12-07-92 - 06-19-03

The photo above was selected by Roger Caras's last book "Going For The Blue".

Amelia is a once in a lifetime dog that was given to me as a Valentine's Day gift from my husband. Amelia has given us more than we could ever hope for in terms of being a true golden. The winning she has accomplished has been more than we ever hoped to accomplish. After Amelia had been retired for a year she was brought out of retirement and competed at The Golden Retriever Club of America's National Show in 1999. She won the coveted Best of Breed title over the second largest entry of Goldens in that show to date..over 1000! Amelia was only one of seven females to win Best of Breed at the Golden Retriever Club of America's National since its first event back in the 1940's. Her ring presence was awesome and her movement faultless. We lost Amelia on June 19, 2003. She left me peacefully and she will always live on in my heart. TO EXCEL IS IN THE HEART AND SHE LIVES ON IN OURS.

Competing at the 1999 GRCA National Specialty Show in Rhode Island

Occasionally there is given to us that rarest of creatures, one of whom the tasks requested are the tasks desired. Shall I be a loving pet? Shall I be a show girl? Yes but only if you will give me the chance to excel. A chance to use the center stage to pose dramatically, to play like a puppy, and to float on the wind with a unique combination of power and grace.

In less than a nine month span in 1997, Amelia acquired 60 SDHF points. From June through December only one other golden did more winning. She finished her career in Boston where Karin Fisher guided her to three straight Best of Breeds over entries of 105, 115, and 145, a Group 2 and, in her last show, a Group 1.

- John York as written for the Top Twenty

Amelia at Osprey Beach on Long Island, NY