Newsletter

Obedience Report for GRCA Sept. 09

I was able to attend the Golden Retriever Club of BC and the Golden Retriever Club of Canada National Speciality in July in Surrey BC. The venue was awesome with lots of RV parking, great rings and friendly people. I was fortunate enough to meet an original Golden Retriever Club of Canada member at ringside. Her name is Gertal Barks and she is 95 years young. Gert moved to Surrey to live with her son, Lou Jr. I had a great visit with her while we were watching judging.

She was telling me about having a golden bitch in the early 1960^th while she was living in Scarbourgh, Ontario. She said that there wasn’t much competion to finish championships at that time but was glad when someone brought up two bitches from the States, which allowed her to finish her girl. Goldens were hard to sell in those days, she told me, so all of my family got dogs from my breeding when she had a litter. This has kept up through the generations. I met her son, Lou Jr, who lives in Surrey and shows in field and confirmation. When I asked Gert what she thought of the breed today, she said she was pleased with the general direction that the breed has taken but feels that we must remember what the breed was originally bred for which was to retrieve water fowl. Overall Gert felt that our dogs are better looking than years ago. Being someone who has been showing dogs for longer than I care to admit it was great to talk to a founding member of the GRCA of Canada, a lady with so much experience in the breed that we all love. We have to look at were we have come from to be able to see where we are going with this wonderful breed.

I did get a picture of the High in Trial dog for the National Speciality Obedience Trial GMOTCH/AM OT CH Spririt’s Zim Zam Zoom UDX5/0M1 owned by Ward Falkner or North Vancouver. This amazing dog obtained scores of 199 in Utility and 198 Â½ in Open. Unfortunately I am computer challenged and didn’t know how to get the picture to Lisa but I will hopefully become better at this. Next month I will start an explaination of Rally 0 or Rally Obedience. Doobee and I continue to learn about this sport as she obtains titles.

The Golden Retriever Fun Day that was held at my place went very well. We had 7 owners and 5 goldens not counting my dogs. We started the day with coffee, muffins and donuts supplied by new members, Lori and Ken Blyth. Lori also made chili, which we had for lunch and donated everything. The day of gorgeous, very hot and sunny we did some puppy obedience inside in the morning and introduced thegoldens and their owners to the agility equipment in the afternoon. By the end of the day everyone was tired, people and dogs. Our only wish would have been that more people could have attended. Several people expressed their regrets for not being able to attend. Perhaps we will see them at our next obedience event.

Winter has struck early this year so we will have to play in the snow with our Goldens and use our Sit Stays at the back door while their feet dry off. Happy training, have fun with your dogs.

Kathy Conway

Obedience Rep GRCA

Grooming Services

Professional dog grooming services are now available at my home in Auburn Bay. We have a variety of shampoo’s that will meet your dog’s need’s regarding skin and hair type. Your dog will receive a relaxing message with every bath and conditioner. We will assess your dog, so we know what type of grooming would best suit your dog and you, Show grooming, Breed Trim, Teddy Bear, Kennel Clip, Lamb, or Bath and Tidy.

Please contact me for more information and pricing for your particular dog’s needs.

Address: 47 Autumn Close SE Calgary, AB T3M 0K1 Phone: 403.257.5144 Cell: 403.616.5144

Email: criches@shaw.ca Website: www.autumnrichkennels.com