Pets add so much to our lives, and my golden retriever has enriched my world so very much.

I'll never forget the first time I saw her. My husband, daughter, and I had gone to the breeder's to pick out our new puppy. It was Christmastime, and there they were--nine fluffy little golden retriever puppies. All adorable, all four weeks old. I thought there was no way we were going to be able to pick out just one--I was in love with all of them! But as we sat on the floor in the family room, getting to know the little scamps, I noticed one little puppy had hidden behind a chair. She was smaller than the rest, and was peeking out from time to time, before scooting back to safety. Of course, I had to know more about the shyest puppy there, and so did my husband and daughter. We coaxed her out from her hiding place, and got her to sit on our laps. Once there, she did not want to leave. So we began to wonder.... is she the one meant for us? A week later, we went back to visit the puppies again. As soon as we arrived, the shy little puppy came out of hiding, made a beeline for us, and climbed onto our laps. The decision was made--she had chosen us as surely as we had chosen her. We named her Regan--it means queenly, or reigning queen, and that suited her well.

We took Regan home when she was nine weeks old. We sat up with her, nights, when she missed her mama and littermates too much to sleep. We've attended puppy obedience classes with her, {now, those were a riot} vacationed with her, logged countless miles walking with her, and cared for her when she was sick. She's my constant companion when I am writing, and a big buddy to everyone else in the family, as well.

These days, she is a very outgoing personality. At thirteen and a half, she has a little white on her face, and arthritis in her gait, but her spirit remains indomitable. When I look in her eyes, I know how much love there is in this world of ours...

The enclosed photos are three of my favorites. The first was taken when Regan was a year old, enjoying the wonder of her very first snowfall. The second, snapped a year or so later, is Regan relaxing on her favorite place on the deck, while watching over the newly planted tomatoes, and her backyard. The third was taken recently, and shows Regan curled up contentedly on her cushion, napping, while I write nearby.

Regan is the inspiration for many of the retrievers in my books. And she is also the reason I wrote, A COWBOY UNDER THE MISTLETOE….a story about the wonder of Christmas, and the miracles that can occur, when we open our hearts.

Happy reading,

Cathy Thacker