Lisa is still recovering wounded bear at the age of 13.5!

I have not expected to receive any pictures of recoveries from Pete Martin this year as his Lisa von Moosbach-Zuzelek is 13.5 years old. Boy, was I wrong! This recovery is the 19th bear in Lisa's tracking career. Huge congratulations to Pete and Lisa!

Pete wrote in his email:

Sunday, October 21, 2018  was the day of this awesomely memorable bear track. I received the call the nite before. The shot was taken @ 5:30 p.m. Hunter waited a good hour before looking. In the dark he took up track with his buddy and proceeded to follow blood for about 75-100 yds. No arrow found but recovered the luminock glowing in the dark. When he came to a 1/2 acre recently cleared logged area, hunter backed out for the night. This is where Lisa and I started track next day 18 hours later. 

No blood to get started on, but Lisa picked up scent and went across this soft wet dirt/rock area to the woods on the other side. We crawled 30 or so yards in on our hands and knees, and Lisa took me right over top of blood. Our confidence soared. Now Lisa was very vocal. Another 25 yards, another spot of  blood. Little ways more hunter noticed blood. After a very thick mountain laurel we came to logged road.  

This was Lisa's first check. 15 minutes, round and round, and back again, where we came from only slightly to the left. A while later another check in the laurel. Small circles and zig-zags. After figuring this one out, she had positive body language and nose glued to the ground. Then another point of confusion before she picked it up again. All this time she was vocal when tracking and quiet when checking. So focused you could see what she was thinking. Just when we started to have some doubts, Lisa got quiet, pulled me to a beautiful black bear and started to claim her prize.

Yet another two hour lesson in trust taught to us by Lisa. She wiped all shadows of doubt anyone could have had about her ability to track so flawlessly because of her age and weight. This was black bear #19 at age 13 1/2 years old. I can't ask for anything more of a blessing. Thank you John and Jolanta.

The last deer recovery for the old tracking dachshund, Ari von Moosbach-Zuzelek

This is a bittersweet story submitted by Walt Dixon of Ari's latest and most likely last recovery. Ari was born on March 11, 2003, and she is an older sister of our Billy. Her heart disease has been getting worse recently. 

Jolanta,

I wanted to share this with you. Old Walt (with my back problems) and old Ari (with her heart problems) found this big buck for a bow hunter this morning. Although the gun season is open, they only bow hunt on this private property. The buck was hit at 3 PM yesterday, while I was at the Vets with both my dogs. Ari was being analyzed and now treated for a UTI in addition to adding Vetmedin to her other heart meds. Dachs was only in for a regular checkup. After the Vet listened to Ari’s heart she said she would not take her tracking any longer. 

Friends called me after dark to ask if I would bring the dog to try to track their deer if needed and since both dogs received shots and meds I said no, not until this morning. The hunter and friends tracked this deer until 9 PM with flashlights, before giving up, and it never laid down in about 500 yards. They marked their last blood and called me about 9:30 PM to ask if I would track in the morning.

This morning, after calling the hunter’s info into DEC law enforcement, I thought about which dog to take. We needed to move slowly and carefully in this bow only area, so as not to chase deer out to where the gun hunters sit. After some soul searching I decided to take Ari. When we got to the hunter’s last blood she immediately got a little too excited and began panting like she was not getting enough oxygen so I sat down with her and calmed her down. Once calm, the old girl started tracking and never wavered over 150 yard trail through tall swale grass and into a thorn apple thicket to recover this 130”+ buck! She was visibly possessive and proud of herself! The coyotes had eaten the entire deer, but the hunter was extremely happy to know this buck was not still wounded and on the loose.

So, all’s well that ends well. I really felt that if she went slowly she’d be okay, but also that if she passed away with a heart attack on this track she would die a happy and honorable death doing what she was bred to do. She’s a happy girl resting downstairs right now. The Vet felt Ari’s health could worsen any time. This is likely Ari’s last recovery. As you know, it’s sad to think of her aging. She and I have traveled many miles and recovered many deer over her lifetime. Her old eyes look up at me wondering where we’re going on our next adventure. The love and companionship a tracker and dog share is special! We’ll keep her as healthy and comfortable as we can as  she approaches her 13th birthday and beyond, Lord willing. I thought you’d like to hear this story and see a picture of Ari!

