So fascinating to see K9 Musical Freestyle Training begin at a mere 8 weeks of age. Just amazing what Linda Farr is doing with this little guy.
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Here’s Linda with Golden Retriever Disco, doing a nursing home demonstration. These are much harder than you can imagine. The space that you typically have is very confining so you need to be very creative in what you can safely perform.
You can learn more about freestyle training here:
A Baby Alfie
I’m so happy that Alfie is celebrating his 11th birthday today (you can see him from my first day with him on here: alfie.landofpuregold.com). I never made it this far, getting to 11, that is. Okay, not me, but my Alfie boy. He celebrated 11 years of happiness (I hope) today. Cancer took my other babies so I am holding out hope that Alfie will make it a bit longer.
But, I am definitely not greedy. There is plenty to be thankful for as there are a bazillion fabulous scenes that will hopefully play over and over in my head for some time to come.
I had never before done the party thing or even gotten a cake for my boy. But, I figured this was truly a momentous occasion. So, he had his first take of cake today. Now, I will never be left alone again when sneaking a piece for myself.
He has gotten so many special surprises. Just check out the organic Carrot Peanut Butter Bubba Rose Birthday Cake and the Mimi-Green Swiss Velvet Custom Name-Embroidered Collar.
The infamous window response to my calling out, "WHO'S THERE?"
Alfie has stolen my heart .... so I knew I needed to add a heart to his wonderful new collar.
Spoiled, you say? Nah . . . . . . . . .
P.S.: Funny hubby Gary just asked why half the cake was still in the refrigerator. Surely, his birthday boy Alfie should have been given the entire cake to wolf down in 5 seconds flat. Major fail, of course.
P.P.S.: A fun clip of Alfie’s very first freestyle lesson with Carolyn Scott
Golden Alfie just loves watching the fish and frogs in the pond. His tail never stops wagging. Ever. And, the song, Sunny Skies, by James Taylor ( http://james-taylor.com ) is just perfect.
This is Deb Walz’s Golden Retriever Selka, or more formally, Sandhill’s Goldust Selka. A lover of the sport no matter what the season, he also enjoys dumping snow from his Frisbee onto his head! Now, that is what we call one thinking Golden! According to Deb, Selka is a joy to everyone who knows him and spends his time retrieving, working as a therapy dog or laying in Mom’s lap. You can learn more about the sport of Canine Frisbee here.
Frisbee is on my mind today since I just learned that Fred Morrison, once a World War II fighter pilot and inventor of what became known as the Frisbee, died this week at age 90. He referred to his early flying discs as “Whirlo-Way” and “Pluto Platter,” to capitalize on the flying saucer craze of the 1950s.
“It is impossible to fathom the impact Fred Morrison has had on the world through the invention of such a simple object know as the Frisbee,” said Kevin Givens, executive director of the World Flying Disc Federation.
Fred Morrison, Frisbee Inventor
I wonder if Fred knew how much his invention impacted the dog world. Canine Frisbee is enjoyed by casual enthusiasts and professional competitors alike. I love this Russian Golden’s skills and fine movement.
And, our favorite canine competitor and all-around sweet lady, Pam Martin, of Top Dog Dallas, is just wonderful at combining Frisbee with Canine Freestyle. Spy is one intense dude, that’s for sure. And, of course, super talented!
Do not do this at home. This is not canine freestyle. Asking a large breed dog such as a Golden Retriever to move about on two feet is just so dangerous. It simply shows no respect for a Golden’s bone structure, and how hard such movement would be on the body. Overall, the dance moves are just ridiculous. Imitating human dance is not what freestyle is about. It is about incorporating a dog’s natural movement into a routine. And, don’t get me started on the costuming.
This video just turns the entire exercise and the sport into a comedy routine, which you can tell by the reactions. That is not what we want viewers to get out of this sport.
Vodpod videos no longer available.
Btw, here is how Canine Freestyle is defined by the Musical Dog Sport Association (MDSA):
A dog sport in which training, teamwork, music and movement combine to create an artistic, choreographed performance highlighting the canine partner in a manner that celebrates the unique qualities of each individual dog. It is built upon the foundation of a positive working relationship of a dog and handler team.
