RACH Hi-Star Striving for Excellence – “Excel”

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Excel is the puppy that I kept from Strive’s litter. He is sweet, cuddly, and goofy, and I adore him.

He’s taught me how important life skills are for performance dogs, and much of his first couple of years was spent focused on being calm around other dogs, loose-leash walking, and being comfortable in his crate. Excel has also taught me the importance of clear criteria and reward markers and how that reduces frustration. He is exceptionally intelligent and consistently strives to excel in everything he does.

Excel earned the AKC Rally Championship, the Beginner Novice title, multiple agility titles, the Dock Dog Senior title, and the Canine Good Citizen Advanced title.

Excel has become particularly attached to my youngest daughter, and through 4-H, they have earned many Grand and Reserve Championships together in obedience, rally, agility, and showmanship.

Excel loves spending time with my daughter, especially cuddling and playing fetch. I’m grateful for their relationship and the many lessons he is teaching her. I look forward to watching where their journey takes them.

Topbrass Friar Tuck – “Tucker” (2001 – 2013)

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Tucker was the quintessential golden retriever whose heart was bigger than his body. He loved everybody, human or canine. Tucker was my first agility dog and my first advanced obedience dog.

I always said that Tucker did obedience and agility because I asked him to, and he was a great performance partner, but he was so much more to me. He comforted me and kept me company as my husband was deployed to Iraq. He was always there for me, my best friend. Tucker was a therapy dog, a job which he took very seriously. He helped dozens of children become more comfortable with reading and taught scared kids that dogs can be friendly.

Tucker accomplished a lot during his life. He earned Master Agility tiles, the Companion Dog Excellent title and one leg of the Utility Dog title, the Rally Excellent title, the Canine Good Citizen title, and he was a certified Therapy Dog.

Near the end of his performance career, Tucker spent some time teaching his 8-year-old friend the sport of agility. Together, Tucker and his buddy got many ribbons and titles, and Tucker loved every minute of it. I miss Tucker’s big presence every day, and I am so thankful for the time we had together and for the lessons he taught me.

Shoreland’s Shock’N Ya’ll – “Toby” (2005 – 2021)

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Toby was truly a once-in-a-lifetime dog who lived every day with unbridled joy. Toby blew me away with his accomplishments in the performance rings. He absolutely loved being out there and commanded the attention of everyone watching, clearly showing that he was having a great time. He made me laugh every time we walked in the ring together with his adorable antics. I’ve never met a dog who puts forth as much effort into this work; he gave me 110% every single time I asked him to perform.

Toby earned numerous titles throughout his long career, including multiple Utility Dog Excellent titles, multiple Obedience Master titles, multiple High in Trials awards, the Rally Advanced Excellent title, multiple dock diving titles, and the Canine Good Citizen title. In addition, he won the huge Advanced Rally class at two different Golden Retriever National competitions and had multiple other national placements. Toby also earned many High Combined awards in Rally.

Toby particularly excelled in obedience, coming very close to earning his Obedience Trial Championship before he had to be retired because of physical health problems. Even after he was “retired,” we continued to show in the preferred classes, which allowed the jumps to be lower, and he continued to compete and win many ribbons well into his 13th year. Toby took me on a journey that I’ll forever be grateful for. He taught me to live life with happiness and joy and to laugh a lot. Our adventure was incredible, and I’ll be forever thankful for this little red dog who changed my life.

RACH2 Hi-Star Exceeding All Expectations – “Strive”

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When I travelled through several states to meet Strive’s litter, I made it clear to the breeder that I wanted a boy. Upon meeting this sweet and sassy puppy, however, I couldn’t say no, and the next day I started home with my little female pup that I named Strive. She was meant to be ours from the beginning, but not meant to be mine.

To this day, Strive is still sweet and sassy. She adores people, especially children, and clearly chose her person, my oldest daughter Lexi. Together, they have accomplished more than I ever thought possible.

Despite Strive being Lexi’s dog, she and I earned many titles together. She earned the Utility Dog title with multiple High in Trial Awards, earning her a spot in the Golden Retriever Club of America’s Obedience Dog Hall of Fame. In Rally, she earned the AKC Rally Championship title with dozens of High Triple and High Combined awards. We also earned dock diving titles, the Canine Good Citizen Advanced title, the AKC Trick Dog Advanced title, and the Golden Retriever Club of America Working Dog Certificate.

Lexi took over showing Strive and earned a second Rally Championship title, as well as several advanced agility titles. They competed together at the AKC Junior Invitational, earning 5th place overall in agility and High Combined in Rally. They have also earned dozens of Grand and Reserve Championships in the 4-H sports of obedience, rally, agility, and showmanship in both county and state competitions.

Strive blessed us with nine puppies that are thriving in homes across the country, participating in obedience, agility, hiking, and more. Several have earned championships in obedience, rally, and agility.

Strive has taught me a great deal about training, and I’m grateful that she chose our family. I’ll always be thankful to her for all of the lessons that she’s taught Lexi and the adventures they have enjoyed together.

Ammo’s Journey to the Top – “Rise”

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Rise is my youngest golden, and he’s such a fun guy. He’s super smart, very silly, and loves to train. I think part of Toby came back to me in Rise, as his antics remind me of Toby every day. He loves to cuddle on the couch with me, but is always ready to play or train.

Rise earned the Trick Dog Novice title when he was just 16 weeks old. We have been busy training and preparing for his performance career in obedience, rally, and agility. He’s so much fun to train.

I can’t wait to see where our journey takes us!