Good bye sweet Steffi...

Our deep sympathy goes to Danny Horner and his beautiful family on passing of their beloved dog Steffi (Wynona von Moosbach-Zuzelek). Steffi was 16 ½, and thanks to Danny she lived a very long and full love. I made this collage from only a small part of the pictures that Danny sent over the years. When you look at them, it is easy to understand what this loss means and how much Danny is hurting.

He wrote:
"When my sadness lessens I will have nothing but fond memories of my wonderful little dog. It is difficult to put into words what Steffi meant to me. I am somewhat lost without her and will forever miss her.

I saw a post on a hunting forum and it seems a fitting tribute to her.

He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.
- Unknown

Wynona von Moosbach-Zuzelek, I miss you.

Steffi is a great family dog... and so much more

Steffi is going to be 16 soon. These pictures are too good not to share. Thank you Danny!

Steffi is still tracking at the old age of 15.5

We were delighted to receive this e-mail from  Danny Horner with two pictures of his Steffi (Wynona von Moosbach-Zuzelek) who was born on April 5, 1998:

 Steffi is doing great for 15.5 yrs. She is losing her hearing though. She just had a complete physical, blood work and teeth cleaned (4 teeth removed over her lifetime, 0 this last time). She has elevated liver numbers and the Denamarin seems to keep her numbers somewhat in check, so the vet says. 

 Steffi eats good, still loves dog treats and loves camping under the dinner table next to the kids. She is a happy dog that loves people except maybe my two year old who is a little rough. 

 The buck in the photograph is one Steffi found for me this pass Saturday. I shot the deer 20 yards away at 5:40 pm, a complete pass through, arrow covered in blood and I was struggling keeping on the blood trail (my eyes are failing me) I did not want to leave the animal overnight to spoil. (TV personalities do it all the time and its aggravating).

 Brought Steffi to the hit site and she recovered the deer within 30 min. I spent that much time at the shot location. Steffi mauled the deer for a little while as her reward and then the process began. The live buck, the shot and the recovery was videoed as all my hunts are. 

 Jolanta, the time and effort you and John put into born-to-track.com is amazing. I don't know how you do it and I want to thank you for the service you provide to the hunting community. You have change the hunting industry throughout the country much like trail cameras have but in a different way. 

Thank you Danny! It's so good to see Steffi in such a good shape at her ripe old age. 

The final goodbye to thirteen-year-old Agata

Agata v Moosbach-Zuzelek SW

January 18, 2000 - December 26, 2012

(FC Zuzelek's Globetrotter SW JE x Branie vom Dornenfeld)

 

Today we received a letter from Mike Vincent saying "yesterday I had to have Aggie put down, She has been slowing down for about 5 wks. A chest X-ray showed her lungs were cloudy and a possible mass behind her liver. She was having a hard time breathing and panting alot at the slightest exertion. The last few days I carried her in and out of the house and yesterday she was unable to drink or stand. Best dog I ever had, she will be cremated and kept here in the house. My Best to All. Mike Vincent".

Agata was the only female in a litter of four puppies. We sold her to Mike and Kathleen Vincent from Mc Kean, PA, when she was five months old. Mike joined Deer Search and used Agata for tracking in NY. Actually, Agata was sold on co-ownership, which stated that after Agata's first litter we would transfer her ownership completely to Mike and Kathy. For her first litter we'd choose a stud dog and get two puppies. We decided on Asko to sire Agata's first litter, and in return we got Elli. From this litter Mike and Kathy kept Kirsche. Elli was bred three times, Kirsche two times, both produced very well, and it is through their descendants Agata's legacy will live on.

