He was brought into my life when a friend showed me a couple of pedigrees from the breeder of her own dog (Linda Kotts-Rachel Goldens).
It was NOT a good time for me. I was recently divorced, living on my own, and had 3 dogs already living with me....just WHAT was I thinking to even consider it??
Well....after researching the pedigrees and asking lots of people, I decided it was a litter that could not be passed up!!
I contacted Linda and we talked, she offered me 1st pick male. And on August 5th, 1995 she called to tell me there were 4 males and 1 female...great lots to pick from. :)
I flew up to Morrow, GA and well, let's say - Dreamer picked ME out, not the other way around.
From the start he has been something "special" - always by my side, "Mr. Personality," with a wonderful work ethic yet he loves to snuggle!!
It was a case of "over-smothering" when it came to his upbringing...prelims on hips at 6 months and again at 12 months (not leaving anything to chance here!), eyes checked, heart checked.
At 2 years he had his OFA films done, PennHip done, elbows done. We also did feet and wrists knowing he'd be doing A LOT of jumping in agility (this was on the advice of the surgeons!) and eyes rechecked. EVERYTHING cleared wonderfully!! (End result: OFA "Good", Top 10% in PennHip, elbows cleared, eyes cleared, heart cleared)
http://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=649461#animal
NOW he could begin showing!!!
Dreamer began his agility career (first show at 2 yrs, 3 months) and was off like a shot. He showed 6 times in the AKC ring then he was in Exc. and after 4 weekends in USDAA he was in Masters (you cannot move up on Sunday when you title on Saturday in USDAA)!!!
Then our world was shattered...losing "JJ." I mourned my greatest loss - but also Dreamer mourned. You could see it in him...his big brother and constant companion was gone!!! It took him 6 month to run around a particular tree that they both used to race around in the backyard.
Boy, did he have BIG, BIG shoes to fill...all my goals, time, and efforts were now on him! I wasn't sure this "baby" dog would be able to hold up to it!
I have to say....he has done that and MORE!!!
Pedigree: http://www.k9data.com/pedigree.asp?ID=20849
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Dreamer has had quite the "career"
with many FIRSTS to his name!
**He has appeared on Animal Planet on 4 different shows doing agility.
**He was invited to participate in the "ESPN Great Outdoor Games in Lake Placid, NY" agility competition (July, 2002).
**He has appeared on the cover of "Pet Professional," a supply magazine for pets.
**He has appeared on the cover of "Front N Finish" Dog trainers magazine.
**Earned his AKC "MACH" title finishing his 750 points needed on his 10th Double Q (QQ). He was the 9th Golden Retriever in the USA to earn this title.
**Dual Placed on ALL 20 of his QQ in AKC towards his MACH1.
**Earned his USDAA "ADCH" title after 18 weekends trialing.
**The FIRST Golden in Florida to earn the USDAA "ADCH" title.
**The FIRST Golden in Florida to have both a MACH and ADCH.
**The FIRST Golden in Florida to have a MACH3 title.
**The FIRST and ONLY Golden in Florida to earn the NADAC "NATCH" title (in only 9 weekends of showing) at 8 yrs old.
**The FIRST and ONLY Golden to earn the NADAC "NATCH6".
**Third
dog to hold a NATCH in the state of Florida (First was Mindy Lytle and Zoe - JRT, Second was Shari Silvey and Peaches - Aussie).
**The FIRST Golden to have earned an "ATCH" title through ASCA and then the "ATCH-OP" (Outstanding) and then the "ATCH-SP" (Superior).
**The FIRST GOLDEN to hold "4" AGILITY CHAMPION TITLES from "4" different organizations in the entire USA!! (then went on to earn numerous MACH's and NATCH's and ATCH's)
**Qualified for the USDAA Grand Prix National 3 years in a row, while actively showing in USDAA.
**Qualified for the AKC National for 5 years in a row, while actively showing in AKC.
**Qualified for the GRCA's (Golden Retriever Club of America) "ADHF" (Agility Hall of Fame) as soon as it was
created by the GRCA.
**Was ranked in the GRCA Top Twenty Agility rankings for 3 years in a row.
**Ranked in the Lifetime Ranking for Goldens in 2004 being #10 and #8 in MACH points and MACH Double Q's.
**Dreamer was awarded the Mid-Fla. Golden Retriever Clubs "Agility Dog of the Year" - for years 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004!
**After only 4 trials he earned enough Elite points to qualify for the NADAC Championship in Calgary, Canada in 2003!
**Came home the Double Digit 20+ Veteran Champion at the St. Louis NADAC Championships in 2005!
**Entered the NADAC Hall of Fame (upon earning his NATCH5) - and is I believe the FIRST (currently only) Golden to do so!
**Earned his AKC CD in 4 tries with 2 placements.
**Earned his UKC CD in 3 tries with 2 placements and a HIGH IN TRIAL
**Earned his AKC CDX in 5 tries with 2 placements
**Earned his AKC JH (junior Hunter) title with his 4th leg being given scores of ALL 10's by BOTH judges!
**Earned his GRCA WC (working certificate) title twice
**Earned his UKC SHR (started hunting retriever) title 3 passes in a row
**Earned his "RN" (AKC Rally title) in 3 tries at 12 yrs old (all scores over 95)