STARK COUNTY — Years of training have come to fruition for a Stark County couple whose dog was named National Shoot to Retrieve Association’s 2023 Dog of the Year on Oct. 28. Dean and Kristy Goodall’s dog, Cowpie, a 5-year-oldGerman Shorthair, took home the honor despite a recent infection that left everyone wondering if she would even survive.
The NSTRA competition, which was held in Amo, Ind., included 192 dogs, Dean Goodall said. He is Cowpie’s handler during competitions.
“You’re facing the best dogs across the entire country and to come out the last dog standing, it’s just an incredible feeling,” Dean Goodall said. “We’ve been so close so many times. But to finally win one, it’s just a dream come true.”
During the trials, two dogs compete against each other at a time. They are put in blinds with their handlers while five birds are planted on 40 acres of land. The dogs then have 30 minutes to find the birds, he said.
“We walk the field, there’s two of us, side-by-side, and your dog has to actually hunt for it,” Kristy Goodall said. “Then, when they smell a bird, they have to stop and point. Once they establish point, they can’t take another step until the bird’s in the air.”
The handler kicks around, until the bird flies into the air and then they shoot the bird. Once the handler shoots, they are not supposed to move, she said.
“Then the dog has to go find the bird, pick it up, bring it in and put it in your hand,” Kristy Goodall said.
Judges score the dog on several criteria, including obedience and retrieval, she said.
During the trials, Dean Goodall could tell Cowpie didn’t have the lung capacity she once had, due to an infection she endured after she competed last year. He wasn’t sure she would be able to finish, let alone win.
“When you’re out hunting, your dogs always have their noses in the grass running full speed through the grass,” Kristy Goodall said. “It’s kind of known to happen where they suck those grass seeds down into their lung tissue. Instead of going down through their esophagus, it actually lands inside the lung, and it creates a huge infection.”
The only solution for Cowpie was surgery, which required a veterinarian to open her rib cage to operate on the infected lung tissue. The surgery couldn’t guarantee she would survive. After the procedure was complete, Cowpie was then isolated and confined for two months while she healed.
“She slowly recovered and then she got pregnant and had puppies last summer,” Dean Goodall said.
The couple started getting Cowpie back into shape when her puppies were old enough to be sold.
“A year ago at this time, I didn’t think she’d be alive,” Dean Goodall said. “Now a year later, here she is winning the trial that almost killed her.”
The Goodalls, who live on a farm near Dickinson, have nine dogs. They train eight of those dogs for hunting and competition.
“You know, you start hunting in September and you’re done in December, and what do you do with your dog the rest of the year?” Dean Goodall said. “National Shoot to Retrieve Association simulates hunting conditions in a trial setting, but it’s a very competitive trial situation.”
They have been competing in the NSTRA trials for more than a decade. Although he quit for a few years, Kristy encouraged him to get back into competing in dog trials.
“I have that competitive drive and I wasn’t going to do this unless I could do it at the very top level,” Dean Goodall said. “So we got after it and we took it serious and we started pushing ourselves and trialing all over and getting better dogs and training better. And pretty soon we were placing in almost every national trial.”
He said Kristy’s success in training horses helped drive them to continue doing better with their dogs.
“Kristy’s hit the top of the world in the horse world — she’s won five world titles in horses,” Dean Goodall said. “Cowpie has finished fourth in the performance national trial before. She’s won two regional championships and now she’s the first dog we’ve owned that’s won a national.”
They run their dogs regularly to help keep them in shape, they said. All their dogs are well trained from basic commands to hunting commands.
“In the fall I’ve been wild bird hunting after work every day that I can get out in the field,” Dean Goodall said. “We end up training our dogs against each other, but they get tired of competing against each other. They know it’s practice. There’s a big difference between the intensity of an actual trial and going out and practicing.”
When they do well during trials, the Goodalls often reward their dogs with a steak or other treat. However, they say the trials are a reward in themselves, since the dogs love to do it.
The dog’s warm embrace of the 2-year-old reassured her parents as they left for work
In the bustling city where people are always on the move, finding moments of true connection can be a rarity. However, a heartwarming incident involving a dog and a 2-year-old child recently captivated the hearts of many, highlighting the profound and unconditional love animals can offer. The moment when this dog embraced the child, enveloping her in warmth and comfort, became a testament to the deep affection it held for the little girl, ultimately providing her parents with peace of mind as they headed off to work.
The dog in question is a lovable Golden Retriever named Max. Max has been a part of the Nguyen family for three years, and throughout this time, he has formed a special bond with the youngest member of the family, little Mia. Mia, a charming and curious 2-year-old, has grown up alongside Max, and their relationship has flourished from the very beginning.
One sunny morning, as Mia’s parents, Lily and Mark, were preparing to head to their respective workplaces, they were faced with a familiar dilemma. They were once again entrusting their precious child to the capable care of their loyal canine companion, Max. However, on this particular morning, something extraordinary happened.
As Lily handed Mia over to Max, something unexpected occurred. Instead of simply sitting by her side or following her around, Max gently leaned in, as if sensing Mia’s need for comfort. He lowered himself to the ground and extended his front paws, inviting the little girl into a warm and loving embrace. Mia, ever the intuitive child, responded by snuggling closer to Max’s furry chest, wrapping her tiny arms around him.
This tender embrace lasted for several minutes, and it seemed as if time stood still. The whole scene was a testament to the profound connection between the child and her four-legged friend. In that moment, Max’s warm, furry body and comforting presence were all Mia needed to feel safe and secure. The world outside, with its complexities and uncertainties, faded away, leaving just the two of them wrapped in an unspoken bond of love.
Lily and Mark watched in awe, touched by the undeniable affection that their dog had for their daughter. Max, who had been a faithful companion and protector for Mia since her birth, had now shown an even deeper level of care and concern for her well-being. In that brief yet profound moment, they realized that they could trust Max with Mia, knowing that he would always keep her safe.
As Lily and Mark went off to work that day, they left with a newfound sense of peace and assurance. They knew that Max would watch over Mia, just as he had done during countless other moments, with his unwavering love and dedication. Their family’s bond had grown stronger, and they were grateful for the incredible connection between their daughter and her canine friend.
This heartwarming incident serves as a reminder of the extraordinary relationships that can form between humans and their animal companions. It demonstrates the capacity of animals to offer love, support, and comfort when we need it most. The story of Max and Mia also reminds us that the world can be a better place when we open our hearts to the unconditional love that our animal friends are willing to share.
In a busy, fast-paced world, the touching moment when a dog lovingly embraced a 2-year-old child became a symbol of the pure, unbreakable bond between animals and humans. Max’s profound love for Mia provided her parents with a sense of security and peace, reminding us all of the extraordinary connections that can exist between pets and their families.
Leave a Reply