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Moke Strassberg, President
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Family:
Moke, Glori (wife), Matthew (son) and dogs - Dylan, Jacey, Cassie and Jackson.
History with Goldens:
After five years with the National Weather Service in Honolulu, Johnston Island and Hilo, I transferred to
U.S. Customs in Honolulu in 1971 where I retired as a supervisor in 1996. That was about a year after
getting our first two Goldens. My pre-teen son had wanted a Golden for about a year, and we had been
directed to a very reputable breeder who just happens to be our club's Corresponding Secretary. First, we
got Brody. Four months later, it was Jacey.
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And two years after that was Mandy. All dogs got obedience
titles, and the two girls became champions (Jacey at 8 months). After breeding Mandy, we kept a boy (Dylan)
and girl (Cassie) from the litter and put a championship and obedience title on Dylan. After
losing Brody and Mandy in one year, it was difficult. But if you discontinue with dogs, you devalue the
importance of the ones you had lost in your life. So you go on and keep them in your heart. Then, in 2005,
Jacey got her Utility title, finished #2 in the state for the year, and retired. Because of her
accomplishments, I applied to the AKC as an obedience judge and am now trying to get my provisional judging
completed while teaching Open obedience for the Obedience Training Club of Hawaii. Most recently, we got Jackson who
looks very promising for show and obedience. So we're up to four. It's always interesting to see my wife
with several large dogs after only having a small Maltese before we were married.
Reason why I joined the club:
GRCH started as a group of show folks and evolved to some show people and lots of Golden lovers.
Originally, I didn't know anything about a Golden club but asked one of the members where he got those great,
industrial strength bags for picking up droppings. Since he got them from another member, he told me to
join the club. Not only did I get those great bags, but I ended up with a wonderful club comprised of
terrific people with no egos. We have fun together at our outings, and I can't imagine serving on a Board of
Directors with a better bunch of people. No fights, no arguments, and we actually like each other.
Laura Lounsberry, Vice President
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Family:
Husband Chris, daughter Kaitlyn, and sons Sean and Aidan.
History with Goldens:
We are a military family, as my husband is a naval supply officer. We moved to Hawaii May of 2008. I was an ER/trauma registered nurse for almost 11 yrs but decided to just relax and enjoy my young family in Hawaii.
Golden Family: Wilson, his sister Chinook, and little girl Dani.
All are Australian born and English type. Our love for Goldens started immediately with our first, Alex. Because Alex was such a calm, good natured dog,
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our extended family started to adopt/rescue Goldens. We loved Alex as a part of our family for 12 good years and lost him to cancer in 2008. Growing up I showed 2 quarter horses in halter, showmanship, western and English pleasure. Having horses though is not quite conducive to the military lifestyle, so I decided to go back to my first love, dogs. After 8 months of researching show quality golden stock, we decided to buy from a very reputable breeder of Glenregal kennels in Perth. I did not really know the first thing about showing dogs, so I started hitting Moke up with questions. He suggested joining GRCH. I welcome any help/advice from you all. I have found handling and obedience classes through the Leeward Training Club of Hawaii and the Obedience Training Club of Hawaii most helpful. We are also interested in canine assisted therapy. Wilson is developing into quite a good looking dog for conformation, and has also started showing promise in obedience. He received his Canine Good Citizen Certificate last spring, and won first place in a mock trial this fall through his LTCH obedience class. We bought “Dani” from Montego Kennels in Sydney this summer. Three months after buying her, the breeder from Glenregal offered us “Chinook”, Wilson’s litter mate. The breeder is having some health issues, and can no longer show her, or give her the active lifestyle she needs. I just could not refuse the opportunity, and will welcome Chinook in Jan.
We have enjoyed thoroughly all the GRCH get togethers, and have met many nice people and Goldens.
Peggy Ketcham, Recording Secretary
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I'm a Registered Nurse and work at Kahuku Hospital on the North Shore. I've
been involved with Golden Retrievers for almost 30 years. It was definitely
love at first sight. My husband Ted and I are currently owned by four Goldens,
two boys and two girls. Life would be very boring without them, no hair to
clean up, slobber to wipe off, or kisses to receive all the time!!! I've
been an Obedience Instructor for LTCH for almost 30 years and shown in the
conformation shows about the same number of years off and on. My true love
is with Obedience Trials, but it's quite exciting to own and have a Champion in
the family. I was involved with the Golden Retriever Club way back when
there were only a few of us and not much going on. I came back to the club
about six years ago and got actively involved on the Board of
Directors. It's been a wonderful experience to be a part of such a wonderful
club and
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Board. I truly love to go to the meetings. (That's right, WE HAVE
FUN, DECISIONS ARE MADE, AND WE LIKE EACH OTHER.) I'm also in charge of
Pet Expo, the Halloween Party and Membership Meeting, and for the past four
years have hosted the annual Christmas Party at my house (humans only). We
have grown into a wonderful club which provides some great services and I hope
to always be a part of it.
