Gold Ribbon’s Champion Kelly

 

Kathy Heck and Angie Adams

Fair Oaks Ranch, TX

 

When we first met Kelly (GRR # 02-106), she was about a year old and a total mess:  kennel cough, fractured tail, recently spayed, not housebroken, thin as a rail, and ravenously hungry for both food and attention.  We have no idea of what her life was like before us, and maybe it is best that we do not know.  

 

Kelly was at San Antonio Animal Control, then Gold Ribbon Rescue.  There were several foster homes, but despite her sweet nature, no one could manage Kelly’s amazing energy level.  She paced constantly and was never, ever still.

 

As foster volunteers with “high drive” agility Goldens, we agreed to take her for a “two week boot camp” to try and improve her behavior.  Several months later, Kelly was still with us and not even near ready to go to a typical adoptive family. 

 

Despite her wildness, there was a sweet spirit and hopefulness within Kelly that just could not be ignored.  Her heart is pure Golden.   We decided we were meant to be Kelly’s “forever home” and we adopted her.

We took Kelly to her first obedience class, and the instructor warned us, “Don’t expect too much from this dog.”  At first, we just thought she was a typical rescue that craved action and attention.  In time, we discovered that her behavioral issues placed her far beyond “high drive.”  She is truly hyperkinetic. For example, tired of throwing her tennis ball, we put it high out of reach.  Five hours later, she was still obsessively pacing below, waiting for it to re-appear.

Like a child with hyperactivity and attention deficit syndrome, there are often times when Kelly can not focus or control her behavior.  Pack order issues complicated her home life, and we sought help for her (and us) at the Texas A&M Behavioral Clinic.  Thanks to their expert help, proper medication, and extensive behavior modification training, Kelly’s behavior has greatly improved.

 

We started Kelly in agility training to provide an outlet for her non-stop energy.  Her progress was amazing and her competitive career got off to an excellent start.   But suddenly, Kelly developed fear issues and her hyperkinetic behavior worsened.  For some unknown reason, the show ring suddenly became very scary place and Kelly began to run out of the ring.

 

It was obvious that she loved to run the courses.  So, we took the ultra-positive approach.  Every time Kelly stayed in the ring, we told her, “You won, you won!”  Ever so slowly, Kelly began to believe that she is a winner and became comfortable enough to excel. 

 

Kelly earned two second ribbons in agility at the 2006 Golden Retriever Club of America National Specialty in Overland Park, KS, and she finished in the top half of her 24” height class at the 2007 AKC Agility Nationals in Columbus, OH. 

 

She has also qualified for the Golden Retriever Club of America’s Agility Dog Hall of Fame and most recently completed the AKC’s highest agility title, Master Agility Champion (MACh.). 

 

These honors are a wonderful testimony to Kelly’s “Golden Spirit” and the power of love.  While our real goal has always been to keep Kelly safe, happy and alive, we are thrilled with her accomplishments.  It shows what can be done.

 

You don’t learn from the “easy dogs,” and Kelly has taught us more than we ever thought possible.  In return, we enjoy that sweet smile and her Golden spirit, and we know that this is one precious life saved by love.

 

 

 

MACh. PerfectBlend’s Kelly Belle, CGC, MX, MXJ at the 2007 AKC Agility National Championships in Columbus, OH

(Photo Credit:  Great Dane Photos)