Sunny Slope Goldens

25/04/2023

Our sweet Luna had to have an emergency spay last night. She unfortunately had a very bad case of pyometra and in these circumstances the life of our sweet mama will always be the priority. Her guardian family was wonderful and called me telling me she was off and worried about her. They did all the things I asked. They took her temperature (104.1 🥵) and sent me pictures of her discharge. 🦠

I called our wonderful local veterinary hospital Arrowhead Veterinary hospital and they stayed late and I told my guardian family to rush her in. It was also my youngest sons birthday and we were across town at his highschool shooting sports. So I met our sweet guardian family at the hospital. They were so heartbroken, but they did not one thing wrong. She’s alive and recovering and truly that’s all that matters. 🙏🏼

Breeding isn’t easy and I’m having my more than fair share of hurdles. I’m learning how to pivot and make different plans. But I’m still moving forward. Please don’t give up on me. while these setback have not got me where I want to be, I’m still here. And I’m still working at it.

02/04/2023

We have excellent news!! We have 3 filled spots on our waitlist and room for a few more. If you’re interested please reach out!!

02/03/2023

We’re so happy to help in the small ways we can. We love our local agricultural community!!

Special thanks to Sunny Slope Goldens for your wonderful donation. We appreciate your business supporting the youth.

02/03/2023

Isn’t this incredible. We’re so lucky to have this in our valley!!!

25/01/2023

started a challenge of highlighting a dog a day at the beginning of the year and I totally wanted to do it but, guys. I have 5 human kids. And they didn’t go back to school until January 9th!!! Crazy town. I might not be able to do a dog a day but I am going to highlight my dogs. And clearly I’m not punctual in January. But first we have Rusty. Rusty was acquired from he’s a Duke son and he’s been an absolute joy. His temperament is we describe him as buddy the elf in a golden retriever body. He’s our survivor and a living breathing miracle. He’s got the patience of a saint. He’s tall. Like tall enough he’s out of breed standard. We have him scheduled to be neutered in the beginning of February. I’m conflicted about it, because 60% of Golden’s die of cancer and there was asbestos in the building that caught fire that he was in. And when Goldens aren’t in tact their cancer rates increase and so does their weight. And I feel like I’m shortening his life. But. I’m going to make darn sure every day he has left on this earth he is happy. And that’s I do take that stewardship seriously. If you got one of his pups we’ve heard nothing but good things about their personalities. We love this big happy boy.

https://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=1082794

12/01/2023

20/11/2022

Check out this cool dog! If you have a HoneyXRugar2022 puppy this dog is their great grand sire! ❤️❤️

TGIF!

What better way to bring in the weekend then to tell the tale of Stanley 🐾

Owners John and Janice Gunn

FC AFC OTCH, Cdn FTCH AFTCH MOTCH TNT’s Stanley Steamer, UDX, OS, FDHF, OBHF, Cdn MH JFTR, WCX FDHF, ODHF (June 17, 2001-January 7, 2017 – 16 years old)

In his lifetime Stanley achieved title combinations that no other Golden has ever accomplished. Incredibly Stanley achieved all major titles by 5 years old: FC AFC, FTCH, AFTCH, MH and the highest in obedience Am. OTCH, Cdn MOTCH,

Not only was he talented, he showed great desire to work and to please, a real team player. Janice ran Stanley through-out his derby career and he became the top derby Golden and made the US National derby list. At 3 years old he won his first US field trial Open with John, and Janice handled him to his Cdn Open win. He competed at the 2007, 2008. 2009 US Amateur field trial Nationals, and multiple Cdn Field Nationals. John was his main handler in the field and Janice concentrated on Stanley’s competition obedience career and his Master Hunter title. Not only did he excel in the field but Stanley was a multi-200 OTCH obedience dog. Stanley was a dream come true!

Stanley, you were one incredible dog. Thank you for sharing your life. 🐾🦆

31/10/2022

I guess I need to make this Facebook official.

When you get a pet. You know you’re going to outlive them. You don’t know how long you’ll get to love them. My kids do 4H animals steers and hogs and they come to the farm with a known expiration date. But dogs are different. They don’t come with an expiration date. In being the mom to my kids with their 4H animals we talk a lot about treating each animal with dignity so that when their time is up you can hold your head high.

