In 1977, at the age of 28, my GrandPal David got a golden retriever named Sol from a place called Ambercroft Kennel. He wanted a dog that was neither too small nor too large, making Sol the perfect choice. David would often take Sol to Island Lake in Orangeville for tournament-like events, where there were usually only 15 to 20 dogs. During these events, there were two gunshots for each participating dog.
Two ducks were thrown into different areas of the pond, and the dogs had to remain attentive to the sequence of events marked by the gunshots. The owners had to hold their dogs before the event started to prevent them from getting too excited by the gunshots. David recalled how he set Sol off to retrieve the duck thrown at the second gunshot first.
Once Sol successfully brought back the second duck, David would then set him up in the direction where the first duck and gunshot took place and would send him off to find it and bring it back. This exercise tested the dog’s memory and skill. Sol often struggled with finding the first duck, which demonstrated the challenge and skill required for such tasks, and as a result, he never won the tournament.
David’s dad would also attend these events and found them to be quite enjoyable. Interestingly, real dead ducks were sometimes used during the competition. At that time, David lived in Mississauga and frequently travelled to Island Lake with Sol, aiming for him to earn the WC (Working Certificate). The WC is a special designation for dogs like golden retrievers, demonstrating their proficiency in hunting tasks.
To achieve this certificate, dogs had to perform specific tests that showcased their ability to follow commands and locate items. Despite the challenges, these tournaments were a significant part of David’s life with Sol, highlighting their strong bond and shared adventures.