I know a little bit about the sport, having trained and performed in it myself. And, of course, I’ve learned from the best, including that of the renowned Carolyn Scott.
Our favorite Golden lady, Carolyn Scott, has been grieving for some time since her beloved Rookie left her side almost 15 months ago. She had also lost her Golden Rescue boy, Maverick, to cancer and a beloved kitty. It was just Zita, her lovely standard Poodle, providing that much needed furlove, and Zita has been mighty ill as well.
Well, today I received a happy post. Of course, it began with the typical Texas greeting of “Howdy”.
Here are the pictures of my new dog. I have re-named him “Cash”. Isn’t he a cutie? I adopted him from Collie Rescue. He is 5-months-old.
As of yesterday Laddie became “Cash Scott”. : )
Cash is doing great! Randy loves the name since I have already been to Petsmart to buy him lots of toys and bones. : )
I am thrilled for Carolyn, and not terribly mystified by her choice in breed. Rookie was truly that once-in-a-lifetime dog and it may be quite some time before she can cross back into the Golden arena.
My hubby Gary’s first dog was a Collie, named Laddie, no less. So, he was a touch less thrilled that Carolyn changed her boy’s name. Oh well.
Carolyn has also been a Collie lover from way back, her very first dog as a child being a Sable & White Collie boy named Rascal. She thought he was the smartest dog she had ever seen.
Auntie Rochelle is really upset with Carolyn’s choice of places to buy her new love’s toys and treats. Given all the cancer out there, and problems with a suspect food supply, we just can’t be too careful. I certainly am not with my Golden boy Alfie.
Please check out my page on Polluted Pets as a reminder . . . . while I bundle up a much-needed care package for Cash that will include organic toys, organic treats and free-range USDA chews.
Maybe, I can even get Carolyn to switch to Canine Life’s home-cooked organic puppy formulation for her sweetie. I have been using it for years and cannot imagine better peace of mind than that of knowing that he is getting the best of the best.
Enjoy this 2002 Iowa Public Television story about Linda Farr and her Golden Retriever Keeper.
Of course, we loved the Golden Retriever the best!
Golden Retriever (or Reindeer) Vanda
Bernadette and Golden Retriever Vanda look to be awful cold dancing in a winter wonderland.
This is just one crazy Golden, as her mom says. Check out this tree-grabbing girl below.
We just discovered another Golden Freestyle Champion, 11-year-old Golden Retriever Vera and her partner Cassandra Harman of Cassandra’s Canines, from Caledonia, Ontario.
Cassandra Hartman says her Goldens feel the music and can improvise their own dance moves. (Photo by J.P. Moczulski for The Globe and Mail). That sounds just like our favorite boy, Rookie.
Hartman and Vera recently won best in show against 100 other duos at a recent doggie dancing competition in Rhode Island, and they are off to the Netherlands in the fall for the first worldwide contest. A professionally-trained dancer and choreographer, it is adorable to see all of her dogs named for dancers.
Cassandra has an incredible Golden Retriever gang, that includes ….
— OTCh. Dovergold Debbie Reynolds RXMCL,W-FDX/MF, W-BMFD-MF, CGN
— Skylon Jazzin’ Vera Ellen CDX, RVMCL, W-FDX/MF, W-BMFD-MF, CGN
— Windrows Gwen Verdon (obedience and freestyle bound!)
— Windrows It’s Showtime Fosse PIT (puppy in training) CTI (chief treat inhaler)
Check out Cassandra dancing with Vera Ellen by clicking here.
Carolyn Scott and her adoring Rookie
To Rookie,
The only pain or sadness you ever brought me…..was the day you left me.
I miss you.
