Leaving a puppy behind is never easy, but leaving two beloved Goldens at home felt nearly impossible.
We recently took a seven-day, six-night trip aboard our little boat, island-hopping through the beautiful San Juan Islands. We were excited for days of hiking, exploring quiet coves, and watching the incredible local wildlife—but saying goodbye to our dogs tugged at our hearts more than we expected.
At home, we were leaving our five-month-old puppy, Meadow, as well as Gracie, our almost-12-year-old Golden Retriever. Together, they bring so much laughter, comfort, and joy to our home. Meadow is full of busy, happy energy, while Gracie is the steady, familiar heart of our family. Leaving them for our first longer trip away felt incredibly bittersweet.
The Reality of Saying Goodbye
In the days leading up to our departure, every tail wag and sleepy cuddle seemed to remind us of what we would miss. Golden Retrievers have a special way of filling a home with joy, and ours certainly do.
Packing our bags felt strange. Meadow is still so young and has quickly become such an important part of our family’s daily life, while Gracie represents nearly 12 years of unwavering love and loyalty. On the morning we left, seeing them sitting together by the door made it especially hard to walk away.
Island Hopping—and Missing Home
Even surrounded by the beauty of the islands, our thoughts often drifted back home. We explored hidden coves, stood on rocky shorelines, and hiked through coastal forests, yet the days felt a little quieter without our two Goldens beside us.
We missed the little routines that make up everyday life with them:
- Their happy morning greetings, snuggles and wagging tails
- Meadow’s playful puppy energy and enthusiasm for absolutely everything
- The peaceful sight of Meadow and Gracie sleeping near each other after a busy day
Thankfully, we crossed paths with a few Golden Retrievers during our island adventures, and each encounter felt like a small gift. Those familiar goofy smiles and soft golden ears were exactly what our homesick hearts needed. A few pets and some borrowed Golden Retriever affection gave us a little “golden fix” to carry us through the trip.
A Dockside Meeting on Stuart Island
One of the most memorable moments happened right on the dock at Stuart Island. We met a couple traveling with three beautiful Golden Retrievers, and of course, we could not resist stopping to say hello.
As we visited and enjoyed plenty of Golden fur, we learned that their owner was a longtime breeder who had only recently retired. She generously shared stories from her many years in the breed, and we were captivated by her knowledge and experiences. We exchanged information before parting ways, turning a chance dockside meeting into a meaningful new connection.
A Close Call at Roche Harbor
Another evening, we stayed in a slip at Roche Harbor. The next morning, after breakfast, we returned to our boat and noticed a sweet, smiley 10-year-old male Golden in the slip beside us.
Naturally, we called out, “Good morning, cutie pie!”
He must have known we were Golden people because he immediately stood up and began climbing out of his boat to come visit us. We loved that he wanted to say hello, but we quickly realized we had no idea how we would help him get back into his boat from the dock. We switched to our best dog-owner voices and asked him to “stay.”
He looked disappointed, but he was a good boy and stayed right where he was.
Wildlife of the San Juans
As much as we missed Meadow and Gracie, the San Juans gave us an unforgettable wildlife experience. Every sighting made us wish our Goldens could have been there to sniff the salty air and watch the world with us.
Our favorite moments included:
- Matia Island: A breathtaking sighting of a mother orca and her calf swimming near the dock
- Sucia Island: A raft of seven playful otters floating, tumbling, and splashing just offshore
- Cypress Island: Bald eagles soaring overhead and deer quietly moving through the woods along the trails
- The Salish Sea: A pod of porpoises surfacing and playing alongside our boat as we traveled between Roche Harbor and Waldron Island
Coming Home Mindfully
Every day away reminded us just how much Meadow and Gracie mean to us. Coming home to two wagging tails, excited greetings, and that unmistakable double-Golden joy made every mile apart worth it.
Gracie greeted us with her familiar sweetness, while Meadow welcomed us home with all the dramatic enthusiasm a five-month-old puppy can possibly offer.
As excited as we were, we also made an effort to keep the reunion calm. It can be tempting to come through the door with big energy after being away, but we do not want to teach Meadow that arrivals and departures are events that require her to completely lose her mind. By keeping our voices and energy steady until everyone settled, we helped reinforce that leaving and returning are simply normal parts of family life.
Once the initial excitement faded, we gave them all the quiet cuddles and attention they deserved.
We had an incredible adventure—but being home with Meadow and Gracie made us feel whole again.
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