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.
R𝚎sc𝚞𝚎 c𝚊t w𝚑𝚘 w𝚊s w𝚊itin𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛 s𝚘m𝚎𝚘n𝚎 t𝚘 𝚐iv𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚑𝚘m𝚎!
In the bustling streets, amidst the chaos of everyday life, a stray cat silently weaved her way through the obstacles, searching for solace and companionship. Her weary eyes told a tale of longing, a yearning for the warmth of a loving home. She had become skilled in the art of survival, but her heart yearned for more—she yearned for a human connection.
One day, fortune smiled upon her as a compassionate individual noticed her presence. It was as if they were destined to cross paths, for their souls resonated with a shared desire for companionship. In that moment, a bond was formed, and a rescue mission was set into motion.
With gentle patience, the rescuer approached the cat, extending a hand of trust and reassurance. The cat, cautious yet hopeful, tentatively accepted this offering of kindness. It was a pivotal moment, as the cat allowed herself to be embraced by the love and compassion that had eluded her for so long.
Understanding the urgency of the cat’s situation, the rescuer wasted no time in providing the necessary care. A trip to the veterinarian confirmed the cat’s health and ensured she received vaccinations and necessary treatments. The journey to a better life had begun, and the cat’s spirit seemed to awaken with the promise of a brighter future.
Back at the rescuer’s home, a safe and comfortable environment awaited the cat. A cozy bed, nutritious meals, and a dedicated space filled with toys and scratching posts were all provided, tailored to meet her needs. Slowly, the cat began to shed the scars of her past, embracing the love and security of her newfound haven.
As the days turned into weeks, the cat’s transformation was nothing short of remarkable. Her wary demeanor gave way to confidence, and her guarded heart opened up to trust. The once-lonely feline now reveled in the joy of human companionship, purring contentedly as she curled up on the laps of her newfound family.
Word of the cat’s rescue spread, capturing the attention of kind-hearted individuals searching for a feline companion. After careful consideration, a loving family came forward, eager to provide the cat with a forever home. It was a match made in heaven, as the cat found herself surrounded by warmth, love, and a sense of belonging she had longed for.
The story of rescuing a cat who patiently waited for a loving home serves as a reminder of the power of compassion and the profound impact a safe and nurturing environment can have on the life of a stray animal. It reminds us that there are countless feline souls out there, yearning for love and companionship, waiting for their chance to be rescued.
May this story inspire us to open our hearts and homes to these deserving creatures, offering them the love and care they crave. Together, let us create a world where every stray cat finds solace, where their patient wait for a home is rewarded with the warmth of a loving family, and where the bond between humans and animals flourishes in a sanctuary of compassion and understanding.
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