Growing up we always had golden retrievers as our family dog. They are so sweet and gentle and just the best loving companions. About 6 years ago after we got married, we got a new Golden Irish retriever puppy named Charlie. Her mom was an Irish Setter and her dad was a Golden. She was so silly and wiggly and sloppy, we would call her “sloppy floppy” because you could do anything with her and her ears were floppy, she was so content just being with you. She had some very funny habits, she would steal your laundry but never destroy it, she would just hold it in her mouth and wiggle her whole body and stare at you until you gave her pets. She was the best dog and my kids loved on her so much. The beginning of 2022 her health took a turn for the worst. We took her on a fun hike next to our house called Colby Trail. She had the best time and was her happy self. However, the next morning was a different story, she wouldn’t get up to greet us and just laid there, sitting down with her eyes closed, no wag in her tail. Her belly looked bloated and we checked her gums which were a bit pale. We immediately called the vets office and they got her in right away. Something was severely wrong but we thought they could fix it. We had no idea the drive we took with her would be our last moments spent together. They called us shortly after and said she was bleeding internally, she had a mass that ruptured on her spleen and she didn’t have much time left, no surgery would help her. That was the worst gut wrenching and painful phone call. We picked up our kids from school and went to the vet where she was wheeled out on a cart and we had to say our goodbyes.