GRCC Life Members since 2008, Barrie and Ainslie are also life members of the Canadian Kennel Club and Golden Retriever Club of BC. Ainslie was also honoured with a Life Membership by the Golden Retriever Club of America. Barrie grew up with Boxers, but when they began attending dog shows on dates in the early 1970’s, they discovered the Golden Retriever. They acquired their first Golden, Ch. Wendy of Yeo, Am. Can. CD, in January, 1974 when she needed to be rehomed at age 2 1/2. That was the start of a lifelong passion for the Golden Retriever which led to a life of dog hair and wagging tails.

While no longer breeding, they are proud of over 60 champions they owned and/or bred, along with producing numerous Oriana Obedience Trial Champions, GRCC Hall of Famers, performance title holders, search and rescue dogs, avalanche rescue dogs, guide dogs for the blind and wonderful companions. Their competitive interests largely focused on conformation, obedience and rally, but their first duties with the GRCBC involved gunning and throwing at the Club’s field trials back in the mid-70s. 

Both Barrie and Ainslie have served the Golden world in many roles. Ainslie is a CKC all-breed judge and Golden Retriever Club of America CCA evaluator. She has judged the Golden National in 4 countries. Both served terms as President of the GRCBC and also held other offices. Ainslie served as GRCC BC Regional Director for several years and was GRCC President from 1988-1991, being the first GRCC President from outside Ontario. She also served as interim President in 2008 when Bob Cox passed away.  She led the GRCC into establishing the rotating National Specialty shows and organizing the operation of the GRCC on a national basis.  She brought the first GRCC National to be held outside Ontario to B.C. in 1989, hosted by GRCBC. 

Ainslie’s love of Golden history led her to become a Board Member of the Friends of Guisachan and she has contributed photos and articles to the GRCC web page on breed and Club history. She has chaired GRCC Breed Standard/Judges’ Education Committee since 1991 and oversaw the 2020 revision of the breed standard. Ainslie served for many years on the Golden Retriever Club of America Judge’s Education Committee, 15 years as Chair.

During their tenure as GRCC trophy curators, Barrie built most of the original shipping boxes for the Club’s trophies.  He also did repairs and arranged their transport across the country whenever the trophies made the journey to BC for the National.  He has assisted on the GRCC sales booth and has sung the national anthems at several GRCC specialties around the country (and even the GRCA National in 2004)!  

We are so grateful for the love of our many Goldens since 1974 and for the friends, travel and adventures they have given us over the years.