Monday, April 27, 2015

Goodbye Brandy ...



On April 22nd, 2015, we had to make the hardest decision of our lives. We had to let Brandy go.

She was my best friend, my business partner and my rock. She was my son's best buddy, and just an amazing little dog. She was the main reason that I got into training dogs, not because she was a problem dog, but because I was blown away at the things you could teach a dog and by the things that you could accomplish with one if you put your mind to it.

She touched the lives of many, and those who knew me in the past 12 years, more than likely knew her as well. She changed many, many peoples negative opinions of Jack Russell Terriers - she was a breed ambassador. On multiple occasions I would get the comment, "can I take her home?", she made people smile where ever she went. She came everywhere and did everything with me, and was always more than willing to do what I asked of her.

Brandy was a very independent, driven little dog (probably the highest drive dog that I have worked with to date), who had tonnes of attitude and spunk. She liked to back talk if I was unclear in my handling, but always gave 300%. She was a brat of a puppy, typical Jack Russell Terrier, but once enrolled in obedience classes, became the easiest dog ever, that fit in to our family like she was always with us. She also had one heck of a sense of humour, and entertainment was high on her list of things to do.


She was multi-titled in agility, always participated in the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Canada trials, and had a few Rally Obedience titles as well. Her job was to work with dogs that displayed leash reactivity and work as my demo dog in classes, which she did beautifully. She took on another job, and became my son's best buddy and protector, even though she was never raised with children.

Brandy was a once in a life time dog who took a piece of my heart when she left. I will be forever grateful for being able to share my life with her, and I miss her terribly. I love you little dog.

Thank you to Hawkins Animal Hospital for taking care of her over the years, especially to Dr. Hornamen who gave her a new knee and who was there at the end. Thank you to the Jack Russell Terrier Club of Canada who started us off on the road to competition and became a constant in our lives. Thank you to my family, friends and clients for being so supportive during this difficult time.

Brandy The B-Hive:
August 13, 2002 - April 22, 2015
RIP my little girlie.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

TITLES & ACHIEVEMENTS:
*Master Level Agility Training
*Advanced Level Obedience Training
*1st Place On-Leash Agility 2005 Niagara Group Terrier Trial
*Agility Dog of Canada Title (ADC) with the AAC 10/27/06
*Starters Games Dog of Canada Title (SGDC) with the AAC 2/9/07
*4th Place 10" Division Royackers Canada Cup 2007 ($78.50) 7/21/07
*Retrieval Proficiency Test (RPT) 8/18/07 with the Canadian Disc Dog Association
*JRTCC Nationals 2007 - 1st Place Agility II, 2nd Place Jumpers, 2nd Place Tunnelers, 3rd Place Gamble
*CARO Novice Rally Obedience Title (RN MCL) - 3 rounds, 197pts each 11/10/07
*CPE Level 2 Standard Title - CL2-R - 03/09/08
*CPE Level 2 Handler Games Title - CL2-H - 04/05/08
*CPE Level 2 Fun Games Title - CL2-F - 07/05/08
*7th Place 10" Division Royackers Canada Cup 2008 07/19/08
*CPE Level 3 Standard Title - CL3-R - 08/02/08
*JRTCC Nationals 2008 - 1st Place Agility II, 1st Place Jumpers, 1st Place Gambler, 1st Place Tunnelers
*CPE Level 2 Strategy Title - CL2-S
*JRTCC Nationals 2008 - 1st Place Agility II, 1st Place Jumpers, 1st Place Gamble, 1st Place Tunnelers
*Advanced Agility Dog of Canada Title (AADC) with the AAC 11/29/08
*JRTCC/JRTRO June 2009 Twin Trials - JRTRO Trial June 6/09 - AGILITY TRIAL CHAMPION,
  1st Overall   - 1st Place Agility II, 2nd Place Gamble, 3rd Place Jumpers
*JRTCC Nationals 2009 - Small Terrier Steeplechase Challenge WINNER, 2nd Place Agility II , 5th
  Place Gamblers, 4th Place Jumpers
*JRTCC Nationals 2011 - Small Terrier Steeplechase Challenge WINNER, AGILITY RESERVE
  CHAMPION (2nd overall)
*JRTRO June 2012 - RESERVE Agility II & III Champion, 2nd Place Agility III, 1st Place Gamble,
  1st Place Jumpers, 2nd Place and Reserve Pet/Rescue Conformation
*JRTCC Sept 2012 - RESERVE Agility II & III Champion, 1st Place Agility III, 1st Place Gamble,
  1st Place Jumpers, Small Terrier Steeplechase Challenge WINNER
*CARO Trial October 26, 2014 - Advanced Rally Obdience Title - 1 previous round 196,
  2 rounds 10/26/14 196 - RA MCL

Titles:
AAC: ADC, SGDC, AADC
CPE: CL2-H, CL2-R, CL2-F, CL2-S, CL3-R, CL3-F, CL3-S, CL3-H, CL4-R
CARO: RN MCL, RA MCL
CDDA: RPT
JRTCC: HIT Agility 2009 JRTRO Trial, JRTCC SGD, JRTCC AAD, JRTCC Nationals Reserve Agility Champion 2011
JRTCC Rescue Trial Reserve Agility Champion June 2012, JRTCC Nationals Reserve Agility Champion 2012, JRTCC Nationals 2012 Steeplechase Challenge Small Dog Winner