FLATCOAT PROFILE Goldingale My Choise For Hopevalley “Indy”

      Autumn 1996, Simon, my husband asked me what I wanted for Christmas. Of course I jokingly said a Flatcoat puppy, thinking that he wouldn't agree as we already had Sally, a mongrel and Emma a Rough Collie. To my surprise he said yes!

     I knew that John & Margaret Pendleton had mated Ch Goldingale Apple Blossom (Rosie) so rang to see if there were any puppies available. I thought that Rosie had just been mated, so I was shocked when Margaret told me they were 4 weeks old! There was one dog left and that was just what I wanted. So, we went to see the pups the next day and fell in love. The one that was chosen became Indy.

     Indy was a typical Flatcoat puppy, always in the bin and stealing things, but he soon matured into a loving, gentle boy.
He was rather tall & rangy when he made his debut at FCRS champ show. Brenda Phillips was very patient with him as he bounced round the ring and he finished with a HC in a big Minor Puppy class.

     Indy was my first proper show dog and I could not have asked for a better partner. He soon learned the ropes and became the ultimate professional in the ring. He never let me down, sometimes he enjoyed himself a bit too much, but we always had a good time. He was at his happiest at shows and was the consummate show dog.
He came into his own in the veteran classes, he won his first champ show veteran class along with his first RCC. He was still showing right up until 3 weeks before he died, when he won Best Veteran In Show at Sutton Coldfield open show.

     As for NEFRA.. well, he is still the only dog to have won Best Dog at Both NEFRA shows in the same year which he did in 2005, when he was BIS in May & RBIS in November. He was Best Veteran In Show on both occasions.

     I almost lost him at the age of four, when he was first ill with Pancreatitis. He had several bouts of this and was hospitalised on 5 occasions, but he was determined not to let it beat him and as it was diet controlled, the Pancreatitis didn't stop him doing anything.

     He was a natural worker and did beating and picking for the odd day over a couple of seasons, and I was very proud when he won his Show Gundog Working Certificate. It was all his own work, as I knew nothing about working. With an experienced handler, I'm sure his natural ability would have taken him on further.
     He succeeded in everything he turned his paw to, including completing the Bronze, Silver and Gold Good Citizen Awards.

     He never had a grey hair on him, even in his 11th year. He loved everything about life and everyone he encountered was totally taken with him. But above all, he was my best boy. I shall never forget this fantastic dog, who was more than a pet, he was my best friend, my constant companion and because of him I have so many wonderful memories.

     Many thanks to John and Margaret for the privilege of living with Indy, and to Indy for sharing 11 years and 9 months with us.
'You'll always be a part of me, and in my heart you'll always be, my sweet butterfly.

'

Mandy Romeo Dieste