Pupdate!

If you’ve been following along, you probably know we added a new golden retriever puppy to our family in late 2024 and I thought it was time to give a pupdate! At six months old, Churro is growing fast and brings a fresh dose of ridiculous cuteness and mild chaos to our lives every single day.

Queso & Churro on a walk along the river in Fraser, CO.

Here are just a few things I’ve learned (or been reminded of) since welcoming this fluffy tornado:

Everything is a toy until proven otherwise

Churro is extremely creative when it comes to finding “fun,” which means I’m constantly asking what’s in his mouth and fishing around in there. Footwear is a particular favorite. When he scores a slipper, he parades it proudly, always taking a few laps between the legs of any standing person. 😂

Chapstick, mail, rocks 🙄, socks, and deodorant have also made repeat appearances. And a new favorite? Hair scrunchies… while they’re still attached to my head. So if my head is within reach, my entire bun/pup-do/ponytail is fair game. 🤢😂

Churro at the beginning of his slipper parade.

Queso is a saint

Our older golden Queso (he’ll be four in June!) has taken on the role of gentle big brother like a champ. Watching them interact is a daily reminder of how much dogs communicate without saying a word. They wrestle, run, and play every day. Churro is always trying to position himself as close to Queso as possible, Q usually tolerates it... until he doesn’t, and then he quietly moves.

Both dogs are wearing seatbelts, but Churro scootches allllllll the way over to Queso’s side to be closer to him. 🥹🥰😂

The little moments matter most

A floppy nap, a wild zoomie, a quiet look of trust. Puppies grow up fast, and these fleeting moments are the ones I’ll remember forever. It’s also why I’m passionate about helping others preserve them through photography.

Queso and Churro begging for Yappy Hour snacks while camping in New Mexico.

Loose leash walking? Still a mystery

We’ve had golden retrievers since 1998, and we’ve never successfully taught any of them to walk nicely on a leash. We’ve spent countless hours (and dollars!) on training over the years, and yet here we are again… getting dragged down the street like it’s our first rodeo. 😅

Churro might be the best of the bunch, honestly, but if we go out together as a family? All bets are off.

Resting at the Nook after a morning off-leash romp in the meadow.

It’s not always easy raising a puppy… but it’s always worth it!

And if you’re also in the puppy trenches right now, hang in there! Someday soon, they will sleep through the night. (Probably.)

Churro loves the “middle” position!

Ginger Wick Photography is an award winning dog photographer specializing in creating beautiful custom artwork of dogs & their people. Based in Parker, CO serving the Denver area.