“The Perfect Storm”: that’s what Dave said yesterday – about our two-month old Golden Retriever puppy, pictured above and below, whose name is Storm.
There’s a special story attached to this. About 7 years ago Dave’s brother’s home was robbed and his adult Golden Retrievers tragically poisoned, leaving a litter of 1-day old puppies to fend for themselves. At a moment’s notice, a wonderful blind lady brought her Labrador (that had recently had pups) to act as a surrogate mother. Over a few hours, we witnessed the amazing process of this dog accepting the new puppies as her own, assisted by her breeder, who handled everything through tender touch and feel. By the following morning, they were a close-knit family, the pups proceeding to grow up perfectly.
Our little guy’s father was one of those puppies and a sibling of the two males that Dave’s brother kept. The lovely natured Lab who saved their lives was called Storm – a dog and name that we instinctively loved. So when we heard about this new litter, it simply seemed right to adopt a puppy and name him Storm, in her honour. More so after unexpectedly learning later that Storm shares my birthday 
He is helping to fill the hole that Jina has left, since disappearing 7 weeks ago. Quest is certainly excited to have a new playmate, who is quickly getting acquainted and wasting no time in digging up our garden:
Quest & Storm saying Hello
Storm and Quest digging in our garden
It’s fascinating to discover the differences between the dogs, whether individual or breed-related. Quest has never been a digger, avid swimmer nor retriever, all of which we suspect Storm will be. We anticipate plenty of muddy paws traipsing through the house, but perhaps we should count our blessings. As regular readers will know, Quest had particularly expensive taste as a puppy – car panels, gate motors, glasses and the like. All things considered, we’ll be happy if Storm stays focussed on the flowerbeds.
Regardless, though, there’s nothing to do but love both our boys 
Quest keeping a watchful eye on Storm
Storm in search of Fun, or is it Food?
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
What a wonderful story Naomi!!! We can’t wait to meet him! I guess it’s puppy OR garden! xxx
Thank you, Lisa…so great of you to visit and leave a lovely comment! Can’t wait to introduce Storm to you and Melissa, and yes I think unfortunately you may be right!
xx
Ah Naomi soooo loved ready your blog and the gorgeous pictures! We miss Storm and of course all of his siblings that have left us in the last week but luckily we still have three gorgeous Goldie faces to wake up to! Look forward to hearing more about Storm and Quest on you blog! Enjoy him and big hug for him from us
Hi Daniela, thanks so much for your fabulous comment and especially (to all of you, including Chino and Bella) for Storm!! I hope his beautiful brothers and sisters are just as happy in their new homes and look forward to sharing more of his adventures with you guys! Storm says thanks for the hug and sends you all a huge big lick all over your faces…MWAH!
Naomi: Storm is just gorgeous! What a wonderful additon to the household! Thanks for sharing these beautiful pictures….
Thank you, Kate! He just begs to be photographed
Missing your fabulous site and all the fun goings-on in your household…will be back soon to catch up!
Sorry, addition…
A very special young guy to be joining a very special family….. was such an awesome surprise to read this earlier ….. cannot wait to tell G…..xx
Thanks so much, Juani
We look forward to introducing you…he’s adorable! Love to you and G, XOXO
I’m in love.
Me too, Tammy
xo
Beautiful pup and post, Naomi!
My sister raises guide dogs . . . black labs, golden labs, and golden retrievers. Wonderful dogs . . . full of heart.
Thank you, Nancy! What a wonderful thing that your sister does. She must be a darling
Dave suggested a few weeks ago that we do the same (before we discovered Storm), but I have a feeling I would struggle terribly to pass the puppies on…
Awesome photos,beautiful puppy Storm. The name Storm melts my heart and the tears are flowing,lost my solemate Storm to Bone Cancer last year. There is something about a puppy that will have you on your hands and knees,forever smiling armed with camera to record those special moment,no matter how naughty,no matter how dirty all will be recorded.The one thing never recorded in the smell of a puppies breath for that will always be in your memory….thats the memory that has you smiling just thinking of it. Enjoy your adorable Storm. XXXXXX
Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful comment, Lisa…and a huge big hug to you, along with a thousand licks from Storm! So sorry to hear about your own precious Storm. I can imagine how heart-breaking that must have been. You’re so right about the camera, no matter how naughty. It didn’t cross my mind to stop the boys from digging
Thank you too for the reminder to savour the puppy breath, along with my all-time favourite: those little snuffling/grunting noises they make when you hold them. Storm is growing so fast, I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to pick him up and cuddle him! XOXO
Naomi,
What a story – and how it brings you (and birthday mate Storm!) to today!!
And – so awesome to see the photos of both dogs!
Thanks a ton, Lance…we all so appreciate your appreciation! MWAH from South Africa! XO
At first i thought this was about a movie review hehe. I love the photos, the puppy is so cute.
I love you photos especially the puppy pics… and the inspiring story you shared, Thanks Naomi!
Thanks so much, Mands! Always wonderful to hear from you
XO
Hi, Naomi. What a wonderful post with great pictures. There was a German Shepherd in my childhood we all loved dearly. He was poisoned by a sheepherder, using a tainted biscuit thrown into our yard. I can only thank God that I didn’t find it and decide to test it. I cried for weeks for my dog. My sister had a beautiful lab who ate the front porch almost off of their house! They are precious dogs, wood-eating/chewing or not. One of my granddaughters (11 years old) is planning on being a lab puppy raiser, leading to the dogs becoming seeing-eye dogs. Sorry, I’m not strong
enough to go through all that loving and training and then just part with them.
Your blog is wonderful. Miss you on Twitter, altho’ I’m not on much at all anymore. Cheers!
Lovely to hear from you, Pat – and thank you for such a wonderful comment! So sad to hear about your GSD, though…big hug back through the years to you. I’ll pay attention to your sister’s story, as we have a beautiful wooden deck! High five to your granddaughter (same as Nancy’s sister) – I am largely in your camp on that one
Life has been super fast-paced lately, but I’ll do my best to catch up soon…thanks again!
Awwwwwwwwwwww ….
Nice.
THANKS, Jamie