Nov/Dec GRNews Ad by Karen Hocker

Fantastic Fall 2013 Ad created by Karen Hocker

Photo courtesy of Karen Hocker - AWESOME!!! November 2009

Looking for ducks

Kaze studying the pond - May 2013

Photo courtesy of Karen Hocker

WAY MORE THAN A PRETTY FACE

Kamikaze Fall 2011 - thinking about dog shows again - more grooming, more bathing - but just look at him - he deserves a shot!!!

photo courtesy of Karen Hocker

JANUARY 2010

KAMIKAZE

HAVING FUN IS NEVER A "WASTE OF TIME".  KAMIKAZE WAS A FANTASTIC EXAMPLE OF A WORKING GOLDEN RETRIEVER!!!!

Kamikaze earned a JAM in the Qualifying Stake at the 2013 Golden National.  He was on his game - even after a long van ride from NH to TX!  To my buddy - thanks for another amazing "ride". 

Kamikaze earned a JAM at the 2012 Golden National in the 67 dog Qualifying Stake.  He ran a great trial-with an awesome water blind and water triple!!  

KAMIKAZE AMASSED 25 MASTER LEVEL PASSES - CONSISTENT MARKING AND BIDDABILITY ON BLINDS WERE THE TICKET

AT OUR VERY FIRST ATTEMPT TO RUN A QUALIFYING STAKE AT A FIELD TRIAL - KAMIKAZE BROUGHT HIS "A" GAME IN RECORD HIGH HEAT AND WE WERE AWARDED 2ND PLACE.  THAT MADE KAMIKAZE A *** GOLDEN AT 5 YEARS OLD.  AND HIS MOTHER "LOUIE" IS NOW A GRCA OUTSTANDING DAM.  

MASTER NATIONAL HUNT TEST FINALIST AT FOUR YEARS OLD - WHAT A DOG!!!  KAZE AND LAURA EARNED A QUALIFYING SCORE AT THEIR VERY FIRST ATTEMPT AT THE MASTER NATIONAL!  THANK YOU TO MY WONDERFUL MENTOR BUCK SHOPE AND MY ULTRA SUPPORTIVE TRAINING PARTNERS AT SWIFT RIVER RETRIEVERS - NANCY, CHARLIE, JO, KAREN AND DICK, BARBARA and many others over the last couple of years.  And a special thank you to the PA gang who set me on the right path - Jim, Mike, Bart, Bob, Megan and Tom and Jeff.

Kamikaze was three things:

1) an exceptional hunting companion.  My husband already feels like he will never own another working dog like him - Kamikaze just gets what hunting is all about.

2) an awesome competition dog who loved hunt tests

3) a fantastic family member - he was a joy to have in our household and I thank Molly Schlachter for producing him.  He is my heart dog.  I love him more and more every day.  A friend told me that someday I would love Kamikaze more than I could ever imagine and I didn't understand at the time as Kamikaze was so young and had so much to learn and also to teach me.  Now I understand and I am thankful every day for my friend's wisdom.

Kamikaze was my first Master Hunter dog and it was an incredible ride - including being a finalist in the 2011 Master National at 4 years of age.  Kamikaze was completely amateur trained and handled.  He qualified for the 2011 Master national with 6 straight passes and finished qualifying for the 2012 event at the conclusion of the 2011 test and is again qualified for the 2013 event.  Kamikaze was a great marker and very biddable at the line in competition.  He was confident - running with style and always a team player.  He gaves me the most wonderful readable signs telling me he knew what he was doing all the time - so I could relax.  Kamikaze would run for anyone - proven when after only one day training together  - an amateur friend completed a master test with him during Hurricane Irene.  I am still getting amazing feedback from the judges about his enormous courage on the water in the high wind.  As a hunting dog he had tremendous quartering skills and very outspoken body language when on a bird.  He hunted all fall with our extended family members who do not even own dogs - a true testament to his biddability - we could send him out with anyone and they have success and very few lost birds.  

He came out happy every day - ready to train, hunt, hike or play.  

Kamikaze was an easy dog to train - always attentive and eager to run, handled correction very well.  He was a good water dog - going in honest and strong and getting his work done.  As he matured, I saw a better and bigger water attitude - making consistent good decisions about staying in or out of the water.  He ran amazing blinds - taking great initial lines and carrying casts for enormous distances fighting factors with confidence.  

Kamikaze had perfect Golden temperament.  He was a typical male Golden "mush" around people - it was not enough to be touching him - you had to be scratching, massaging or at least petting him or he would wiggle all over you until you were.  He was a wonderful full-time house dog, a great beggar and pre-washer of dishes.  He had no issues with other males and was respectful of females.  He wished I was into competitive obedience as he would have been a star there too.  He was a natural attention heeler and eager to please all the time.  His paternal pedigree has dogs that prove working dogs can be exceptionally well-built and good looking including his CH, MH, UD grandfather "Presley" and his CH SH father "Spirit".  His maternal pedigree brought the natural working and top-notch marking ability with "Steeler", "Maverick", "Ki" and "Pardner".  His three generation vertical pedigree boasts 5 ***, 4 ** and 8 MH's, 1 OTCH and 3 UD's plus 13 bench champions.  Two of his maternal half siblings are amateur trained MH's and both have field trial placements.  Kamikaze definitely came with a serious pedigree of proven dogs.  

Physically he was very athletic - spectacular to watch working.  Kamikaze's attitude, energy level, and looks remind me greatly of his maternal uncle "Ticket". Structurally he was very handsome and moderate in all regards.  I had been encouraged to send him out to be finished in the breed ring but selfishly do not wish to give up the training or real hunting time.  He had balanced conformation and strong movement, level top line, muscular loin and good foot timing.  His front assembly was good, his rear was very strong with good tail set and carriage.  His head was masculine but not overdone with good stop, deep muzzle and balanced back skull.  He usually had a serious expression except when returning with his last bird - then you can see the calm smile behind the bird.  Kamikaze had a dark eye, good pigment, full and correct dentition and great feet, he had no skin issues and his coat was completely wash and wear - super straight.  He had adequate coat and furnishings - very much a product of his environment.  He stayed in condition easily and maintained a working weight of 71-73 pounds all the time and stood 23 3/4".  

We lost Kamikaze on April 17, 2017 to hemangio.  He was a trooper to the end - going field training the day before.  I will be forever grateful that he performed one last long water blind for me that day- going over the first point and past the second one on his initial line.  He always gave great effort and played by the rules.  He is missed every single day.  

Kaze at LRCGB August 2008 Hunt Test

2008 Golden Retriever Specialty Senior Hunt Test