Yeah Bradford - they have strong personalities and need owners who'll be the pack leaders but they're really nice dogs. The 12 year old neighbor girl absolutely loves Tilly - they're constantly sending pictures of her in bed with a leg and an arm over Tilly, both snoozing. Their lab-golden won't tolerate it.
It's really tough when you have to part with an old friend - it was close to 10 years ago when our old lab-springer came to the end and I remember it like yesterday - plenty of tears for her.
Ferm, your pup could be Tilly's twin - the brown with white blaze and the ears (not the blue ones).
Welcome to the V20 K9 club
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Scott, Portland, OR '85 V-20 I/O, Merc 170