12/19/2014

Unfortunately, there are not Christmas/Holiday cards going out this year. If I am able to get my act together, I'm hoping to put together something, perhaps a letter or photo card at the beginning of the New Year to send out to everyone. Things have been a bit tiring and I feel like I have been chasing my tail lately. Between calling, faxing and mailings with the doctors' offices, insurance companies, physical therapy company and Rick's employer I'm not really sure which end is up sometimes. Who needs what paper when and why! If people would only do their job when they say they would it sure would make our lives so much easier and less complicated, sheesh!
So because life is so complicated, I just decided I needed to uncomplicate other parts of our lives right now and the cards are always such fun to do but a big undertaking since I send out over 200 of them each year. That being said, I need to wait awhile until I have a clear mind and some free time to be able to focus on y'all. I love each and every one of our puppy families and wouldn't want to short change you. So thank you for still sending us your cards. They are bringing us many smiles and great cheer as we open them up each day. We love seeing the pictures and reading about what's going on your lives! And don't forget you can always post here on YOUR FB page to share photos and stories with everyone.

12/15/2014

Bama Goldens's cover photo

12/07/2014

Sure is quiet around here...wonder why? ;)

12/06/2014

The nest is now empty! Hogan has been picked up by his new mommy Tina Shenk. Here he is with her and his new daddy, Kirk. They brought a few days worth of rain from CA to AZ with them while they visited with us. Hogan will have several 4-legged siblings in his new home to learn from and play with once he arrives. When he's old enough, Kirk will test him out to see if he can qualify as a search and rescue dog, but Tina will be totally happy to just have him in her life. She dotes on her dogs and has never been away from them before. She did feel that Hogan was important enough that she left the others behind to come all this way to get him. (But do notice who is holding him in the picture!) Gotta love it!

11/30/2014

Hope's puppies turned 8 weeks old today and her pink female left with her new dad. He will be flying her back to VA tomorrow morning so she can be joining the McIvor family. Thank you Matt and Heather for adding Ellie to your lovely family! They also have Tullah who is a Savannah daughter as well as a handsome young son (6) and beautiful daughter (4). Ellie is going to really enjoy her new home :)

11/27/2014

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! As we all sit around our tables tomorrow with our family and friends, please take a moment to look each other in the eye and give thanks for that person being in your life. We all lead such crazy, busy lives and take so much for granted (and I for one am very guilty of doing this!) Then one day, p**f! That person you thought would always be there is gone, or perhaps not the man/woman they were before. So pass out those hugs and kisses. Drop all of those old hurts and close those wounds and let bygones be bygones. You're not hurting anyone but yourself. Live each day to the fullest and like it might be the last time you're going to see each other. Say "I love you!" And if those tears come, let them come, they are a good cleansing of your soul from God. Happy Thanksgiving from Hope, Faith, Rick and myself. (and from Ellie and Hogan too)

11/11/2014

Hope's babies were burning off some morning energies today while I took some great shots of them. Of course, these were the only ones that were not blurred from them running to and fro! They are a very active duo. Hogan actually went over to take a break beside Granddaddy's walker (they both think it's a great toy!) Both puppies look forward to going outside to potty now and I have very little cleanup in their pen. The little girl is further along in her potty training, but Hogan is catching up. Wouldn't be surprised if they are just about done with their training when they go home (but no promises, Moms and Dads!) They will be going to see the vet next week for their very first set of puppy shots. Thanksgiving is just around the corner and these little ones will be going home! Sniff Sniff

11/01/2014

It's our first Halloween in Arizona. Faith has been having the best time helping me answer the door tonight! Every time the doorbell rings, she runs to the foyer where I have the zig zag gate set up. Now she can't get any further than that, but she waits patiently while I walk thru the door of the gate, answer the door and pass out the candy. So many people (adults and children) say "awe, your dog is so cute!" I turn around and there she is poking her nose thru the wooden gate to try to say "hello" to everyone. Once I close the door, walk back thru the gate, she escorts me back thru the house where we've been hanging out until the bell rings again. Tonight, Faith and I both have been getting our exercise.
Hope is sleeping while her puppies are playing. I've checked on them several times and it seems that Hogan is getting beaten up by his sister quite a lot lately. She pins him down and stands over him. She even had him on his back tonight! I think he's going to be a marshmallow, Tina. Puppies are at the stage where they are getting their little legs under them now and trying to run. They are too funny! They are big enough to climb out of the whelping box but just haven't gotten brave enough to try it yet, thank goodness! For the time being they are contained where they are and I don't have to move them to a puppy pen.
All is well and I hope all of you had a wonderful Halloween and a great start to November! Fall is here :)

10/28/2014

Week 3 has brought a lot of changes. Puppies are moving a lot quicker, barking, and growing like weeds. Next week they will start going outside (I heard on the news that we will be down into the 70's!) Hogan is weighing in at 5 # 12.5 oz today and Pink female is now 5 # 2.5 oz. Just had confirmation this morning that our little girl is going to VA to live with one of our Bama families :) We don't have a name yet, but will keep you posted. So excited for both of these puppies and their futures!

10/24/2014

Am smiling and laughing already this morning, thanks to the puppies! After feeding the big girls, I went into the puppy room to give Hope fresh water and food, check on the puppies and clean out their box. Since their bedding was all discombubolated, I picked up the little girl to place her outside the box to clean it. Once she was in hands, she started howling! A full outright howl. And if that wasn't enough, Hogan started in to then be joined with Hope barking at my feet to "put her down now!" Faith standing outside the gate at the puppy room, then starts her barking to join in.
So, did I put her down? Nope, picked up Hogan and enjoyed the howling :) This means my little babies are growing up! I waited until they stopped and calmed down (which was really quickly) and then placed them on the fluffy outside the box and then fixed their box and placed them back into their familiar surroundings. But now Grammy Carol has a big smile and a happy heart for the remainder of the day. What a way to wake up. I kind of feel sorry for the rest of you that you don't get to experience these kind of things in life, because they are the best ever!