News Archive
March/April 2004
Our five day stay in Birmingham for Crufts went very well again this year. We enjoyed the whole show, but both returned home exhausted!
Be sure to visit the new webpage about our visit to Crufts!
Another new page giving an overview of Assistance Dogs in the U.K. has been launched.
January/February 2004
Over the Christmas & New Year period Caesar appeared in a number of publications following Discover Dogs and his visit to Westminster.
Once the festivities were over, Wendy & Caesar worked hard on training for the Silver & Gold Awards in The Kennel Clubs' Good Citizen Dog Scheme. We also attended selection and training at Winchester City Dog Club as part of the run up to Crufts in early March, where we shall both take part in 6 Good Citizen Dog Scheme Gold Award Demonstrations. Caesar passed his Silver & Gold Awards in mid-February. He had been ready to take the tests last year but owning to local difficulties we had been unable to locate anyone suitably qualified to test him.
It hasn't been all work and no play though! At the end of January, we finally had some snow!
Proud lad!
King of the Kongs!
November/December 2003
Early November, Wendy & Caesar went to stay with Mel & Penny for a few days, during which time we all did a collection for Dogs for the Disabled at Harrods.
Wendy & Caesar have been involved with the usual round of talks and collections for the charity along with some interviews and photos for the press.
We both spent a week in London together from 19th to 25th November, and it was a very hectic but enjoyable time.
On 19th November we were guests of our M.P. (member of parliament) Annette Brooke, and spent the day with her. This was a very hectic but interesting day, especially as it was the first day of President Bushs' trip to London. We attended Prime Ministers' Questions in the House of Commons, had lunch in the Members Dining Room, toured the House of Lords, Westminster Hall and the Terrace.
On 20th we met up with Mike and visited Shakespeares' Globe Theatre, the new Millenium Walkway Bridge, St Pauls' Cathedral, The Old Bailey, Hatton Garden, ending up with a show at The London Palladium. This was another opportunity for Caesar to sample theatre assistance dog sitters, and we met some the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang afterwards.
On 21st November we spent time at Rabobank in the City of London. Rabobank are the kind sponsors of Caesar and some other Dogs for the Disabled dogs, including Rowan.
Wendy & Caesar and Melissa & Rowan with Lynne Quilliam at Rabobank
We spent 22cnd and 23rd November at Earls' Court, for the Discover Dogs event, run by The Kennel Club. On the Saturday, Caesar and Wendy did a demonstration in the Good Citizen Ring, based around the work he has been doing for his Silver Award, and some assistance tasks. We were delighted his Puppy Socialiser, Margaret was able to be there to see this.
On 24th November, Caesar woke with conjuctivitis in one eye, so we spent the morning visiting a vet to get some drops, it seems the polluted London air was to blame :o( In the afternoon we had a very long walk in Hyde Park, taking in Kensington Palace, The Princess of Wales' Memorial Garden, The Albert Memorial etc. We also spent some time doing some Christams shopping at Harrods!
By the time we returned home on 25th we were both exhausted but happy that we'd managed to cope with all the access issues and transport issues in London.
Caesar on Christmas Eve
The holidays meant lots of presents and visitors, and Caesar enjoyed several trips to the beach and forest with his friends Zac & Sam, and his half sister, Penny.
Zac and Caesar enjoying tug o' war with a Kong toy at Studland Beach
Caesar & Penny relaxing in the winter sun in Wareham Forest
even though it was very cold they both still enjoyed paddling in a brook
September/October 2003
Early September 2003, Wendy & Caesar go camping! New webpage featuring our camping expedition Camping!
Our website is now available in several languages, click the Babelfish Translator on the entry page to test it out!
We have joined the Top Golden Retriever Sites Toplist. If you have enjoyed our site, please vote for us here...
29th September, bust day, not only did Caesar and I man a display stand, but gave two displays at Barclays House in Poole, but also we found out today that Caesar had won a category in Dogs Today magazine annual calendar competition. Caesar won the category for a dog who has most changed someones life. This was followed by an interview with the local paper, which attracted a lot of interest for us locally.
13th October, travelled to Slough for the Dogs Today photoshoot, all we have to do now is wait for the calendar to come out in the December/January issue of Dogs Today.
