TAYLOR

Ch. Marilar Arbreglen Fire Starter x Fairfax More Bad News

December 31, 1992-May 10, 2005

Tri 15.5 inches/21 lbs

Ch & OTCh Fairfax Norlantic Fire ‘N Rain, AGN, Am. CDX, ADC, CGC, HIC

Taylor made an impact on everyone he met.  He was one of those “special” dogs that comes along every once in a while.  He was flashy and quick with a compelling presence about him. Even if he failed his round,  the judges and the people watching loved him.   People would often follow us back to the benching area wanting to know all about him.  I’ve never received so many compliments on a dog who just failed his round in my life!

In typical Taylor fashion,  he ended up being a feature in a Top Dogs episode filmed at the obedience trials held in Vernon, BC in 2003.  He failed his round but he still caught the producer’s eye and “Taylor Made Obedience” was aired.   The boxer that shows up in that segment is Kira, who actually passed her utility round,  although she didn’t get top billing in the show! 

Life was a speed event to Taylor.  Keep up or keep out of the way!  He was full throttle the whole way.  In his first American Utility trial,  he completed the ENTIRE directed jumping exercise, complete with 2 go-outs, turns, sits and jumps on his own before the judge even asked if we were ready. He knew what we were doing and didn’t know why in the heck we just didn’t get on with it.

He took tremendous delight in tormenting me.  He found inventive ways to fail an otherwise stellar obedience or agility round,  usually somewhere near the end of the run.  If he was sitting on a 195+ score in obedience,  he would, without fail, go down on the long sit.  If he had anticipated his finishes throughout the class, thereby losing all manner of points,  he’d sit like a statute.  He was just like that.  He COULD.  He just didn’t want to. 

At one point,  I was so frustrated with his antics in the ring that I contacted an animal communicator who confirmed the worst:  Taylor didn’t want the pressure of high expectations.   If he gave me the scores, then that’s all I’d want from him.  He didn’t need the grief.  

Taylor and I tried sheep herding for the first time when he was 7.  After stampeding the sheep the first day (despite the instructor’s well trained border collies best attempts to keep control over the herd) and then driving the sheep at me at about 100 miles an hour the second day,  Taylor got his Herding Instinct Certificate.   I didn’t have the nerves to go any further with Taylor and livestock!

Taylor was a combination of flash, brass and deep sensitivity.  Although I often felt more like a member of his “staff” than his Mum,  Taylor and I were very close.   He experienced a serious gall bladder condition when he was 10 which resulted in his early retirement from performance events, with the exception of a few veteran runs here and there.   He continued to live a good life in reasonably good health and remained a huge presence until he ultimately reached the end of his life in May, 2005.  His spirit was never diminished.