Now, how many women you know would do that? Drive four hours by herself to track a wounded bear at night for strangers, turn around and drive back home to face a very busy day filled with horse training. I know only one woman who would do that, and it is Susanne. At 12:45 AM I got a text message that Buster did a superb job tracking but unfortunately they did not find the bear. The details followed, but this post is not about a detailed description of the call. We talked more today while Susanne was still high from the excitement of tracking a wounded bear. You see there is nothing more than she loves to do. Some trackers get addicted to this stuff... I know as I live with one of the addicts.
After we'd hung up, my mind wandered to the first contact with Susanne. It was on October 1, 2002, nine years ago, when I received e-mail from her with a picture of Buster:
Hi Jolanta
My name is Susanne Hamilton, and I LOVE your
website and your pictures. I just got a beautiful and well bred wirehaired dackel
from Germany from a private breeder (Gerhard Weick) who does hunting and showing
..
My little dog "Clown vom Talsdeich" (who we call
Buster Keaton) is the most amazing dog I have ever had... he outsmarts my German
Shepherd by so much, it's scary. I hadn't seen much in ways of Wirehair
Dachshunds in the US, and had wondered if I have an exceptional little male
over here, and now that I do, I find you site... (actually through the German
breeder) and see that there are BEAUTIFUL ones already here..
I would love to know what I can do, to join the
north american kennel club, and how I would go about to let my little guy go for
stud, when he's of age... or does he have to prove himself at breed shows or
hunting clubs? He comes form excellent hunting lines... seems to take his time
with his coat at the moment but in one picture of you and one of the pups, I
saw a similarity.
Buster is only just three and a half months old, and
we have a lot to learn (but are willing).
Best regards
Susanne Hamilton and Buster
What happened in the next nine years could fill a book, and maybe one day it will. Enough to say that in 2009 and 2010 Susanne received the Maine Bowhunters Association Award in recognition of her accomplishments and dedication to bowhunting sport. Her dachshund Buster (who never manged to grow a beard) turned out to be one of the best tracking dachshunds and also won the Dachshund Club of America National Field Trial twice. The puppies that are at my feet right now are Buster's "grandchildren". And I got a GREAT friend for life! Congratulations Susanne - I am so proud of you and Buster!
Susanne with Meggie, Buster's daughter
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1 comment:
If anyone has gotten the best out of a dog, it's Susanne with Buster. They make a great team and commit totally to whatever challenge is presented. Admirable and inspiring.
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