We found a breeder with 2 litters of Golden Retrievers, a hunting line, and a show line but only 1 puppy is available out of 13. When my kids and I went into the shed where the puppies were housed, they all ran to the fence, wagging their tails and yipping at us. One puppy sat back, bigger than the rest, redder than the rest, and that smiling puppy was the one. The breeder thought he would make a good therapy dog. When we took him into the yard to visit with him, he immediately ran under a bush, into the shade. I thought maybe he would be too mellow for us but my kids were instantly in love. That puppy became the heart of our family, grew up at the baseball fields, and 100 lbs later he continued to believe he was a lap dog. We nicknamed him Clifford, the big red dog. He loved us, all food, walks, well smelling everything and a little walking, and all people. He was with us for a wonderful 12 years. Saying goodbye to him is one of the saddest times of our lives.