Many of us know the famous story about the “year without a Santa Claus,” but, for the Olsons, this Christmas might have been the year without a 
golden retriever. For us, our first golden retriever, Kayla, was brought home as a puppy on. . . wait for it . . .Christmas Eve 2001. This Christmas would have been our 21st with a golden retriever, finally able to drink alcohol around Kayla and Sandy.
Alas, it wasn’t to be, as Sandy’s work was done after 
15 ½ years of being a truly wonderful companion. Fortunately, we would have my brother’s Goldens, Sika and Spirit, joining us in Everett with all the family. (More on this later.).
Some of you know that we have been working with Golden Bond Rescue out of Oregon to find the perfect fit for another golden to join our family. Many of their dogs come from meat markets and high-kill shelters in China and South 
Korea, and thus not the best fit for our two cats and two rabbits. After looking into a 
couple of pups, we resolved to wait until after the holidays to introduce a new pup to our family. It’s key to note that our initial thinking was that we wanted a younger female spayed dog for our next family member. God has a sense of humor.
Then an e-mail came in the middle of a meeting on Friday, December 2nd from Golden Bond Rescue. They were looking for an immediate foster to adopt family for two 
goldens, male and female, that were most likely dumped in SW Washington. In true Karl 
and Michelle fashion, our response was quick, mutual, and basically . . . . why not? Let’s do it. So, on December 7th, off we went, with Tanner along, to Oregon to get the dogs and meet up with our oldest daughter Savannah at the vet clinic. An interesting note is that the veterinary clinic we picked the dogs up from was about 2 miles from where we first met two of our three children in Beaverton, Oregon. I’ll let you determine the meaning behind that.
So, our younger, female, spayed golden retriever 
morphed into middle aged, unaltered, male and female golden retrievers with various signs of neglect, tick-borne illnesses, long -term ear infections, and a few other items to work through. They also are what my father (expert of all that is golden retriever) described as the 
“perfect fit for our family.” As you can see in the pictures, they have truly found their place and are now finally at rest after living in the woods, over-breeding, and who knows what else. In many ways, rescue tends to be in our nature, from rescue rabbits, houses, boats, cats, dogs, and children.
As I reflect upon this further, they all serve to rescue both Michelle and me and provide us the many stories that make up our lives.
This Christmas begins another chapter in our life story. Theodore (Teddy) and Rose (Rosie) will be formally adopted soon and are home for another golden Christmas. Oh, I promised to get back to my brother’s goldens visiting for Christmas. Well, the weather threw a wrench into that one, and he and Toni need to stay in Ponderosa, but are set to have a festive Christmas with their own wonderful golden retrievers and friends.
To view SPIRITLIFTER XII -MEMORIES OF SANDY – click here
ahhh!!! what a beautiful story Karl and Michelle thanks for sharing
So happy for you all!
Karl and Michele, I couldn’t be happier for you guys and for Molly and Morgan. It’s a wonderful life for you all and thank you for sharing it with us. patsy
Yay! Love the heart and humor and joy in this story. What lucky dogs! And such great pictures. Still making me smile. Cora says, and I agree heartily: Can’t wait to meet our new four-legged neighbors! Congrats, and thank you for sharing!