This will bring a tear to your eye!
Working Retriever Trials in Botriver – August 2010
Boss the black Labrador Retriever
The top retrievers in the country, together with their handlers, assembled in Botriver in August for the KUSA National Retriever Championships. First event was on Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st, a one and a half day Open Stake, held on the Albertyn’s farm, Botrivier Farm on the Saturday and The Therons’ farm Rooiheuwels on the Sunday morning, in which 15 dogs were entered, mainly dogs who had already qualified for the Championship, but one or two hoping for a 1st or 2nd place to be a new qualifier. A special lunch was held at The Shunting Shed in Botriver. The winner was a Labrador bitch, Shica, very ably handled by her owner Francois van Rooyen, closely followed by the Labrador dog, Boss and Chris Emin in 2nd place, Golden retriever Dog, Kell and Guy Harwood in 3rd Place and golden retriever dog, Dart and Mike Hoy in 4th place.
The2010 KUSA National Retriever Championship Stake, hosted by Cape Field Trial Club, was run on 26th and 27th August at Edward and Maria Whitehead’s lovely farm Nuwejaarsrivier. 13 dogs qualified for and entered this stake. 8 dogs finished the entire stake and all finished well. The winner for the 2010 Championship was the very special black Labrador, Boss with his owner/ handler Chris Emin.
Boss has been an amazing worker right from his puppyhood beginnings, and a constant winner from the junior levels right up to the top level. Boss and Chris have a really wonderful partnership together which has been very special for many of us to judge and to watch over the past couple of years. A true dog and master loving trusting relationship. By winning the KUSA National Retriever Championships, Boss has achieved the ultimate in field trials, and this when he is still a very young dog, still shy of his 3rd birthday which is on 17th September. Most successful retrievers normally only manage to reach this level of competency at 5 or 6 years of age. This in itself is an amazing achievement, but to add to this, Boss had his right back leg amputated in April this year due to bone cancer and as a result has achieved this incredible win with only 3 legs – a special dog indeed..
As you can imagine during the running of the trials emotions ran high with tears running down cheeks watching this remarkable Labrador and his dedication and willingness to work for his owner/handler.. The prize giving again was an emotional event. .
We all have special dogs in our lives but with some the bond runs deeper. Boss, dear fella, you are a special and remarkable dog. May your health remain good. Chris Emin, you are indeed privileged to share your life with him.
Just got to LOVE the Labrador!
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