Sadly, Willow is no longer with us. It was such a sad day when she had to go. She was our best all-around dog. She never caused us any problems, was a happy, patient companion, always at my side wherever I went. Now, she is off to that big hunting ground in the sky.
Sunrise at Willowbrook (Willow) was born on 5/27/2012. I purchased Willow as an 8 week old puppy from Gary Wilson and Cindy Goodie at Sunrise Kennels. Later that fall, to my surprise, Willow’s father, FC, CFC Salmy’s Master Piece (Cliff), became the 2012 Open National Field Champion, an awesome achievement.
Willow was black and white, about 42 pounds, with plenty of legs to cover the field nicely. She had all the talent of her National Field Champion dad and her Sunrise mom. She was very flashy in the field and used the wind well to find her birds. She had an extremely soft mouth. Even as a youngster, she showed excellent marking ability and retrieving desire. She demonstrated at several field trials that she could mark her birds and deliver even extremely long, difficult retrieves. She didn’t give up on a retrieve; she always found her bird.
Willow always stayed near me. In the field she was constantly looking back at me to check in with me. She hunted with me and for me. In the house, she laid at my feet. When I moved, she got up and moved with me.
Willow had many beautiful puppies. Most are wonderful family pets, some are awesome hunters and some went on to become field champions. She leaves behind her daughter Gracie, whom I kept from Willow’s first litter, and who is continuing to pass on some of Willow’s good qualities such as staying close to me and her retrieving desire. Willow also leaves behind a daughter named Sia, at Blue River Kennels who is also passing on her genes to future generations.
Willow was an excellent mother who had four litters of puppies. While most of her puppies live in Minnesota, many live with owners all over the country. For example, Moose is in Illinois. Sophie went to live in Texas, one moved to Wyoming, another went to Alaska, one lives in British Columbia and one is in Idaho.
One of Willow’s daughters moved to California and became FC AFC Blue River’s California Sunrise, “Jean”. She had her FC, and AFC titles at 2 years old!!!!!. AFC in 3 runs!!!! Won the Amateur Field Trial again. At just over 3 years old, she had 37 all age points!
More Puppy Pictures
