I can not believe I forgot to post this last month, and it was such a great story!

A Briarcliff Manor family hosted a reunion of a litter of golden retrievers on their first birthday, and right after one of the season’s first big snow storms. It was a messy but rollicking good time for all. The story and more pics after the jump:

BRIARCLIFF MANOR – It was a dog-day afternoon at the Goodkin home yesterday as the family celebrated Chelsea’s first birthday with a backyard bash attended by most of her 10 golden retriever brothers and sisters.

“We decided to do it because we thought it would be a lot of fun,” said Lisa Goodkin, as a handful of the playful puppies dashed back and forth in the yard, followed by a throng of children who screamed in delight. “Most of the dogs live nearby and occasionally visit each other. This was an excuse to try and get them all together.”

Chelsea and her siblings are the litter of Olivia and Duke, whose owners, Brian Gross and Bill Moorhouse, respectively, both of Briarcliff Manor, had talked about breeding their purebred retrievers for years. A blind date was arranged and the owners said Olivia quickly fell for Duke’s winning smile. Apparently, the case of not-quite puppy love was mutual. After a rendezvous or two in the romantic setting of Ossining Dog Park, nature took its course.

Hoping to assist in the births, Gross studied a few books on breeding, built a whelping box and eagerly awaited the arrival of Olivia’s offspring, which he estimated would occur on Jan. 2.

Of course, due dates are rarely accurate.

The family came home from a Christmas party on Dec. 22, 2007, to find a tired but content Olivia in the box, surrounded by 10 hamster-sized puppies. An 11th was found burrowed under a bathroom rug. All were strong and healthy.

Eventually, all were adopted except for the runt of the litter, Sophia, who remains with the Gross family. The Moorhouses adopted Sammy to keep his dad, Duke, company. Four of the pups were taken by families in Briarcliff Manor, while two went to Ossining, and another two now live in Cross River. The others are on Long Island, Staten Island and in New Jersey.

The families of all the puppies keep in touch with e-mails, pictures and occasional visits. Yesterday’s extravaganza was attended by eight puppies and their parents.

It was a classic birthday, with banners, food, and doggie goody bags with toys and snacks the children put together for their pooches.

There was also a chocolate cake for the humans, with all of the dogs’ names written on it, which was consumed after a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday.” The guests of honor, too busy romping in the yard, did not sing along or blow out the candles, although they did wag their tails a lot.

“People we told about this thought it was the cutest thing they’d ever heard, or thought we were all out of our minds,” said Laura Kirschsten of Briarcliff, owner of birthday boy Cooper.

None of the owners could tell if the dogs recognized their siblings or parents, but it didn’t seem to matter.

“They’re all very sweet dogs and they got along great,” Kirschsten said. “This was a total hoot.”