Hoekema Homestead Goldens

Such a perfectly extravagant week we all had here! I look back at the week and can't quite wrap my head around that it's only been a week. So much was taken on, explored, discovered, accomplished and conquered in such a short time.   The HAY babies are now heading into their 5th week here and the Berry babes into their 4th. Confidence is soaring and personalities are blossoming.  Such a fun and rewarding age! My little squishy squashy potatoes are all of a sudden big kids. Bi

All our wee tiny faces here have blossomed and plumped into fat, chunky, healthy and thriving squishy thick potatoes!   The growth this week has been incredible in so many ways.  Their faces are changing, their voices are getting louder, and their bellies are round and full. Those tiny tummies are off the ground, powered by strong, stubby legs as they motor around the box.     The Hay babies are hovering right around 4 lbs, and the Berry babies are sitting right at 3 lbs. Eve

The bigs are big and the littles are little... though the bigs seem to get bigger by the minute, and the littles are determined to catch right up to the bigs. The growth at this stage is truly astounding. It feels like every time I glance away even for a moment, they've changed again - a little fatter, a little plumper, somehow even cuter, and far more active than they were just seconds before. Their bellies round out, their little bodies strengthen, and the once-wobbly wiggl

I am BERRY BERRY excited to announce to you all that 5 new perfectly healthy beautiful new pups have arrived here on the Homestead! Welcome to the world little ones! Born 3-9-26 5 pups - 2 Females 3 Males Goji - Female - Orange - 16.96 Goose (Berry) - Green - 14.08 Currant - Blue - 13.92 Saskatoon - Purple - 13.12 Strawberry - Red - 13.92 It was a long night here but everyone is healthy, thriving and snuggled in peacefully with mama Leia. Mama Leia is one proud mama today smi

Isla and Tonka’s ‘HAY’ pups are now just shy of 1 wk. old. It’s hard to believe we are already nearly a week in. The little tiny, not so tiny actually, bushel of 12 pups are now fat, plump, thriving, strong and wonderfully wiggly, squishy squashy potatoes.   The fight at the milk bar increases their strength exponentially as they have to rotate around to get an equal feed. They do this quite magically and naturally on their own, though I also keep a close eye to make sure the

HAY HEY HAY HEY HAY! Isla's HAY pups have arrived here on the Homestead. We are ecstatic beyond belief to share with you all this announcement. Everything went smoothly, zero losses, no littles, strong and healthy BIG litter! Welcome to the world little ones! - Born 3-2-26 12 pups - 8 Females 4 Males   Timothy - Male - Orange - 15.04oz Prairie - Female- Pink - 14.56oz Rye - Female - Red - 15.68oz Fescue - Female - Purple - 13.44oz Meadow - Female - Green - 14.88oz Clover - Fe

There is a fine art to patience in general, but when it comes to magical little fur beings, that patience is tested to the fullest. The excitement sits at an all-time high as we wait for their arrival. Calm soothing energy flows through the pack to keep the mamas relaxed and the continued 'baking' steady and strong. Isla has expanded in every direction by leaps and bounds over just the past few days. It's truly astonishing how much growth happens right at the very end. She's

We’re officially on the countdown… and the excitement in is almost too big to hold. There’s a certain energy that fills the air when puppies are on the way — a mix of anticipation, wonder, and heartfelt gratitude for it all. It’s the kind of feeling that makes you move a little slower, check in a little more often, and smile for no reason at all. Every soft movement from our mamas, every stretch, every nap feels significant… we’re standing and waiting on the edge of somethin

From top to bottom, wall to wall, inside outside and everything in between, we prep for babies. Spring/puppy prep cleaning is at it's all time highest. Walls get scrubbed, nursery boxes and panels get washed, rewashed and sanitized. We are in the thick of organizing, constructing, setting up, and tucking in corners just right. Drawers are stocked with neonate supplies, mama supportive care and everything that we'll need for what's ahead. Mamas get fed extra and doted on at ev

The energy of spring is certainly in the air, tucked into every nook and cranny. The air feels lighter- brighter- warmly inviting. The dogs prance, dance, sing and itch on their backs as if they are forcing the earths waking power into their bodies. Even the cat flips and rolls, soaking in the same rising energy as the earth wakes up. All of them burst from their slumber in the wee early mornings hours, twisting and tumbling belly-up into the morning not yet awake itself. Hap