I haven’t made an announcement here yet, but I have on my Instagram and my personal page. Our family was on vacation in Yellowstone and on Monday October 17th we got a phone call that the facility we were boarding our animals at had caught fire. We drove home as quickly and safely as we could. Our sweet Pippa didn’t make it. Her little lungs were to damaged from smoke. Our older golden girls, Nessie, Mona and Honey were in rough shape from smoke inhalation but they had a good bit of fight in them. Our big oversized Rusty boy was also rough but resilient.

We brought our Rusty boy home and we’re taking his recovery seriously. He’s improving and seems shaken but getting better daily.

We tried to give our golden girls a fair shake. They fought and we did too. We really wanted a different outcome. But when the fight became to much and it enmeshed with us starting to ask to much of them because their fight had dwindled we let them go with God.

We know they were loved fiercely. We thought we’d be able to love them until they were old Goldie ladies. But it wasn’t in the cards. We buried them in our back field. Our family is gutted. We do have our guardian dogs, but these were our house and family pets. Our guardian dogs, while we love them, they are their families loved pets.

I think we all know we’re going to outlive our dogs. The best we can do I make sure they have a lifetime of good days and one bad day. Really a dogs only fault is they don’t live long enough.

We’ve had people ask if I’ll continue to breed. And I will. I’ve had a few breeders reach out interested in how they can help me. And when the time is right I plan on accepting their graciousness. While this is a major setback and we need to recover emotionally and financially, we plan on moving forward with time.

My community has been absolutely phenomenal. They held a flashlight vigil, and lit up the Loma “L” on the mountain. There has been a yard sale which made a nice dent in our dogs medical bills and people have been donating to my Venmo and a friend even set up a go fund me. We have not mourned alone for even a minute. We’ve had people bring food and dinners and even the Fruita FFA chapter put together a basket for the dogs in hopes of them recovering. Rusty boy will enjoy all those goods to himself now. We have a chili dinner with a silent auction coming up from the new kennel club. You don’t hear about all the good people of this world on the news but they are among us.

I’ve been so busy with the dogs and our kids and our farm that I’ve not even dared to add managing a website to my plate. But with some spare time I guess it’s time to learn a new skill. I plan on working on one this fall while we watch Rusty recover.

At this time we plan on neutering him when he’s healthy enough. He’s earned his place at our table and will retire here at our home. We’re so grateful for him and his larger than life personality. He’s been our biggest champion as we navigate our families loss.

If I can give any advice, just love your dogs enough that when they go, you know they knew they were loved. Goldens really are the best breed there is. Now that I’ve lost so many I can’t imagine any other dog. And I can’t wait to fill my home with their doofy derpy personalities again. But In the meantime I have work to do that Sunny Slope Goldens can rise from the ashes and shine.

Thank you for loving us through our heartbreak.

Stay tuned.

29/09/2022

Oh, our Nessie girl is in need of a new home. Sometimes you have to do what’s best for your dog and not what’s best for you and this is where we find ourselves. She should really be in an only dog home. She’s house trained, crate trained, she’s a Cadillac in public. She’s great with kids, I have 5. She has a few requirements, including being the only dog (at least for now). She is up to date on vaccines, dewormed, ready to go. She is not spayed yet, so we would consider a breeder who was wanting to just get started. She’s had one litter of pups, and was a great mom and her pups had fantastic temperaments. Please reach out via text / call 801-814-1451 👍🏻
•••

25/09/2022

This little lady is the last gal needing a family. She’s the sweetest!

16/09/2022

Which one of these cute gals should be a part of your family? Dm for details! They’re amazing!!

22/08/2022

All of our HoneyXRuger puppies made their way to their new families. Every single “Gotcha Day” was incredibly special. I love watching people make that first connection with their new little one. It’s always instant love. I just wish I wasn’t so awkward when people cry. I never know what to do! I’ll work on it! 🤪. This litter was by far my most educational litter. I sit back in Awe at what an education that litter gave me. I learned every single time I turned around with this one. The AKC, the Utah county law enforcement, breeder friends, so many hands involved. That was one for the books. I’ll tell you what though, everyone has reached out and told me how wonderful their puppies are. And that is the best ever.

