1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,560 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,580 --> 00:01:14,181 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,441 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:18,461 --> 00:01:19,481 Speaker 2: Life Audio. 14 00:01:21,561 --> 00:01:27,210 Speaker 3: Hello and welcome back to another episode of Story Behind 15 00:01:27,371 --> 00:01:34,111 Speaker 3: Podcast Inspiring Stories. Positive Headlines brought to you from GodTube.com. 16 00:01:34,971 --> 00:01:39,881 Speaker 3: and lifeaudio.com. My name is Sean McAvoy. I am the 17 00:01:39,981 --> 00:01:44,241 Speaker 3: Executive Director of Content at the Salem Web Network, and 18 00:01:44,401 --> 00:01:47,521 Speaker 3: I am your host for these stories, which I choose 19 00:01:47,601 --> 00:01:51,821 Speaker 3: and select from what our team here at GodTube has 20 00:01:52,041 --> 00:01:56,021 Speaker 3: crafted and found out online and brought over to our 21 00:01:56,081 --> 00:01:56,921 Speaker 3: site from some. 22 00:01:56,801 --> 00:02:01,131 Speaker 2: Videos, encouraging videos and news stories they've dug through the 23 00:02:01,171 --> 00:02:03,031 Speaker 2: weeds and found for you out there. 24 00:02:04,031 --> 00:02:07,661 Speaker 3: And I try to select these and not be too 25 00:02:07,711 --> 00:02:11,421 Speaker 3: familiar with them so that I can experience some of 26 00:02:11,481 --> 00:02:15,701 Speaker 3: the positive emotions right along with you at the same time. 27 00:02:16,541 --> 00:02:20,301 Speaker 3: Wherever you may be today, maybe you're listening during the 28 00:02:20,481 --> 00:02:25,300 Speaker 3: golden hour of the day, which would be appropriate. As 29 00:02:25,381 --> 00:02:29,251 Speaker 3: it turns out, I've actually learned something before coming with 30 00:02:29,291 --> 00:02:33,821 Speaker 3: you today. And that is that the most popular dog 31 00:02:33,901 --> 00:02:38,961 Speaker 3: breed in the United States isn't the Golden Retriever, as 32 00:02:39,201 --> 00:02:42,131 Speaker 3: I would have thought, or the Labrador. 33 00:02:42,581 --> 00:02:44,031 Speaker 2: It is the French Bulldog. 34 00:02:44,671 --> 00:02:47,910 Speaker 3: I guess they are a good breed to have in 35 00:02:48,071 --> 00:02:52,491 Speaker 3: apartments and other areas where they don't require a lot 36 00:02:52,731 --> 00:02:53,791 Speaker 3: of run space. 37 00:02:54,011 --> 00:02:57,851 Speaker 2: So anyway, with that tease about retrievers. 38 00:02:58,591 --> 00:03:01,151 Speaker 3: And unfortunately for the French Bulldog lovers. 39 00:03:00,971 --> 00:03:02,791 Speaker 2: Out there, I don't have anything for them today. 40 00:03:03,161 --> 00:03:04,881 Speaker 3: But I'll be back in just a second with a 41 00:03:04,921 --> 00:03:09,141 Speaker 3: couple stories about Golden Retrievers, one of our favorite breeds 42 00:03:09,181 --> 00:03:12,720 Speaker 3: that won't be able to just keep you from smiling 43 00:03:13,161 --> 00:03:15,391 Speaker 3: as what these wonderful dogs do for us all. 44 00:03:15,591 --> 00:03:16,571 Speaker 2: I'll be right back with those. 45 00:03:24,581 --> 00:03:27,861 Speaker 3: All right, our first story today comes to us courtesy 46 00:03:28,020 --> 00:03:29,101 Speaker 3: of Heather Rigolin. 47 00:03:30,081 --> 00:03:30,541 Speaker 2: And this is. 48 00:03:30,501 --> 00:03:34,461 Speaker 3: About a golden retriever who became a loving caregiver after 49 00:03:34,501 --> 00:03:42,981 Speaker 3: an Alzheimer's diagnosis. For Donna Aho, her best friend didn't 50 00:03:43,041 --> 00:03:48,151 Speaker 3: share her last name. But her dog, Sky, shared cozy 51 00:03:48,191 --> 00:03:52,071 Speaker 3: mornings on the couch together. greeted her after long days 52 00:03:52,151 --> 00:03:55,211 Speaker 3: at work, and comforted her in so many different ways 53 00:03:55,691 --> 00:03:59,811 Speaker 3: that only dogs can. And that's the beautiful mystery of 54 00:03:59,851 --> 00:04:04,831 Speaker 3: a dog's love. Donna's husband, Michael Aho, remembers the day 55 00:04:04,891 --> 00:04:08,731 Speaker 3: they brought Skye home after rescuing her from a puppy mill. 56 00:04:09,881 --> 00:04:13,421 Speaker 3: She was a little puppy. She came running through, knocked 57 00:04:13,501 --> 00:04:16,121 Speaker 3: the water bowl over, and jumped into my lap, right 58 00:04:16,161 --> 00:04:19,541 Speaker 3: into my lap. And I go, I'm done for, he recalled. 