"Old Deer Tracker" John Jeanneney: Happy 81st Birthday!

Today is John's 81st Birthday and I thought it would be interesting and fun to look back at the 81st year of his life. Last year I blogged very little, and many of these events have never been written up.

The picture below shows how John spent April 7, 2015. Paul, his son, and Marilyn came to have a birthday lunch with us, and they put some serious work into cutting down the tree that got damaged due to ice accumulation during previous winter. 

Last year we had two litters of puppies, our W litter and X litter. The W pups (Woody, Waldi, Willette, Wiki, and Willow were born on March 9, and in the picture taken on his birthday, John is holding one of them. The X litter was born on July 26 and produced Xander, Xenos, Xakary, Ximo, Xavier, Xoe, Xola and Xena. This was a lot of work... and fun... and satisfaction.

On April 24 John gave a talk at the Annual meeting of the NADKC (North American Deutsch Kurzhaar Club) in Cobleskill, NY. Dick Aronica thanked him: "Your presentation on the actual practical side of deer recovery was perfect."

One of the highlights of John's year was participation in the Annual Workshop (Formation) given by ACCSQ on May 2-3 in St-Apolllinaire, Quebec. The ACCSQ is Association des Conducteurs de Chiens de Sang, which could be translated as Association of Handlers of Blood Tracking Dogs. John gave a talk at this extremely well organized and attended workshop on  creating a tracking dog/handler team.

On May 8-9 John was at the QDMA (Quality Deer Management Association) National Convention at Louisville, KT, where he gave a well received presentation on blood tracking.

This lead to an article written by Kip Adams, the QDMA Director of Education and Outreach, for Quality Whitetails. Kip said "Thanks for giving such a great presentation at convention.  I took a page of notes so I’d remember your advice and realized I needed to share them with others.  That’s where the article came from and I hope it can help others this fall and beyond."

In July John and Andy Bensing traveled to Ontario, Canada, where they conducted "An Introductory Seminar and Field Workshop about Using Trained Tracking Dogs to Find Wounded Big Game". This was in support of Big Game Blood Trackers of Ontario (BGBTO).

During the summer John spent many hours in his garden (this is something he can't live without)...

... on training dogs...

 ...spending time with friends...

... and working on our grounds (thank you Larry and Cheri!)

We went to some concerts to socialize pups...

and attended Dan and Faith Hardin's wedding.

In July John was interviewed for the Hunting Dog Podcast and this interview "Blood Tracking Big Game with Little Dogs" can accessed HERE.

In September, there was another presentation in Ontario:

When a hunting/tracking season arrived, I had my serious doubts whether John would be able to track. He has been battling multiple health issues over the years, but the Old Man proved me wrong again. He found 6 deer for other hunters and he shot a doe to provide meat for this human and canine family.

This past winter John gave more talks at local churches, which serve "wild game dinners" accompanied by informative presentations on topics related to hunting. His last one was at Bethlehem Community Church in Delmar, NY on March 5, 2016. Four days later he was in the hospital and had a pacemaker inserted.

Nobody ever knows what next year will bring, but it looks like being inactive while getting older is not an option for John. His tracking days are over, and now he admits it himself. I am sure that he will find a way to stay engaged in the field of tracking dogs and will continue to share his knowledge through articles and books. Happy Birthday My Love!

Winter strikes with full force

While last winter was mild and easy this one has already produced around two feet of snow. It all started on December 26.

The night shot taken while I was standing in our garage and our yard was illuminated by outdoor lighting.

The next morning was beautiful even without sun. During the first storm of this winter we received 14-16 inches of snow. We had to postpone our post-Christmas plans to meet with the family.

No sun, no color. Everything looked monochromatic.

I put snowshoes on to make trails in the snow for our dachshunds. Young dogs love to play in the snow but for older ones like Asko, cold and snow are a challenge.

This is Sky, who raced around with Tuesday, and he ended up like a snowman covered in the snow.

This is another picture of Sky. This particular shot was a hit on Facebook, and many people commented that it should make to the next year's calendar.