Jackie Kupau, Corresponding Secretary
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I have been involved in obedience for the past forty plus years. I enjoy the sport and
love earning titles on my dogs. I have been a breeder of PW Corgis for over thirty five years
and took a serious interest with these wonderful goldens. They are the love of my life,
and wouldn't be without one. We have bred many champions, and many with obedience
titles, which we are proud of.
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Mel Izumi, Treasurer
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History with Goldens:
Hi my name is Melvyn Izumi. My wife Sandy and I have been married for 40 years and we have a son, a daughter in law, a grandson of six months, and a golden retriever Katie who is also six months old. Katie is a constant companion.
I graduated from Iolani School in 1960 and went on to Rose Hulman Institute of Technology where I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. I am currently an owner and vice president of Allied Builders System. I have been with the company for the past forty years. My other employment includes the Nuclear Power Division at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, the Quality Evaluation Laboratory at the Naval Ammunition Depot Lualualei and the Douglas Aircraft Company in Long Beach, California.
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My favorite pastimes include golfing, fishing, travel, and duck hunting with Labrador retrievers in Alaska.
Stan and Barbara Krasniewski, Directors
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History with Goldens:
Stan and Barbara are both entering the retirement phase of their lives and are enjoying having more time at home with three great goldens. We have shared our home with goldens for 27 years. During those years, we have been the happy owners of a total of 5 goldens and one "hapa" golden. While each dog is unique, they have all given unconditional love and joy 100% of the time. Some are more passive and sweet while others have been challenging and mischievous. We have been active in obedience classes with all of our dogs and our three current goldens are all doing post-graduate work! For many years, we traveled with Stan's job in the Navy so with retirement came the opportunity to settle in Kailua near the beach for easy access to swimming with the dogs.
We joined the Golden Retriever Club a number of years ago and have been active attending the meetings and even serving on the board. We have thoroughly enjoyed our expanded "golden family" and the friendships we have made as a result of joining the club. Meetings are always fun and even educational. We look forward to serving the club and making new friends for years to come. Golden retriever people are the best!
Janis Nelson, Director
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Family:
Family: Mike, (husband), Tony and Matt (sons), Mango, Cyrano, Mickey (dogs), Chester, Angel, Fradycat (cats)
History with Goldens:
As far back as I can remember, I have had a dog in my life. But it was “Koa”, our first Golden Retriever
that won our family’s heart. He was the perfect companion for my two rowdy boys, exercise companion for
me, and all around man’s best friend for my husband, Mike. Since then, we have owned two Goldens, Mango (12)
and Mickey (1 ½). We also own a Beagle, Cyrano (5), who thinks he is a Golden Retriever, except when he
barks…or should I say howl. Koa was also his hero. When we
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lost Koa, Cyrano composed his epitaph. It read something like this:
“For those of you who never had the distinguished privilege to have met my good friend Koa; unfortunately,
you never will. A few days ago, it became apparent to my Parents and to his Doctor that the cancer which
he had been fighting so bravely for the past 3 months was too strong for him to overcome and he was put to sleep.
For those who knew him, will remember a kind and tender Golden Retriever, who comforted and played with some of
Tony's friends, ran along the beach with his Mom with unbridled exuberance, accompanied his Father on various
fishing adventures around Kaneohe Bay and showed new friends and strangers just how wonderful a dog can be.
He led a good life and I hope to live up to his example of what it is to be a dog of his Parents' household.
For now, please excuse me. I'm going to go dig in the trash, track dirt across the floor and roll in something
dead. Somebody’s got to do it. :-)
May you rest in peace, Koa, my friend...my brother...my King.”
We lost Koa three years ago, and we knew we could never replace him. After some healing time passed, we decided we
wanted to get another dog. I was hesitant. Quoting George Carlen, “Buying a dog is buying a small tragedy,
eventually the dog will die”. Yes, they will, but the unconditional devotion and companionship is worth it. Naturally,
we decided upon another Golden Retriever and have been having a great time with our new boy, Mickey.
Why I wanted to join the GRCH.
Reading the other members biographies, we all have one thing in common; it was that first special dog that
drew us to be here today. These dogs are special but so are the people whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting
through this club. Everyone has been so generous with giving their time and knowledge. Ted Ketcham’s puppy
class has helped me created a special bond with my Mickey from the very start. Moke has been patient with the
constant silly questions I am always throwing at him. Peggy’s socials are always a treat to look forward
to. I just knew I wanted to be part of this group of dog lovers.
People frequently ask me why buy a pedigree dog when there are so many other dogs that need a good home. It
is sometimes hard to respond, but I really believe it is important to have the option to own a dog of good
breed and perpetuate that standard. But not lose sight of the need to find a home for all dogs too. That is
why the dog rescue program our club does is so important to me.
I look forward to being able to help this club in any way possible.
Thanks for listening to my boring story.
Janis
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