59 00:04:21,421 --> 00:04:26,601 Speaker 3: after Donna was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Michael began noticing 60 00:04:26,701 --> 00:04:33,791 Speaker 3: something remarkable about ten-year-old golden retriever Skye. With all four paws, 61 00:04:33,931 --> 00:04:38,731 Speaker 3: she quietly stepped into the role of a caregiver. As 62 00:04:38,811 --> 00:04:43,491 Speaker 3: Donna's condition progressed, Skye seemed to sense changes no one 63 00:04:43,551 --> 00:04:47,630 Speaker 3: had taught her to recognize. Whenever Michael left the house, 64 00:04:47,831 --> 00:04:52,451 Speaker 3: Skye immediately shifted her attention to Donna, faithfully staying by 65 00:04:52,491 --> 00:04:56,311 Speaker 3: her side. This dog knows that if I leave the 66 00:04:56,351 --> 00:04:59,751 Speaker 3: house for any reason, she's in tune with my wife Donna, 67 00:05:00,071 --> 00:05:05,811 Speaker 3: Michael said. One night, Skye's devotion became impossible to ignore. 68 00:05:07,221 --> 00:05:11,581 Speaker 3: Donna was experiencing nighttime tremors related to Alzheimer's while Michael 69 00:05:11,641 --> 00:05:16,940 Speaker 3: slept beside her. Suddenly, Skye rushed to Donna's side of 70 00:05:16,981 --> 00:05:21,121 Speaker 3: the bed, barking. until she woke from the frightening episode. 71 00:05:22,861 --> 00:05:27,190 Speaker 3: It's not hard to see God's fingerprints in moments like these. 72 00:05:28,611 --> 00:05:33,771 Speaker 3: Sometimes his comfort comes through whispered prayers. Sometimes it arrives 73 00:05:33,851 --> 00:05:38,330 Speaker 3: through the steady presence of a loyal dog who refuses 74 00:05:38,391 --> 00:05:41,780 Speaker 3: to leave someone's side, and that's what Skye has become 75 00:05:42,501 --> 00:05:47,081 Speaker 3: as Donna's trusted companion, and in so many other ways, too. 76 00:05:47,851 --> 00:05:51,101 Speaker 3: Skye helps Donna on her walks and keeps her from 77 00:05:51,141 --> 00:05:56,921 Speaker 3: getting lost, which eases Michael's concerns. I love to go 78 00:05:56,961 --> 00:06:01,421 Speaker 3: for walks and so does Skye, obviously, Donna said. My 79 00:06:01,481 --> 00:06:03,700 Speaker 3: husband is fearful that I'm going to wander off and 80 00:06:03,741 --> 00:06:07,281 Speaker 3: get lost, and that has never happened because Skye knows. 81 00:06:09,141 --> 00:06:13,351 Speaker 3: Perhaps that's one of the sweetest reminders tucked inside this story. 82 00:06:14,331 --> 00:06:16,251 Speaker 2: Love has a way of multiplying. 83 00:06:17,601 --> 00:06:21,181 Speaker 3: A rescued dog became a cherished family member, and that 84 00:06:21,621 --> 00:06:25,911 Speaker 3: cherished family member became a faithful companion. And now, in 85 00:06:25,991 --> 00:06:29,651 Speaker 3: one of life's hardest seasons, she's helping care for the 86 00:06:29,690 --> 00:06:33,841 Speaker 3: woman who once cared for her. Dogs may not speak 87 00:06:33,901 --> 00:06:38,101 Speaker 3: our language, but they understand something many of us spend 88 00:06:38,141 --> 00:06:43,741 Speaker 3: a lifetime learning, that showing up, staying close, and loving 89 00:06:43,801 --> 00:06:50,001 Speaker 3: faithfully can be the simplest but the greatest gifts we 90 00:06:50,061 --> 00:06:56,891 Speaker 3: ever give. I can't help but be reminded of Galatians 6.2. 