I don't have too many pictures of Agata. The below picture shows her as a two-month-old puppy. She is the one on the right.

Agata at 4 months

The below picture is my favorite of her.


This picture was sent to us many years ago by Kathy and Mike and shows Agata (bottom) with her daughter Kirsche.

On April 21, 2005 Agata handled by Mike Vincent placed second in Deer Search's Blood Tracking Competition. She was awarded Prize I, 92 points.

Our heartfelt condolences go to the Vincent Family. I know that Agata will be missed greatly.

Good bye Jackson. Sleep tight.

Arko "Jackson" von Moosbach-Zuzelek 

January 18, 2000 - October 6, 2012

 

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn's rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die.

Dear Jerry and Arlene, we know how much Jackson meant to you.  We are so sorry for your loss and pain. It seems like it was just yesterday when he was a little puppy. But the time marches on, and old age comes way too soon.

Arko (yellow ribbon) as a puppy. His parents were "Kuba" (Zuzelek's Globetrotter) and Branie vom Dornenfeld.

Jerry with Arko and the buck he recovered.

Rest in Peace Jackson. You are greatly missed.

Happy 13th Birthday Asko!

Today our FC Asko von der Drachenburg, Vp,V, will be celebrating his 13th Birthday. Asko was bred by Steffen Matthai from Germany. He has always had a lot of puppy in him; his playfulness, high spirit and engaging personality make him an ideal companion. Extremely biddable and versatile he is a hunting dachshund that can do it all. But as a compulsive retriever, he loves the water above all (the picture was shot two days ago). He has contributed to our breeding like no other dachshund in the last 20 years. Many happy returns Asko! We love you!

Happy 90th Birthday Martina!

I don't remember when exctly Martina Quellmann contacted me for the first time. As far as I can recall she read one of my articles in the Dachshund Club of America newsletter, and it must have been around 16 years ago or so. Over the years we have kept in touch mainly through snail mail, e-mail, by phone. She was a strong supporter of John and me when we co-founded the North American Teckel Club in 2000.

Martina is German, and she knows teckels. I love her quick and sharp mind, no nonsense attitude, no drama. I feel in her a kindred spirit. Today Martina is turning 90 years old, and it is a good occasion to reminisce a little.

In 2003 I wrote a short article for the NATC Teckel Talk about my first dachshund, and Martina replied: 

"Hello, Jolanta, the last Teckel Talk has been sitting on my desk since its arrival. It is unreal how many similarities I saw in your "Down The Memory Lane" and part of my life. I simply felt I had to share it with you.I got my first own dog, a mix, from my friends toy poodle's love affair. She jumped out of a first floor window to meet her beau, an all country mix. My friend had gone to one of the islands to not be bothered with male dogs. Little did she know. Somehow at that time one did not think or believe in spaying and neutering. That was 1946. When we ever have a chance to meet I will tell you my adventures trip to pick Pitti up. My friend and I had Pitti, much beloved, till we immigrated to the USA. As I learned that dogs had to be in quarantine for 6 month I made the painful decision to have him put to sleep. He never was separated from us except a few days here and there to stay with my parents. He was 13 at that time. The strange food, kennel live, strange voices....all would he been too much for him.

In New York German people living in our apartment building ask us to keep their dachsie for the time they went to Germany. Knuckles, short haired, badly overweight, skeptical of everything, it took him 14 days to trust me. He got an infected tooth and I had to bring him to a vet. That in the Bronx, to find a cab to take a dog, then pay him to wait so we could get home. All that with my meager money. In spite of or maybe because of I fell in love with dachshunds. I often took Knuckles for walks after his owners came back. I was very unhappy in New York and planed to go back home. Well, obviously, I did not. We moved to Vermont, an old farm house with 100 acres of land. We rented with the option to buy. My friend knew how much I wanted a dog and now we had room. The first Christmas there was a little dachshund, Hummel. He was an offspring of a dog a soldier brought back from Germany. Papers.....what did I know, even cared about it.

