Memorium
Chaucer’s Tales of Arete - CDX FDCH AGI CGC "Chaucer" (07/24/1985 – 5/11/1998)
Chaucer was the inspiration behind Arete and my breeding program. He was the “man” who started it all, and to whose standard all creatures ‘Arete’ must strive for. Just like his name, Chaucer’s Tales of Arete, there’s no literal translation for him; no ONE way to describe him. He was an athlete, a companion, a shoe-fetcher, a confidant, a pioneer, a pillow, a guardian, a pack leader, a Showman, and a dream-catcher. He was all of these things and there was more; he had “Arete”, that something special that is inexplicable and undeniable deep within his soul that touched people’s lives. It was somehow recognized or felt by many throughout his life. He lived his life with dignity, and silliness, pride and humility. When it became apparent that his brave and vital soul was trapped in a body no longer able to support it, he comforted us. As we lifted him out of the car at the vet’s for that final visit, he summoned all of his Arete and walked into the office with his tail wagging and his head held high.
Oak Breeze Arete’s Hat-Trick - CDX NA AD FDCH Golden Retriever Club of America – Outstanding Dam "Tricksy" (10/15/1991 – 01/19/2004)
Tricksy was my foundation dam, and never did I dream that she would be honored with “Outstanding Dam” status from the Golden Retriever Club of America. She earned this honor through the multiple titles of her offspring, Whirlie, Mac, and Sophie who has her MACH2. If you ask the 22 owners of her pups, they will certainly tell you that they already KNEW she was an outstanding dam, for they all love their pets who are what Golden Retrievers are supposed to be.
I felt very strongly then, as I do now, that a Golden Retriever should be able to go anywhere, do anything, and be a wonderful family member. That is where Tricksy came in. I got the best puppy that I could find, in hopes of providing some deserving people with a golden retriever, as a golden retriever should be. I also wanted to compete in multiple sports with her, hence, the “Hat-trick” of titles after her name.
She was a good athlete who loved agility, but hated the teeter. In her opinion teeters had no place in agility. She confounded many an agility judge with her unique A-frame technique. She would often touch the contact going up, and going down, but nothing in between.
Tricksy was a silly girl who loved to make you laugh. She had a unique way of flopping on her back, belly up to the world and give you a look with a smile so that all of her teeth would show. She was a very intuitive therapy dog, and always found away to reach people who wanted to pet her, without putting any weight on them. She definitely passed on her kind intuitiveness and sensitivity to her offspring.
Arete's Trick O' Tradewinds - UD AX AXJ ONYX "Whirlie" (1/17/1995 - 8/16/2003)
Whirlie was born in the middle of the night during a torrential downpour of the “El Nino” storms. Her registered name is a reflection of that, and a combination of her mom’s and dad’s registered names. That morning I got the mail, and opened the Golden Retriever News and there was a huge memorial spread in honor of her Grandfather “Whirly.” I knew she was going to be special.
Whirlie had a way of doing special things for me. For “coming through” when it was important to me, or a big show, such as winning the Golden Retriever National Specialty Agility Excellent 20” class, and toning down her barking in the ring long enough to get that last UD leg.
Whirlie was an awesome sports dog. She learned by watching, and was extremely competitive. She had a great desire to please, and hated to make mistakes. She amazed me all the time. She earned her Novice Obedience and Open Obedience titles with no failures. Her unbridled enthusiasm made getting her UD a little more challenging however. She also earned her Novice and Open Agility titles with no failures. She was barely two years old at the time. She also learned and played flyball with speed and determination. She was not a border collie, although she certainly beat her fair share of them. A very well known and respected Agility champion told me at a trial one time, that Whirlie reminded him of his World Team teammate Holly and her sister Kelsey. That was a compliment that I will never forget Whirlie was certainly only limited by my time and finances. Even more importantly, she was always at my side, my constant companion. Whirlie will always hold a special place in my heart.
Arete's First Round Draft Pick -UD OA AXJ FMX "Mac" (4/7/1996-4/19/2005)
Mac was an excellent example of that special “Golden Personality”. He had a strong presence and the drive to swim or retrieve a tennis ball all-day long if we let him; yet he had a very gentle temperament. Mac was especially good with kids and puppies and often had lots of youngsters hanging and petting on him at agility or flyball demonstration events.
Mac earned his CD, CDX, and UD obedience titles by 3-years old and then decided that “agility” was a lot more fun (thus no OTCH). After earning agility titles, he found “Flyball” to be his favorite thing to do – gathering 10,000 points for a “Flyball Masters- Excellent” title. In addition to NAFA tournaments he had performed many flyball demonstrations as halftime entertainment at UCSB Basketball games and once at the Staples Center in Los Angeles for the Harlem Globetrotters halftime show. He is usually a “hit” at these events where his calm nature allows the spectators to pet him.
Mac had an innate ability to tell when Lou was going hypoglycemic and would awaken him if this happened at night. (The ensuing snack then provided for good positive reward feedback) We don’t know how he did this and the other intuitive helper-dog things, but we very much miss them now.