Carolyn
For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I’ll be forever thankful baby
You’re the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You’re the one who saw me through through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I’m grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don’t know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You’ve been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
We originally published the following update from Carolyn Scott and Rookie on February 27, 2008
I have received so many emails of support and prayers I feel blessed. Thank you all for taking the time to write and keeping us in your thoughts. Rookie is doing GREAT! He greets me with a smile every morning as he leads me to kitchen for his breakfast. : )
As many of you know Rookie was diagnosed with a spindle cell tumor on his right leg near his elbow a few months ago. Since Rookie was about to turn 15 I decided to have my vet remove the tumor but I didn’t want to put him through any further treatment. My vet removed the tumor and I happy to report there is no sign of it returning.
At this time I decided to cancel my seminars and not schedule any others for awhile. I just couldn’t be away from home at this time. Then about a month afterwards, when I woke up, I found Rookie completely paralyzed in both rear legs. I was devastated and thought this was the end BUT Rookie had other ideas. I took him to the vet where she x-rayed and explained to me he had arthritis and some other problems that were probably causing the paralysis. Our floors are tile with very little carpet and he could not walk without falling. I decide to follow the vets recommendation and put Rookie on bed rest for awhile with meds to see if he improved. Well, by golly he perked up and was a happy camper every day during this. After a couple of weeks he was able to master the tile and even throw in a few spins.
I have to admit I have been depressed a time or two but I have realized that Rookie is happy every day. So I decided to live in the moment as he does and do the same. I feel I have been so blessed to have this extra time with my sweet boy. His attitude is amazing everyday. The other day I let him out to roll in the grass by the pool and the next thing I knew he got this wild look in his eye and headed straight for the pool. Rookie loves to swim but even in Houston thewater in a pool can be very cold at this time of year. I almost wasn’t able to stop him from jumping in. : )
Like I said, Rookie loves life and doesn’t realize he is 15 years old now. I am hoping it will warm up soon here and he can take a swim and once again enjoy one of his favorite activities.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I cannot begin to express how much they have meant to me. Rookie will always be a eternal puppy with thoughts of freestyle, rolling in the grass, eating and swimming in our pool. He thinks everyday is his best day and I am trying hard to do the same.
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Sadly, I now have a new update regarding our beloved boy, Rookie.This weekend Carolyn contacted me to let me know that she would be helping Rookie to cross over to the Rainbow Bridge on Monday. She asked me to pray for her to have the strength and courage needed to let go.
Carolyn and her hubby Randy helped Rookie over the bridge at 3:00 yesterday. Today, Carolyn let me know that she was not up to writing anyone about this traumatic event. Her heart is breaking, and understandably, she is overwhelmed with feelings of sadness. She truly needs your prayers and support right now, and specifically requested that I link to the following video featuring the Jane Siberry song, Calling All Angels.
I have included the words to this special song below
Calling All Angels
Santa Maria, Santa Teresa, Santa Anna, Santa Susannah
Santa Cecilia, Santa Copelia, Santa Dominica, Mary Angelica
Frater Achad, Frater Pietro, Julianus, Petronella
Santa, Santos, Miroslaw, Vladimir and all the rest
a man is placed upon the steps, a baby cries
and high above the church bells start to ring
and as the heaviness the body
oh the heaviness settles in
somewhere you can hear a mother sing
then it’s one foot then the other
as you step out onto the road
how much weight? how much weight?
then it’s how long? and how far?
and how many times before it’s too late?
calling all angels, calling all angels
walk me through this one
don’t leave me alone
calling all angels, calling all angels
we’re cryin’ and we’re hurtin’
and we’re not sure why…
and every day you gaze upon the sunset
with such love and intensity
why it’s … it’s almost as if
if you could only crack the code
then you’d finally understand what this all means
but if you could … do you think you would trade it in
all the pain and suffering?
ah, but then you’d miss
the beauty of the light upon this earth
and the sweetness of the leaving
calling all angels, calling all angels
walk me through this one
don’t leave me alone
callin’ all angels, callin’ all angels
we’re tryin’, we’re hopin’, we’re hurtin’
we’re lovin’, we’re cryin’, we’re callin’
’cause we’re not sure how this goes
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UPDATE
This special montage is a tribute to the most unique 15 year partnership of Carolyn Scott and her beloved Golden Retriever, Rookie. Arguably, the most famous canine freestyle team in the world, Carolyn and Rookie’s love for one another has been cheering millions through the many clips that have circulated over YouTube since Dave Mintzer originally digitalized the famous routine from a videotape Carolyn had provided us several years ago. Little did we know that our posting of that video would bring so much joy to so many, actually even bringing soldiers in Iraq to tears.
