Wilkerson's Golden Retrievers

The last puppy left Friday evening.  We're feeling a mixture of sadness and relief - though possibly leaning more towards relief.  This is such a different experience from the last litter, when we kept a puppy (Woody).  Now, we're just back to normal.  Except our basement stinks.

I've asked all the new puppy parents to keep in touch and send pictures.  Here's a last update (for now!) on everyone.

Pink Girl's new name is Chloe, and she lives in Augusta, GA with my sister- and brother-in law, Laura and Matt.  Laura has loved our Nelli from the beginning and wanted a puppy of her own so badly.  Nelli's first litter arrived about 4 months prior to her wedding to Matt, so the timing wasn't the best.  Everyone agrees Chloe was worth the wait.



Blue Boy, a.k.a. Ace, lives in Auburn, AL with Chase and a yellow lab puppy named Charlie.  I imagine they wear each other out with their endless energy.  I also imagine that Chase has never had an easier time getting dates, walking this guy around campus.  Poor Ace looks bewildered in this photo - probably the ugly Auburn collar.  Should have written that into the contract. :)  Chase has invited us to see Ace whenever we're in Auburn - guess Jeff finally found a way to get me to want to go to Auburn!



Good thing Green Boy was our fluffiest, because he went to live in Iowa.  We look forward to seeing Cash (Ben liked my name!) for an annual Thanksgiving playdate/family reunion.  That's our Nelli and Woody, plus Ben's Cash, plus Laura and Matt's Chloe, plus the dad, Colby, and Lilly from the first litter (both Mike's).  Full house at the Wilkersons'!

Orange Boy (Tanner) moved to Charlotte, NC and will be a surprise graduation gift for Toni's fiancee.  Til then, he lives with her and her golden, Teddy, who I'm certain he terrorizes to no end.

Our last pup to leave was Red Girl, Ellie, on Friday night.  She now resides in Eastman, GA with my college friend, Chris, and his family - which includes a 3 1/2 year old boy and an almost one-year-old girl.  Fiesty little Ellie was a handful by herself - best of luck, Melissa!  With her drive and already-developed retrieving abilities, Ellie is going to make an excellent hunter.

Purple Boy is the only pup who stayed geographically close to us. M'Gras (after Mardi Gras, the day when they were born!  Awesome name!!) lives about 5 minutes down the road with friends from our church.  We were lucky enough to see him on Saturday at a crawfish boil, where he stole the hearts of everyone in attendance.



First to leave, Rainbow Girl, a.k.a. Piper, live in Gainesville, GA with her new family that includes little Landon.  I never thought there was anything cuter than our puppies, but pairing them with a little boy really ups the adorableness!  Piper will be doing a lot of hunting with her new dad.

And finally, our pick of the litter turned out to be our last born.  Black Boy (Tank) left for a long drive to Delaware.  His new dad reports that he did awesome in the car ride, and is adjusting to life with his older sisters, Chelsea (a yellow lab) and Josie (a fellow golden - who, according to this picture, he is no longer speaking to?) very well.