by Kate Eltringham » Tue 22 Feb 2011 1:55 pm
TIKE - GR RT CH REVEIRTER JET KITE 1/1/1997 – 21/2/2011
The old boy had been limping for a couple of weeks, he had come out of his run and had a mad 5 minutes acting as a 4 year old instead of 14 years! We took him to the vet and chiropractor and indications were that it was more than likely a soft tissue injury. His limp was not improving so we decided to investigate further, x-rays yesterday showed it was osteosarcoma, the bone was so damaged that he had fractured his leg – there was no hope of improvement so we made the kindest decision we could.
Tike is now with Tess and Pax, our groomsman and bridesmaids reunited and resting with the big yellow boy Tug.
Tike's trial history
Grand Retrieving Trial Champion Reveirter Jet Kite “Tike” was born on 1 January 1997 and retired from trialling on 3 November 2008 at the Tasmanian Retrieving Trial Championship two months short of the age of twelve. “Tike” was proudly trialled by Kate and Noel Eltringham and handled by Noel.
“Tike’s” retrieving trial career commenced on 15 March 1998 at a Novice Stake conducted by the Labrador Retriever Club of Victoria. Whilst having no success at this trial “Tike” had soon gained his NRD title by winning a Restricted Stake at a Golden Retriever Club of South Australia trial conducted on 24 May 1998. It took “Tike” 11 months and 11 restricted stake competitions to gain his RRD title. At his first entry in an All Age Stake “Tike” received second place being beaten by 2 points by the ultimate winner. He ultimately competed in 170 All Age Stakes for 105 placings, comprising 46 wins, 42 seconds and 17 thirds.
From a total of 44 starts in Championship Stakes “Tike” won four and came second in another five retrieving trial championships. Tike also placed in five National Retrieving Trial Championships. In total Tike went on to place 25 times in State and National Retrieving Trial Championships.
On 17 April 2005 “Tike” gained the title of Grand Retrieving Trial Champion becoming the first dog in Australia to qualify for this title.
In total “Tike” gained a total of 354 championship points from his competition in All Age, State and National Retrieving Trial Championships.
“Tike” also won the Victorian Canine Association Retrieving Trial Dog of the Year three times and won the Victorian Gundog Club Retrieving Trial Dog of the Year five times.
In addition to “Tike” having an outstanding and lengthy career in retrieving trials his qualities are now being passed on to his descendants who are currently competing in retrieving trials across Australia.