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Windstorm Retrievers™ "chocolates changing history"™ |
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Sites- Rascal Sites - Other Resources for Retriever Training
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I went to Handjem Retrievers almost nine years ago with my hunt test/obedience females, Stormy and Velvet. They helped me learn with my dogs. I had no idea how it would change my future. Rascal came into my life when Stormy failed to get pregnant. Mike and I agreed I should look for a puppy that could be a possibility for a field trial dog. Two days later, Curt Humphries, his breeder, shipped eight week old Rascal from Dallas. Bev Montgomery had raised the litter. The rest of the litter of another chocolate and 6 blacks had been sold earlier. Rascal landed in Milwaukee after circling for several hours in a huge thunder storm. He cheerfully bounced out of the crate, tail wagging, without a sign of fear or caution from the rough trip. He has been like that, fearless and happy, in every situation since Rascal's love for water emerged immediately as he learned to climb into the bathtub and later by chasing hundreds of bumpers in the surf on Sanibel Island, Florida at Christmas. All his basic obedience was done on my lunch hours at the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh where I teach. While ten months he went to Mike Lardy who started his foundation yardwork. Dave Smith's children, Dana and Jessie, often brought Rascal in to sleep with them when he was in basics. Andy Attar, who worked for Mike at the time, did a portion of his basic and transitional skill development. (Andy now has Autumn Run Retriever Kennels) Mike and Dave have done all his advanced training. Rascal represents many firsts. He is my first field trial dog, my first amateur win, and the first chocolate in history to be an NFC. It was Mike's fifth National win which is the first time a Pro has won five. I am extremely grateful to Mike and Cindy Lardy and their children Erin, Austin, and Kirstin; Dave, Shelley , Dana, and Jessie Smith; and Andy, Kari, and Kelsi Attar for their contributions to Rascal's development and success. They and Mike's program, as well as all those NFC's, NAFC's, FC's and AFC's in his genes, made Rascal what he is. Thank you to the three judges, Dennis Bath, Bill Daley, and Grayson Kelley, who worked long hard hours at Ardmore. Their tests were demanding but fair. All the workers and committee chairs who made the National run so smoothly should also be recognized for their fine work. Judd Little, local rancher, obtained the wonderful sites for each series. In the gallery, Joyce Williams, Vern Weber, Sue Reynolds, and Mary Howley sat with me and gave support as I went through the anxiety and joy of watching Mike and Rascal earn that blue ribbon. Rascal, who sleeps on the living room sofa at home, doesn't know what he has achieved. He just knows he always has a wonderful time with Mike and Dave who have all those birds for him. After Ardmore when Mike and Dave took him pheasant hunting in Iowa with 3xNFC Lottie and NAFC Lean Mac, it was also fun Mike wanted me to add his thanks to his pre-National training group (Dave Smith, Ben Vallin, Chris Ledford, Terry Fowler, Hank McNeil, Don Wolf, Glenn Homsey) for their great work in preparing for the trial. Jay and Kent Sweezey shared their fabulous grounds for several days of pre-National training. Mike remarked that Dave's efforts were a critical part of his success at the National. All the people who have sent me cards and left messages of congratulations for us were enormously appreciated. Getting to know all of the people in the field trial world has been a positive and rewarding experience. I am pleased I discovered that world and have become part of it. Written for January 1997 Retriever Field Trial News
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Sites - Chip
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Other Windstorm Dogs
Look for more links here in the near future |
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2001 copyright Windstorm Retrievers; Marilyn Fender; Email nfc96@windstormretrievers.com |
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as of January 9, 2003