This is Ch. Alpha's Say Goodnight Gracie, CD, TDI, TT, CGC, SAR, MT-3, ACE, VNE ("Gracie"). Gracie's done everything we ever asked her to do. She was my certified service dog with 10 trips to Walt Disney World to her credit, as well as trips to North Carolina, Pine Mountain Kentucky, and numerous other vacation destinations. She was also an AKC champion of record, an AKC Companion Dog, a therapy dog, and an AKC Canine Good Citizen. She was temperament tested by the ATTS, and she was a founding member of the Buckeye Search and Rescue Dogs team in Ohio. Although she finally retired from the SAR work due to her advanced age, she continued to make all the public appearances the job required (she absolutely adored the attention!). Gracie won an honorable mention and a bronze medallion in the very first ACE award giveaway from the AKC in 2000. She also went into the National Specialty in April in the Veterans class. She didn't win because she was more interested in running after the bait that the handler used, but I'm happy to say that she was there and able to work one last time...
Ed and Gracie prepare to board a helicopter during a SAR training exercise
Everybody who's "into dogs" eventually has that "once in a lifetime" dog, one that accomplishes more than any other. Gracie was our once-in-a-lifetime dog. She was very special and will never be replaced.
Following is most of an ad that ran in a national elkhound publication. The breeders are Sue and Richard Hamilton of Alpha Norwegian Elkhounds. Their address and phone number have been omitted to protect their privacy. E-mail us if you want that information!
SANCTUM Educated Elkhounds, et al., proudly presents our "Best of the Best"
She was a proven worker:
Certified working service dog
Winner of the AKC ACE award in 2000 (first year it was offered)
Certified Man Trailing dog (MT-3) with NASDN (North American Search Dog Network)
Working therapy dog (certified through the Greater Cincinnati Council for Pets Helping People and through Therapy Dogs Incorporated) working at two nursing homes and at Children's Hospital since the age of 10 weeks old
Awarded the VNE (Versatile Norwegian Elkhound) by the NEAA
Obedience-titled (AKC CD)
AKC Canine Good Citizen
ATTS temperament tested
...and she moved like the wind!
Gracie finished her championship with back-to-back 5-point majors, going BOW and BOS under respected judges Michele Billings and Lou Harris at the highly competitive Louisville cluster in March, 1998.
Gracie was shown in conformation by Kathleen Hamilton and Karen Hamilton
Click here to read an article describing Gracie's first experience as a SAR dog.
Ch. Alpha's Madam I'm Adam × Ch. Alpha's Fare Thee Well
Gracie meets Chip. It was love at first site! She's also met Pluto, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck, all of the princesses including Snow White, Cinderella, Belle, Princess Aurora, and the Little Mermaid, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee, Baloo the Bear, and about a million other Disney characters.
(February 8, 1993-December 5, 2006)
In December of 2006, Gracie returned from her last trip to Disney World. She got to see many friends for the last time. She spent an evening at the Candlelight Processional. This was the first year that she didn't stand during the Halleleujah Chorus, but she was there and listening as intently as she ever did. She had many pictures taken of her this time, and most of them were as good as this one. The caption was true for Gracie and for me. Tinker Bell was just adding the pixie dust so everyone could see it. I love you, Gracie, and I always will. You made dreams come true for me and for many other people thoughout your life. Rest well and wait for me. God is indeed merciful, so I know I'll find you again, and we'll have many more happy times together.
Sue, thank you so much for the excellent work you've done and the excellent breeding program that you came up with. I can never thank you enough for Gracie. She was very special, and she will always be a part of our lives. If you never do another thing, this has been plenty! You did good!