Learn about our nonprofit foundation’s documentary film that is based on this special union.The film celebrates the human-canine bond and how it was critical in their overcoming adversity, given Carolyn’s polio and more. It is being produced for fundraising purposes by the Land of PureGold Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit providing cancer treatment grants for working dogs and funding research in comparative oncology, the study of cancers that occur similarly in people and companion animals.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
UPDATE 2: JULY 23, 2008
To Rookie,
The only pain or sadness you ever brought me…..was the day you left me.I miss you.
Carolyn
For all those times you stood by me
For all the truth that you made me see
For all the joy you brought to my life
For all the wrong that you made right
For every dream you made come true
For all the love I found in you
I’ll be forever thankful baby
You’re the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You’re the one who saw me through through it all
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, you gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach
You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I’m grateful for each day you gave me
Maybe I don’t know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining your love into my life
You’ve been my inspiration
Through the lies you were the truth
My world is a better place because of you
You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn’t speak
You were my eyes when I couldn’t see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn’t reach
You gave me faith ‘coz you believed
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
I’m everything I am
Because you loved me
________________________________________________________________
UPDATE 3: AUGUST 1, 2008
I want to thank each of you that sent cards, gifts, emails and called with words of sympathy and support for me and my family during this very difficult time. I especially hold dear your individual stories of how Rookie touched your life.
The pain of his loss persists but the thought of how special Rookie was to each of you continues to bring me comfort.
This special update comes from Carolyn Scott and Rookie, Houston, TX
I have received so many emails of support and prayers I feel blessed. Thank you all for taking the time to write and keeping us in your thoughts.
Rookie is doing GREAT! He greets me with a smile every morning as he leads me to kitchen for his breakfast. : )
As many of you know Rookie was diagnosed with a spindle cell tumor on his right leg near his elbow a few months ago. Since Rookie was about to turn 15 I decided to have my vet remove the tumor but I didn’t want to put him through any further treatment. My vet removed the tumor and I happy to report there is no sign of it returning.
At this time I decided to cancel my seminars and not schedule any others for awhile. I just couldn’t be away from home at this time.
Then about a month afterwards, when I woke up, I found Rookie completely paralyzed in both rear legs. I was devastated and thought this was the end BUT Rookie had other ideas. I took him to the vet where she x-rayed and explained to me he had arthritis and some other problems that were probably causing the paralysis. Our floors are tile with very little carpet and he could not walk without falling. I decide to follow the vets recommendation and put Rookie on bed rest for awhile with meds to see if he improved. Well, by golly he perked up and was a happy camper every day during this. After a couple of weeks he was able to master the tile and even throw in a few spins.
I have to admit I have been depressed a time or two but I have realized that Rookie is happy every day. So I decided to live in the moment as he does and do the same. I feel I have been so blessed to have this extra time with my sweet boy. His attitude is amazing everyday. The other day I let him out to roll in the grass by the pool and the next thing I knew he got this wild look in his eye and headed straight for the pool. Rookie loves to swim but even in Houston thewater in a pool can be very cold at this time of year. I almost wasn’t able to stop him from jumping in. : )
Like I said, Rookie loves life and doesn’t realize he is 15 years old now. I am hoping it will warm up soon here and he can take a swim and once again enjoy one of his favorite activities.
Thank you all for your continued support and prayers. I cannot begin to express how much they have meant to me.
Rookie will always be a eternal puppy with thoughts of freestyle, rolling in the grass, eating and swimming in our pool. He thinks everyday is his best day and I am trying hard to do the same.
On January 14th, freestylin’ friends and MDSA team, Emily Pyle & Henrietta, performed on the Good Morning America show.
They did great and Emily was such a great spokeswoman for the sport. I know Carolyn Scott would be very proud of Emily, MDSA board member and products manager.
