Ch. Shalimar's Top of the Mark, CD, SDHF






Sire: BISS CH Shyan's Wild Country Dakotah OS
Dam: Winterwood's Wind-borne
DOB: November 12, 1993
DOD: July 5, 2002
(OFA good, OFA Heart clearance, thyroid normal, eyes CERF clear)

In February 2002 we received some life altering news regarding Arsey. He was diagnosised with hemogiosarcoma (vascular cancer). While training for an upcoming agility trial, we noticed Arsey was not feeling well and he was not eating as well as normal. A visit to the vet indicated that Arsey was bleeding internally due to a ruptured spleen. He underwent emergency surgery and the biopsy confirmed our fears-- cancer. We battled this insidious disease with chemotherapy and some holistic treatments, but in the late evening of July 5, 2002 my magnificient Arsey turned the battle over. He passed away in my arms surrounded by his family. Arsey spared me from having to make the decision. He wanted to be home. He left on his terms.
Up until his final few hours, Arsey never appeared to be sick or suffering. He was always an energetic dog and always ready to go.

Arsey was named after two guide dog puppies I had trained through my 4-H project, Argus and Halsey. He was suppose to be just a pet, but I was encouraged to train him for the obedience ring. Later, Jocelyn saw some potential in the his conformation and the rest is history. He stunned us all by his energy in the show ring. He loved to show! The more the crowd was into it, the more he shined. One of my most fond memories is watching him at Westminster on the green carpet. Out of 43 gorgeous golden retrievers, he made it to the final twelve and gave the audience a show as he gaited with one of his many friends, Karen Bruneau. He was officially retired after Westminster, but he never stopped showing. Everywhere we would go, Arsey would gather attention and he loved it. He loved going. He loved being with people. Even after he was diagnosised with cancer, he want to go, go, go. He went everywhere with me. There was a special bond between us; he could read me like a book. On his last day, we went to McDonald's for breakfast. He had two sausage patties. Later on, Arsey and I sat outside watching birds. There was a momma bird teaching her two babies where to find food in the feeder I have set up in my front yard. Arsey was like a sentinel, watching the neighborhood kids play and then turning back to look at me. I think he knew the time was close because he wanted to be nearby every second that day. True to his style, he spared me from having to make that fateful decision everyone dreads. I was laying next to him, with my arm around him and my hand under his chest where I could feel his magnificent heart. His breathing was labored. He was tired. If I had to sum up Arsey in just a few words, I would describe him as The Clown Prince. He was regal but knew how to love life and laugh. Nothing was so serious that a good roll in the grass couldn't cure it. He touched many lives, more than I realized until recently. He was my "Golden" boy. He taught me what being "golden" truly means.

The essence of any Golden is what is left in our hearts. Arsey was never one to listen to what others said, he just did whatever he wanted and he showed us all. He was my dream and for that I will forever be grateful.

