10/29/2024
I was expecting the call but not so soon. But the call came anyway … Jackie was gone.
At the time I was walking down a dirt road with 5 goldens. For a moment a feeling of loneliness overtook me. I wasn’t sad for Jackie, she had been waiting to be reunited with Joe. I just lost my friend, my mentor, a person that believed in me so much that she entrusted an empire, a reputation that she built, grew and loved, Topbrass Retrievers. But to be sad for myself would be pure selfishness.
That’s when I heard Jackie’s voice in my head and realized she’s still with me. “Why did you let her do that?” “Don’t be talking to the judges. Pay attention!” “Don’t wear a cap to the line! The bill gets in the way when you’re lining up the dog.” “Look at the pedigree first, then see what the dog has done.. If the pedigree is there it’s worth a look…”
Along with Jackie and Topbrass came a network of people, the best of the best. Some she chose, others chose her. So many have said that they “threw birds for her and Cotton” or that she “took a chance and sold them their first dog”. “Jackie is the reason that I got into this” Smile…. Yes, yes she did do that for so many. .”Let me know what I can do to help, I want to help you like Jackie did for me..” is something that I hear almost daily.
Jackie was tough and demanded toughness. Many people commented on how tough that I must be for working with her. She could be relentless. Crying or making excuses wasn’t an option, at least not for me, I knew that she was right and I needed to listen and listen well. She noticed details, took notes and she studied those notes. She would have exacting standards on everything from how to stand on the line to how the microchip stickers were to be placed, and she demanded it to be perfect. It was her way, and who could argue? She had the experience and the track record. Yes. Since 1968, that’s as long as I’ve been alive.
Most importantly Jackie taught me the value of integrity . She wasn’t one to retaliate on social media or hold grudges. Business was business. “Contracts aren’t worth the price of the paper that they are written on.” “Things happen, do what’s right.”
With tears in my eyes, I looked up and watched the dogs, running, hunting and then come back to me. No, I told myself, I’m not alone. Jackie’s voice came into my head again… “I dealt with this for 50 years, now it’s your turn. You got this, I can’t wait to hear your response… now let me tell you about the dance that they had last night. I got everyone up dancing and I had 2 glasses of wine!” With that, I took my phone out of my pocket and this time I made the call, “Jackie’s gone.”
