Lady Zoya of Rose Haven ~ "Zoya"
October 22, 2006 ~ February 2, 2017
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Zoya was the "founding dog" of Rose Haven Goldens. She was that "perfect dog" who lived to please, and had the most sweet & loving temperament. She had a beautiful dark red coloring with a sturdy build, and proved to be a "supermom" who produced three litters of fabulous pups that went to loving homes!
Prior to bringing her home as a puppy, I was actually looking to get a husky. My good friend, who was a Golden Retriever breeder at that time, had two girls left from a litter that had been born 9 weeks earlier. They were keeping one, and were looking for a home for the other. For a couple of weeks, my friend and I went back and forth with her saying, "You don't really want a husky, do you? You want a Golden! Take this girl!"; and me replying, "No Goldens, thanks, I want a husky." Back and forth the argument went, until one evening I was at the friend's house watching a movie, and this female pup, who was now 11 weeks old, came up to me, put her paws up on my knees, got right in my face and looked at me with those eyes - eyes which looked and sparkled like topaz, and had a way of making you feel like they could see into your soul and tell you that all would be right in the world - those eyes said to me "I've been waiting for YOU to be my new mama! We're going to have a great life together!" Of course, she became my Zoya, and the rest is history.
Zoya's name comes from the Russian form of "Zoe" which means "life, alive" - and boy did she ever fill me with life! Many times I have heard people say, "I know that Jesus is with me, but sometimes I just wish He would be here with skin on." Well, Zoya was the "Jesus with FUR on" in my life! From the very beginning, Zoya was always by my side. She went with me when I ran errands, sometimes came to the violin studio with me (all the kids LOVED her!), followed me around the house (earning the name "Zoya Marie Underfoot"!), loved fetching sticks (especially if thrown into the water!), and was the best hiking companion you could imagine. When we lived in Colorado, we would go on long hikes together in the mountains, and Zoya would run ahead 40-50 feet to explore, and when I'd call her, she'd come right back to me... and then go exploring again. This yo-yo pattern became our routine on every hike... Until one hike when I got terrified of the heights (long, steep drops down either side of the trail!), and literally crawled back down like a crab on my hands & feet & behind... Instead of running ahead to explore, Zoya stayed right behind me as if to reassure me that she "had my back", and when we finally got back down to where the path widened again and I stood up more bravely, Zoya looked at me as if to "check in", then ran ahead to explore once again!
Zoya was always keeping an eye on me and the rest of the pack. In her "retirement years", she would sit on the pavers at the edge of our dog yard, watching to make sure everyone was ok. Whenever one of the younger dogs got out of line, she would give them a sharp but quick "talking-to", and then go back to her post until it was time to come back into the house for some snuggles. We believe that Zoya continues to watch over all of us to make sure we're ok and behaving ourselves, and waits for the day when we can be reunited with lots of snuggles at the Rainbow Bridge.
Zoya, we all miss you more than we can put into words. You were my best friend and faithful companion, and you easily won the hearts of everyone who met you. You are free now...the cancer is gone and you have no more pain. Run and play with your mama Sadie, your sis Aria, and the rest of your sibbies who are already there at the Rainbow Bridge. We can't wait to see you again someday.
Prior to bringing her home as a puppy, I was actually looking to get a husky. My good friend, who was a Golden Retriever breeder at that time, had two girls left from a litter that had been born 9 weeks earlier. They were keeping one, and were looking for a home for the other. For a couple of weeks, my friend and I went back and forth with her saying, "You don't really want a husky, do you? You want a Golden! Take this girl!"; and me replying, "No Goldens, thanks, I want a husky." Back and forth the argument went, until one evening I was at the friend's house watching a movie, and this female pup, who was now 11 weeks old, came up to me, put her paws up on my knees, got right in my face and looked at me with those eyes - eyes which looked and sparkled like topaz, and had a way of making you feel like they could see into your soul and tell you that all would be right in the world - those eyes said to me "I've been waiting for YOU to be my new mama! We're going to have a great life together!" Of course, she became my Zoya, and the rest is history.
Zoya's name comes from the Russian form of "Zoe" which means "life, alive" - and boy did she ever fill me with life! Many times I have heard people say, "I know that Jesus is with me, but sometimes I just wish He would be here with skin on." Well, Zoya was the "Jesus with FUR on" in my life! From the very beginning, Zoya was always by my side. She went with me when I ran errands, sometimes came to the violin studio with me (all the kids LOVED her!), followed me around the house (earning the name "Zoya Marie Underfoot"!), loved fetching sticks (especially if thrown into the water!), and was the best hiking companion you could imagine. When we lived in Colorado, we would go on long hikes together in the mountains, and Zoya would run ahead 40-50 feet to explore, and when I'd call her, she'd come right back to me... and then go exploring again. This yo-yo pattern became our routine on every hike... Until one hike when I got terrified of the heights (long, steep drops down either side of the trail!), and literally crawled back down like a crab on my hands & feet & behind... Instead of running ahead to explore, Zoya stayed right behind me as if to reassure me that she "had my back", and when we finally got back down to where the path widened again and I stood up more bravely, Zoya looked at me as if to "check in", then ran ahead to explore once again!
Zoya was always keeping an eye on me and the rest of the pack. In her "retirement years", she would sit on the pavers at the edge of our dog yard, watching to make sure everyone was ok. Whenever one of the younger dogs got out of line, she would give them a sharp but quick "talking-to", and then go back to her post until it was time to come back into the house for some snuggles. We believe that Zoya continues to watch over all of us to make sure we're ok and behaving ourselves, and waits for the day when we can be reunited with lots of snuggles at the Rainbow Bridge.
Zoya, we all miss you more than we can put into words. You were my best friend and faithful companion, and you easily won the hearts of everyone who met you. You are free now...the cancer is gone and you have no more pain. Run and play with your mama Sadie, your sis Aria, and the rest of your sibbies who are already there at the Rainbow Bridge. We can't wait to see you again someday.