Some of Arsey's Accomplishments

# points Judge Handler Other Honors!
Del Valle KC 3 pt Major Reserve Richard Thompson Jocelyn Lewis
Del Monte KC 2 pt Winner David Roche Jocelyn Lewis Best of Winners
Richmond KC 2 pt Winner Carol Esterkin Jocelyn Lewis Best of Winners
Sir Francis Drake KC 2 pt Winner Jeffrey Peppers Jocelyn Lewis Best of Winners
Sacramento Valley KC 2 pt Winner Norton Moore Jocelyn Lewis
Palm Spring KC 1 pt Winner Ann Yuhasz Laurie Jordan, PHA Best of Winners
Del Valle KC 3 pt Major Winner W. Terry Stacy Cheryl Cates Best of Breed; over Top Winning Champions; earned an additional point Group One--Sporting Group; 875+ entry! Brought total points to 5 plus 5 Hall of Fame points!
Willamette KC 3 pt Major Winner Suzanne Cogley Cheryl Cates Best of Winners New Champion!
Santa Cruz KC Best of Breed W. Terry Stacy Jocelyn Lewis Group One--Sporting Group (Cheryl Cates handling); 5 Hall of Fame pts Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--10 points; 1000 dogs defeated
Santa Cruz KC Best of Breed Enrique Filippini Cheryl Cates Group One--Sporting Group (judge Jeannette McGinnis); 5 Hall of Fame pts Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--15 points; 1200 dogs defeated
Redwood Empire KC Best of Breed William Russell Jocelyn Lewis
Black Mountain KC Best of Breed W. Terry Stacy Jocelyn Lewis
Tulsa City KC Best of Breed Lewis Bayne Eugene Queener
San Luis Obispo KC Best of Breed Richard Beauchamp Karen Gieryck
Sahuaro KC Best of Breed Gary Andersen Corky Vroom
Sahuaro KC Best of Breed Arlene Pardo Corky Vroom
Coso DFC/Ridgecrest Best of Breed Quentin LaHam Karen Bruneau Group Three--Sporting Group (judge Quentin LaHam); 1 Hall of Fame pt Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--16 points
Coso DFC/Ridgecrest Best of Breed Ken Neill Gary Steele
Santa Cruz KC Best of Breed Joe Tacker Cheryl Cates Group Three--Sporting Group;1 Hall of Fame pt Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--17 points
NorCal Golden Retriever Club Specialty Judge's Award of Merit Elliott Weiss Karen Bruneau
Redwood Empire KC Best of Breed Norman Patton Karen Bruneau
Hoosier KC Best of Breed Arley Hussein David Harper
Mad River KC Best of Breed Sidney. Remmele David Harper Group Two--Sporting Group (judge Denny Kodner); 3 Hall of Fame pts Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--20 points
Forsyth KC Best of Breed Betty Stites David Harper
Logansport KC Best of Breed James Dwelly David Harper Group Two--Sporting Group (judge Denny Kodner); 3 Hall of Fame pts Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--23 points
Northeastern IN KC Best of Breed Jane Roppolo David Harper Group Two--Sporting Group (judge Jane Roppolo); 3 Hall of Fame pts New GRCA Show Dog Hall of Fame honoree!
Coso DFC/Ridgecrest Best of Breed Norman Patton Karen Bruneau Group Three--Sporting Group (judge Fernandes Cartwright); 1 Hall of Fame pt Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--27 points
Coso DFC/Ridgecrest Best of Breed Judythe Coffman Karen Bruneau Group Two--Sporting Group (judge Grace Brewin); 3 Hall of Fame pt Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--30 points
Cook Inlet DFC/Alaska Best of Breed Helen Lee James Rene'e Clayton Group Four--Sporting Group (judge Helen Lee James); .5 Hall of Fame pt Total Show Dog Hall of Fame points To Date--30.5 points
Santa Maria Kennel Club Best of Breed Doug MacFarlane Karen Bruneau



Arsey began showing in the conformation ring when he was over 16 months old, a late start in comparison to other show dogs. Originally purchased as a pet, Arsey showed promise in structure, temperament, and movement as well as an intelligence and natural hunting instinct needed for other arenas of competition.

Arsey earned all of his minor points toward his Championship in less than a year worth of showing and his major points within four months of each other. One of his greatest moment occurred at the Del Valle Dog Club Show in Pleasanton, California where he went on to conquer an impressive entry of top winning champions to be honored as Best of Breed from the Open Dog Class! The excitement did not stop there because Shalimar's Top of the Mark was also awarded a Group One win and represented the Sporting Group in the Best in Show ring! The Sporting Entry was close to 900 competitors. The GRCA News had Arsey ranked as #10 for total dogs defeated in Kitty's Picks for July/August 1995. Arsey has also been ranked in other point systems as well. An impressive achievement for a dog at such a young age!

