Today is my best friend's birthday and I wanted to share him with you. He has stood by me during good times and some very bad times in my life, always there with his warm brown eyes, a cheerful smile and constantly wagging tail.

Oh, did I mention he's a dog. Some of you might know him or have asked about him. This is my beautiful boy Sheridan and he's turning 12 years old today.



He first came into my life when he was 12 weeks old. Just a tiny thing then, a ball of golden fur. He was a birthday present from my then husband, Al. He knew I wanted a dog and that I wanted a Golden Retriever. I had done a lot of research about them, and after finding a great breeder, we brought our baby home.

We were both fans of the sci-fi tv show Babylon 5 and decided to name him for one of the characters, Capt. John Sheridan. His AKC name is also derived from the show: Claridge Sky Full of Stars.



We had recently bought our first house and now had a yard for him to play in. Our cat, Fritzie, who had been our only fur-baby at the time, was introduced to the newest member of our family. It was a tense meeting. Sheridan, who was 4 times bigger than our little Fritzie tried to be friendly, but she promptly smacked him on the nose. It took them about a year to become friends, but they did.



Sheridan grew fast, turning from the furry butterball into a large puppy who was all legs.



By the time he had reached 8 months old, he was turning into a handsome golden. He graduated from obedience classes and they took pictures. He was just beginning to show the feathers on his chest and legs that Goldens are known for.



Sheridan continued to grow, becoming a handsome Golden boy, who loved everyone he met (and still does)





Over the years, he has been with me through the ups and downs in my life, my divorce, an emergency surgery, loss of my job, almost being put on the street.

Through it all, he has never asked for anything more than good food, a belly rub, scratches behind his ears, plenty of visits to the grandparents, car rides and long walks.

He is my best friend and always will be and I love him dearly.




Thanks for letting me share my boy with you. He's a little whiter now around his muzzle, a bit slower in his manner, but Sheridan is still a ball of energy, ready for anything. I hope we have many more years together, but if not, he's given me a lifetime of love and memories