We made contact with Holly as a rescue dog through the Golden Retriever Club on 21-11-05. She was a 1 year old at the time we picked her up from her previous owner. Lack of exercise & overfeeding had pushed her weight up to 39Kg. Holly took to us immediately & to my daughters male Alaskan Malamute Stryder. Holly happily climbed into our car for the long trip home. Such is the friendly & trusting nature of the Golden, they would go off with just about anybody.

Holly went on 2 walks every day for three months but it was not until going onto Royal Canin Golden Retriever dog food that she started to lose weight a year later. She is now 31kg & is walked daily. Holly finds & brings the paper in every morning but unlike my previous dogs, would never think of running off.

Holly loved going to obedience training at Brush Park Dog Club & quickly climbed to the top of the grades. We could have gone onto trailing & kept collecting certificates & ribbons. However I wanted something else for her but didn’t know what to do.

Then I spotted an advertisement in Urban Animal for "Velma’s Pets as Therapy". After successfully completing the course Holly now brings happiness to elderly people in hostels, nursing homes & hospitals. She approaches everyone with a smile on her face & a wag of her tail. It’s a move that will melt anyone’s heart. Most heard comments are. "She’s almost human", "How could anyone think of hurting them", "They are a gift from God". Whilst out on visits I take the opportunity to tell people about the wonderful, unique nature of Goldens.

Holly has settled in to become one of the family & now lives a life full of fun & activity. I am 100% sold on Goldens with this being my first. She is the dog I would have loved to have as a child & without a doubt the best dog I’ve ever owned.

Neil Yakalis