Performance Rings And The Trials Within Them
My Lifetime of Perfect Pets
During the month of May, Front & Finish celebrates pets. For me this seemed to be a perfect time to celebrate my own pets and to share with others some of the joy they have brought me and my family.
My parents both had dogs as family pets during their childhoods. My mother’s family was more aware of pedigrees and researching breeds, while in my father’s family dogs were simply family members though surprisingly, both my father’s dogs were purebred. While living in England my maternal grandfather had bred and raised Alsations (German Shepherds), but later in Canada they had an Airdale and Kerry Blue terriers as family pets. Today, I cherish a set of beautiful, bronze Alsation bookends that belonged to my Grandfather. My father, who grew up in Northern Ireland, had a Boston Terrier named Rex. He would tell us kids stories about how Rex would “protect” him from his enemies. Ha, ha! He also had a Greyhound named Mickey, that his father had been given as payment for a debt. The Greyhound, who came from racing lines, had lost a toe in an accident as a puppy. The breeder told my grandfather he could “take the dog, because he would never be able to race”. Years later the dog was taken out to its original kennel and had an unofficial race with the racing champion of Great Britain…and beat him! That must have been quite a shock to the breeder, but it was a story proudly shared for years among my family members!
I got my first dog when I was six. I don’t remember much in the way of preparation for this event except that my Dad constructed a fenced in run and built a lovely dog house for her. Saucy Suzy a.k.a. Fancy was a beautiful, CKC registered Boxer who was bred by one of my father’s coworkers. I do remember being given the privilege of choosing her name. My two choices were Fancy and Minky (because I thought she was fancy and had a beautiful mink-like coat). Fancy was a very much loved member of our family although her TLC was far more loving than tender. In our rural area, back in the ’50s, obedience classes were unheard of so she was always a loving but, wild family member.
My next dog was a cute, registered Yorkshire Terrier who was bred by the woman who taught my mother’s millenary classes. Moonmist Glendavies Choice, a.k.a. Mickey, named for my Dad’s Greyhound, was a very clever, energetic member of our family. This boy was a retrieving maniac! He would find a balls that had probably been lost for decades and then pester everyone to throw them! Despite his small size of 10 lbs. he fit into our active family very well. It still makes me smile when I picture him bouncing high as he ran with us through the hay fields. Mickey was very clever and did many tricks. He would have done really well if at that time we had known about formal obedience trials. Mickey came to school with me back before canine visitation in public places was popular. I did my class speech about Yorkshire Terriers and brought him along to help out. I’m not sure the teacher was thrilled, but the class loved him!
Wimberway’s Lady Chris of Milliken a.k.a. Christy, was my next dog. Christy was a lovely, black Labrador retriever who came to our family when she was 6 months old. She was held back as pick puppy, but was then sold to us when the breeder became pregnant and felt she wouldn’t have time for the puppy. Christy fit into our active teenage family perfectly. She loved the water and time spent at our cottage was her favorite time. She would often retrieve our water skis from the deep water! We would try to keep her dry before the trip home because nobody wanted to sit beside a large wet dog! We were rarely successful, but in the long run it didn’t really matter as we all loved her so much. Christy was a great “boy magnet” when I was in my teens and later became a “chick magnet” for my brother. That dog had so many walks! During the time Christy was with us I dated and eventually married my husband, Bob. Christy didn’t enjoy Bob’s company when we were dating as he would arrive and off we would go leaving her behind! When we married Christy learned to love Bob, accepting him as family, because now when he arrived he brought me home! Christy is proudly featured in my wedding photos. Years later she was able to greet my daughter and see her through her first few years often acting as a walker during Kelly’s unsteady days as a toddler.
In the early years of my marriage, starting a family, finishing university and just a busy life schedule kept my husband and I from owning a dog. This was something our girls frequently complained about “since you and Dad always had a dog”. Living part of the time on a boat didn’t help their cause either! When the girls were in primary school my husband’s job took us away from family and our crazy 
way of life in Ontario and planted us in Calgary, Alberta. One day, leaving my husband at home, my daughters and I went to the local sportman’s show. While we were there the three of us were able to enjoy a fun visit with a very sweet, black, Labrador puppy. Of course the girls were immediately on my case…we should get one etc. etc. Driving home, keeping my thoughts to myself I might add, I was thinking that maybe we should get one. This would be the perfect time. The kids were old enough to understand the responsibility of pet ownership and our lifestyle was pretty normal. When I got home I told my husband about the puppy and mentioned that I thought now was a good time to get a dog. Not being one to make decisions quickly he fired back at me all the excuses I had previously used for not bringing a dog into the family. I was able to counter all his attacks and added that I would like a Labrador. I knew he was hooked when he said he would rather have a Golden retriever like his aunt’s. Ok by me! I could live with a Golden! Right away I started researching breeders and eventually found Tweed kennels. Previously, purchasing dogs had been in my parent’s hands. This was my first time to be responsible for what I felt was a very important decision for my family and it was a real eye-opener for me. 
