Charger

MACH3 AGILGOLD’S TAKE THE CHARGE ADHF CCA

Whelped: December 13, 2002
Height 24.5” Weight 85 lbs

Charger is the first pup in the AgilGold line. I had no intention of keeping a male but Charger had other plans. At two weeks of age he sat up and had such a presence about him, I knew I was no longer taking a girl.

We went from Novice to Excellent in a relatively short amount of time, but the transition from one level to the next wasn’t smooth. My timing was too slow to accommodate his stride and speed. Charger averages 5.5 yds/sec on the jww courses. He truly does fit his call name.

September 2006 - We finally start clicking as a team, culminating with a 1st place finish at the GRCA Nationals and his MX MXJ titles.

2007- It's all coming together. We are q'ing at every trial, and the elusive double q's are starting to add up. Charger finished the year ranked #59 with 555 points and 11 double q's.

2008 - Today was our last trial of the year. What a great year we've had...and so much fun! Charger earned his MACH, became a "stud", and ran his fastest standard time yet - 41 seconds! (that's what happens when you run Charger while a female at home is in season!) He tries so hard and enjoys everything you ask him to do.

2009 - What a good year we had together! Charger finished the year with 713 points and 11 qq's... and he has his first litter on the way (yippee!!!).

While he "charges" on the agility course, Charger is the biggest softie, and will greet you with a smile that will truly melt your heart. Charger has also taken over Cassidy's role in our Dog Safety Seminars. Every May we visit local schools and teach school children how to safely interact with dogs. When I run into students during the summer months, the first question out of their mouths is, "How's Charger?"

January 5, 2010 - Charger's first litter is born, whelped by Argo Molega's Xcelerate Your Dream. Dyna and Charger's 10 pups have beautiful heads, solid toplines, lots of angulation, tons of bone and coat, and gorgeous pigment. Stacked pictures of the pups at 7 weeks can be viewed by following the link on the home page.

March 14, 2010 - Charger was 4 for 4 this weekend and earned the last qq's needed for MACH 2.

After 3 months off... Charger's back!!! (see below)

Charger's Accomplishments:

MACH3, July 2011 MACH2, March 2010 Top finishing Golden Retriever in 24" class, 2010 AKC Agility Championship ISC State Team Finalist, 2009 AKC Agility Championship 8th place / 24" division, 2009 ISC Tournament Master Agility Champion, August 2008

2007 - AKC Agility Top Dogs/Golden Retrievers, Ranked #59

GRCA Agility Dog Hall of Fame, Oct. 2007

Qualifying run, Excellent B Standard, GRCA Agility Nationals, 2006

Master Excellent Jumpers Title, July 2006

Master Agility Excellent title, May 2006

1st place, Excellent A JWW, GRCA Agility Nationals, Sept. 2005

Qualifyting run, Excellent B Standard, GRCA Agility Nationals, Sept. 2005

Certificate of Conformation Assessment, Sept. 2005

2010 AKC Nationals - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Click above for Video of Charger's runs

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Note: In May 2010 a lump was found on Charger's muzzle. A biopsy confirmed it was a stage 2 mast cell tumor. Further examination revealed it had not metastasized. Luckily the oncologist at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Teaching Hospital enrolled Charger into a clinical trial, testing the effects of the simultaneous use of 2 cancer fighting drugs (vinblastin and palladia).

At that time I was told that even with positive results from the chemotherapy, Charger probably wouldn't make it to his next birthday. Regardless, I had to try. Charger underwent treatment for 8 weeks. He handled the drugs remarkably well - he never got sick and actually gained some weight. At the end of the trial a CT scan was done; the tumor had shrunk approximately 37%! Surgery was done 2 days later to remove the majority of the mass. Over 95% of the tumor was removed bringing the disease down to microscopic levels. The doctors followed up with 2 more chemo treatments paired with 6 more months of palladia. The doctors felt this would hopefully knock out whatever mast cells remained.

On August 17th, after a 3 month absence, Charger returned to the agility ring. I couldn't have been prouder to have him by my side. It was as if he never left; Charger qq'd, placing 1st in jumpers and 3rd in standard.

October 6th - Follow up exam...no local recurrence and no evidence of metastatic disease. Way to go Charger!!!

December 13 - Happy Birthday Charger! And another excellent check up! Because of you, the Charge Against Cancer fund was started. Donations received at the Hounds for the Holidays trial totaled $705! All proceeds go to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Teaching Hospital/Animal Cancer Treatment Center.

May 25, 2011 - We have been on this journey for a full year. Today Charger was getting an ultrasound to determine if the cancer had spread internally. I'm so proud to say that Charger has been declared "clean" and no longer requires treatment! The doctors would like to see him every 6 months for a check-up, but other than that, they feel he will live a long and healthy life.

I can't thank everyone enough for the thoughts, prayers, support, and money that's been donated to the Charge Against Cancer fund. Together we have raised over $1800. to fight canince cancers.