OTCH Topbrass Gorgeous George OHOF

George lived a life that included a show
history that spanned 10 years.

"My George"

OTCH Topbrass Gorgeous George OHOF was my first Golden Retriever and my first OTCH. George was a wonderful example of a wonderful breed of dog, a Golden Retriever who had a heart of solid Gold.

I picked George up at the airport in Charleston, WV when he was 7 1/2 weeks old. Undaunted by the experience, he came out of the crate wagging his tail and smiling. I knew from the second I saw him for the first time, that he was destined to be my special dog. George never let me down.

At 18 months of age, George went into the Novice B ring. He showed in Novice 14 times, placing at all 14 trials with one High in Trial. In Open A, he placed First in 7 out of 9 trials, with one High in Trial and a tie for High in Trial. Three weeks after his last Open A class, George was back out in Open B and Utility. George got his UD a year after his CD. The first time he was shown at the World Series in 1987, he was shown in Novice, the next year (1988) he was shown in Top Dog. His qualifying score for Top Dog came from Open B and Utility on his first UD leg. George showed at the World Series 9 consecutive years, he placed in Top Dog twice. George was seventh Top Dog in 1989 and sixth Top Dog in 1992.

It is too bad that the UDX was not around during George's career. He qualified in Open and Utility, at more than 60 trials. George was a personality and a crowd pleaser. People still tell me that they loved to watch George work.

A totally healthy dog with OFA hips, George got his last CERF and SAS clearance two months after his eleventh birthday. George never sired a litter of puppies but I have tried to stay true to his glorious pedigree with all my Golden Retrievers.

I am very proud of George's accomplishments; he retired with 253 OTCH points and didn't set any records, but he enriched my life tremendously and also the life of my family. I learned so much while I was privileged to live with George. I could write pages and pages about his accomplishments. I have such wonderful memories. George's greatest accomplishment was teaching me what it means to be fortunate enough to be loved by a Golden.

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free.
I’m following the path God laid for me.
I took God’s hand when I heard the call;
I turned my back and left it all.
I could not stay another day to laugh,
to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that place at the close of day.

If my parting has left a void,
then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.
Ah yes, these things, I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life’s been full, I savored much.
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief;
don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me-
God wanted me now, God set me free.