08/08/2022

Say it louder for the people in the back!!

03/08/2022

These 3 gals need homes. They’re crate trained, vaccinated, and ready for names and families. They’re used to kids and dogs and their instincts are amazing. Already fetching and bringing back to the hand. When they see chickens in the farmyard they show promise of being great flushers. Very social, smart and fun. Definitely on the petite side. Reach out if you’ve had any interest.

26/07/2022

Let’s find these gals homes. If you’re interested please reach out.

27/06/2022

I updated my Instagram with availability. Please check there for updates.

23/06/2022

HoneyXRugar2022. Quite possibly the most stressful yet educational litter of my life. Rugar was bred to Honey back in March. And then shortly afterwards he was seized by the authorities because his owner had him and 82 other dogs in deplorable living conditions. When I met Rugar he was clean and there were zero red flags. His breeder was phenomenal and fought tooth and nail to have Rugar returned to him and is rehabilitating him. Rugar has a phenomenal pedigree which is why I sought him out. He’s a grandson of Stanley Steamer which is incredible! He’s only 2 1/2 and he’s already a senior hunter. He’s absolutely legit. The AKC and I have been corresponding literally every day since he was seized. And I’ve learned more than I’ve ever planned to. But that is part of this business. Learning times infinity. Long story short I will be able to paper these puppies and they will be phenomenal dogs. However the papers likely won’t come until after the puppies head home. I’ll have to mail them out as they arrive. This litter is one that we’re keeping a female and my son is going to get started on his own gal and program. Their COI is 0.01%!! I have availability for 4 females out of this litter of 9. Literally they’ll be able to go any direction. Rugar is a dog worth honoring for sure. I’m so delighted to keep a girl for our program. Limited registration only full is up for discussion. Rugar had preliminary OFA’s that came back with excellent hips. And Honey has OFA good hips, normal elbows, heart, eyes, thyroid and is genetically clear. Both parents are titled. Support ethical and responsible breeders. If everyone did that there would truly be no need for shelters.

I have availability on females.

05/06/2022

Our last Guardian female Sweet Kimber! Kimber is our HoneyXTeddy keeper girl between Teddy and Honey’s good genetics and even better OFA scores we kept this girl absolutely excited to better the breed. She is exciting. And I’m really excited to see what she’ll add to our program. She’s still quite young. But in a couple years she should be supplying us with the best of the best! Her guardian family is adorable and they just love her. She’s living her best life. I love the guardian program. It really lets them be pets first and breeding dogs second.

03/06/2022

Sir Walter! He needs an introduction on this page. He’s one of our up and coming stud dogs. He’s in our guardian program, and his guardian family is delightful and they are getting him so well trained. He’s not huge. He is genetically clear and we haven’t gotten to his preliminaries but they’ll be coming shortly. He’s one to watch. He’s got the most chill personality. He’s just all around super cool!

21/05/2022

And then there were two! The last of the LunaXRocky litter. Let’s find them their forever families!!

21/05/2022

Another clinic had made this and it is well worth the read and a share!

Dear Dog Owners,

This week I have seen post after post after post on the veterinary social media pages about the struggle with larger breed dogs that are undisciplined and fearful and trying to bite at staff and veterinarians. Half of the posts stated that they, the vet, were going to stop seeing any large breed dogs, some of them said that they were going to fire all clients who had dogs that were not well controlled, others said that they were starting to refuse service to dogs that growled or tried to bite or got freaked out when they tried to examine them. Clients, this is a huge problem and it is your problem and let's be real, it is your fault.

Dogs are NOT children or humans and we need to stop treating them like they are. They are animals! They do not learn by being coddled and babied and allowed to get away with whatever they feel like doing. It does not work that way in the animal kingdom. If you are a little s**t of a dog your mom or some older dog is going to bite your head off to teach you! Once that puppy leaves its mom, you now become the teacher and trainer of what is and what is not acceptable behavior and if you don't, you and you alone are ruining your dog!

