The new Andy Carpenter novel by David Rosenfelt, Dogged Pursuit, follows the same tried-and-true formula as the others in the series, with one huge difference: Rosenfelt turns back the clock and tells the story of Carpenter’s first murder trial as a newly minted defense attorney, fresh off three years as a prosecutor.
The story begins with Andy adopting a golden retriever named Tara, based on one of Rosenfelt’s real-life dogs, a golden retriever named — wait for it — Tara, whom he describes as the best dog ever. Rosenfelt never met my Willow the Best Dog There Was™, so he’s forgiven.
Tara is such an important part of the Andy Carpenter story that Rosenfelt has decreed this beloved golden will never die, and this “origin story” is great fun.
Four golden retrievers have been a part of my life — Onyah, Willow, Dejah and Summer. Red and Son of Red had just adopted Onyah when we met. Those familiar with goldens will not be surprised to hear that she was an energetic and loving puppy who mellowed into a sweet and gentle companion.
When Onyah died at age 11 just after Easter 2009, Red said, “I think we won’t get another dog for awhile.” Two weeks later, she said, “We should get a puppy.” Willow came home in mid-May. That dog and I bonded to the point where Red would tell people when Willow’s time came she would have to euthanize me, too, because I would be so desolate. She was kind enough to let me live, but I was indeed desolate when Willow passed a few days before her 12th birthday.
In the meantime we had adopted a second golden, an English cream retriever we dubbed Dejah Thoris Princess of Mars. I think of Willow and Dejah together as the Golden Years, pun intended. They were a wonderful pair; on Aug. 12 Dejah is scheduled to become our first 12-year-old golden. I have been watching her health somewhat fretfully, but so far so good.
Not long after Willow died, Red found a wonderful family that raises goldens about 100 miles from here, and we brought Summer home in September 2021. Shockingly that energetic puppy has mellowed into a sweet and gentle companion who will be 4 years old next Saturday.
Purebred golden retrievers are expensive, and so I expect Sum-Sum will be my last, but I am happy I was able to have that many goldens in my life. They are wonderful creatures and faithful friends.
Oh, and Rosenfelt’s latest book is well worth pursuing.
One thought on “Golden Years”