Hi Rhonda,
 
Beatrice has blossomed in ways I could only have imagined in the three months we’ve been together.  She’s developed an incredible trust in me and an inseparable bond has formed between us, but she has separation anxiety whenever I leave her at home for brief periods (to go out for dinner or to the health club) – she isn’t destructive, but noticeably distressed when I return.  Some intense TLC always brings her back around.  We spend a lot of time together and Beatrice goes everywhere with me, except to work.  Beatrice happily goes to day care while I’m at work and is a staff favorite – they call dibs each day on who gets to walk Beatrice.  Beatrice loves to go for long walks and last week we ventured into the woods several times for a three mile hike.  Beatrice’s gentle, affectionate and devoted temperament is absolutely wonderful - she’s truly a joy to be with.  She’s completely content whenever she’s with me and sleeps quietly throughout the night on the floor in the bedroom. 
 
We just finished a six week basic obedience class and begin an intermediate obedience class in two weeks.  The training track we’re on is for Canine Good Citizen Certification with the ultimate aim for Therapy International Certification.  Beatrice loves to learn and responds extraordinarily well to praise and treats so it makes training fun for both of us.  We’re almost done with another six week introductory class for agility and performance work.  Beatrice is doing extraordinarily well and has become quite the performer learning to circle traffic cones and move over/under obstacles off leash and on command.  I’m unsure how far we’ll go with the agility series of classes, but plan to begin the first class early this summer.  Beatrice shows no interest in tennis balls or toys of any kind, but that may change as I keep trying to engage her. 
 
I’ve continued feeding the Life's Abundance food and NuVet supplements you recommended and ardently believe in the products. 
 
Beatrice is still the sweet and ever so gentle little girl I brought home on December 8th – she’s truly everything I wanted and more than I hoped for in a companion animal.  It was very apparent to me when I began the adoption process and when we first met that Beatrice held a special place in your heart.  As you will recall I was overcome with emotion when you helped Beatrice into my car at the Park in Decorah and I gave you a hug as we said goodbye.  It was at that moment that I felt an enormity of responsibility for the privilege you had bestowed upon me.  I knew Beatrice was special, but had no idea just how special she would become and how she would capture my heart.  Thank you for the all the work you did with Beatrice to prepare her to live with me.  Above all, thank you for the trust and confidence you placed in me to care for and nurture Beatrice  – it’s an honor for which I am forever grateful.  The two of you have changed my life in a very profound way.
 
Warmly,

Michael Tobis

​ We just wanted to say thank you to Rhonda and Stephanie! We have had our Georgie for one week and she has already become a part of our family. You picked the perfect pup for us! She does so well in our active house of 5 young children. She isn't fearful of the different noises around our house. She is playful with the kids and our 2 year old golden. She wishes the cat would play with her too:) After she has had fun she settles right down for some cuddles. In fact she melts in our arms. She soaks up the love and returns it with grunts and kisses. We can tell that Georgie had been handled a lot as a puppy. Imprinting, what a wonderful thing you do at Snitker Goldens!

Thank you for welcoming us into your home when we picked her up. Sitting down with you and getting all of the puppy information was so helpful. Thank you for taking time to answer all of our questions. We also love the bag of goodies you send home, especially the blanket. Georgie really loves it and sleeps with it everynight. What a wonderful idea of sending that with the pups. It had to be so comforting to have her first homes scent on it.

Thank you for the opportunity to adopt a Snitker Golden! We love our Georgie!
Tracy and Mayo Fottral family

We always knew after we adopted our first Golden we named Chance from Snitker Goldens that we wanted another. Specifically from sweet Elise. Timing and life made this happen a bit later than we hoped. Four years later we just brought Chances sweet little sister home, Clara. As you can see by this picture they immediately showed love for each other. Chance showing his gentle spirit and patience with his new little sister made it all worth the wait. They adore each other and while she has been here only a few days she already sits, shakes and follows her brother out for potty time.  Chance and our new addition Clara are absolutely a direct result of all the work your family puts into your puppies. Unbelievably happy we all are. Completely grateful for both of them.

