Nancy’s Dogs
“The following is a list of my dogs, past & present. Each has a unique story and holds a special place in my heart. They are the essence of my personal experience in living, training & competing with dogs for the last 30 years.” Nancy Strouss
The Present:
PRINCESS BAMBOO OF BRIDGEWATERS, CDX, MX, AXJ, (2 MXJ legs), CGC, TT
Jadie is a Golden Retriever, now 10 years old. When she was 6 months, I was asked by her elderly owner to find her a home. I agreed to foster her and soon after decided to keep her. After working hard to conquer her many fears, Jadie & I together achieved the Masters Agility title, Excellent Jumpers with 2 Masters Jumpers legs and the AKC Companion Dog Excellent obedience title. Jadie also passed the Delta Pet Partner therapy dog test, the Canine Good Citizen Test and the ATTS Temperament Test.
“DEVIN”… SUNFIRE’S THE DEVIL WITHIN, CD, OA, NAJ, CGC, TT
Devin is a female Golden Retriever from Sunfire Goldens; a respected breeder of beautiful, working Golden Retrievers. Devin is my new partner in competitive obedience and agility.
In March 2008, her first time out, at the Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Specialty trials, Devin took First Place in the 20″ Novice Jumpers agility class and Second Place, with a 196 in Novice B obedience. We have since then gotten 2 more agility Jumpers legs with a First & Second Place to finish the Novice Jumpers title and also finished the Novice Standard agility title, all legs with First Places! We finished our Open Standard agility title with a 4th place and got our first Open Jumpers leg with a 3rd place and the second leg with a 1st place!
Her agility wins qualified her to win the Hudson Valley Golden Retriever Club’s “MACH2 Cross Creek Swatch of Pebwin ADHF Agility Challenge Trophy”, by accumulating over 1,000 points between standard course time and her actual course times. At two years of age and limited trialing this is a nice accomplishment.
In obedience, we qualified for another CD leg with a Second Place at our first outdoor trial. We then finished the Companion Dog title at the Garden State Golden Retriever Specialty with a 197 1/2 for a First Place win!
The Past:
“Maybe I should be embarrassed to admit that a dog can change a man, but I’m not. So as the clock winds out on a life well lived, I look back at the lessons learned from this calm and dignified creature, lessons of temperance, patience, and compassion that will guide us to the end.” (Brian McGrory, from Brown Eyes of Wisdom)
RAINY DAY JASON OF TABHILL
My first Golden Retriever, I left an amazing job on Wall Street to become a dog trainer because I so enjoyed working with this dog. After Jason was diagnosed with cancer at an early age, I began to study a more holistic approach to the rearing and care of my dogs.
JESSIE
a German Shepherd mix, came to me as a confused, anxious dog. With the structure of training and a secure home environment, he became a confident dog, free of behavior problems and the most loyal companion I’ve ever had.
BLUE SKY’S BRODSKY, CD (AMBOR), TT, CGC
Brodsky, was a Toy Fox Terrier rescued from a shelter at 10 months, where he was just days away from euthanasia due to aggressive behavior. “Mr. B” had every behavior problem you can imagine, yet was one of the smartest & funniest dogs ever. After several months of a “nothing in life is free” program, Brodsky became problem free and enjoyed living non-aggressively until just short of his 18th birthday. He taught me that small dogs want to be treated just like big dogs and that you really don’t know dogs ‘til you’ve lived with a terrier!
OKEECHOBEE’S VALLEY GIRL, UD, TT, CGC
Valley was a Golden Retriever that I purchased from the well-known Okeechobee Kennel. She was my first conformation dog, my first Utility obedience competition dog and the mother of my first litter of Golden puppies. Valley truly had a heart of gold and was the inspiration for so many of my students to continue training their dogs in advanced obedience.
STONEHILL’S OKEECHOBEE MORN, CD, HIT, TT
Starlight was bold & bright, just like her name. In obedience competition she shined and was High In Trial at the Garden State Golden Retriever Club Specialty.
CH. SHADY LANE’S LITTLE RIVER GIRL, CD, TT, CGC, DELTA THERAPY DOG
Shady, was my first home bred, owner/breeder handled breed Champion. She was truly beautiful and lived up to everything a Golden Retriever should be. She was an exceptional therapy dog who could get absolutely anyone to smile, laugh or just reach out a hand to touch her.
SHADY LANE JUNIPER, CDX, NA, TT, CGC, DELTA THERAPY DOG
Juniper, also a Golden Retriever, was from my third & last litter. She was an extremely easy dog to train and had an amazing personality. She loved music and would often sleep in my husband’s open guitar case when he rehearsed. I started learning “freestyle obedience” with her because she loved to heel to music and “dance” with me.
SHADY LANE SPIRIT HEALER, TT, CGC, DELTA THERAPY DOG
Georgie, was a Golden Retriever from my second litter. I have never known a sweeter, more soulful dog than my Georgie.
BLUE SKY’S NIPPER, UD, HIGH IN TRIAL, TT, CGC
Nipper, was a Standard Poodle that I co-owned and competed with in obedience. Nipper was brilliant and fun and gave me the thrill of going High In Trial at a Poodle Specialty.
BLUE SKY’S SAMANTHA, CGC, DELTA THERAPY DOG
Samantha was my parents Black Labrador Retriever, who came to live with me after my father passed away and my mother had to move to a nursing home. At 10 years of age, she had little training and many bad habits. After a few months of “Nancy’s Boot Camp”, she became a registered therapy dog and tolerable to live with.
OKEECHOBEE SHADYLANE SURREAL, TT, CGC, DELTA THERAPY DOG
Shorty, was a Golden Retriever, given to me by Susan Taylor of Okeechobee Goldens. Although easy to train, she did not enjoy dog shows and was happiest just being my friend and looking out for the rest of her “pack” at home.