Leslie Hoy

If my first spoken word was not "dog," it should have been.  Dog-deprived through my early years, my dad and I befriended Trixie, the neighbor's German shepherd, who made lots of noise and had very big teeth, but was as gentle as a lamb.  Trixie and her family also became my first dog-sitting customers. 

Fast-forward to many years later when I was on my own as an adult and, as Mom said, "Now you can have all the dogs you want."  I discovered Golden Retrievers and adopted my first rescue in 1982, then a second in 1996, my sweet boy Rusty, who loved the world and everyone in it.  He and I became active rescue volunteers, doing home checks, public events, and transports together until his death in March of 2008.  His legacy continues with my third rescue Golden, Copper, who joined the family in 2006.  We are off to a great start in rally obedience and agility, as well as keeping up with Golden rescue volunteer opportunities.   

Life took a radical turn when Kiwi, the Australian Terrier, came to live with us in 1998. He was a busy, cheerful, energetic little athlete who deserved a better destiny than couch potato, which led me to agility and this club.  Kiwi was so many of my firsts:  First terrier, first AKC-registered dog from a breeder, first competition dog... and first and always, the dog of my heart.  He was much better therapy through divorce than any psychiatrist, and he and Rusty became best friends.  In our 8 years of competition, we earned 17 titles in AKC and NADAC agility.  Ki stayed competitive until not long before his death from lung cancer at age 12 in November of 2008.  Little boy, thank you... I will always love you.

Most of the happy times and good friends in my life center around dogs and dog sports in general, and this club and its members in particular.  Our dogs serve us so willingly and bring such joy into our lives that it motivates me to give some of that back to the club. 

Serving as a teaching assistant is one privilege for which I'm very grateful.  I'm honored to teach and learn along with Stephanie and the students, for teaching is indeed a two-way street.  It's exciting to watch students progress with their dogs and note the bonds between them develop, and now see them try their wings in competition.  When I hang up my soccer shoes for the last time, I'm sure there will be plenty of other teams coming along.

In 2008, I ran for board of directors and was elected--thank you!  Being a board member is another way to actively give back to a group that has given so much to me.  We share ours and members' concerns, plan activities, discuss problems, and make decisions that ensure this club's continued existence.  It feels good to know that we will someday leave a strong legacy behind us.

I hope to serve you well as a board member, teaching assistant, and fellow club member and competitor.  Each and every one of you brings something good into my life, and I thank and honor you for that.

Updated January, 2009