Once I joined our all bred dog club my interest for the technicality rose. I imported my wirehaired minis from Germany, but I never had the time to do to much with them. Hunting is not my line anyhow. But I showed in breed and bred some nice litters, always looking for loving pet homes. I never bred until I had at least 6 clients waiting, knowing I would barely have 6 pups, that allowed me to choose the new owners. And I always visited after 3 or so month. My contract stated I was entitled to take the dogs back if their care did not meet my standards. Neither did I cash the checks till then. It gave me the reputation of one of those German. But my pups were  my responsibility. With working full time as a nurse, running a riding stable, there was not much time to be away from the farm for shows. And the judges did not appreciate the smaller size I bred. I also am not at the least competitive. I was happy having all my dogs around, 5 dachsies, 1 great Dane, and time to take them all for a walk. And yes, they hunted on their own. How many woodchucks did they bring home and I had to bury them. Their instincts were there, but I did not work with it."

 In 2003 Martina wrote an article about her mini wire Kirby:

"Kirby’s registered name is Ch. Rose Farm Box Office Hit. He was born November 11th  1995.

As I had the last dog from my own kennel put to sleep, I thought I could do without a dog. Talking to squirrels, birds, petting other people’s dog showed me I could not. I called Dee Hutchinson whether she would help me to find a mini, preferably a male and wild boar, between 5 and 7 years, color and sex negotiable. And, I still can't get over it - Dee had Kirby for me. From the minute I had him in my car we were the best of friends. Kirby was used much as a stud and I anticipated some difficulties.  

An active stud and mostly a kennel dog, How would he adjust to being a house dog ? No problems. The one and only time he tried to mark his new territory I shouted, without even thinking; Oh No. He stopped immediately, run to the door and that was it. After several weeks working with him on come and sit [that still does not work, mostly I cannot see whether he sits or only pretends] we started our walks without leash. A happy hound running through the woods or across pastures. His delight to go in and out of culverts, mostly dry. He makes friends with each dogs after giving a warning growl when they are too bouncy. People are his great friends. In all the dogs I raised from my own kennel I never had such an outgoing little fellow. He greets everyone with a wag of his tail. Also, he is the most affectionate dog I ever had. He adjusted to being the only dog, bed dog, lap dog without any difficulties.  I make sure he has, at least once a day his freedom walk, meaning off leash. And yes, I bribe him to come when I call. Once we met a fox, while I looked for a stick to chase it away, Kirby hightailed back to me. He knew he was no match. Rodents, when he gets them, are taken care of, proudly presented to me.

Kirby

You may have received my snail mail already about our attack by a rabid skunk. It was frightening.  Four minutes behind our house, a walkway used by dog owners, jokers, bikers. 11am, sunshine. I was bending down to unleash Kirby as I saw it, a giant skunk, beautiful, shiny. A grandfather of a skunk. I picked up the dog and went into the bushes, hoping it would pass me with out spraying. It passed by, as I got ready to move it returned, passed by me again,  me ready to move again and back it came It waddled right in my hiding space, first bit in my pant leg, then without any provocation in my leg, first one, then the other, over and over again. The whole situation made clear that it was rabid. After about 15 minutes, I managed to step on it, then, as it came back again to kick it like a football. Thereafter it took off. In all that, fight Kirby slipped out of my arm and the critter got his left hindquarter. He screamed, he was still partly on my arm, I pulled him and the skunk up, it did not let go. I hit it with my fist; it dropped but bit me in my hand.

I was so shaky, I was unable to use my cell phone to call the police and walked home. From there I called, they kept me on the line until an ambulance was at my door. Kirby had hit in one of his corners, I had no time to check him. Called the Vet from the emergency room, was told I have a 6 hour leave way for him to be seen. The process in the emergency room made clear I would never make it out in time. Plus my Vet is an hour away. I called a friend who brought Kirby to the Vet. They came home 45 minutes after me. Kirby had no injuries, all the vet found was mushy fur on his left rear, not even a puncture wound. But he deskunked him for me. Also send home some of the solution to help with the odor in my home. And Kirby got a booster for his rabies vaccine. That's almost 2 weeks ago now. I am still receiving my shots, the last 12/22. All is well that ends well. But it may be of interest to all of your hunting friends. No, the skunk was not found in spite of 3 police officers who scanned the area. I assume he is dead by now. I still get a bit shaky when I think about it."