Emily and Henri performed a modified version of their adorable routine (at youtube). This little whiz was so incredibly focused, never taking her eyes off of mom. And, it was quite impressive how well behaved she was while Emily was initially being interviewed.
Click below on a smiling Emily to see this 5 minute piece.
Below is the youtube video clip of this routine.
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It is an amazing day today, as our shining star Rookie is celebrating his 15th birthday. This is the special message that I received from his mom, Carolyn:
Today is Rookie’s 15th birthday! We will be celebrating all day and hope you will join the party. : )
This morning has been filled with birthday hugs and kisses and I am smiling ear to ear feeling extremely grateful as you can imagine.
Some of you may know that Rookie had some health issues surface this year. However despite the overwhelming odds Rookie has triumphed over each with his amazing attitude and love of life. He has taught me so many lessons over the years but probably the most important lesson he has taught me this year has been to live in the moment as he does. Without this lesson my days would have been much darker filled with worry and fear of what the future held for us. Instead I have been able to focus and enjoy every single moment we have together to the fullest. From the moment Rookie greets me in the morning with his smiling face and tail wagging to each time he is lying at my side and glances up at me. : ) It doesn’t get much better then this. : )
Thank you all for your messages of support and prayers through the last few months. Each message has brought me comfort and a feeling that I am not alone.
I hope you all will all take a moment to give your pups lots of hugs and celebrate life today with Rookie and I. — Carolyn Scott & Rookie
For those folks who do not know about this incredible wonder, please visit our Gotta Dance page at the foundation site. There are many videos to enjoy of Rookie’s active freestyling years.
And, enjoy this wonderful video Best of Friends that shows off the special bond that Carolyn and Rookie have.
Best of Friends
We’re the best of friends, heart and soul, head to head, toe to toe
I’m not letting go
We’re the best of friends, I thought you knew, that the best I am, is beside you
We’re a couple of comfy shoes
Oh together we’re a pipe dream, all lit up and smoking,
‘Bout all the things we’ll do
Oh together we are wishes, my aren’t we delicious, Coming true
We’re the best of friends, are we wise, thinning hair, fuzzy eyes
Your face is my best surprise
We’re the best of friends, I’m here to say, it was me and you
The whole darn way, thanks for the chance to play
Oh together we are magic, together we are mystery, I think we may have soul
Oh together the world is brighter, Lovers fools and fighters, on a roll
We’re the best of friends, the drift the sway, the give the take
The day to day, a bit in each others way
And when it’s time, to let you go, at the last we’ll always know
That it started long ago, with a simple quick hello
Hello we’re the best of friends
It is very sad today as two very close friends are dealing with serious illnesses with their Goldens. Our board member, Marti, is hoping to keep her sweet girl Carly from going into renal failure. Carly has had much to deal with as she has had arthritis difficulties and then weight issues on top of that. So, please keep her in your positive thoughts.
I am also so very worried about our famous freestyling Golden boy, Rookie. This very loving guy, who amazingly has a 15th birthday coming up in January, is dealing with increased symptomatology from his recent cancer diagnosis. My heart just sinks to my feet whenever I read the short updates from Carolyn, as they always manage to speak volumes.
I do know, at these times, that time is always better spent on celebrating the time we have, and remaining in the moment. And, I know that Carolyn is doing just that as she no longer leaves Rookie’s side.
I thought I would make a small clip from footage obtained for our upcoming Gotta Dance Documentary to show Carolyn just how much her special relationship with her little yellow boy, as she refers to Rookie, has meant to thousands all over the world. Listen to the words that Dr. Allen Schoen shares as he speaks to the gift that Carolyn and Rookie have provided so many.
I just discovered this video from last year’s Nationals. It shows Jessica Hanson with her 4-year-old Golden Retriever Treasure performing a canine freestyle routine to the song, Footloose. What fun it is and what a Golden Treasure her girl is!
You can learn all about Canine Freesyle and about Carolyn Scott, the most famous freestyler in the world here at our foundation’s site.
We also just discovered a woman who freestyles with her dog, who reminded us of Carolyn, as she has taken a rescue dog and developed such an incredible bond with him.
