Nelson

DOB: 26/10/1996
Sire: Aus Ch Akaisha Piquet
Dam: Sovanna Golden Arcadea
Breeder: Jenny O'Callaghan
Hips: Not done
Elbows: Not done
Eyes: Not done
Nicknames: Nels, Nellie

Achievements:
- Although Nelson did achieve some
early success in the show ring, his
most important role was being a
loving family member, something at
which he truly excelled.

Mum had always told my sisters and I that we couldn't have a dog until the
youngest child turned 8... and of course all four of us kids took note of that
statement with photographic-like memories! Thus towards the end of 1996 Mum
began the search for a Golden breeder. With the help of the Golden Retriever Club
of SA we phoned several breeders and one of those was Jenny O'Callaghan. After
speaking with her, we arranged a time to go out and see the puppies, at that
stage just 19 days old. Well, of course it was love at first sigth, and a further visit
to the puppies at 5 weeks old only cemented that. On 26th December 1996,
Nelson came home with us.

Nelson settled in very quickly, doing all the things a puppy does such as digging,
chewing and playing. He particularly liked stalking crickets, creeping across the
grass to where the sound was coming from, then pouncing and attempting to dig
them out (a favourite game he continued throughout his life). A true Golden, he
was never to be found without something in his mouth, be it our fresh washing off
the line, or his own well-dragged about rugs.

When he grew big enough, Nelson discovered the joy of jumping up on the
trampoline - he would sunbathe there, or chase our hands running along the
bottom of the mat, or on hot days, the water from the sprinkler which we'd place
below.

Nelson was my introduction to the world of dog showing - with the help and support
of many friends at the Golden Retriever Club of SA I learnt about grooming, stacking
and show ring procedure. I am very grateful that these much more experienced people
were more than willing to lend a hand and offer encouragement - I learnt a great
deal from them.

We did not show very often due to other family commitments, but Nelson managed to
win a few puppy classes and I myself got to practice my grooming and handling skills.
I came to really enjoy showing, not just the part where we were in the ring, but also
watching the other dogs go round and trying to see why the judge picked one over
another.

Not long after he turned 2, Nelson got the tip of his tail caught
between the hinges of a door. This was a very traumatic experience
for all involved, with Nelson requiring an initial amputation and
then a further one when it wasn't healing, as well as daily visits to
the vet for dressings of a quite painful wound. Not surprisingly, he
became quite depressed during this period, and we were all relieved
when the second surgery was successful and his now significantly
shortened tail healed nicely.

Unfortunately however, this signalled the end of his show career, his
tail now being considerably shorter than that called for in the
standard.

Although no longer able to show Nelson, I did continue to train him for obedience. He
reached grade 5 and gained his Basic Obedience Certificate, winning top dog in every
class along the way. I would dutifully take him across the road to the park every night
and practice, in the hopes of one day trialling him.

During this time, we also added many new family members to our menagerie - our
home had always seemed to attract stray or wounded animals, and this trend
continued. Nelson welcomed all of them, playing gently with the chicken, duck and
seagull who lived free in the yard with him, and welcoming leg rubs from any of the
three cats. Interestingly Nicki, the duck, fell quite in love with Nelson and would follow
him all around the yard, then submit willingly as he used his nose to push her along the
ground!

In April 2000, we also added Porter to the family - not surprisingly, Nelson was
overjoyed at this puppy addition and the two of them grew to become fast friends.

Nelson was not alwasy an easy dog to handle - he was a reasonably large, entire male and due to our lack of knowledge had been
inadequately socialised to other dogs when young, and could be dog-aggressive. He also had a great fear of thunder and fireworks and had a
less than reliable recall.

And yet, though these things made it difficult sometimes, he also taught me a great deal - about dog handling and grooming, about the
importance of socialisation, about the type of trainer I wanted to be. He instilled in me a love for obedience and showing. He showed me what
I did wrong and what I should do right with my next dog. He challenged me but he also did his best for me.

I miss him greatly, and always will.

At the beginning of May 2005, Nelson began to refuse his food - not in itself an uncommon occurrence, as he had never been particularly
food-crazy. However, after a few days of not eating and increasing listlessness, it was time for a vet visit and tests. The vet discovered a
blockage in his intestines, and given his penchant for chewing up things he shouldn't, including his own rugs, toys and a particular love of pegs,
there was no telling what it could be. Surgery was the only option.

At the time of surgery, the vet removed a large portion of his intestine which had died, as well as the blockage itself. A day or so after the
surgery, the vet managed to encourage him to eat some kitten food, so we were all encouraged.

However, nearly a week after the surgery, when Nelson was still staying overnight at the vet's to receive IV fluids and observation, we received
a phone call - he had taken a turn for the worse. The vet suspected pancreatitis, the only possible options being to return him to surgery and
attempt further repair or to give him peace. We knew we could not put him through surgery again - he was weak and in constant pain
already. So we all went to the vets and hugged him and told him what a wonderful dog he was, and stayed with him as he quietly left us,
aged 9.5.