27th October, we learned that our site is to be The Site of the Month featured in the November newsletter from Top Golden Retriever Sites.
July/August 2003
3rd July, Wendy & Caesar visited the Wimbledon Tennis Championships & Westminster
Caesar melted a few hearts when he presented a lucky horseshoe
to the bride at a family wedding on 4th July
31st July 2003, Wendy & Caesar took part in a photoshoot at The London Eye, in preparation for The Big Sit.
14th August we visited Caesars' sponsors, Rabobank in the City of London to give a presentation about our life and work together.
Caesar loved his Doggy Bag!
16th August saw us at The wag & Bone Show at Ascot Racecourse... see The Big Sit webpage
Wendy & Caesar has a super time staying for a few days with Mel & Penny (Caesars' 1/2 sister). The two dogs work and play so well together it is a pleasure to watch :o)
Caesar remains well and happy, and during these hot summer days enjoys a swim and has become a fan worshipper!
May/June 2003
5th May ... Caesar tries his paw at agility!
We were recently at a local novelty dog show, which was held in aid of Dogs for the Disabled and there was a come and try agility ring, and I thought Caesar might like to have a go, fully prepared that he may find the whole thing a bit too overwhelming.
I got a friend, from our local supporters group to nip round the course with him, while I went alongside the obstacles with my wheelchair.
Caesar nipped right over the first three little jumps, then round the corner for a ramp to a table, where he did a lovely "down", then off the ramp the other side, over a couple more jumps, then up a huge A frame first time, and onwards towards the curved tunnel. This is where he hesistated and looked for me, and with a few words of encouragement, he wizzed through the tunnel, leaping upon my lap as I waited at the other end, one quick cuddle, and I sent him back through the tunnel, and then he did the whole course in reverse again.
He seemed to love it...Maureen his "runner" didn't do too badly either (wink).
This was Caesars' first sight of agility equipment to my knowledge, so I was absolutely delighted that he took it all in his stride so well, and looked visibly pleased with himself.
This was also the first opportunity I had to use my newly acquired power trike with my wheelchair and both Caesar and I managed just fine.
Happy Birthday Mum!
Mid-May, Caesar meets his mother Rosie (left), and sister Millie (center)
for the first time since he left to begin his assistance dog career in August 1999
25th June 2003, Caesar celebrated his 4th Birthday
See his 4th birthday page
March/April 2003
Early March was very busy for us both, with a 5 day trip away to Birmingham for Crufts
We had a very hectic but super time :o)
We have continued to do several talks for Dogs for the Disabled in our local area, and we are finding more and more when we go out shopping etc., that people recognise us from the talks.
I have been continuing Caesars' training, following on from his Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze Award, which he took at Crufts, and he is getting along fine with that.
I have been spending more and more time re-writing this website, following the purchase of a virtual server.
Towards the end of April we spent a super weekend away at a DFD meeting at their head office in Banbury, and then spent the rest of the weekend with Mel, who is partnered with Caesars' 1/2 sister Penny.
January/February 2003
While we seem to have been rather busy of late, it has mostly been things that are in the planning stage, rather than the doing stage!
Caesar recently had his annual review at the doggie dentist, to check on the condition of his root canal filling, and we were told his teeth and gums remain extremely healthy.
Following the episode with the defrocked man last year, Caesar was nominated for an award, so far he is in the shortlist of 30 from over 300 entries. Our local paper, covered the story. Caesar and Wendy have also recently done their first radio interview.
Plans are well under way for a fundraising and awareness event in London late February, and of course Crufts is 6th-9th March. Caesar will be involved in a couple of small demonstrations at Crufts this year...more details later.
Still no snow in our area...
24th Feb. We have just got home from a very tiring and hectic weekend in London, but we had great fun too :o) Caesar and Wendy were helping at a Fundraising and Awareness Day that Dogs for the Disabled held at Harrods Pet Dept. Caesar concentrated on being petted by as many people as possible, while Wendy answered questions and explained the role of an assistance dog and about the charity Caesar comes from.
2002 Archive
"Fields of Gold"
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k9assistance / WAMMorrell
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