I’m a molecular biologist working in cancer research and a certified professional dog trainer, a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the International Society for Applied Ethology with a passion for learning and understanding, especially about dogs and I have a love for golden retrievers. I received honours degrees in veterinary science and molecular biology from Murdoch University and a doctorate in physiology from UWA. My background is widely varied, with experience in scientific research, breeding, showing, training, canine midwifery, puppy raising, instructing, behaviour consultations, in-home training and various club memberships & activities. I have served on numerous committees and am currently President of the GRCWA, Secretary of the National Golden Retriever Council, Vice President and an instructor for Perth Obedience and Dog Training Club and an instructor for Joondalup Dog Training Club. I am a golden retriever breeder and dogs bred by us have been active and successful in obedience, Rally-O, therapy dog work, conformation and most importantly as loyal companions enhancing the lives of people they live with. I have been a member of the golden retriever club of WA for 13 years and through the club I have made great friends and it is a great resource where we can discuss and share our common love of the Golden retriever. Hopefully thorough my broad knowledge I can offer fellow dog lovers especially members of the club who share their lives with golden retrievers exciting, practical information and approaches that improves the communication with their dog, enhancing the human/dog relationship. At the same time as a club member I can hopefully give something back to the golden retriever, a special breed that brings so much joy to my life. I live in Perth with my husband Jim and together we take care of our house full of golden retrievers.

I am the founder of Canine Muscleworks, a canine muscle therapy clinic. It has always been my dream to work with animals (and to have a job that will allow me to bring my dogs to work!) When I was growing up, while other children were playing with toys, I was happiest surrounded by my family dogs. We had German Shepherds but I have always admired Golden Retrievers. My parents wouldn’t let me have one so I saved up all my pocket money and bought one from a backyard breeder. I excitedly carried my puppy home and weaved a terribly sad story about how this young baby was going to be put down at the pound. Fortunately, my parents not only fell for the story but also my ‘rescue’ puppy. Young “Maverick” was my dream come true. His untimely death at 6 years of age from lymphoma left a deep hole in my heart but started a lifelong love affair with this wonderful breed. Today my furry family consist of three beautiful Golden Retrievers: Krug (14 years old), Opus (7 years old) and Shogun (4 years old). A fortunate series of events led me to the world of dog showing and the Golden Retriever Club of WA. Through the club I have met some of the most wonderful, fun, helpful and generous people who have become some of my closest friends. As vice- president of the club, I believe that we have a built a strong and friendly community of like-minded folks and it is my hope that this will continue to grow so we can all ‘pay it forward’ to other new members by raising awareness about the breed. Some of the issues I am passionate about are unscrupulous breeders and the unethical practice of puppy farming and also increasing dwindling membership numbers (for without members we cease to exist). I am looking forward to meeting many more of you at club organised events in 2017.

I am originally from the UK and I work in the freight industry. I am the treasurer for the GRCWA for so many years I’ve lost count! At the moment I own three lovely goldies and enjoy being part of the club,  because the people involved in it share little bits of information, such as what to feed and why. It’s a great team that help each other. It certainly benefitted me when I got Dexta, my first goldie in Australia.  The club can’t continue without the support of the community. Join in and we will be happy to share our knowledge with you.

My husband and I are ‘owned and loved’ by Tully and Sama, along with Cleo, our little grey stripey cat who thinks she’s a dog. I purchased my first goldie Chelsea as a thirtieth birthday present to myself in  1992… I had always loved the breed and wanted a dog of my own to take on walks and to the beach and spend time with. I had known some beautiful goldies from my childhood and for me the choice of  breed was never up for question. My second golden, Mac, came along in 97 and we have been a ‘two dog family’ ever since. We have been so lucky that ours have lived long and happy lives. Chelsea was with  us for fifteen years and Mac almost sixteen. Currently we have Tully who is eight, and Sama who has just turned three. All four have been lovely but with quite different personalities that keep us entertained  and on our toes. Over the years, I have dabbled in various forms of training with my dogs and they have taught me so much. Tully was my challenge as general obedience didn’t appeal to her but then we  found agility and I watched my girl switch back on to working. She gained confidence with the equipment and had so much fun. Sama and I have competed in conformation shows and have been learning  Rally-Obedience, which is a fun form of obedience where you follow signs around a course. We have our first trial in a couple of weeks, so we will see where that takes us. I came across the club when  searching for a breeder, as many people do. I went to some shows and met some lovely people and attended an information evening run by the club, which I found really educational and a great networking  experience. I joined the club as a way to learn more about our breed and to consult with experts on best practice. I am also part of the Facebook group and enjoy the different perspective that gives. I love the  articles in the newsletter, which is a free monthly bonus for paying club members and full of relevant information on research around the breed, as well as providing training tips and articles that I find most  informative. In 2014, I joined the Committee to provide my input and help out however I could with fundraising ideas and ways in which we could engage more members. I have made some great friends  through the club and through our dogs. Golden people are in a class of their own.

