Behind Every Name is a Story
Behind the Name: Sweet Pea Golden Doodles
Sweet Pea Golden Doodles was born from love, remembrance, and healing. Our name honors the memory of my sweet angel, Gabriel—my “Sweet Pea.” Though losing him was the hardest trial I have ever faced, sharing his story allows me to feel close to him every day.
Gabriel’s Story
April 1st, 2008, was a day of profound significance, yet it arrived with both joy and sorrow. It was the day Gabriel entered this world—our precious boy—but it was also the day everything took an unexpected and tragic turn. Due to a traumatic delivery, Gabriel was deprived of oxygen, resulting in severe brain damage. He was diagnosed with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE), and doctors told us they did not expect him to survive the night.
But Gabriel wasn’t ready to give up. Day after day, he fought with a strength that surprised us all, though his brain damage remained severe. At the time, we were living in Okinawa, Japan, and the military medical facilities weren’t equipped to conduct the necessary tests. So, Gabriel was medivac’d to Balboa Hospital in San Diego, carrying with him nothing but a single suitcase and our hope that his time on earth wouldn’t end too soon.
After several tests, we learned that the only part of Gabriel’s brain still functioning was the lower portion of his brainstem—leaving him with only the most primitive reflexes. Faced with this, we made the heart-wrenching decision not to prolong his suffering by keeping him on life support. To our surprise, Gabriel continued to breathe on his own after he was taken off the machines, and we were transferred to hospice care. It was here, in the quiet of those moments, that a glimmer of hope began to grow. We knew his life would be filled with challenges, with many difficult days ahead, but we also began to believe that Gabriel could have a long life, surrounded by love and care.
In the midst of this uncertainty, we made another decision—we purchased a puppy, hoping to train her as a therapy and medical alert dog for Gabriel. Her name was Goldie. Sadly, Gabriel passed away soon after we brought Goldie into our home, never having had the chance to meet her.
As a mother, losing a child is an unimaginable grief. In the emptiness of that loss, many mothers experience something known as “empty arm syndrome.” Hospitals and hospices often provide weighted bears to help soothe the aching arms, a kind and thoughtful gesture—but no bear could ever fill the void of not having my baby to hold.
During this time of profound loss, it was Goldie who became my comfort. She was my constant companion, my balm for the raw pain I carried. It was with her by my side that my deep love for dogs truly began. Goldie wasn’t just a puppy; she was a lifeline—a source of comfort, healing, and unconditional love.
In honor of Gabriel’s memory and the healing Goldie brought into my life, Sweet Pea Goldens is proud to give back. Every year, we donate a bereavement puppy to a family who has experienced the devastating loss of a child. If you know of someone who is grieving and could benefit from the therapeutic comfort of a puppy, please reach out to us. We hope that by sharing the joy and healing that dogs bring, we can help others find a bit of peace in their pain, just as Goldie did for me.