When Kirby passed in 2006 I could not stand a thought that Martina would be without a dachshund so we offered to give her our Gela. We imported Gela von Rauhenstein from Germany in 2000 when she was around a year old. A very good looking teckel, talented in the field, she found her niche in field trials. We bred her twice, but both times she had to have a C-section. After her second litter we decided to spay her. Gela was craving an individual attention and her dream must have been to have a human lap just to herself. It sounded like Martina and Gela would be a good match. So in August 2006 John and I drove to Hanover, NH, to bring Gela to her new home. It was a right decision, and Gela does not leave Martina's lap too often. Now she is almost 13.

Gela in 2008

Martina and Gela in 2011

Martina and Gela visited us in September 2007, and it was so good to see both of them. Gela was thriving.

September 2007: Gela and her old buddy Asko.

John and Martina at our place



I wish we lived closer to Martina so could see her more often. She always has interesting stories and insights to share. I cherish our friendship and think of her often; I feel that she knows me even without exchanging too many words.

Martina, Happy 90th Birthday! I am so glad that our life paths have crossed!

Rest in Peace Lolly. The final farewell.

FC Ulrika von Moosbach-Zuzelek, SE, ROMX  "Lolly"
May 16, 1996 - February 17, 2012
(Zalud Staccato x FC Gerte vom Dornenfeld CG, JE, SW/I, ROMX)

Where did the time go? It seems like it was not that long ago when Larry Gohlke came to our place in Clinton Corners, NY to pick up his new puppy from our "U" litter. Well, the truth is that it was almost 16 years ago, and now we are saying goodbye to the wonderful dog that touched many people's lives and has left a great legacy. With a very heavy heart we are reporting that Larry Gohlke's Lolly is gone. She lived a long, good and productive life, the life that made a difference. We wrote about her on the occasion of her 14th birthday and you can read that post click here. I am not going to repeat what was said there.

This picture was taken in November 2011 in Ohio. I was there to attend field trials, and Larry had Lolly with him. We knew that she was not going to last much longer.

Lolly excelled at field trials, and I asked Larry for more information about her accomplishments. This is what he wrote: 

"She earned 1058 Lifetime Field Trial Points and she won twenty 1st places over the years.

Her son, Czar has earned 649 Lifetime Points, and her grandchildren, Danika, Ana Maria and Nix have earned 1463, 1291, and 659 Lifetime Points, respectively. Lolly and her granddaughters make up 3 of the 12 dogs to have earned 1000 Lifetime Points or more. Her “family” also includes the three youngest field champions - Lolly’s son, Czar, finished his field championship at 5 ½ months of age, her daughter, Rika, finished at 4 ½ months of age, and granddaughter, Ana Maria finished at just under 4 months of age.

Lolly won the DCA National Field Trial in 1999 when there was a total entry of 125 (the 4th largest National FT entry to date). This was the only National Field Trial that she was entered in.

She won the 2006 Buckeye Invitational Field Trial when she was 10 years old. At ages 11 and 12 she had 132 and 142 points and qualified for the Invitational as the #11 and #13 dog.

As a wounded deer tracking dog, Lolly went on about 200 tracks and recovered more than 70 deer."

Lolly as an old dog - always gentle and friendly

Lolly was bred three times. 

On December 12, 1998 she whelped 5 puppies: Zosia, Zoya, Zoe, Zeke and Zeiger, and they all went to blood tracking homes. The sire of this litter was FC Turbo von Moosbach-Zuzelek, JE. I still get pictures of Zosia every year for Christmas.

