Hoekema Homestead Goldens

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

A common question I get and has surfaced again recently from excited new families waiting on these upcoming pups - how does the matching process work? Do we get to let the pup fall in love with us.. do we get to choose? Will you help and guide us? Is love at first sight a real concept or simply a myth? Let me dive in to some thoughts on this for you all and explain why puppy matching is so important. Choosing the Right Puppy for Your Family: It’s More Than Just Love at Firs

Whether you are raising a child or a puppy, it takes a village. Late nights, challenging moments, hard decisions ... it takes patience, dedication, passion but also moments that you allow yourself to pull support from every corner of your village that you have. A sister to lean on, a friend to feed you confidence, a 4 legged friend to sink your face into when things seem a bit much. 2 legged.. 4 legged.. family or friend, we learn to use our village to smooth the fr

An 'almost' pregnancy confirmation is not what anyone wants to hear I know I know! I was trying to delay writing this to get a few more hours behind us so hopefully I could get better photos a bit later, but no such luck unfortunately. Isla is a doll and rolls right over for me so I can run my ultrasound over her as many times as I want/need to. These scans show very hopeful images though! but I am not going to say 100% confirmation at this time. Egg implantation only takes p

The dust from the thick air starts to float down with a heavy sigh, drifting down at last, settling into the welcoming earth with a deep grateful breath. The sand that once flew in every direction, every second of the last 3 weeks is now all slowly and happily adjusting back into place. All the tuffs and fluffs of fur get lovingly washed and brushed out to a sheen. A good boy pat or 2 or 143 to my sweet darling Tonka boy who knew exactly who, when and how often to do his job

I look back at my words from last week "I accept whatever the heavens grace us here with" and know with full conviction that I need to live, breathe and trust my own words. I believe in perfect timing, certain things being out of my control and I trust my dogs whole heartedly. I go back and read my own words a few more times. As much as I do everything in my power to set them up for success, they—and Mother Nature—know, sense, and hold plans far beyond what I can comprehend.