My love of Golden Retrievers started many years ago, owning my very first, Fizzy in 2001 in the UK where I lived. Immigrating to Perth in 2004 we gained Roxy in 2005 to keep Fizzy company but also to get her a little more active as we found her struggling with the heat. I was hooked and have owned 2 or more Goldies ever since.

We lost Fizzy in 2015 at the grand old age of 13.5 and were blessed with Midas who we rehomed at 11 months old very soon after losing Fizzy. Midas gave Roxy (9) a new lease of life and to give something back for being blessed with Midas, I became a foster career for a Retriever Rescue, fostering and rehoming 5 dogs over an 18 month period.

Midas and Roxy were such wonderful role models to these rescue dogs and welcomed them into their home with such a tolerance and compassion, it was incredible to watch but heart-breaking at the same time. Midas being very young himself enjoyed the playtime and Roxy taught them their manners. Letting go of these rescue dogs became a little too heartbreaking, but I was now accustomed to 3 dogs and on my 50th birthday I become the mother of my own Golden trio, welcoming Ziggy, half-sister to Midas.

I am now back to two goldens again, losing Roxy in September last year very suddenly. She lived a wonderful life until the very end. Roxy was a beach babe, very much after my own heart. The beach was her happy place and she enjoyed a swim on her very last day.

I joined the club over four years ago and came across them on Facebook. I loved the interaction of fellow golden lovers who were so happy to share their knowledge and give good advice. I have attended various events such as loose lead training, sniffer dog training, puppy information sessions, meets and am now a committee member. I have made such wonderful friends within this club and love the passion they hold for the welfare and continuation of this beautiful breed of dog.

I have always loved dogs and I have grown up with dogs as Mum and Dad always had dogs. My first dog ,was a boxer ·who I named Jemima from Play School.

My love of the Golden Retriever began when I wanted to add a dog to my own family. I had three small boys at the time aged 1, 4 and 7. I had done some research on what would be the best family dog to have and the Golden Retriever always came up.

So along came Murphy. My boys and Murphy basically grew up together. They taught her how to play soccer. jump on a trampoline and many other things that active boys enjoy. Going to the beach however wasn’t so much fun as Murphy would always try and ·rescue’ when we were in the water.

I thoroughly enjoyed ·watching them all together. Sadly we lost Murphy to lymphoma 8 years ago. she was 10 years old. As many will know, the loss of our treasured Goldens is heartbreaking but what I wasn’t really prepared for was watching my three boys when it was time to let Murphy go to the Rainbow Bridge – that I think was even more heartbreaking. However I do think they got over the loss much quicker than I did.

In 2012 we got Luna. I felt empty without Murphy and although she couldn’t be replaced, we were ready to get another dog to fill the big ‘hole’ that Murphy left. I couldn’t imagine having another breed of dog after having Murphy so another Golden ii was.

What can I say, Luna is ·my angel’ I feel like she saved me from a very dark place some years ago. She is incredibly loyal and never very far away. She has the most beautiful temperament, she is pretty chilled and she is smart She loves swimming as much as I do. and she doesn’t try and ‘save me like Murphy did we can actually swim around together without me being scratched to pieces!

In 2016 Wallace became part of our family. Wallace had come to stay for a short holiday and it turned into a never ending holiday. Wallace is a gentle sooky boy who aims to please all the time if he gets a cuddle in return. He loves his park walks. He enjoys the beach and swimming and sitting on your lap as much as possible.

I joined the- GRCWA not long after we got Luna and became the Treasurer of the GRCWA in 2018. I have made some wonderful friends over the last 7 years and learnt so much about the Golden Retriever breed. I have even joined the world of Dog Shows ,with dear Wallace already being a show Dog when he came to us. He was teaching me I am sure when we first started.

I can’l imagine my life without Luna and Wal­lace and I look forward to continuing to learn more and help the Club promote and protect the ·welfare of this wonderful breed.