Candi

 There’s a certain kind of connection that comes with having a Golden Retriever in your life—but not just any Golden Retriever. I’m talking about our family dog Candi.

Candi is eight years old now, though you’d never know it from the way she bounds across the yard or digs crater-sized holes with the enthusiasm of a puppy on a mission. She’s a white Golden Retriever with the kind of soulful eyes that instantly soften your worst days and a personality that charms chickens, birds, and humans alike.

Yes, you read that right—chickens. While most dogs might chase or bark at backyard hens, Candi prefers to hang out with them like they’re old friends. I’ll often find her lounging in the grass nearby, keeping a gentle eye on her  flock like the honorary farm manager she believes herself to be.

Her love for the outdoors is a whole chapter on its own. Whether she’s watching birds from the deck or scouting the best spot for her next digging project (our backyard looks like a moon crater some days!), she’s always in motion—unless she’s not. And when she’s not? She’s at the sliding door, barking with purpose. Not to go for a walk. Not to chase a squirrel. But to go out and “watch the stars.”

Yes, sometime around midnight most nights, Candi insists on her ritual: a quiet moment on the deck under the night sky. We tell ourselves she's stargazing—maybe even contemplating the universe in her own doggy way. Or maybe she's just enjoying the peace, like the rest of us.

Living with Candi is a reminder to slow down, appreciate the simple joys, and never underestimate the power of a good hole in the ground.

Thanks for reading—give your pups an extra treat tonight.

- The Vandenheuvel