Hoekema Homestead Goldens

It hardly seems possible, but the Isla and Leia HAY & BERRY pups have now been settled into their forever homes for almost six weeks. Every time I look back at the masses of white fluffy photos, I'm reminded of just how quickly this stage passes and how fast they grow up. One moment they're my tiny squishy squashy potatoes learning to navigate the meer inches in front of their noses, and the next they're off on exciting adventures with their families, discovering all the wond

Goodbye, my sweet HAY and BERRY pups. Raising you has been more than a privilege—it’s been a piece of my heart I’ll carry forward forever. Every moment with you mattered. Every second counted. Every day we shared changed me. Now go out into the world and love without hesitation, bring comfort where it’s needed, and leave a mark that lingers long after you’ve passed through. You were never just being raised—you were becoming something meaningful, phenomenal, and learning how t

There’s something about going home week that always carries a mix of joy, pride, and just a tiny ache in the heart—and this week was no exception. Gotcha Day was soon approaching and I felt my time ticking passed way too quickly. We spent our days getting every puff ready for their big transitions, making sure each puppy felt confident, clean, and oh-so-loved before heading off to their forever families. Bath time was a huge highlight and every so fun. Every single one of

The time here with my Mini pack is on the home stretch. Selection visits for both litters have now been completed, and my heart is overflowing in the very best way. I know, without a doubt, that each of these precious babies has been thoughtfully matched with the families they were always meant to call their own. Puppies were colored on for identification purposes... to begin with... then continued to be decorated just for fun! Such pretty babies! Laps were warmed, hearts wer

We've added a whole new meaning to BUSY around here! The Hay pups are now 6 wks old and all rowdy roadsters, zoomie masters, attention seekers, kibble vaccuums and of course as cute as all get out stealing my heart more and more everyday. Each one has capture parts of my heart in their own special way. The Berry pups are not that far behind. Gaining speed by the minute. Holding their own just fine with the HAY kids when they get plunked all together in one nursery so I can cl

The sunshine comes out, the chill drops, the dogs slow and everything comes to a stop. The dogs instantly sprawl out in the sand like the warmth shot their breath away in a split second. The rhubarb bursts forward with fierce determination and the crocuses and tulips reach for the skies like they have been starving to death for months. The puppies run, romp, roll, climb, swing, swim and soak up every single second of this early warmth that we've been blessed wit

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