We lost Sparks at the age of 11 in 2014.  Sparks was working on his MACH and wishing he had a younger better handler. He was fast and accurate and loved Agility.  In addition, Sparks had begun showing in Utility A and had one leg towards his title and twice had come within one signal of passing. Sparks real calling was as a therapy dog and we visited the local Children’s Psychiatric Unit weekly. I was continually amazed at how he adapted to each kid according to that child’s needs and how the kids relaxed and seemed so normal when with him. He loved those visits and the kids loved him.  He had a superdog costume he wore every Halloween to join the kids as they trick or treated between cottages.  We all miss him.

In 2004 at the Vallejo FCRSA Nationals Sparks won the 9-12 month class judged by the English judge who wrote the book on flat-coats (wish I could remember her name).  She described him as nearly perfect except for a light eye.  In 2015 he placed 2nd in the 11 and up veterans class at the Nationals in Sacramento, despite not being groomed, as we already knew he had cancer and did not want to stress him.  He was a beautiful dog with awesome movement and a personality to make him one of my special heart dogs.