The First Fourth…

July 4, 2022

…without Kali.

It was the evening of May 24, 2014 when I met that special girl from Taiwan. The door opened, our eyes met, and we instantly fell in love. Well, at least I was immediately taken back and infatuated with her. It took only minutes for that infatuation to turn to love. And we rode off into the sunset to Livermore, CA. and the rest as they say…. well you know.

That girl was Kali.

Long time followers of Golden Kali know that Kali is a rescue from Taiwan. Holly, my daughter Jessi, and I drove to the airport in San Francisco in great anticipation of meeting Kali, then known as Nala. We had only seen pictures and read her bio as we waited for about two months until her Taiwanese caregivers had her in perfect condition to come to America and join our family. Health, happy, and full of love.

I’ve written often about that evening at the airport when Kali and I met. How fate seemed to bring us together. If there really are matches made in heaven this would have been one! There was one special moment that stood out that I am reminded of every Fourth of July.

Kali arrived from Taiwan wearing a brown scarf with markings that were similar to mandarin characters. Once she was uncrated, leashed, and had time to get her land legs we prepared to drive home. A volunteer from the local rescue group, True Love Rescue, stopped us and took off the brown scarf and replaced it with a scarf that bore images of Stars and Stripes and the America Flag. It was a symbolic gesture of Kali’s transition from Taiwan to American where she became a true American Girl.

Kali wore the scarf for the first day home and then I took it off and stored it. I brought the scarf out several weeks later on the Fourth of July. That was 2014. Kali wore the scarf for the day and I again put it away. Since that time the scarf only comes out on the Fourth of July and Kali wears it for the day.

Except this year. This is the first Fourth without Kali.

There will always be two holidays that are special for me and Kali. I will always miss her just a little more on those days than others. One is Memorial Weekend. It was Memorial weekend in 2014 that we picked up Kali from SFO. That will forever be her gotcha day. The other is Fourth of July. The Fourth because of our ritual of taking out the scarf with stars and stripes, adorning it around my beautiful girls golden neck, and seeing her wear it for the day and evening.

So on this first Fourth without Kali, and for the Fourth’s to follow, the stars and stripes scarf will be worn by Kloe. This morning I pulled out the scarf and put it on Kloe, second in line of succession after Kali at the Golden K. Like Kali, she’ll wear it for the day and evening and in the morning it will be put away for another year.

Kloe may never know or appreciate the symbolism of wearing the scarf annually on the Fourth. Certainly she will never know the practical aspect of being a stray in Taiwan, going through rehab with the Taiwanese rescue ~~group~~ angels, or getting on a plane with 23 other Goldens and traveling across the world into the unknown. But I know that Kloe’s Sissy-Mama Kali would appreciate knowing the symbolism of the scarf and her transition from Taiwan to America will live on through her sister Kloe.

Happy Fourth Kali. For the first time in eight years as I write this Fourth of July post you are not laying at my feet. You can no longer warm my feet but will always warm my heart as I sit and write about you, for you, and with you close by in spirit.

Kloe sporting the special stars and stripes scarf handed down to her by Kali.

Golden Kali, July 4, 2015.

Grateful This Christmas Eve

December 25, 2019

A Christmas Eve walk with Kloe this morning put this particular holiday season in perspective for me. It was a brisk forty five degrees as we headed out at about 8:30 am. The morning was calm with no wind, the tall pine trees at the Golden K were still, the sky was grey but dry, and the neighborhood was quiet.

As Kloe and I headed out I was grateful that we had nowhere in particular to go and all day to get there. Quite a difference from the days when my children were small and there were so many tasks to complete in time for the “big day”. All those tasks parents like us were fortunate to be able to undertake to make that big day special for our children. They were great times that I will cherish forever. But I have to admit this morning as we headed out to walk I was grateful that those days were in the past and Kloe and I were in the present.

This has been quite a year for my special girl Kloe. It was April when she was diagnosed with a torn CCL. For over seven months we nursed her back to health. In that time she tore the other CCL, had double CCL surgery (bi-lateral TPLO), and then convalesced back to so far what seems to be a full recovery. During that period much of our life was consumed with caring for (and worrying about!) Kloe. Her injuries had a major impact on our lives as well as her two sisters who often took a back seat to Kloe’s needs; especially puppy Koda who just wanted to play with big-sissie but could not because Kloe was at zero activity level.

So as we walked in the crisp air I reflected on how grateful I am for Kloe’s recovery. Grateful for having the flexibility and resources to dedicate much of our time over the past months to ensure the best chance for her recovery. Grateful that she is now pain free, can run and jump without restrictions, can wrestle with puppy Kloe and just be a dog again. But mostly I am grateful that Kloe came into our lives as a nine week old pup three and half years ago and changed our lives for the better and for ever.

Kloe and I stopped along the seasonal creek to take a quick photo and memorialize this special walk.