91 00:06:56,891 --> 00:07:00,811 Speaker 3: Carry each other's burdens, and in this way, you will 92 00:07:00,851 --> 00:07:06,101 Speaker 3: fulfill the law of Christ, even if you've got four 93 00:07:06,141 --> 00:07:07,521 Speaker 3: legs instead of two. 94 00:07:08,861 --> 00:07:10,121 Speaker 2: I'll be back in a moment. 95 00:07:10,201 --> 00:07:14,641 Speaker 3: If you think one golden retriever is good, well, imagine 96 00:07:14,661 --> 00:07:28,251 Speaker 3: what you'll think I'll be right back. We're in love 97 00:07:28,291 --> 00:07:33,491 Speaker 3: with golden retrievers today at this episode of story behind podcast. 98 00:07:34,211 --> 00:07:36,331 Speaker 3: And I told you this time you get not just 99 00:07:36,651 --> 00:07:42,581 Speaker 3: one sweet dog, but 13 who gathered for camp at 100 00:07:42,801 --> 00:07:47,321 Speaker 3: camp Goldie. And yes, It's as adorable as it sounds, 101 00:07:47,521 --> 00:07:53,481 Speaker 3: says Heather Riggleman. Thirteen golden retrievers gathered for Camp Goldie. 102 00:07:54,981 --> 00:07:58,591 Speaker 3: There are vacations, there are spa days, and then there 103 00:07:58,651 --> 00:08:02,431 Speaker 3: is apparently a place in New Jersey where thirteen golden 104 00:08:02,471 --> 00:08:07,331 Speaker 3: retrievers come barreling toward you all at once. I'm not 105 00:08:07,431 --> 00:08:10,991 Speaker 3: saying this is what heaven looks like, but I do 106 00:08:11,031 --> 00:08:17,181 Speaker 3: have questions. It's called Camp Goldie And guests can book 107 00:08:17,501 --> 00:08:22,581 Speaker 3: hour-long playdates with about a dozen golden retrievers whose primary 108 00:08:22,641 --> 00:08:28,981 Speaker 3: job appears to be delivering unreasonable amounts of happiness. The 109 00:08:29,231 --> 00:08:32,991 Speaker 3: experience begins with something called the golden greeting, when the 110 00:08:33,011 --> 00:08:37,511 Speaker 3: dogs race out of the besties' barn to meet their 111 00:08:37,571 --> 00:08:43,231 Speaker 3: newest human friends. Honestly, if 13 golden retrievers came running 112 00:08:43,271 --> 00:08:47,661 Speaker 3: toward me, I would simply accept that whatever responsibilities I 113 00:08:47,701 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 3: had before that moment no longer mattered. Especially if it 114 00:08:51,401 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 3: was a dozen cute little kittens, because I have an 115 00:08:54,261 --> 00:08:57,321 Speaker 3: entourage of ginger cats that follow me around the homestead. 116 00:08:59,181 --> 00:09:04,100 Speaker 2: From there, everyone heads to the Zoomy Zone. Because, of 117 00:09:04,161 --> 00:09:06,921 Speaker 2: course it's called the Zoomy Zone, just like the Bestie Barn. 118 00:09:08,081 --> 00:09:08,511 Speaker 2: There is. 119 00:09:09,161 --> 00:09:13,231 Speaker 3: water play before guests, and goldens eventually make their way 120 00:09:13,431 --> 00:09:19,071 Speaker 3: to the snuggle spot for drying, brushing, cuddling, even dress-up. 121 00:09:20,811 --> 00:09:24,411 Speaker 3: Somewhere my laundry is sitting unfolded while a golden retriever 122 00:09:24,431 --> 00:09:27,831 Speaker 3: in New Jersey is being brushed after recreational water activities, 123 00:09:28,691 --> 00:09:30,530 Speaker 3: and I feel like one of us has made better 124 00:09:30,571 --> 00:09:36,381 Speaker 3: life choices. The whole gloriously furry idea began because Patrick 125 00:09:36,441 --> 00:09:41,660 Speaker 3: Marini wanted to create a special day for his then-girlfriend, Erin. 126 00:09:43,021 --> 00:09:45,721 Speaker 3: He started calling breeders to ask whether the couple could 127 00:09:45,761 --> 00:09:49,661 Speaker 3: simply come play with the puppies until someone finally said yes. 128 00:09:50,801 --> 00:09:54,300 Speaker 3: Their first puppy adventure included the dogs bolting into the 129 00:09:54,361 --> 00:09:57,901 Speaker 3: trees