On May 13, 2000 Lolly whelped 5 puppies, of which 4 survived and they were Carliegh, Chadmen, Czar and Claus. The sire was our FC Asko von der Drachenburg. This breeding was repeated and on June 11, 2001 Lolly had 6 pups: Falko, Fonzo, Festus, Filbert, Filou and Fredrika.

Czar, Claus, Falko and Fredrika became field champions, and Czar, Fredrika and Falko were subsequently used for breeding. 

When Sabina was bred to Falko, Lolly's son, she produced Jessie v Moosbach-Zuzelek aka "Sabrina", who is owned by Dale Clifford from Deer Search. "Sabrina" won Deer Search's blood tracking competition three times. She has never been to a field trial, but she was bred twice and she is a dam of two FCs Mae and Mariel von Munterkeit, both owned by Gentian and Beth Shero. We own Bella vom Tierspur bred by the Sheros, a very promising daughter of Mae, and a great-great granddaughter of Lolly. 

Lolly was not a pretty dog, and a German judge would not even give her a "sehr gut/very good" rating for her conformation. It means that in the German system she was not eligible for breeding. But dog breeding is a process, which is supposed to lead to improvement. And even though you might not start with a perfect specimen, if you make right breeding decisions, and you are lucky, your progress might be amazing. This is how "gut/good" Lolly produced "vorzuglich/excellent"  granddaughter Danika, and this how Lolly's sister Sabina (also only "gut/good") produced "vorzuglich/excellent" great granddaughter Paika. I am so glad that both Lolly and Sabina had a chance to have offspring and leave their stamp on the working wires in the United States.

Rest in Peace Lolly! You will be greatly missed. Our heartfelt condolences to the Gohlke Family.

Happy 12th Birthday to Jackson (Arko von Moosbach-Zuzelek)!

This morning Arlene and Jerry Davis from Kitty Hawk, NC, sent us this e-mail:

Jackson "Arko", arguably the best dog ever, turns 12 today! Born Jan 18, 2000, he is the son of Kuba and Branie, and littermate of Elli's mom. He's fit and fine and still tracking. Happy birthday, Jackson!

I cropped Jerry and Arlene's Christmas picture showing  Jackson (left) and Jezy (a 2010 Joeri/Keena daughter), who look like twins in this frame:

Also Happy Birthday to Agata, Elli's mom and Jackson's sister!

Remembering Elli

Regular readers of this blog know that our Elli was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure at the end of January 2011. She did very well on medication, but 5 weeks ago she developed inguinal hernia, which had to be corrected surgically. It was a high risk procedure because of Elli's heart problem, but she survived the surgery and for a while was doing well.

In the last week, however, she started to decline. On Thursday night she was in a bad shape - she was having problems with breathing and was becoming progressively weaker. There was no additional treatment available, and on Friday we decided to let her go and took her on the last trip to a vet.

I miss Elli terribly. In the last year she was my shadow, and I am not used yet to not having her around me. She was the only dog that slept on my bed. Many tears have been shed and my heart is broken, though it certainly helps to have her family around us - her sire Asko, half-sister Gilda, sons Billy and Bernie, granddaughter Keena, great granddaughter Paika and great-great grandoffspring Sky and Summer. So as some pointed out, it is very true that Elli is not gone - not gone from our hearts, and not even gone physically as we will see glimpses of her in her descendants.

I spent most of Saturday going over her pictures and videos, and I chose some to include here as they have a special meaning for me. 

It all goes back to "Kuba" (FC Zuzelek's Globetrotter SW 1991-2005), the dog I bred and loved like no other. He was not without his faults, and we used him for breeding only once. On January 18, 2000 Branie vom Dornenfeld produced 4 puppies sired by Kuba: Agata, Amos, Arko and Albrecht, and we decided to keep Agata for ourselves.

Agata v Moosbach-Zuzelek SW at the age of 4 months

All this was happening around the time when John and I were starting the North American Teckel Club, and we were trying to reduce the size of our dogs. While Kuba was a very handsome dog with correct proportions, he was also a big dog, and in his middle age his weight was around 27 lbs. Agata, even when young, looked like she was following his steps.

