The First Human Bond

It was a pretty happy day for two duck hunters as we headed out on the two and a half hour drive to pick up my partner’s new golden retriever puppy. She was being flown in that morning and we had to pick her up at the airport.

When we got there, she was ready and he was the first to open the cage, let her out and of course cuddle her. It was when we climbed into the van and headed back home that things changed a little.

He was driving. Guess who held onto the puppy for the two and half hour drive back? It was probably the best trip home from that city that I have ever had. All the way it was play, play, play and snuggle and cuddle, and play some more, with puppy climbing all over me. When she got tired she just curled up in my lap and snoozed a bit.

The family had picked out a name for her, “Penny”, and neither of us had any idea of what was happening to Penny on that trip. She was not worried, not car sick, just bonding with her new human, the wrong one. We were lucky the dog was smart enough to realize shortly after that I was not her master, but the bonding thing still carries on to this day.

That was almost ten years ago. She would do anything asked of her from myself or her master without question, and it still is my pleasure to look after her when I can.

When duck season rolls around we don’t have to worry who handles the dog. By the way, she turned out to be a super family pet as well as a fabulous retriever. A word of advice for those who travel far to pick up pets, allow the new owner to bond with the pet, and maybe the friend should drive home.