Rest In Peace My Beloved Julia

Julia – Artistry’s Another Thing Coming, SWA, SCM, NW3 Elite, DDCN, EN

Sunrise - November 15, 2009 / Sunset – February 16, 2023

My beautiful Julia peacefully passed away in our home at the age of 13. My heart is broken to pieces. She was a once-in-a-lifetime dog and will never be replaced. She was so special and I’ll miss her every single day.

I met Julia at 5 weeks old and took her home at 8 weeks. We always had fun and spectacular adventures through the years. I will cherish those memories forever.

Some proud moments - Julia loved scent work! She started scent detection training under Penny Scott-Fox in Altadena, California at the age of 8 months old in 2010. Julia is the 10th Golden Retriever in the country to achieve the National Association of Canine Scent Work ORT Title at just over a year old. She is the 31st Golden Retriever in the country to earn a NACSW NW1 Title in 2011 and the 10th Golden Retriever in the country to receive her NACSW NW2 Title in 2012. Then, life events put trials on hold for a few years. When Logan (Artistry’s Long Time Coming) passed away in 2017, Julia continued trialing with NACSW and started with AKC, & USCSS. She captured her NACSW NW3 Elite Title in January 2022. Julia’s last trial was a NACSW Elite Trial in Tampa, Florida on November 19, 2022. Julia earned 28 overall scent work titles with NACSW, AKC, and USCSS. Lots of good fun times with my girl. That’s what it was all about!

Rest in peace, my baby girl. You taught me meaningful life lessons like living each day to the fullest, smiling, and never taking anything too seriously. It was an honor and privilege to be your companion and I thank you. I’ll miss everything about you. Run free until we meet again. Kisses!

Julia's First Nose Work Trial

These are old videos that I just obtained from the National Association of Canine Scent Work of Julia’s first-ever trial. The trial was held on August 21, 2011, in San Pedro, California. Julia was not even 2 years old yet.

For our first trial, we did pretty well. We got hung up on the exterior but we eventually got it. Her total time was 5:37.31, zero faults for a score of 100 which earned Julia her first title.

NACSW NW3 - Macclenny, Florida

Julia and I took part in the National Association of Canine Scent Work's NW3 trial yesterday at the Baker County Fairgrounds in Macclenny, Florida. The trial was hosted by the K9 Obedience Club of Jacksonville. Chilly start to the day (39°) but turned into a beauty of a day (70°). Fantastic place for a trial. Very well organized. Thanks to the host, CO, judges, and all volunteers.

Julia completed her NW3-Vehicles and NW3-Interior titles. Although she didn't get an outright NW3 title, under the new 2020 rules she did get a qualifying score of 88.89.

She located 7 of the 8 hides. The elements for this trial were 2 container searches, 2 vehicle searches (1 was even a blank or 0 hides), 1 exterior search, and 1 interior search.

Once again, my girl always amazes me. Even at 10 years old she's still full of beans, yet can focus when she needs too. It's super fun to have this kind of special time with her. Rock on Miss Julia!

• All video elements below

NACSW NW3 Macclenny, Florida Julia's Vehicle Search 1 - 0 hides / 0 alerts (Blank)

NACSW NW3 Macclenny, Florida Julia's Vehicle search 2 - 2 hides / 2 alerts

NACSW NW3 Macclenny, Florida Julia's Interior Search - 2 hides / 2 alerts

NACSW NW3 Macclenny, Florida Julia's Container Search 1 - 1 hide / 1 alert

NACSW NW3 Macclenny, Florida Julia's Container Search 2 - 1 hide / 1 alerts

NACSW NW3 Macclenny, Florida Julia's Exterior Search - 2 hides / 1 alert / 1 miss

NACSW NW3 - Elkton, Florida

Julia tried for another NACSW NW3 Title in Elkton, Florida on November 9th. Unfortunately, no NW3 Title this time around. She did get her NW3 Element Title for containers though. That was pretty cool.

She found 10 of 10 hides (pronounced in exterior) on the day and did an excellent job. Me on the other hand, not so much. During the vehicle search, I froze after a head turn and crowded her a bit which caused a false alert. With that bonehead move, it eliminated us from contention. One more blank vehicle and we would have had it. There’s no woulda, coulda, shoulda though. This truly is a team sport. She gave it her all and I couldn't have asked for more.

We had a blast and it was great to spend a special long weekend with my dog, see old friends, and meet new ones. Huge shout-out to the hosting club, judges, volunteers and other competitors.

Below are videos of each search of this trial. After watching the videos, I know that I should have trusted Julia more. She caught everything on the first pass but yet I was compelled to go back and double-check. I feel videos of searches whether in practice or in competition are important. I learn so much as hard as some are to watch in hindsight. (BTW, exterior video is cropped tight on the right and doesn’t show Julia alert on the hide after the start but she got it).

Julia Wraps Up Her Overall AKC Scent Work Advanced Title

Super fun time at the Scent Work Club of Brevard County's debut trial held at Canine Star Training Academy in Cocoa Beach, Florida. Thanks to the judges and volunteers for all your hard work.

Julia finished her AKC Advanced Exterior Title today which completes her overall AKC Advanced Title. She was 3 out of 4 runs over the weekend and picked up two 1st places and one 2nd place. So proud of my girl.

Advanced exterior results for the weekend -

Trial 1 - 48.90 seconds / 1st place

Trial 2 - NQ

Trial 3 - 34.75 seconds / 2nd place

Trial 4 - 19.75 seconds / 1st place