| History |
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Why?...
Story of a wonderful dog career For those who don’t know me, I am a fawn Boxer male and my name is “Olav del Trinitad”. I celebrated my eleventh birthday on March 29, 2001. I was raised in a large family with many children, which is one of the reasons that I was never short of cuddles or affection. I think that I have attained almost everything in life what’s achievable for an ordinary doggie that I was. I became a show dog and later a working dog. I still remember my first show, at five months of age; it was in August 1990 in Naast. There I scored winning Best Puppy with the citation “much promising”, then 2nd in the ring of honour. Needless to say that I was very proud when my people decided to give it another try and so they showed me on September 9, 1990 in Lille. Also there, I got the 1st place with the mention "very promising". Some months later, on February 16, 1991, in Mousscron, I competed in the Junior Showmanship and obtained the citation 1st excellent. On the same day, I was so lucky to meet a beautiful brindle male “Lasko van den Hazenberg”, who was, in fact, my daddy. That made me very happy and I was proud of him. I have inherited my fawn color from my mum “Katia del Trinitad”. On January 13, 1991, we had a big party at home; my mistress became a baby girl Stéphanie. My master gave me one pair of baby socks that I could keep to fill me with the good smells of the baby. When my mistress came home with the baby, she took me in her arms and gave me a big hug. I was so close to the baby that I could sniff her and could show her how gentle and glad I was to welcome them at home. Stéphanie grew up with me and we always have been very close to each other. On March 23, 1991, we went to Luxembourg. I won in my class and became champion of the juniors’ class, with the citation “excellent”. I received a nice diploma and a very nice cup. On May 4, 1991, in Brussels, I was judged 1st excellent and titled Belgian Junior Winner. The older children in our house were very proud of me because now they could tell their school friends that they had a beautiful boxer at home. On June 6, 1991, I finished as the Best of Breed and made 4th place in the Ring of Honour in Namur. It was amazing to see all the different breeds: small ones, big ones, there is a lot to look at in a show, and I just couldn’t believe my eyes. After that, I was presented in the open Class in Courcelles on June 30, 1996, where I scored 1st with excellent. Then I succeeded as 1st with excellent and Best Male in La Louvière on August 11, 1991; then I finished reserve CAC and reserve CACIB in St-Rombout, on September 7; I scored another 1st excellent in Roeselare on September 22, and 1st excellent reserve CAC/CACIB and IB confirmed in Courtrai on November 16, and last but not least, as Best of Breed in Turnhout on December 8, 1991. In the meantime, I started working and scored in breed in Kortenaken on October 20, 1991 with excellence. After that, on June 27, 1992, I obtained CQN (Certificate of Natural Quality) and got 162 of 200 points. Thanks again to Gaétan who was my handler for that day because of my master’s unavailability. This last one made amends in Courcelles on October 18, 1992 where we got another CQN. I also participated in two nocturnes (defending the master while refusing a lure). It was wonderful! After all, I was the only one of the Boxer breed. Many of the assailants (helpers), who didn’t know my breed, were surprised of the excellent quality of my work. I won the tournament “Charles Dupont” in Courcelles with 93 of 100 points and the 3rd place. Then I went back to show business. This time, for sure, to the working group: 1st excellent and reserve CAC in St-Ghislain on August 23, 1992; 1st excellent in Charleroi on October 4, and finally, reserve CAC and King of the BCB in Kortenaken on September 27. What a nice day! The cup of King was magnificent! I was very proud of it but my masters were even prouder. I also got the 1st place in the working groups in 1992 and 1993 in Hoogstraten, Mouscron, Ostende, at the Speciality Nord-Pas-De-Calais and in Kempen. Following my first big working competition in Atibox in Sochaux in 1994, I have been registered in IPO 1. That meant that I had to work hard every day. It’s not always easy, but Jacques, my handler was satisfied with my 4th place with a total of 269 out of 300 points. We, my master and myself, had wonderful moments and, of course, some less memorable moments… but that is life, I would say. The greatest disappointment was, no doubt, the Atibox 1995 – particularly the tracking competition – in Rome. There is nothing but hard work that counts, and you just need that little bit of luck that one is aspiring for. Those, who work hard with their dogs, will understand if I say that everything collapsed like a house of cards. One full year of training, travelling, hoping and then the trip back home with a heart full of pain. Although my masters told me that I had really given my best I saw tears flowing on their cheeks. However, what a good feeling it was when I heard them talking about the next competition. THEN, I understood that they really had no grudge against me. Later, I had the opportunity in participating in a team working competition in Wickrath with “Lasko”. We were a formidable and famous pair and scored 3rd place. Dad was really proud to have his son being worth of him. At the Atibox show 96 in Prague I finished third, so I got a place on the podium! That gave me satisfaction after my misfortune of last year. We assumed the leading position thanks to our 273 points. This time, I quickly realised that the tears shed were tears of joy. Undoubtedly, I reached the top of my career when I finished second at the “Bundessieger 96” in Achen with 283 points; we have had to pass many qualifications in order to participate in this championship. After winning 16 SCH and IPO 3 competitions, two of which with excellent, we, my master and I mutually agreed to put an end to my professional career so that I could enjoy a peaceful and well-deserved retirement. Also the city of Enghien has honoured us on January 18, 1997, by presenting us with a medallion and an award for merits in sport. Let me express my thanks to all my friends, near and far, who have helped me to get good results in dog shows as well as in working competitions.  |