Riversway Apollo (hips 0:0) x Fern of Wephurst (hips 0:0)

  Date of Birth:  29.5.08

  Hip score:  0/0

  Elbow Score:  0/0

  g-PRA:  Optigen DNA Tested g-PRA Clear (N/N)

  CNM:  DNA Tested CNM Clear (N/N)

  EIC:  DNA Tested EIC Clear (N/N)

At 5 weeks old Oak chose me. For 10 ½ years I was the centre of his world, and he of mine. He came everywhere with me, including to the office every day, and we had so much fun together. Oak was consistently placed at Gundog competitions in his youth, including winning “Judges Choice” out of 49 dogs in the Southern Interclub Team Event when he was just 12 months old. He was a confident game finder and picked up on the shoot every winter. Oak loved Dog Agility, and regularly featured in the awards at multi breed agility competitions beating the fast collies at their own game.

Oak and I started Agility at beginner level, Grade 1. Over the years he won his way up to Grade 6, and was awarded his Platinum Kennel Club Agility Warrant. This was an amazing achievement and I am incredibly proud of him. He swept the board year after year at our Agility Club members’ awards.

Oak’s outstanding health test results were truly the icing on the cake. His hip score of 0:0, both his Sire’s and Dam’s hip scores of 0:0, also his Grandsire’s and Great-Grandsire’s hip scores of 0:0 made his fourth generation zero score an unrivalled record* in Labradors in the UK since hip-scoring records started in the late 1970’s (*August 2010). Oak now has offspring also scoring 0:0.

But life is about more than competitions and results. Oak was part of me. He knew what I was thinking with no need for words. The bond between us was the strongest love I have ever experienced with a dog. Oak was more than a dog, he was my soulmate.

I miss him more than words can ever express.