At night, Sally sleeps in a crate that is placed inside a Eureka tent, because that is the way she gets the best rest. It is also the best way to protect any wildlife in the area from being chased by an exuberant golden retriever, as well as the best way for her owners to wake up in the morning refreshed, as well.
It wouldn't have been the same camping experience without Sally, a purebred golden retriever, that at three years of age, still acts like a puppy. Sally weighs in at around 80 pounds, and when she raced around the beach area of our campground, she could stir up quite a bit of sand and wet pine needles. In fact, it was wise to stay out of her way, because being hit with wet dog-scented spray as she passed by was not a very pleasant experience.
Combine ten people with one wet, excitable dog in a campsite designed for five people and you can have pandemonium. If she wasn't such a good natured, fun, agreeable dog, you would have an easier time disliking her. We learned that Sally was the runt of the litter, and therefore was available at a more reasonable price. Although she was a small puppy, she thrived, and has gained enough weight to qualify her as being "a little too big for the breed."
Sally likes to chase sticks -- for about three minutes, and then she is distracted to another activity, most likely chasing tame mallards or going for a swim in the lake, which was why she seemed to be constantly scented with the aroma of soggy pond plants.
"I like cats," Natalie Fulwider grumbled after being hit with spray as the dog passed by on a mission to retrieve a stick thrown in the water, but Sally didn't seem to notice the comment.
All attempts to wear her down seemed to fail until late in the afternoon, when her owner, Jim Fulwider, announced that Sally finally seemed a little tired. Indeed, Sally was leaning against his knee with her eyes only half closed. We were all relieved.