within two minutes and getting completely covered in mud. 130 00:09:58,921 --> 00:10:02,361 Speaker 3: But Patrick recalled it was still the best day ever. 131 00:10:04,211 --> 00:10:08,321 Speaker 3: That experience planted the seed for Camp Goldie. which has 132 00:10:08,341 --> 00:10:11,351 Speaker 3: been around for only about a year, and is already 133 00:10:11,431 --> 00:10:16,930 Speaker 3: earning a reputation as, quote, the happiest place in New Jersey. Frankly, 134 00:10:17,011 --> 00:10:21,991 Speaker 3: when your business model involves golden retrievers, cuddling, zoomies, and 135 00:10:22,211 --> 00:10:26,131 Speaker 3: absolutely no expectation that I cook dinner afterward, you have 136 00:10:26,271 --> 00:10:31,941 Speaker 3: understood the assignment. Maybe we need places like Camp Goldie, 137 00:10:32,901 --> 00:10:35,320 Speaker 3: because grown-up life gets heavy sometimes. 138 00:10:35,521 --> 00:10:36,141 Speaker 2: Amen to that. 139 00:10:38,081 --> 00:10:41,780 Speaker 3: We need reminders that God tucked joy into ordinary things, 140 00:10:41,861 --> 00:10:46,421 Speaker 3: including muddy paws, wagging tails, ridiculous amounts of dog hair, 141 00:10:47,081 --> 00:10:49,231 Speaker 3: and creatures who greet us as though we are the 142 00:10:49,261 --> 00:10:54,151 Speaker 3: greatest thing they have seen all day. Sometimes joy really 143 00:10:54,191 --> 00:10:59,961 Speaker 3: does come running straight toward you on four paws. As 144 00:11:00,021 --> 00:11:05,101 Speaker 3: it says in Psalm 1611, You make known to me 145 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:07,761 Speaker 3: the path of life. You will fill me with joy 146 00:11:07,780 --> 00:11:14,291 Speaker 3: in your presence. I don't think goldens were necessarily around 147 00:11:14,431 --> 00:11:16,831 Speaker 3: on the days of creation that we get in Genesis, 148 00:11:16,891 --> 00:11:18,930 Speaker 3: but boy, they have come to us to be a 149 00:11:18,971 --> 00:11:22,910 Speaker 3: true fulfillment of the joy that God puts in creatures 150 00:11:22,951 --> 00:11:27,071 Speaker 3: and that is available to us. Let's remember the things 151 00:11:27,271 --> 00:11:29,851 Speaker 3: that we are thankful for today and which give us 152 00:11:30,461 --> 00:11:34,521 Speaker 3: joy in our lives, including any golden retrievers we may 153 00:11:34,581 --> 00:11:36,761 Speaker 3: be fortunate enough to know. 154 00:11:36,941 --> 00:11:39,121 Speaker 2: Or have known in our time. 155 00:11:39,141 --> 00:11:47,631 Speaker 3: I'm Sean McAvoy. Thanks for listening to the Story Behind podcast. 156 00:11:47,711 --> 00:11:52,090 Speaker 3: I hope today's stories about golden retrievers remind you of 157 00:11:52,151 --> 00:11:54,861 Speaker 3: the ways God is still moving in the world around us. 158 00:11:55,751 --> 00:11:57,851 Speaker 2: Even in ways we might not recognize. 159 00:11:59,471 --> 00:12:01,711 Speaker 3: Visit the links in the show notes to find the 160 00:12:01,771 --> 00:12:05,891 Speaker 3: original articles, photos, videos, and any resources mentioned in today's 161 00:12:05,971 --> 00:12:09,631 Speaker 3: episode on the God Updates blog at GodTube.com, and I 162 00:12:09,691 --> 00:12:13,841 Speaker 3: really recommend you check out Camp Goldie. If you enjoyed 163 00:12:13,851 --> 00:12:16,941 Speaker 3: the stories, be sure to follow Story Behind wherever you 164 00:12:16,981 --> 00:12:20,221 Speaker 3: listen to podcasts, and share with someone who could use 165 00:12:20,641 --> 00:12:23,981 Speaker 3: a little encouragement or a picture of what joy looks like. 166 00:12:25,471 --> 00:12:30,121 Speaker 3: Story Behind is a Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, 167 00:12:30,201 --> 00:12:35,941 Speaker 3: visit lifeaudio.com. Thanks again for joining me today, and we'll 168 00:12:36,001 --> 00:12:38,761 Speaker 3: see you next time on Story Behind.