More: Sophie was a gift for my 50th birthday three years after losing our first Golden, Champ. From Day 1 she’s been enthusiastic, rambunctious, energetic and downright exuberant about LIFE. She was not an easy puppy; she wore me out. Thank god I never had the heart to train the exuberance out of her. She is pure, unadulterated kid-in-a-candy store JOY. I love her beyond measure. And she loves….. water, snow, tennis balls and me. In that order.