Dogs need discipline! They are like your kids! They need you to teach them, to train them, to discipline them so they learn what is and what is not acceptable. I can not tell you the number of times I have been in an exam room and a dog is growling at me and the owner does nothing. In fact, often times they pull back from the dog and they always get that sheepish look and often will say, “he doesn’t bite.” The hell he doesn’t bite! He is a dog, he bites and he is going to bite me because you have not shown him who is boss and he has no fear of humans and he has no idea that being a jerk is not allowed.

Please, if you love your dog, do your job and discipline them, train them, show them the proper way to behave and make sure they know that being a jerk gets them in trouble. If you do not, you will not be able to find a vet to help them when they are in need and that will be your fault and not the vets fault. No where in our oath does it say that we have to subject ourselves to being bitten by someones dog because they treated it like a human and felt sorry for it and never disciplined it and so it now has no respect for humans and bites. If you don’t start being a responsible pet owner, your dog is not going to be seen and you do not want that to happen.

Do not let your dog be the top dog in your house! It is not fair to them and it is not fair to us in the veterinary profession when we have to fear for our safety in order to try and help them when they are sick.

Teach them to be nice, take them to uncomfortable places, make sure they know that humans are the big dog in the relationship, that does not mean you beat them that means you show them that you are the boss by not allowing them to be jerks and get away with behaviors that they shouldn’t. Your dogs life and health depend on you being a good dog owner and raising them to be good dogs.

Sincerely,
Dr Debbie and Every Vet

20/05/2022

Meet Marley!! She’s one of our keeper girls from our HoneyXTitan litter. While her face favors her dad, her personality definitely favors her mom. She’s sweet and her guardian family is amazing. She’s genetically clear and her other health testing is up coming. She’s just a year old and isn’t quite ready for our breeding program. But she will be next year.🤞🏼 But for now she’s just enjoying being a pet, playing in the ditch and finding burned fields to roll in so she can get bathed all too frequently. Which is mighty convenient because her guardian family has a groomer in their family!! 😉

20/05/2022

This is coming to Grand Junction.

https://northamericadivingdogs.com/Event/info/eventid/3863?fbclid=IwAR3NinwMBN2k61H2WZz_UFJT2fOCCeH-op_TscXbwDYuqZZ-lNKY_q5uZyk

If you’ve got a guardian dog from Sunny Slope Golden’s let’s talk. I’d love to see you and your dogs there!!

Details about this event

18/05/2022

We sure LOVE gotcha days around here!! As puppies head home we’re so grateful for each family that has now become friends. I love that a perk is meeting the most wonderful and good people. We’re truly blessed.

17/05/2022

Let’s talk about Scarlett. Scarlett is our keeper girl from our WinterXTitan2021 litter. She is in our guardian program with an adorable family. She’s Luna’s half sister. We kept her because when we sent in her genetic panel she was clear, and she has good structure and was quite confident. All things that are important for a future momma! We love her and while she looks so fluffy, she’s indeed on the petite side. Her guardian family is doing beautifully with her. They spoil her. She’s allowed on the couches at her home but when she comes to stay here we give her some pretty tough boundaries. 🤪 But she totally adapts. Also I’m totally biased but isn’t her face just gorgeous! Her dad is quite Stunning. So it’s no surprise she’s a looker for sure!

16/05/2022

Last of the LunaXRocky2022 litter. Only males. Let’s get these dudes their forever families. DM for more information.

13/05/2022

It’s Sunny Slope Goldens “Family Friday”. Leave a picture or post your puppy/dog in the comments. I’d love to see how they’re all doing and growing.

13/05/2022

Mona! Let me tell you about Mona. If you’ve ever loved a golden retriever from a movie or a Tv show…. Mona is my Golden to follow. She’s quiet, she’s calm, she is affectionate, and she really has been a joy to raise. She’s only a year old so she hasn’t quite made it into the breeding program. But even my trainer just today said, ”She’s just so easy to teach everything.” And she really is. Her temperament is about as cool as you can get and it definitely is the stereotypical golden temperament she’s legit the easiest golden I’ve ever raised and she’s a Cadillac in public. She goes with my boys to the gun range and come around town with me all the time. If you see us make sure you say Hi!