​Thank you for all you do. The Trainors ​

Dear Stephanie and Rhonda,

We've had Nutmeg (Miss Pink from Silas/Elise Fall 2014) for almost two months now. She's as sweet as ever. She settled right in here and makes everyone in our house smile and laugh everyday. She has a lot of energy for play and walks. Thankfully she has our 3 year old golden to play and burn off energy with. They can really go at it and she is not intimidated by his larger size at all. They pretty much bonded instantly, and we love watching them play and snuggle together. They even share bones together, each chewing on one end at the same time. I will include some recent pictures of them sleeping cozy together. Where he goes, she follows, and I think he loves all the adoration.

Nutmeg also likes exploring our backyard and is content to spend twenty minutes or so outdoors by herself, just sniffing things and sometimes just sitting and watching things. She comes pretty reliably when I've decided she's had enough. We take a walk every day for 30 to 60 minutes. She hasn't yet mastered heeling perfectly by my side, but we will work on that when it gets a little warmer. I see the walks now as time to relax, have fun, and meet other people and dogs. To an observer of our walks, she can often be seen chasing leaves and finding buried grass clumps in the snow, romping wildly when she gets one, and getting all tangled around my back legs from going back and forth so much. Always a fun time on walks! But really, they are a highlight of my day and boy does she get happy when she hears her leash jingle.  

I'm amazed by how Nutmeg can go from high energy to gentle, snuggle mode in a snap. This gives me high hopes for someday training her to be a therapy dog. I have taken her to visit my kids' classrooms twice and she was a perfect angel... sitting well and allowing all of the children to give her pets and hugs. I never worry about her biting/mouthing children, like I did with my other golden. She does have a need to chew, but chews on bones and toys. We've used bitter apple spray to deter chewing on furniture and it's worked like a charm. 

We started our puppy obedience class last week. This trainer is very focused on socialization. Nutmeg has no problem with that! She was a star student. I really enjoyed the time with just her to work on commands. She knows sit, down, and come. I need to work harder with her on stay and leave-it. Oh, one really nice thing about Nutmeg is that she rides wonderfully in a car. She sits so nice in the front passenger seat. I take her with me to a lot of places. It's so much fun to have a companion! 

One thing I haven't mentioned yet is how much we love her. We can't imagine life without her now. She's the best puppy we've ever had and we're thrilled to be the family she gets to grow up with. Thank you for giving her to us! 

Sherry 

(Mya - 2014 Fall Elise/Silas)
(Riley - 2014 Spring Elise/Roman)

Mya has been an absolute joy to have in our family. She responded to her name within 3 days. By 1 week we were confident she knew her name. With Riley it took a bit longer, so it was a joy to see her respond so fast. In the beginning, Mya was a little timid since Riley was a bit rough, but she LOVED having Riley to play with and now plays with Riley without running for cover. She's 4 months now and weighing 35ish lbs. Riley is almost 1 year old, on March 6th, and is weighing in at a solid 85 lbs.
 
Like you all said in Mya's (Miss Teals) write up she ALWAYS comes when called, can sit, drop, and stay already. She listens very well, unless she's distracted with Riley. She loves meal time! Personally, I can't tell you how much I love that she's a cuddler. That's what Bailey, our first dog, would do ALL THE TIME! We didn't know how much we missed it until we got Mya. She struggles sometimes with walking on one side, but of course, we work on that when walking. I do have to remember that she's only 4 months old sometimes.
 
I know Rhonda will love hearing this: since bringing Mya home Riley's attitude and personality has changed for the better. She disliked snuggling, being pet (unless it was on her time), or wanting to always be outside before Mya. Now, she's all about snuggling with all of us, making sure she gets some belly rubbing, and personal time with her. She is still very independent, but has developed into such a lover now.
 
I told my parents that the training put into both of these dogs AMAZES me! The imprinting trainig shown in both makes me not want to purchase another dog from any place but Snitker Goldens. You're family has won us over!
 
Love - Mya and Riley's Family

Dear Rhonda,

Jeff and I just wanted to take some time to say thank you for all that you do with these puppies.  It's obvious that you pour your heart and soul into these dogs!  Ace is highly intelligent and catching on very quickly.  He knew a lot before he even got here.  He is now house trained and goes to the door when he needs to go out!  He knows basic commands-sit, stay, down,come.  He sits for his food and waits for "ok".  He now sleeps through the night in his crate.  We put a sound machine out for him that plays ocean waves and it worked!  He's my little cuddlier which I just love!  He's been a joy to have since he's been here!  He is thriving!!!  He loves romping in the snow and chewing his bones!  Hope you enjoy the pictures!  Thanks again for all that you do for these dogs!  They truly are awesome!


Ace and Family