Christmas Eve morning 2019

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The Fifth 4th

July 4, 2019

The 4th of July has always been one of my favorite holidays. Not because of any great traditions or specific memories but because its been one of those holidays where I feel ok not doing much and not feeling guilty about it. As a kid the long July days made it hard to wait for fireworks. It seemed as though it would never get dark. I have many fond memories of when our kids were young. There was the annual neighborhood bike parade where the kids would decorate their bikes in red and blue streamers, flags, and whatever else they could come up with. Usually a block party took place later in the day and was followed by volleyball and later fireworks. But more recently, as in the past five years, the 4th has a much more special meaning for me.

Kali arrived from Taiwan on May 24, 2014. She quickly assimilated into our family as in almost instantly. The morning after she arrived I began this Golden Kali blog which at the time had the tag line, “Kali’s New Life in America”. Kali arrived wearing a brown scarf that was put on her at some point before boarding the plane in Taiwan for the trip to America. After greeting her at the airport, taking care of a few formalities, and letting her get her land legs back we headed home to Livermore. But before we did one of the rescue group volunteers took off the brown scarf and replaced it with a scarf that had red, white, and blue stars and strips. It was quite symbolic and a touching gesture that Kali was now an American.

So back to the 4th… Although Kali arrived on a Memorial Day weekend because of this scarf it’s been the 4th of July that marks another year of her life in America. Much of Kali’s life, and mine, has been chronicled in this blog over the past five years. In a 2015 post called Tradition I wrote about how a new tradition began where on the 4th I put that red white and blue scarf on Kali and she wears it for the day. This scarf for Kali and I stands for her journey from Taiwan to America and her her new chance at a good life in a furever home. As important, when I hang the scarf around Kali’s neck, I do it as a tribute to all the rescue groups volunteers in both Taiwan and the US who have done so much good for so many Golden Retrievers like Kali. For them I will always be grateful!

So on this fifth 4th the tradition continues. This morning I took out the scarf and placed it around Kali’s neck and we went for a brief walk. She’s twice as old (ten) as she was when she arrived and the tradition of the scarf becomes more meaningful with each year. She doesn’t want to walk as far, uphill is not her friend, and there are may signs of her slowing and aging. I don’t like to think about it but there will be a 4th of July when Kali is no longer with me. Not physically. But in spirit I know she will never leave my side. And this scarf, her journey, and her time in America will be with her and I forever.

Happy fifth 4th Kali. Thank you Rescued Love From Taiwan and True Love Rescue for brining Kali into our lives.

Cheers from The Golden K!

She was an American girl…. – Tom Petty

Left: Kali on her second 4th. Center: Kali, cousin Ben, and sister Kloe last year, her fourth 4th. Right: Kali this year, her fifth 4th.

Flags, Dogs, and Wine

July 4, 2018

For all our warts I would not want to live anywhere other than this great country of ours, the US of America.

Ray Charles singing “America” in the background, Oaks and Pines swaying to the warm gentle wind, and Baseball coming on shortly. We are truly blessed at the Golden K.

Whether you stand, sit, or lie down for the flag Kloe, Kali, and cousin Ben wish you the best of bests on this Fourth Of July, Two Thousand and Eighteen.

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Christmas Wishes

December 21, 2017

The Three Wise Pups or Ghosts of Christmas Present?

Whichever it is this Golden K trio comprised of Kali, Smokey, and Kloe are wishing all the followers of the Golden Kali blog the Merriest Christmas possible.

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The Fourth 4th

July 5, 2017

Happy fourth 4th my Golden Kali!

When Kali arrived from Taiwan in 2014 she arrived with a brown scarf. At the airport one of the volunteers that was assisting with her transition to our care took off the brown scarf and replaced it with a scarf with red, white, and blue markings that represented the American flag. Kali was now an “American Girl”.

So beginning with that 2014 4th of July it became a tradition for Kali to don that same scarf and take a photo. A photo that represents our collective patriotism but more importantly our thanks to the Taiwanese care givers who rescued Kali and sent her to America and to me. Thank you Jade Lo and team. Kali and I salute you and honor you for your the work you and your team do for so many dogs in need.

Happy fourth 4TH KALI!

Happy Birthday America from Golden Kali at The Golden K

Doggie Daddies, BBQ, and Flannels

June 19, 2017

It’s Fathers Day in the U.S. of A. A day to celebrate good o’l Dad and lavish him with praise, gifts, and hugs while he slaves over the BBQ attempting to satisfy his primal urge to ~~drink a lot of guilt free beer~~ feed his family and ensure their very survival. After a day of hunting at the local butcher shop dad will season up his ~~kill~~ purchase, put on the gaudy apron one his kids gave his last year, throw the fatted cow (or chicken or fish or all three) on the coals (or propane depending on his heating preferences) pop open a frosty beverage and “get it on”.

