I first learned about Golden Retrievers from my brother’s 4-H dog leader. She believed that all families should start out with a Golden Retriever. Two years later, and old enough to start in 4-H, I got my first dog. She was a Golden/Irish Setter mix. I called her the appropriate name of Carmel... We enjoyed four years of 4-H and fun together and then sadly my Family and I moved into the city and I had no choice but to find a home for Carmel. I didn't get my next dog for four more years. Then for my sixteenth birthday I bought my first purebred Golden, but unfortunately I knew nothing of good breeding or why to breed. I bought her from a breeder who was just breeding to make money. I loved her and since I had wanted to get a male and there weren’t any! I still named her John Wayne! I learned a great deal from John. Then I am sorry to say with no experience and no mentor I decided to breed her. Thankfully I met up with Dr Gerald Lewis from the Pend O’reille Veterinarian Service. He turned me toward OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) and I also discovered many other health clearances. Well, believe it or not John Wayne passed all of her clearances and I went on to breed her twice. But after reading the Golden Retriever Standard (AKC) I found that she didn’t quite match up! There is a reason (believe it or not) for the standard! It is to make real breeders into true ambassadors for the Breed. A true Breeder should always strive to breed the very best that they can. And one of these goals if not the main one is to keep installed in the Retriever, the retriever part! And unfortunately John wouldn’t even chase a stick let alone a ball! And she avoided puddles and creeks at all costs! Although a finicky dog she did still have the wonderful personality we so love in the golden. Even with her great personality I decided to spay her anyway. She was spayed and placed in a home with two wonderful little boys. I did take John into the show ring! Which was funny and of course she didn’t place in at all!
It wasn't till 1998 that I bought my first Heart Dog "Jami Arness" Who really is the Foundation girl for DoubleTake Goldens. Everything about her is my goal in a Golden! My Dad, Sister & I drove all the way to Ridgecrest California in 120 degree weather with no air conditioner to pick up the most Gorgeous girl puppy! I thank Christine Geasland for giving me this opportunity. Jami was the most wonderful dog I have ever owned although the greatest Houdini ever to exist! Beautiful, smart, gentle and sensitive she was everything I wanted in a golden and more. She had only two litters and she passed on all of her wonderful qualities. I miss her so much! May she rest till I see her again.....
Members in good standing with the Golden Retriever Club of America & Inland Empire Golden Retriever Club