Tina Humphrey puts Chandi, her amazing dog, through her paces for a popular daytime Chat show. Chandi – a bluecroft rescue dog, was rescued by Tina some years ago, before her transformation into the amazing freetyle dog.
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This lady has had quite a lot of TV coverage recently and rightly so. Here she is performing at the Crufts Freestyle Heelwork to Music contest at Crufts 2007. This dog should show the world that rescue dogs are capable of great things. Just look how much Chandi loves Mummy.
If you are wild about freestyle, there is no one in the world that can top the talents and Southern charm of Carolyn Scott. Carolyn does get after me, though, for my unrestrained passion and continuing need to blow her horn … but I just cannot help myself. There is just something very special about her teaching methods and her inherent desire to help folks get as much enjoyment out of life as they can.
Of course, everyone wants to know about the incredible Rookie, who turned an amazing 14 years of age in January. Well, here’s the latest from Carolyn:
I am going to go ahead and do more filming of Rookie on my own soon since he is still feeling so good. I took him to a class the other day and he went crazy with excitement. It was so cute!! That boy still wants to play the game. I will most likely have to keep him on leash because I don’t want him throwing himself in the air.
Enjoy the famous video performance below and then check out all the seminars you can meet up with Carolyn in the coming months. Carolyn will also be appearing for her second year at the Golden Retriever Club of America’s Nationals, the event this year taking place in Washington State.
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Seminar with Carolyn Scott
DUE TO DEMAND A SECOND SEMINAR WITH CAROLYN SCOTT HAS BEEN SCHEDULED THE SAME WEEKEND: Carolyn will be presenting this seminar twice, once on Saturday August 18th and again on Sunday August 19th, 2007
Location:
Happy Hounds
18085 W Little York Rd Ste B
Katy, TX
Date:
August 18th, 2007 (Working spots are full. Auditor spots are available.)
Contact:
Emily Pyle emilypyle@sbcglobal.net
Happy Hounds at TrainHappyHounds@aol.com
Coming soon to Happy Hounds “The Magic of the Match” presented by Carolyn Scott
Carolyn Scott Workshop & MDSA Fun Match
Golden Retriever Club of America
Location:
Harvey Airfield
Snohomish, Washington
Dates:
Thursday Sept 20 (Workshop)
Friday Sept 21 (Fun Match/ Carolyn Scott Judging)
Contact:
Sharon Colvin at sunntach@comcast.net
On the web at http://www.egrc.org/national/freestyle.html
Carolyn Scott Freestyle Seminar
Salisbury Maryland Kennel Club
Location:
Salisbury Md Kennel Club Training Center
1305 S. Division Street
Salisbury, MD 21804
Date:
Saturday October 27, 2007
Contact:
Brenda Spindler, Goldens4me@verizon.net
Canine Freestyle Seminar with Carolyn Scott
All Dogs Gym
505 Sheffield Road
Manchester, NH
Seminar Dates: November 3rd & 4th, 2007
Contact: Myrian Bergeron at myrian@alldogsgym.com or info@alldogsgym.com
Phone: 603-669-4644; 800-872-4669
Fax: 603-641-6767
Visit: www.alldogsgym.com
Canine Freestyle Seminar with Carolyn Scott
Positively Trained
Bring Rover Over
974 Howe Road
Martinez, CA 94553
Dates: November 17 & 18th, 2007
Contact: Suzie Yokomizo suzie@positivelytrained.com
or visit www. positivelytrained.com
Carolyn Scott Seminar
Southwest Airedales and
the Faith City Kennel Club
Top Dog Obedience Training
1138 Pleasant Valley Rd
Garland, TX 75040
December 8th and 9th, 2007
Contact: Joyce Miller (phone: 972-248-2128 or email: jmiller@miller-wolfe.com)
More info & registration will be on club website at www.southwestairedales.org
I just discovered this video of a trainer with 2 of her dogs. Her videos show her to be an incredible clicker trainer and if you watch some I am sure you will agree. Having taken canine freestyle classes, I can tell you some of the behaviors that she has taught her dogs are extremely difficult. I absolutely love the footwork towards the end of the clip. Check it out.