There is nothing more American than these Father’s Day rituals except of course Mother’s Day and Apple Pie. And Old Glory, rodeo, and baseball. Oh and white picket fences and Levi’s jeans. OK, well sorry Dads there are plenty of things more American so I guess we just need to work harder…

Meanwhile, Kali and Kloe wanted to wish all the Doggie Daddies a very happy day. Any Dad worth his cook’s hat has a flannel shirt in his closet. As a tribute to all of you Kali and Kloe dawned one of their own Dad’s flannels to pose for this picture.

Happy Fathers Day!

The Year Of The K

December 30, 2016

I don’t typically partake in reflection of the past year as the new year approaches but this year has been like no other. It has been the year of the K.

Packing up 34 years of suburbia and moving to a rural area was a truly life changing event for Holly and I. This journey started in September of 2015 when “just for fun” I began looking on the internet at homes for sale in the foothills. One of the first I saw was a five acre property in Tuolumne CA. It seemed to call to me and Holly agreed that it looked wonderful but she was not keen on moving; at least not for several years.

A few weeks later we drove up to see the property “just for fun”. Over the following weeks and countless discussions about the possibility and rationale for moving the “just for fun” became serious and we decided to look at more properties. We saw several that we liked but none met the beauty, charm, and rustic elegance of what was to become The Golden K. We made an offer in November and closed escrow in December, just over a year ago.

Wow! What in September were only musings about one day moving to a simpler life in the mountains became reality just four months later in. It’s one example of many over the past 34 years of Holly and I aligning on a goal and making it a reality.

The sellers rented back from us through April which gave us time to sell our home in Livermore and for Holly to finish her school year as a teacher. In early May while still living in Livermore we brought a nine week old Golden Retriever home that we named Kloe, with a K or course like her big step sister Kali with a K.

That was all the inspiration I needed. I then knew we were moving “home” to The Golden K. We moved in full time over Memorial weekend and we never looked back.

So here we the four of us: a guy and a gal still desperately in love after 34 years of marriage, two beautiful and loving Golden Retrievers, and one shared romantic perspective of life at 3100 feet.

And to all a good night

December 27, 2016

We’re back down to from 200 to 120 pounds of dog!

For the past three days we had a Crazy (as in crazy good) Canine Christmas. Smokey arrived Friday and Sadie and Jaynee arrived Saturday. Throw Kali and Kloe in the mix and the dogs outnumbered the humans 5 to 3 for this low key Christmas celebration with Holly, my daughter, and myself….. and the five pups.

The youngsters (Kloe and Jaynee) played hard wrestling and chasing much of the weekend. The old ladies (Kali and Sadie) opted to sleep in the warmth of either the sun or the house. Smokey, being the smallest (yet wisest) of the group tried to stay out of harms way. Contributing only 11 of the overall total 200 pounds of dog, he held his own but knew when to run for cover to avoid getting smashed.

It was a howl of a Christmas for sure. All the pups were respectful of the house, the outside areas, and one another. Barely a growl or snip was noticed as this gang of five co-exsited for three days eating, begging, getting way too many treats, napping in the sun, rolling in the mud, and being dogs together. Spoiled dogs, but dogs none the less.

Smokey, Sadie, and Jaynee were gone by 2:00 this afternoon. Since then, and as expected, Kali and Kloe have gone into deep power naps.

And to all a good night!

200 Pounds Of Dog For Christmas

December 23, 2016

There will be a large group at The Golden K this Christmas! The breakdown of attendees goes like this: three humans, five canines, and one cow. Well, only part of a cow; a prime rib to be more specific.

Meet the humans: Michael, Holly, and Jessica (our daughter).

Meet the Canines: Kali, Kloe, Smokey, Sadie, and Jaynee. Kali and Kloe you already know and Smokey some of you have “met” in past posts. Smokey is an eleven pound Morky (Maltese / Yorkshire mix) of pure cute. Sadie and Jaynee belong to our friends who live nearby and who will be traveling for a few days. Sadie and Jayne will be with us for three days over Christmas. I’m not sure what breeds Sadie is but she is about 45 pounds, 11 years old, fuzzy, and very sweet. Jayne is an Australian Shepard mix about 35 pounds and lighting fast. She and Kloe have become good friends over the past several months. Kloe and Jayne run, chase, and wrestle while Kali and Sadie lay and watch them or sleep in the sun. It’s a good mix and lots of fun to watch.

Meet the Cow: just kidding. I meant eat the cow (sorry PETA advocates but I really love beef…

So this long Christmas weekend will be interesting and fun to say the least. It could be a howl! Smokey arrives tomorrow (Friday) with my daughter, Sadie and Jayne arrive Saturday. They will all leave on Monday. So we’ll have three days with twenty paws running around the… well, probably running around the house because it’s supposed rain and/or snow most of that time.

I sure hope Santa is quiet coming down our chimney Christmas Eve otherwise he’ll be sharing his milk and cookies with 200 pounds of dog!

With a little Mother Nature luck the nine of us (yes, I’m including the cow) may wake up to this on Christmas morning as we did over Thanksgiving weekend. Just enough to look pretty but not so much to have to shovel 🙂