AMaZiN' GRaCiE

It was January, 1996 and I had just had a devastating loss. My very pregnant Bulldog, Bear, had passed along with all eight of her unborn pups. The Sittingbullies “Kennel” was now back to one—the namesake, rocking horse-riding, skateboarding “Rosie” of America’s Funniest fame who had started my Bulldog love affair.

I called Laura Haney of Beefeater Bulldogs to ask if she might have a show quality bitch puppy that would have potential for the obedience ring. “I have a very special little girl that I’d consider parting with to the right home,” was her reply. Gracie shared the same birthday as me and was nearly identical to the beautiful girl I’d just lost.I took her home and immediately began her training with Rosie as mentor.

In support of our local Bulldog club’s obedience, Gracie was entered in her first trial at just 10 months of age—and came home with the first of many High In Trial (HIT) awards. Her second time out she was Reserve HIT at a large all-breed show and captured the heart of the local AKC rep, who became one of her biggest fans. Total strangers knew her by name and loved to watch her prance up to ringside towing her cart, and cheer her on as she gave the Goldens a run for their money. “She’s amazing!” they’d say.

Unable to afford taking classes, Gracie and I learned on our own how to perfect the difficult exercises required for the highest level of Obedience—Utility. We learned by gleaning from our more experienced dog club friends who had trained and titled at this level, as well as by watching skilled teams compete at trials. We quickly came to understand why so many fondly refer to the top level of Obedience as “Futility” when we came oh-so-close to qualifying time after time-with the exception of one single exercise! But we finally started pulling off consistent performances and earned the third and final leg of our Utility title along with the High In Trial and High Combined Score honors at our BCA Division Specialty show in early March of 2000.

Gracie was such a dynamic worker that I decided to pursue the new Utility Dog Excellent title with her, which required her to pass both the Open and Utility obedience classes at the same trial, ten times. On September 22, 2001, about a year and a half after earning her UD title, Gracie made Bulldog history when she became the first of her breed to complete the Utility Dog Excellent title. The UDX is considered a monumental accomplishment for any breed and over twenty years later there are currently only two Bulldogs to have earned this prestigious title.

Gracie memories still bring smiles to my face: her love of water compelling her to burst through the bathroom door and leap into the bathtub with our young sons; the curiosity she had with noises which inspired her tradition of ringing the bell that hung on the Christmas tree; returning from an out-of-sight Sit/Stay exercise at a show to see Gracie sitting statuesquely in the of the lineup with six golden retrievers; or the day Gracie pushed her way into my bedroom closet, nosed open the zipper on her bag of equipment and came dancing out to greet me with her favorite squeaky toy in her mouth —her face framed by the pink tutu that happened to be sitting on top! She loved getting “her” prizes and would leap up and grab the ribbon out of the judge’s hand (sometimes even before her number was called—or when it was meant for another competitor)!

My only regret was that Gracie, being “hormonally challenged,” had to be spayed and was unable to pursue her championship—like littermate BIS BISS Beefeater’s Brass Knuckles—nor pass on her wonderful talent and looks. Much credit goes to Beefeater Bulldogs for breeding such quality, sound and standard Bulldogs.

Gracie was a delightful partner in the ring and I’m positive she would have excelled at any sport I introduced her to, but unfortunately funds were tight in our household with four growing sons—and there weren’t nearly as many dog sports available to compete in at that time.

• 2000 BCA National HIT & High Combined Score*
• BCA Performance Hall of Fame (Obedience-Utility Dog Title)
• Bulldogger Cover Dog, #107

OBeDiENCE: Companion Dog, Companion Dog Excellent, Utility Dog.
Utility Dog Excellent*
CiViC: Canine Good Citizen

*BREED FIRST