In loving memory of
Julie Carroll April 26/1939-Oct 7/2009
I first met Julie when she brought her 2 year old Shih Tzu, Cruiser, to learn to play agility in the summer of 2004. Julie and Cruiser came once a week to run and play together in the private class setting that they enjoyed. Julie was always up to the challenge of getting Cruiser to do the course that she wanted, instead of his own, and worked hard at making sure she was giving him the proper cues. She had such a wonderful sense of humour that made our hour together so much fun and go by much too fast.
Apart from agility, Julie and Cruiser took every opportunity to expand their skills as a team. They participated in Rally-0 and many Paus-N-Train workshops such as the ever popular "Dancing with Dogs". What fun we had!
When Cruiser was just over 3 Julie had him tested to be a St John’s Ambulance Therapy Dog and he passed with flying colours. From then on, Cruiser found his social calendar growing once again to include weekly visits with the residents of the Fenelon Court nursing home and the Ross Memorial Hospital.
In 2005 Julie brought her new puppy, a border collie named Piper, to my puppy class. She had bought an agility dog!!! As Piper grew up he also joined our agility lesson and shared the time with Cruiser.
Julie’s kind, patient nature truly shone while she was working with Piper. Though it took us 3 years to get him to work on a full height teeter, she was never discouraged or frustrated with him. She just kept rewarding the baby steps and bringing the best treats. Today, he is great agility dog thanks to Julie’s determination and constant training.
With encouragement from her friend Ann, Julie started competing with Cruiser in agility in April of 2007. In May, she and Cruiser got their first qualifying score in jumpers and that started them on their way. Cruiser got his Agility Dog of Canada on Jan 26/08 followed by his Starters Games Dog of Canada Sept 06/08.
Though she and Cruiser were a great team, formal competition was never Julie’s true passion. Instead, her joy came from the countless hours of training and preparation that took place behind the scenes. Thankfully, her friend Ann was always willing to put Julie’s hard work on display by running her dogs for her in competition. It made for a great time for them both.
Piper also started trialing this year and got his 1st qualifying score in Gamblers in May. He has since added a jumpers Q to his list of accomplishments and I’m certain that there will be many more to come.
Julie had not been well for the past year and was admitted into the hospital in August of 2009. The news was not good. She had lung cancer and was told to get her things in order. I will always remember her joking, even when things were so grim. She was an absolute joy to be around.
I was very honoured when her sister-in-law called to ask if I would take on the responsibility of homing her dogs. As they were her pride and joy, this was not a task I took lightly.
Julie requested that I find homes for them where the new owners would continue to walk them daily and keep them active in agility. I immediately began the search with the hopes that Julie would be pleased with my choices and be able to meet the new families. It was a dream come true for both Julie and Piper’s new owner, Laura, when Becky, a beginner student, called to tell me her sister was looking for an agility dog and would like to be considered. It was a true blessing that Julie was able to meet Piper’s new family while in the hospital and give her approval. The new family shared pictures and continued to bring Piper to visit Julie. Both dogs visited her as often as possible in her last days.
Julie passed away peaceful at the Ross Memorial Hospital in Lindsay Ont. on Oct 7 after a short battle with Lung Cancer.
Though Cruiser did not find an agility home, he is much loved in his current residence with Julie’s daughter Lynne. With much debate and knowing that Julie trusted me to do what was best for her beloved pets, I decided that I couldn’t find a better home, even though agility would no longer be a major part of his life.
Julie’s legacy lives on in her dog Piper. You will see him out competing in trials as soon as we can get his new teammate up to speed. Look out for that pair in 2010!
I know that they will do Julie proud.
We miss you Julie!!!
Rest in Peace.
