Roxanne

A Eulogy for Roxanne
12/3/88 – 5/27/03
By Renee in Ellicott City, Maryland

After Fritz died, Jeff and I thought we would try a border collie instead of getting another golden, perhaps even do some herding.  Of course, I called Janie to discuss this with her, and as fate would have it, she had the perfect golden retriever pup for me.  This was a pup from Honken do Run, the first Qualified All Age Golden Retriever bitch in the state of Virginia.  Little did I know that you were the dog who would teach me what working retrievers do.  You would change my life.

So many phases in the long life of a 14.5 year old dog.  You arrived a 10-week old puppy, already practicing your water dive off the step from the hallway into the living room.  You kept busy stripping the grasscloth wallpaper up the walls, or sitting on the couch with Magda and her friends, inhaling junk food.  Mostly you were busy.  Never did see you sit still until you heard a shotgun fire.  Then, you sat at complete attention, waiting to do your job.  And, waiting for me to gain the skills in the field work so that we could become a team.  You were always three steps ahead of me.  You sat on the pattern field watching me read D.L. Walters’ “Training Retrievers to Handle,” my guide for deciding which drills came next.  You were a patient partner.     

Training you was a real adventure.  At your core were extraordinary talent and passion for the work; you were a workaholic.  You raced me to the line to run a mark or a blind, sometimes turning to see if I was trailing along behind you.  Boy, would that unnerve me, and you knew it.  Despite a disdain for obedient performance and a headstrong nature, you were totally devoted to the field work.  You were thrilling to watch, an excellent marker, and very fast.  After delivering the last bird of a Senior Hunter test one time, I turned to see you leap into the air, eye level with me, jumping for joy.  Your spirit was contagious.  You changed my life.

At 4.5 years, the hip dysplasia caught up with you.  After running two series, you were no longer able to get out of the crate to work.  Seeing you through a Master Hunter title was not in our future.  We cut our training schedule back to a few times a week to ease your pain.  We continued working at some level until you were 9 years old.  Then the hip pain forced you to keep the weight off your left hind leg at most times; you became a three-legged dog.  To relieve your suffering, I opted for surgery, a femoral head osteotomy, at the North Carolina State Veterinary School.  It was a great fix, giving you 5 ½ more good years of life.  

During the Philadelphia years, you became the Ambassador of Atwood Road.  You were as devoted to this job as to retrieving during your working days.  We celebrated your 13th birthday with a group of your special friends, cultivated as you sat in the front yard each day greeting your folks as they walked by.  Such a diverse group of people.  I never would have met them without you.  You changed my life.

Magda and Mike wanted flower dogs in their wedding.  You obliged and did a great job, smiling as you pulled Noah down the aisle.  Glory brought up the rear with Jesse.  You sat quietly by as they said their vows, ever present.   

We said good-bye on a Tuesday in May, after spending the day together.  The sun shone on your beautiful red coat, a reminder of younger days.  Your sweet white face in repose, a reminder of our many years together.  I will miss seeing your face glow in the dark, alongside the bed, and the companionship.  Thank you for all the great years. 

Farewell, my Roxanne. 

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