Pawnee Golden Retrievers

Max was the culmination of a long and anguished search for just the right mixture of type and soundness. I spoke with many breeders, discussing what we were looking for and found much more than I ever expected - a mentor in Rhonda Hovan, Faera Golden Retrievers. She sent us Max in early June of 1994 and our lives changed forever. He bounded from his crate at the airport; this beautiful, blonde, self-assured puppy and immediately proceeded to take over our lives.

Max was not only the most beautiful golden we had ever seen, he was kind and gentle with children, puppies and other animals. We think Sainthood would be appropriate for him!

As a puppy, he was shown by Michael Faulkner who turned our vagabond looking puppy into a class and major winning boy. To be honest, we didn’t even recognize our own dog in the ring and still laugh when we watch our video where we are trying to decide which one is Max.

When Michael moved onto judging, he recommended Pam Tillotson (Desrosiers) and our long-standing and satisfying relationship with Pam began. She showed him to his Championship by going WD and BOW at the Eastern Regional in May 1996; and in just 13 shows as a Special: he was BOS 5 times and BOB 8 times. Of his 8 group appearances, he was awarded 3 Group 2s and 1 Group 4. (At that point, his "Daddy Monte" brought him home…..but that's another story!)

He produced puppies that did well in both field and conformation but we are especially proud of his daughter Jane, who has given us lovely puppies and his son, Josey who finished his Championship and took his father’s place at Monte’s side.

Max was my husband Monte’s heart dog. He was and will always remain his best friend.