Arsey's grandest achievement was earned after a 3 year campaign which ended with his entry into the Golden Retriever Club of America's Show Dog Hall of Fame. This prestigious honor is earned by achieving Group Placements or Best of Breed at Specialties. Arsey's best friend and handler, David Harper accompanied him to through the final stages of his campaign. What a ride it has been! At Westminster 2000, Arsey made the cut under judge Thomas Bradley III which is quite an accomplishment. We are very proud of this boy. He never ceases to impress those who are connected to him.

Arsey earned his Canine Good Citizen award and completed his Companion Dog title in Obedience. He has also begun working toward his Junior Hunter title. He received a first place prize while achieving his first qualifying score in the Novice ring at the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles Speciality show. This is a dog with a career goal of obtaining his Versatility Title and being honored by the Golden Retriever Club of America.

Arsey finished with a 3 point major at the Brush Prairie show circuit under Judge Suzanne Cogley. It was a thrilling day and he showed himself to be the true champion he is!

Arsey was awarded back-to-back Best of Breeds and back-to-back Group One victories at the Santa Cruz Kennel Club dog show. This was Arsey's debut weekend with his new honor as Champion; therefore, making the entire event that much more special. He represented the Sporting Group well in the Best in Show ring both evenings, but this time he truly showed off what it means to be a Golden champion. Arsey has also been recognized as NorCal Golden Retriever's Club Top Show Golden of Opposite Sex two years in a row ('97 and '98) and has been recognized with a Judge's Award of Merit at Norcal's Summer Specialty under judge Elliott Weiss.

What began as just getting our feet wet in the world of showing dogs competitively has turned into an amazing adventure which has taken Arsey all over the United States and now into the Golden Retriever Club of America's most prestigious honor--the Show Dog Hall of Fame. Arsey is an once in a lifetime dog and this dream has been a long time coming from his first Group One under Terry Stacy to this last Group Two under Jane Roppolo. Terry Stacy started this whole thing back in 1996 when he pulled Arsey out in front of ten specials at Del Valle to give him his first BOB from the classes and then proceeded to give him that Group One. He encouraged us to special Arsey who at the time was handled by Cheryl Cates.

Cheryl handled Arsey to 16 Hall of Fame points, Corky Vroom via Karen Bruneau got #17 but it was David Harper who faithfully pursued my dream and took Arsey the rest of the way. Even when things were real dry and frustration levels high, David would not give up on Arsey. He knew the potential and brought the best out of him. I can honestly say that my dog loves David and from others have told me it is mutual.

Arsey also earned the title of International Champion (CACIB) from the International All-Breed Kennel Club of America, earning the highest V-1 rating of excellence. Along the way to this honor, he was also recognized with back-to-back Group Three awards and a Group One. He holds the title of Welt Schonneit Gold (World Beauty) Championship.

Arsey completed his CD in obedience. His first qualifying score in the Novice obedience ring earned him a first place under judge Dorothy McCauley at the Golden Retriever Club of Greater Los Angeles Specialty Show in Pasadena. He also earned qualifying scores under judge Robert Margolis at the NorCal Golden Retriever Club Specialty and judge Ray Gates at the Redwood Empire KC All Breed and Obedience Trial. His final qualifying score was grand day--Arsey finished his group exercises and presentation of awards with only a few minutes to spare before going into the conformation ring where he was recognized with Best of Breed! Truly a multi-talented dog. He was a wonderful dog to live with, getting along well with puppies as well as adults. He was gentle and eager to please.Arsey has frozen semen available to approved bitches for artificial insemination. ICSB available for the artificial insemination. For information on Stud Services click here.

Here are links to some of Arsey's puppies from the Fabric Litter:

Caliber
Cooper
Gemma


Arsey's Vital Statistics:

DOB: November 12, 1993
(OFA good GR-51114G26M-T, OFA Heart GR-CA1468/57M/C-T, thryoid normal, eyes CERF clear GR-13924/98-52)
(ICSB collected with 80+% recovery; excellent motility)

Contact Laura Finco for more information

To view Arsey's Pedigree
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