Then on May 12, 2000, a friend of ours, Duane Bush from Erie, PA, brought his friends Mike, Kathy and Michelle Vincent to our place as they were interested in a getting a puppy for tracking. The only pup left from our "B" litter (Skyder x Sabina) did not appeal to them as he growled too much at the end of an artificial blood line while defending a piece of deer hide. On the other hand, they liked Agata very much. A plan was developed to let the Vincent family have Agata on a co-ownership agreement until her first litter. We retained the right to choose a sire for Agata's first litter and we would get two pups. After that we would transfer Agata's ownership to the Vincents.

Agata went to live with Mike, Kathy and Michelle, and it looked like it was a right match. Deep down I had this ache that the only daughter of Kuba was not ours any longer. But I reminded myself that when you are a breeder you can't let you heart make breeding decisions. This is something that I still think about often.

For Agata's first litter we chose Asko von der Drachenburg, who was imported in 1999 from Germany. Asko is on a small size, under 20 lbs, and it looked to us like he was a really good match for Agata. Eight puppies were born on May 13, 2001, and Elli was one of them. When I went to McKean, PA to evaluate the pups, they were very young, just 8 weeks old. I could not decide which ones to take and decided to take one female (Elli) and two males (Elton and Erik).

July 9, 2001 - Michelle Vincent (left) and I (right) are holding three pups that traveled with me to Berne, NY on that day: Elli, Elton and Erik

Elli on her first day at her new home with us. What appealed to us about Elli's conformation were her long legs as our dachshunds tended to be too low to the ground. 

The three pups together: Erik, Elli and Elton, at the age of two months

Elton and Elli at the age of four months

In the end we decided to keep Elli and let Elton and Erik go to tracking homes. And the Vincents have kept Elli's sister Kirsche.

Elli matured nicely. On August 24, 2002 she was shown at the NATC Zuchtschau under Judge Wördemann, and her conformation was rated as "excellent". Her weight was around 20 lbs. She was a calm and relaxed dog, and her type was described as "elegant and strong". Her gait was ground covering. We loved her disposition, but her temperament could be described as somewhat soft. This changed subsequently when she matured fully and claimed her position as a leader of our pack.

Elli proved to be a talented tracker and excellent field trial dog. She finished her AKC field championship on May 8, 2003 (after her first litter of pups). We liked her responsiveness in the field and her working style. She would come back to the point of loss and had perseverance and determination to work out difficult checks. Her strong voice on rabbits was her hallmark. Elli's field trial career really started after her last litter and she was #3 field trial dachshund in the country in 2007 and #8 in 2006. She won three Absolutes, and earned 483 DCA Field Trial Merit Points.

She proved herself as a blood tracker with several difficult finds of wounded deer.

John with Arlo (elli's son), Jolanta with Elli

One unusual thing about Elli was the long interval between her heats. The first one came when she was 10.5 months old. When her second estrus came on January 2, 2003 we decided to breed her to Alfi von der Hardt-Höhe, a tough-as-nails, multititled male we imported from Germany. We ran this breeding three times, and altogether Elli and Alfi produced 26 puppies. She was an exceptional brood bitch and a super mom to all her puppies. 

• 1st litter born on March 11, 2003: Archer, Attila (Bear), Asta (Emma), Augden (Auggie), Arlo, Acorn (Zora), Amy, Anja (Dixie), Ariel
• 2nd litter was born on February 08, 2004: Baldur (Blitz), Bastian (KC), Billy, Bodie, Boss (Daryl), Brix (Toby) and Bonny
• 3rd litter was born on October 15, 2005: Darin (Bernie), Dylan, Danica (Dita), Danka (Maggie), Dee (Blaze), Demi (Cretchen), Diestel, (Anna), Drossel (Della) and Dyani

Of the 26 pups, 25 went to blood tracking homes. Eight were field trialed and became AKC Field Champions. Some have been very successful in other performance events; good exmples are Sherry Ruggieri's Auggie (two times winner of the Buckeye dachshund Club Invitational trial) and Dixie. We could probably write a book about Elli and Alfi's offspring. Five of them have been used for breeding and subsequently have passed "a piece" of Elli to next generations.

