Sully
GCHG Nickleby’s Hero On The Hudson

Sully was a very special American Cocker Spaniel in the history of the breed. He earned the AKC Grand Champion Gold title, won ASCOB Best of Variety at the 2012 AKC/Eukanuba National Championship, and left his name in American Spaniel Club history. Even as a veteran, he continued to carry the quality, presence, and spirit that made him unforgettable.

This sculpture was commissioned by Sully’s owner, Stephanie.To Stephanie, Sully was more than a great show dog. He was companionship, pride, memory, and a part of life that could never be replaced.

I chose to portray Sully in a moving trot.
For an American Cocker Spaniel, the trot says so much: structure, rhythm, balance, attitude, and the natural flow of the coat moving with the body. It is the moment where the breed’s beauty truly comes alive.

The greatest challenge in this piece was the coat.It could not be just carved texture or decoration. It needed layers, weight, direction, and at the same time, the lightness and floating quality that happens when the dog is in motion.

Beyond its personal meaning, this piece also carries a strong sense of collection value. Sully was not only Stephanie’s beloved dog, but also a dog with a place in American Cocker Spaniel history. To preserve him in sculpture is to preserve a part of the breed’s memory — a record of type, movement, presence, and legacy held in form.

What I wanted to preserve was not only Sully’s likeness, but the feeling that he is still coming forward.

Quiet, elegant, sweet, and carrying his own unmistakable light.