Golden retrievers emerge champs
By Nisha Sabanayagam
PETALING JAYA: Amber-Mae is only 14 months old but she’s already a champion dancer and a beauty queen.
She beat 100 other contestants yesterday with her dance routine to emerge tops in the most intelligent dog category in the fourth Malaysia Dog Beauty Pageant. She was also crowned Miss K9.
Her trainer, 17-year-old A. Melissa-Jane said it took the golden retriever only 10 minutes to learn a new trick. Mr K9 Malaysia is also a golden retriever.
Big Boy, 26 months old, wore a tuxedo that showed off his long golden fur. His master, student Agnez Lim, feeds him a diet of eggs, milk and oil to maintain the glossy coat.
It was a canine festival yesterday at Central Park, Bandar Utama here, as contestants in dresses, jerseys and even a wedding gown vied for top spot in the beauty pageant, held in conjunction with Malaysia K9 Day 2007. About 4,000 dog lovers and 1,500 dogs strolled around the park from 8.30am till late afternoon, playing games and entering contests, such as the waggiest tail and doggy musical chairs.
There’s more . . . . .
Dances with Dogs
By Carolyn Moreau, Courant Staff Writer
MANCHESTER — Laurie Sullivan is wearing a skin-tight bodysuit made from crushed velvet fabric that she bought in New York City and shipped to Kansas to be stitched.
Matching fingerless gloves cover her thin arms from wrists to shoulders, which are bare. With one hand, she fidgets with a pair of gray wolf ears attached to a headband. Her long brown hair is pulled back in a ponytail. As she waits her turn to compete in an annual dog dancing competition, she’s worrying that the ears might be a problem.
Bowie, her 2-year-old golden retriever, has never seen Sullivan, of Stamford, wearing wolf ears. Yet, in a few moments, he’s supposed to perform a choreographed routine with Sullivan to “Hungry Like the Wolf” by Duran Duran.
“I don’t know what he’ll do when he sees them,” Sullivan says.
As it turns out, Bowie is oblivious to the ears. The crowd at this second annual dog dancing competition at Tails U Win Canine Training Center in Manchester, is delighted at the spectacle of a wolf in crushed velvet dancing with a golden retriever.
Also be sure to check out all the videos at our own Gotta Dance page with Carolyn & Rookie. They never fail to cheer folks right up.
Golden Katie and Owner Emma have a Tail to Tell
batleytoday.co.uk
Katie originally belonged to Emma’s godmother, Margaret Jessop, who died two years ago. Katie and Emma also formed a special bond – so much so that Emma was allowed to start training her and competing in obedience and heelwork to music.Katie now lives with another friend, but Emma still spends lots of time with her and earlier this year the loveable retreiver stayed with Katie and comforted her while she recovered from a serious illness.
I came to know Carolyn Scott after discovering an article in 2001 that referenced her and Rookie. After posting it to my site, Carolyn contacted me, later sending me video of her Grease performance. I knew that this was something extraordinary, needing to be shared with the world. So, I asked David Mintzer of Ideogram Productions to render it digitally. Of course, the rest is history as this clip continues to circulate the world, bringing joy to so many. From the soldiers in Iraq–to men too proud to admit their tears–to dog lovers and non-dog lovers alike, no one who can keep their eyes off this intriguing pair as they work their magic.
While this video clip was created by our foundation, this has not stopped folks from endlessly copying it and listing it at several video sharing sites on the web, Youtube.com alone boasting 70+ separate listings. The problem, however, with doing this is that it prevents folks from understanding the most unique tale behind this talented duo, and the important work of our Foundation, of which Carolyn is a member.
I have a very special treat for everyone, but, first, promise me a few things. Please do learn more about the Gotta Dance Documentary (2007 debut planned), including the adversity that Carolyn has endured due to her polio and post polio symptoms. Learn how this film is part of the Foundation’s mission, and what is hoped for with its creation.
This clip includes Rookie’s Grease routine, followed by another performance that highlights the unbelievable moves that only he can pull off with such finesse!
Land of PureGold Foundation 