Calacarey Celtic Keepsake – “Purdie”
Date of birth: 09.11.2014 – 03.09.2024
The moment she emerged, Charlie and I (my son and co-pilot when a litter is due) exchanged glances and said “This one’s a keeper!” Larger than her first born brother and such a deep burnished gold, Purdie instantly drew your eye and continued to do so as we watched them blossom and grow. She was a strong, determined puppy always first at the milk bar; indignant when I pulled her away to make room for a smaller litter mate and swift to battle her way back to pole position. Character wise, I was sure we were in for a challenge! She was bold, curious and headstrong and Sadie, far from being a perfect role model, decided to become her side kick and partner in crime. She was, full of mischief and mayhem but reminded me so strongly of her beautiful grandmother Lucy that I hoped our sassy little maverick would develop in time with the promise she first showed.
More About Purdie
Fast forward a couple of years and what a Roller Coaster it was…
This little peach and paragon of “occasional” virtue had matured charmingly and like all my dogs was a pleasure to live with. She embraced every beautiful trait this Golden Retriever Breed is renowned for both in temperament and character. She was intelligent, bold and bombproof and after a little shaky start and battle of wills, she became happily compliant and liked nothing better than to be close by my side or under my feet. She was happy to clown about and make us laugh with her winning tactics, lovable exuberance and a zest for living. She had a lovely head, soft expression and an abundant, luxurious coat. In normal every day pursuits, this beautiful girl moved with speed and determination and a confidence that was a pleasure to witness. She too gave us a beautiful litter, from which we kept Roxy.
Following in the footsteps of her mother and those before her, she was quintessentially a water baby, never happier than at home in the sea and surf, but she excelled at pier and quay jumping!
She had the heart of a lion, the wings of an eagle and she could soar!!! In typical gundog tradition, she also loved to carry… always some thing or toy in her mouth or while out walking, nothing smaller than a fencing pole or caber would suffice! and this she could navigate through restrictive hedging, gates and any obstacle that required hurdling!
During the summer of 2024 she was losing weight rapidly and despite exhaustive tests we never found the root cause, but suspect, as sadly so often is the case, that she had a cancer somewhere which cut short what should have been a well-earned retirement and long lazy days snoozing in the sun.
Until those latter months she did indeed “seize the day” – gone but remembered most fondly and with love. Another who has left her pawprints on my heart.
| Parents | Grandparents | Great Grandparents | Great Great Grandparents |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medodaine Angustah at Dikeadaze (Hips 5:4) | Ch Tesora De Ria Vela for Thornywait (Hips 5:7) | Sp Ch Ritzilyn Rick O’Shay (Hips 5:4) | Sh Ch Ritzilyn Brandon (Hips 6:5) |
| Sh Ch Pearlbarn Periwinkle for Ritzilyn (Hips 6:3) | |||
| Sp Ch Sailor Moon De Ria Vela (Hips 8:6) | Fr Ch Paudell Pure Passion (Hips 6:2) | ||
| Ch Timanfaya De Ria Vela (Hips 3:5) | |||
| Tonara Clodahs Dream at Medodaine (Hips 3:12) | Sh Ch Chlodyl Rodney (Hips 3:5) | Sh Ch Alibren Soul to Soul (Hips 13:12) | |
| Alibren Shear Class at Chlodyl (Hips 8:6) | |||
| Dreaming Delights at Tonara (Hips 3:10) | Ch Captain Finn at Steval (Hips 15:6) | ||
| Kadaka Rainbow Stone (Hips 10:6) | |||
| Calacarey Shadow Dancer (Hips 3:3) | Ch Xanthos Espionage (JW) (Hips 6:3) | Ch Matador V.D. Beerse Hoeve (Hips 3:3) | Ch Xanthos Apple Jack (Hips 3:3) |
| Ch Xanthos La Di Dah (Hips 4:6) | |||
| Xanthos Foreign Affair (Hips 5:4) | Swe Nor Ch Inassicas Song of Songs (Hips 5:7) | ||
| Xanthos To Be Sure (Hips 3:5) | |||
| Calacarey Moonlit Lucidity (Hips 5:4) | Ch Catcombe Corblimey (Hips 9:6) | Rosaceae Ideal Forecast at Purbarn (Hips 4:6) | |
| Catcombe Cheerio (Hips 11:15) | |||
| Mevagold Belle Lucie (Hips 5:5) | Ch Captain Finn at Steval (Hips 15:6) | ||
| Trebell The Tomboy at Mevagold (Hips 3:6) |