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.
Incredible Discovery: Resilient Canine Finds Hope in Dumped Lands, Embraces a Bright Future with a Kind Rescuer.
Prepare to be touched as we unveil a heartwarming narrative that defies all expectations. Set against the backdrop of a desolate landfill, a remarkable canine discovered a new lease on life thanks to the boundless compassion of a compassionate woman. This awe-inspiring account not only showcases the transformative power of love but also demonstrates the unwavering resilience of animals in the face of dire circumstances. Join us as we delve into the extraordinary journey of this fortunate pooch and the extraordinary woman whose actions forever changed its destiny.
In the dimly lit corners of an expansive landfill, an unsuspecting protagonist emerged – a dog with a unique deformity whose inner light outshone its bedraggled appearance. Neglected and forgotten, this resilient creature spent its days foraging for scraps and seeking refuge, battling against the relentless forces of nature and the apathy of its surroundings. Against all odds, this underdog became a symbol of hope, defying the harsh realities of its existence.
On a day filled with serendipity, Sarah, an individual infused with a deep adoration for creatures great and small, chanced upon the landfill. Gazing upon the bleak panorama, her heart plummeted witnessing the dog’s contorted figure and the profound sadness reflected in its eyes. Undeterred by the obstacles presented, Sarah discerned a flicker of determined fortitude within the canine, prompting her to embrace a transformative choice – to provide the dog with a forever home.
Sarah approached her newfound companion’s care with unwavering resolve. She reached out to veterinarians, specialists, and rehabilitation centers, gathering a team to address the dog’s deformities and provide essential treatments. Guided by patience, love, and numerous hours of therapy, the dog surprisingly started to exhibit positive responses that surpassed everyone’s expectations.
The Saddest Canine of 2023: Abandoned by its Owner in the Wilderness, Struggling to Survive in the WildWord quickly spread about the incredible saga of this resilient dog, and Sarah’s extraordinary act of kindness was met with an outpouring of support from the community. Strangers and kind-hearted volunteers came together, offering their time and resources to assist in the dog’s complete recovery and eventual reintegration into society. Gradually, the dog, which used to be timid and solitary, started to flourish, revealing a lively nature that deeply impacted anyone who encountered it.
The awe-inspiring narrative of perseverance and salvation deeply moved individuals across the globe. The incredible journey of the disfigured canine and its remarkable metamorphosis sparked feelings of hope and empathy, motivating numerous individuals to embrace empathy over superficial judgments and extend a helping hand to those facing adversity. Sarah’s selfless gesture serves as a poignant reminder that even the most marginalized among us can discover affection, contentment, and a sense of meaning with a little support from a compassionate spirit.
The extraordinary tale of an unconventional canine’s adventure from a garbage dump to a nurturing household reveals the incredible strength of empathy and the profound influence it can have on both humans and animals. It stands as a testament to the unstoppable resilience of animals and the immeasurable capacity for affection that dwells within every individual. May this narrative serve as a guiding light, reminding us that even when confronted with challenges, extraordinary revelations and life-altering experiences await those who embrace compassion.
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