I discovered, we were not going to drive to a kennel, pick our favorite little ball of fluff and take it home! This was more like adopting a child! We did everything by the book. Marnie, the breeder, had us come for a visit to meet her dogs and I’m sure to check us out too. We passed inspection and so did Marnie. We loved her, the dogs and enjoyed learning all the information she passed along. Initially, we told her we would like a female. There was only one problem…the bitch had yet to be bred! Oh the wait…so long before the puppies were born! We finally got our call from Marnie hopefully to tell us the good news; except what she said was “I have good news and bad news”. My heart did a flip-flop…she has changed her mind about letting us have a puppy or there aren’t enough puppies for all the applicants! She went on to tell me there were 9 healthy puppies, 8 boys and 1 girl, but the girl was spoken for by the person who co-owned the bitch. Right away I said “we’ll take a boy”. This was all Marnie needed to hear. She was fine with my choice too. After another long 8 week wait, Skye a.k.a. Ch.Tweed’s Dunvegan Skye CDX, WC, TT came home, but not without a special condition from Marnie. Skye was a pick puppy and she wanted him to go to a show home. Marnie also ran an obedience school and her standard for all her dogs was high. I knew nothing about the show or obedience rings, but I was willing to learn and she promised to guide me. True to her word Marnie helped me for the next few months with the basics of conformation and obedience. When Skye was 10 months old Bob’s career sent us back to Ontario. Excited as we were about going home, I was nervous about being left on my own with the potential show/performance puppy I had promised to train and was now being left on my own without help. Thankfully, through the Golden Retriever club I met several wonderful people who educated me through the early days of Skye’s show and performance career. A few ribbons later and I was hooked!
If one Golden Retriever is good, how amazing would two be? By the time Skye was three years old I was frequently off to dog events. My husband didn’t think having a second dog was a good idea, besides he said two won’t fit in our car. No problem, I sold his car and bought a van! Problem solved and we got Bangor, a.k.a. Ch. Goldcap’s Bangor O’Kelaime WC, TT. Both Skye and Bangor taught me so much about the dog world or maybe I should say they taught me how much I didn’t know about the dog world! For many years the three of us had a great time travelling around to dog events, participating on a drill team and meeting other like-minded friends. Twice, with members of our obedience/drill team, Bangor and I travelled to Bermuda for their dog show. What marvelous adventures they were! Bangor and I were a great team and it still brings a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye when I am at shows and people remember him.
Echo a.k.a. Dove Cottage Echo at Kelaime CD came next. Echo was really our gap dog. He was a gorgeous, warm, loving Golden Retriever who like the two Goldens before him had an amazing temperament. By the time he came along we were living on the farm where we still reside. Living on the farm gave me the opportunity to fulfill another dream, that of owning a horse (make that 2, because, …well you know…) Echo went to obedience classes with me and then finished his CD in three straight with my husband at the end of the leash. To this day my husband thinks obedience is easy! While Echo had lots of attention and at least one long walk everyday he was not out at the shows the way the other Goldens were. He was definitely my husband’s heart dog and remains so to this day many years after he crossed the rainbow bridge. Bob’s extra attention to Echo gave me time to show my horses and know that Echo was still living the good life at home.
Trying to find another perfect Golden seem to be an insurmountable task for my heart, but I felt ready to have another dog. While considering different breeds I discovered that I really am a retriever person so we chose Garnet, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever now TDCh., Ch. Roaneden’s Rare Gem CD, RE, TD, CGN as well as holding club versatility and dock diving certificates. Garnet came into our lives with gusto! He is incredibly smart and so athletic it boggles my mind. He is a work-a-holic, but doesn’t especially enjoy cuddles or any fussing about such as grooming. He is very serious about everything he does and doesn’t suffer fools well. You have to give 100% to Garnet or he isn’t interested in playing. I love him, he’s lots of fun and he pumps my ego with his rapid learning ability, but I did miss the affection I was used to having with the Goldens. The perfect way to fix that problem was to bring 5 month old Dazzle on board. Garnet loved her from minute one! We are enjoying their antics and marvel at the way their two very different personalities blend.
TDCh.Amberview I’m the Real Deal CD, RI, CGN is our Dazzle who suits her name as she is a flashy girl with a sparkling personality. Typical of most Golden retrievers, Dazzle loves everybody and insists on attention 24/7 preferably if it includes body engulfing cuddles. She is anxious to please and will sulk if she thinks things haven’t gone her way. Dazzle likes to do her own thing. She teases Garnet and pushes him to the point where those who aren’t familiar with their behaviors think he will do her serious harm. She knows the limit so there is no chance of that happening. They truly are a good pair.
To many folks, eight dogs in a lifetime does not sound like all that many, especially as twice we’ve had two at the same time. To me it’s been perfect in number and the time they were with me, although never long enough, was exactly the right time. Working dogs, toys and sporting dogs have given me a good variety of personalities and behaviors to enjoy while learning about dogs. Fancy, Mickey, Christy, Skye, Bangor, Echo and now Garnet and Dazzle have filled my life and the lives of my family with more love and fun than we could have ever imagined having if we hadn’t had them. My heart saddens to know that some people live a lifetime without knowing the love of a dog for they will never know what they missed. I have been so blessed with my pack.