Yesterday we got more snow, probably 7 inches or so. We had to cancel our travel plans again. Instead we went for a nice walk in the woods. We saw a lot of animal tracks, mainly deer, but also fox and coyote footprints.

John snowshoeing.

Jolanta: I really enjoyed the winter scenery.

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.

Relaxed and peaceful Christmas Day

Our Christmas Day was peaceful and quiet; it was just John, I and the dogs. We ate too much food and drank too much wine :) We enjoyed our gifts, dogs enjoyed deer bones and meat. Life is good.
In the picture John and Joeri.

A big thank you to our friends for the Christmas cards! We really enjoy and appreciate them.

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!

 

John and I wish all of you a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! A big thank you to all our readers, contributors and friends for you support and encouragement. We could not do it without you.

 

Our dachshunds are grateful too for all the attention and recognition. This is who they are at present, from the oldest to the youngest:

1. FC Asko von der Drachenburg (13.5 years old)
2. FC Gilda v Moosbach-Zuzelek
3. FC Billy von Moosbach-Zuzelek
4. FC Keena v Moosbach-Zuzelek
5. FC Darin von Moosbach-Zuzelek
6. FC Joeri vom Nonnenschlag
7. FC Tom vom Linteler-Forst
8. FC Paika v Moosbach-Zuzelek
9. FC Sky von Moosbach-Zuzelek
10. FC Mielikki Raptor
11. Tuesday von Moosbach-Zuzelek (8 months)

2013 Nature Calendars...and Joeri

Sorry for taking a break from the blog, but for the last three days I have been focused on my photography. It is so hard to find any time for it, but it is especially difficult during hunting and tracking season. If you'd like to see results, go to http://www.cafepress.com/calendarsbyjolanta. There are four calendars there with my photography, two are nature oriented, one is with wirehaired dachshunds and another one with field trial beagles. When you click on the covers and go to a specific calendar, you will be able to see the pages. You can read Patt's testimonial about the calendar she has ordered for the second year. Thank you Patt!

To purchase or view info on this calendar go to http://www.cafepress.com/calendarsbyjolanta.736043965

This calendar is located at http://www.cafepress.com/calendarsbyjolanta.714081196

I uploaded images from the calendars to http://jola.smugmug.com/NaturePhotography, where they can be purchased as prints or merchandise. If you have any questions about those, e-mail me.

We got some e-mail asking about Joeri. As you remember Joeri was imported from Germany as a 14- week-old puppy 4.5 years ago. On August 27 he had a surgery for a herniated disc, and then on November 15 his back went down again. This time he was put on a high dose of prednisone and other meds, plus he had an acupuncture session. He was improving for a while, but in the last two days he regressed. He does not use his legs as well, and he has been leaking. Most likely it is a response to some reduction in prednisone dose, so as of last evening he is back on a high dose again. I can't tell you what an emotional roller coaster this has been.

Joeri on the evening of November 25 resting comfortably in my den.

I have a ton of material for the blog. You guys have been very busy, and I really appreciate that you take time to write down your experiences and share them with all of us. I'll be posting a lot of new material in the next few days. Thank you and good luck in the woods!

Happy and Safe Thanksgiving to All!

Whether you find yourself at work, alone in the woods or surrounded by family and friends, please know that we wish you a warm and happy Thanksgiving.

 

With gratitude and hope - good hunting and tracking to all,

 

John & Jolanta Jeanneney

Unplugging for few days

Thursday was a bad day. Joeri got much worse. This is 11.5 weeks post-surgery. He is not completely paralyzed but he is dragging his hind legs, and he is in a pretty bad shape. This time we will are going to try conservative treatment with prednisone and see how it goes. We might have a very tough decision to be made ahead of us. This is beyond sad, actually it is truly heartbreaking.

I think we are going to unplug for a while. Our gun season starts on Saturday, and we both would like to get out of the house and be in the woods. If we don't answer e-mails or phone calls, I hope you understand. We'll be back here next week.

