We have 2 golden retrievers (Lucy who is 13 and in my Avatar and Ruby Tuesday who is 12) they are getting older and starting to slow way down. They bring us unspeakable joy and companionship. They love their stuffed animals (Ruby always has to have one in her mouth when she goes outside), going for road trips in the car and swimming at our cottage. They hate thunderstorms, fireworks or any sound like a gun shot. They panic and we have to calm them with Valium!