She raised not only her own puppies but was good with other females' pups too. She could put a stop to puppies' foolishness and pushiness with one stare or quick gentle nip. They would get a message right away.

Elli has aged with grace. Her favorite spot was on the top of the old picnic table in our dog yard, and from this place she was monitoring the situation while basking in the sun. Her favorite dogs were her son Billy and Joeri, for whom she had a special affection. To the very end she loved running rabbits in our field, and our last outing took place on December 31.

I will miss Elli's soulful eyes as they followed me everywhere.

I will remember Elli mostly as my personal companion. We had together such a good time: Our walks in the field, her almost constant presence at my feet when I was working, her routine of putting me to bed - licking my face before I turned the light off.

Good night Elli, sleep tight.

PS. After Elli's death we received  numerous letters and notes from our friends and people who knew Elli. There are too many to post them here so I will just include several.

1. From Sherry Ruggieri

Your post on Elli was wonderful and it is difficult for me to type through the tears, I can only imagine the pain you are suffering. I am so deeply sorry. As you know, I was especially fond of Elli – she will always have a special place in my heart. She not only produced the dog that I love beyond words, Auggie (I love Dixie too), she reminds me of what a wonderful dog should be. I am proud to say that in many ways Dixie is so much like Elli, wonderful temperament and in looks too – with that beautiful face and soulful eyes. I have many wonderful memories of Elli – especially the time when I was visiting and she “claimed” me – she was such a loving dog. I also got to watch her in the field and saw (and heard) some beautiful runs! I remember too when I was visiting and you took me to the beagle club there – she ran with Auggie – she took one rabbit all over – it was lovely! I also remember her outrunning both Auggie & Dixie at field trials – they could never match their mom!

I wish there were words to say to take away the pain you must be feeling and the loss. I know the deeper the love, the deeper the loss and that it why it is so heartbreaking. I will always remember Elli and she will live on through her legacy and our memories – it’s just a shame they can’t live longer than they do. My heart goes out to you.

Hugs,

Sherry

2. From Mike Martien

Just a quick note to let you know that your loss has been on my mind… My deepest sympathy on the loss of Elli. I was saddened to hear the news. I found the following, and refer to it from time to time. I guess the quote (unknown) is about as real and true as it gets…

“There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and lives we can't live without but have to let go. Death is unavoidable and a given, however, love and relationships create memories that death or no other can ever steal.” R.I.P. Elli…

Take care and may God speed the healing process and fill the void.

3. From John Merriman

I'm so sorry to hear about dear Ellie's passing; she was an amazing dog and I will always remember the great runs she had--especially with Buzz. I bet they are having a great time with rabbits in Heaven right now, with God finally yelling "pick them up" when they are happily exhausted from hunting!

Please let me know if there is anything I can do ... You and John will be in my prayers and Adam sends his best.

XO

John

4. From Michael Polavin

Jolanta & John, so very sad to hear about Elli. You mentioned "an amazing legacy" Elli has left. As you know my dog Maggie is one of those 26 puppies that make up Elli's legacy. Maggie is in a working home and has most definitely changed this owners life. The absolute joy I see on hunters faces when she recovers a deer that they couldn't find. I too consider Maggie a great hunter, however it's so many of the other personality traits that Elli passed on to Maggie that makes her such a true companion and part of the family.

Thank you Elli.

5. From Henry Holt

 

I'm very sorry to hear about Elli Jolanta. She produced some great dogs including the one sitting in my lap.

We have a beautiful spot on our farm where we bury our dogs that we visit often. There's a bench there and in the spring there are daffodils and a grove of redbud trees I started from seed. I hope you have a place like that for you dogs too.

 

May she chase rabbits forever in her dreams.