An autumn concert on two grasshoppers and a chimney wind

It looks like we are going to have a pretty warm and nice weekend; it might be the last warm weekend this fall. I thought that I'd share one of my favorite songs about autumn. It is beautiful and evocative, and like no other song makes me miss Poland. Below is a translation of the lyrics. Actually it is a poem performed by Magda Umer, and its title is "Koncert Jesienny Na Dwa Swierszcze", which means "A Fall Concert On Two Grasshoppers".

 

Outside our window falls the rain
On the stove, a grasshopper tunes the fiddle
Girls cry for the end of summer
Only from afar one hears

A fall concert on two grasshoppers and a chimney wind
A strawman fell asleep under a pear tree
And dreams of a beautiful girl
And a roadside scarecrow counts the willows
Dancing upon the meadow in a field mouse's embrace

A concert, a concert, a fall concert on two grasshoppers and a chimney wind
The concert that will die out with the Indian summer

Tree trunks long ago covered themselves with moss
The wind blew away still another day
Among the field stubble fires have lit tup
In the distance wends along
a fall concert on two grasshoppers and a chimney wind
A strawman fell asleep under a pear tree
And dreams of a beautiful girl
And a roadside scarecrow counts the willows
Dancing upon the meadow in a field mouse's embrace

And the roadside scarecrow counts the willows
Dancing upon the meadow in a field mouse's embrace
The concert that will die out with the Indian summer

The scent of the harvest has long ago aired out
Tightly all doors have been closed
The people wait if perhaps tomorrow will be white
Under the stove quietly plays
A fall concert for two grasshoppers and a chimney wind
Fled to the road, fell in love with the willow, and suddently floated away
And the scarecrow lies lonely in the field
The mouse forsook him and fled to the barn
A concert, a concert, a fall concert on two grasshoppers and a chimney wind

Today, along with the grasshoppers, it went to sleep for the winter.                        

Happy 4th of July!

Best wishes for Very Happy 4th of July from John, Jolanta and the Teckels!

Lore Schlechtingen: March 8, 1931 - June 9, 2012

by John Jeanneney

Frau Lore Schlechtingen passed away on June 9, 2012. She was a highly intelligent woman who focused the second part of her life on breeding and promoting Teckels. I came to know her in 1982 when I purchased one of her Zwergteckels for tracking and underground work. Olive vom Dornenfeld was the first of a number of Dornenfeld Teckels that I acquired from her as my passion for blood tracking  grew.

Frau Schlechtingen was a hunter, who leased hunting rights  in a large forest near her home west of Cologne in western Germany. She tracked there with her own Teckels and gave me valuable advice in the early years when I needed it most.

Frau Schlechtingen was a hunter (picture taken in 1975)

Jolanta and I visited her several times in Germany, and she was the catalyst in the formation of the North American Teckel Club. It was Frau Schlechtingen who approached Wolfgang Ransleben, then President of the Deutscher Teckelklub, and told him of the plight of Americans trying to develop the German version of the Dachshund as a hunting dog in North America. Jolanta and I met with President Ransleben in 1999, and  arrangements were made to set up NATC, first as an extension of the DTK Group Embken. Frau Schlechtingen was President of Group Embken at that time.

Frau Schlechtingen also took a great interest in New York’s State’s Deer Search Inc.,  which was the pioneer blood tracking organization in the United States. She donated the Schlechtingen Prize plaque that is awarded each year to the Deer Search member who goes out on the most deer calls.

In my files I have more than two inches of typewritten correspondence from Frau Schlechtingen, who must have stayed up late many nights writing to inform and advise me about training and breeding.  She was always a formal person addressing me as “Mr. Jeanneney”, and I reciprocated always with “Frau Schlechtingen”. And I always signed my letters “Your respectful apprentice”. I meant it. More than anyone else, she was my mentor.

Lore Schlechtingen and John Jeanneney in Spetember 1999 (Germany)

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!

Unplugged

This is just a short post to let you now that we are going through a major renovation of the lower level of our house. Because of the tropical storms  Irene and Lee some water came to our house. Now we have to get rid off the mold growing in the walls. My office/den and our dog room are most affected, and new drywall has to be put in. The bottom line is that unfortunately my access to the internet and my main computer are limited, and I will not be posting as often for the next three weeks. I'll do my best.

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.