Hurray for Hellon! Originally published in Dogs in Canada magazine
I wrote this article, which was originally published in Dogs in Canada magazine. Since then, Hellon went on to pass her TDX test to become the first blind dog in North America with this accomplishment. I will check with Dog Sport magazine to see if I have the rights to share the article I wrote with everyone about Hellon's TDX test pass. The title of that article is "Hellon, the dog who sees with her Heart." In the meantime, please enjoy!
You can see pictures of her TDX pass here: http://spiritdancedogs.blogspot.com/2006/05/5-new-tdxs-4-new-tds-in-thunder-bay.html and don't forget to vote!
Hurray for Hellon!
In September 2002 a four-year-old Flat-Coated Retriever named "Hellon" earned her Tracking Dog title in Thunder Bay Ontario under CKC tracking judge Dawn Sanderson. What makes her special is that Hellon was born blind. She is probably the first blind dog in Canada, and likely North America, to earn a Tracking Dog title.
Born without vision, Hellon is outgoing and uninhibited, and uses her nose naturally as a way of sensing direction. Her owners and breeders Linda Roe and Joey Farrell have never treated Hellon as a dog with a disability, but as a dog with an extra ability. Hellon's inclination to use her nose didn't make it easy to teach her to track. Her tendency is to hold her head high and "air scent." Tracking involves teaching a dog to follow footsteps and crushed vegetation.
Linda learned to track with Hellon’s mother “Meaghan” - OTCh Ch Butterblac's Sudden Appearance WCI JH TD - earning her TD in September 2001 under CKC tracking Judge Mike Wood. The eleven-year-old Flat-Coat went on to earn her American TD at the Flat-Coated Retriever Society of America National Specialty. That experience, along with creative training and dedication resulted in this landmark test as Hellon indicated the glove, to the cheers of the crowd.
Linda reveals one of her training secrets: “I was cautious about making sure Hellon was on track but learned to trust her with more line and greater speed. At too slow a pace, Hellon spins in frustration, so I put my faith in her, and she leads me the right way with her great sense of smell. To her it is a great game!”
The Thunder Bay Kennel & Training Club checked with the CKCs Tracking Representative Thora Brown to ensure that Hellon could enter tracking tests. Thora Brown sent back a warm message wishing Hellon the best of luck. Dawn Sanderson commented on Hellon’s test: “Hellon had a very committed start and was very track sure. During the test, a flock of geese flew overhead and Hellon looked up. Once the honking subsided, Hellon went back to work and tracked with confidence to the article.”
A dog's nose is far more powerful than its ability to see. We live in a world of colour and vision and can barely imagine the world of scent that dogs live in. Hellon – Labrys My High Spirits Extreme TD – has shown that using her nose in more ways than one has enhanced her own quality of life, and has increased the joy and bond that she shares with her best friend, Linda Roe.
Donna Smith
Category Article Commentary, My friends, tracking test results
