Candice,

I don't know what to vote on! I usually NEVER agree with people breeding dogs or cats because of overpopulation...UNLESS the breeder does everything out of love, as opposed to profit, and they have perfect specimens to breed with and you have done EVERYTHING right! I think it does the breed good to have such quality pups added to the gene pool so that is tough. Also, I would LOVE to buy one of your puppies one day I want a golden real bad, but I would only buy a golden from a reputable breeder, and from champion and/or titled parents. Ever since I 'met' you through this site and found out how much time and effort you put into those lovely dogs, and learned about all of Dixie's titles and young Dusty already having his CGC, I wanted a pup from you.

You have done everything right in the breeding of Dixie. You have done the golden breed proud.

However, because of what happened to your friends' golden I feel that it may not be worth the risk. It breaks my heart to think of how incredibly devastating that was and that dogs poor owner may regret breeding that dog for the rest of their lives. I would not want anyone who I cared about (you or anyone else) to ever experience such a horrible tragedy.

I would like you to breed Dixie again, simply because I would be really interested in a pup if you would sell one to me. And I am also so thrilled to see the responsibility that went into the whole breeding experience, and I enjoy knowing that you are helping to better the breed by breeding such fine, beautiful, intelligent, devoted pups that are perfect representatives of the GR breed.

I, however, know how much Dixie means to you. I love her and she's not even my dog She is your dog of a lifetime and I know that her health and well-being can not be bargained with.

I would say that the pros and cons are almost equal, but because Dixie aged a little bit with her first litter, I would have to lean towards getting her spayed. That Dixie is an important girl and, even though she's such a good momma, and her pups are fine representatives of the golden breed, I think her health and longevity outweigh everything else. She's too important a girl to have anything like puppies shorten her time on earth in your loving arms.

Maybe when I am ready to get a golden (when we move into a house hopefully this summer, I have decided to get another dog and it's a toss up between a well bred GSD and a well bred GR) you can help me find a wonderful breeder? A breeder who puts the same amount of love and care into their puppies as you did with Dixie's litter?

I think you are a wonderful person and I completely respect you. Getting Dixie spayed is such a caring thing to do.

I voted to have her spayed. We can't have that Dixie aging before her time.