Fast Cat Invitational 2021 Pure Speed Reserve CH.
Multi- reserve Best Veteran In Show Ace Of Spade's Forged In Flames FCAT2 ATT FDC CGCA CGCU TKN 
"Broccoli"

"Broccoli"

In April 2018, Broccoli (or Broc, for short) came into my life. I was at Greyhounds In Gettysburg when I saw him and immediately knew he was meant to be mine. He was a big, red brindle, retired racing Greyhound. He had enough prey drive that it made me question if any of his littermates had any at all. Broc was my first service dog, he was professionally trained by a local organization and went on to complete my final two years of high school with me. He attended my STEM conferences, culinary arts class, and even walked the graduation stage with me. Broc was my beacon of hope in a world that felt like it was closing in on me. Broc was trained to interrupt self harm behaviors, guide me to exits, find my car, and perform crowd control tactics as well as deep pressure therapy. In a world where I felt I had no one, I had Broc. Broc became my first sport dog. He trialed in AKC Fastcat, back when they had A.M. and P.M. trials with an award ceremony in-between. He was surprisingly fast despite his size, with his best time being 5.64 seconds. Broc earned his CGC, CGCA, CGCU, ATT, FDC, BCAT, DCAT, FCAT, and TKN. In 2020, Broc ran a handful of Fastcats before he was retired due to injury. He had shattered his wrist on a CABT course and it seemed like I would never see him run again. By this point, Broc had already began retiring from service work. Juke Box, my first Carolina Dog, was born and we were already entering 2021. The FastCat invitational made its debut in 2020- in conjunction with ESPN. I remember watching it and thinking "if only." The #1 dog in each breed was invited, unless they declined- then it would be the next dog, and so forth until someone accepted the invite. In 2021 though, they invited the top 3 dogs in each breed. By some miracle, Broc had made it. He was the #3 Greyhound at 7, almost 8, years old. We did a try it run at a local club in MD and Broc was back, not lame, and not slowing by any means. I worked hard on saving money and trying to get enough for the entry, then the gas, then the hotel. Some how- we did it. The drive to Orlando, FL was 12 hours one way. I loaded my Dodge Journey with Gatsby, Juke Box, and Broc- and we were off. Just me and the dogs. This year, ESPN was separate and had been hosted a week prior. The other two Greyhounds were younger and much more promising than Broc, yet some how- he did it. He made it to the finals, then took Best Of Breed, and then Pure Speed Reserve Champion- with the #1 spot being award to the Whippet. I couldn't have been prouder. While his interview with National Geographic had been scrapped, his story was that of the underdog. My light in the dark. The dog that took me places I never could have imagined.

In September 2022, he competed in his first and only UKC Conformation show as a veteran. He took Reserve Best Veteran In Show both times. In November 2022, he was diagnosed with Osteosarcoma. He had his front right leg amputated that same week and completed Chemo in spring 2023. Broc was part of the Yale vaccine clinical trial, which aimed to train the body to detect and neutralize cancer cells. In January 2024, Broc would be diagnosed with a second, unrelated, case of Osteosarcoma. He passed peacefully in our home in February 2024. Broc was a dog with so much heart. I had heard the phrase "if love were enough" many times, but that was the moment I knew what it meant. He would've ran with no legs and he would come back to me, in every life time. 

Broc is the reason for it all. I wouldn't be here without him. On this earth, in the dog fancy, or building the life I have always dreamed of. It's all for Broc, and it's all because of Broc. He was my heart and soul dog. I can never thank him enough for all that he taught me. 

​

Broccoli ( Blazing Broc aka Ace Of Spade's Forged In Flames) is out of Kiowa Mon Manny X Sarah Julia

Pedigree: https://www.greyhound-data.com/d?d=Blazing+Brock&sex=m&color=BD&birthyear=&birthland=US