Gone...But Never Forgotten
Rowdie
Wyn
Isabel
StormWatch Foundation bitch, Isabel, (CH Rowansgaard During Wind N Rain**, SH WCX CD NF OA OAJ CGC). Losing her only 2 weeks after losing her son, Kobe, was a devastating blow. She was 12+ years and went the same way as her father, Jordan, with dignity and grace. Is was my first and only field trial girl - she taught me so much about patience and canine intelligence as she was the smartest FCR I ever trained. Her presence is still everywhere around me and there will never be another IS!
Kobe
Kobe (Bronze GCH Am/Can CH StormWatch The Perfect Storm, JH WCX CGC) left us as he lived quickly and quietly. Early in July, he collapsed with a pericardial effusion but we were able to drain 50ml off his heart and we were able to save him. There was no cause (ideopathic) for the the effusion and the vet said, after multiple ultrascans, that he could never have an episode again or it could recur. It did recur as he flew after his siblings and mom in the backyard and died. Kobe was one of the easiest dogs to train, always wanting to please, loved showing for me or anyone and was always the best ambassador to our breed. The hole he left in my heart is only diminished by the great love he gave me and every he met. God speed, Kobe.
Lyric
One of my saddest days ever (5/11/15) ... Lyric (CH Shiloh Galadriel, SH NA NAJ NF CGC) left our hearts today. Born to Marlee and Jordan, Lyric had a diversified life - sold to a pro field trainer but lived with many different homes - due to his over abundance of clients. Lyric came to me with little training. Cathy McGarvey and I loved and cherished her from two different countries for her 10 years. Sweetest, warmest and most biddable girl I ever had the honor to train and live with.... Run free, Lyric. You will be remembered through your lovely children and grandchilden. We loved you so much.
Jet
The following is a tribute by Flatcoatdata.com summing up Jet's almost 12 years:
"Sh Ch Vbos The Kentuckian who won best in show at Crufts 2011, died on Monday. He would have been 12 in August. ‘Jet’ was bred and owned by Jim Irvine and was the family pet of Iain Ross. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career, winning more and more the older he got. When he was almost eight he won his first group, at East of England ‘09, where he went on to BIS. Soon afterwards
he was BIS at National Gundog, following two RBIS and a G3 there. Further group and RBIS awards followed but his great day came at Crufts ‘11 where he was Paolo Dondina’s choice as BIS, at nine years the oldest dog to take that award. He was shown twice more, to retire with BIS on his home ground at Scottish Kennel Club, where he also claimed the breed CC record. He was a wonderful ambassador for the breed and will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
To StormWatch, Jet was at the forefront of our kennel. He was the foundation to our first litter with Isabel (my Jordan's daughter) and had 10 gorgeous babies - most of them became Champions, Grand Champions - both Bronze and Silver, titled field dogs, obedience dogs and agility dogs. Meeting Jet in 2010 was an unparalleled experience that I was to repeat in 2012. I was honored and blessed to know him, and even more grateful to his contribution to the United States through his children.
God speed, beautiful boy.
"Sh Ch Vbos The Kentuckian who won best in show at Crufts 2011, died on Monday. He would have been 12 in August. ‘Jet’ was bred and owned by Jim Irvine and was the family pet of Iain Ross. He enjoyed a long and distinguished career, winning more and more the older he got. When he was almost eight he won his first group, at East of England ‘09, where he went on to BIS. Soon afterwards
he was BIS at National Gundog, following two RBIS and a G3 there. Further group and RBIS awards followed but his great day came at Crufts ‘11 where he was Paolo Dondina’s choice as BIS, at nine years the oldest dog to take that award. He was shown twice more, to retire with BIS on his home ground at Scottish Kennel Club, where he also claimed the breed CC record. He was a wonderful ambassador for the breed and will be sorely missed by all who knew him."
To StormWatch, Jet was at the forefront of our kennel. He was the foundation to our first litter with Isabel (my Jordan's daughter) and had 10 gorgeous babies - most of them became Champions, Grand Champions - both Bronze and Silver, titled field dogs, obedience dogs and agility dogs. Meeting Jet in 2010 was an unparalleled experience that I was to repeat in 2012. I was honored and blessed to know him, and even more grateful to his contribution to the United States through his children.
God speed, beautiful boy.
Punch - Now with your momma and daddy...
After a valiant struggle, Punch (CH Rockyhill Funny Cide, JH WC) left our world way too soon. He leaves behind a wonderful legacy of hunting and love for his mom, Shari. We know that Jordan and Ruffian were there to meet him at the Rainbow bridge and he is chasing phezzies forever... Rest well, Boy-boy...love you.
Jordan (CH SR Hallbent Most Happy Fella, SH WCX CGC)
If ever there was a dog that exemplified type, style, talent and grace, it is Jordie. Jordan is the foundation of StormWatch - thank you, Pamela Stanley, of Hallbent Kennel in the UK, for entrusting me with this most wonderful boy.
My Jordie left us quietly on March 13, 2012 - leaving as he came to us... with dignity.
My Jordie left us quietly on March 13, 2012 - leaving as he came to us... with dignity.
Davendan Magic Moment, CGC
Magic! (Pictured here at 8 months.) That's what it felt like when we first saw him... Darlene and Larry Nichols' accidental litter opened a whole new world to Lee and me.
Our first Flat-Coated Retriever was the kindest, sleepiest puppy we have ever had! Magic loved us (and loved Tom Allen) with all his heart and he took most of ours with him when he died at 5 years of age. Losing a much loved member is always painful, but we were so unprepared to lose our lovely boy to an autoimmune disease that the vets could do nothing for.
Magic didn't love showing so he achieved only ONE point in the short time he was in the show ring (OK, he HATED it!) But he did so enjoy obedience with his extremely novice instructor - me!
Not a day goes by that I don't think about our pretty boy - anytime the word "magic" is used - he is with us.
Magic: 09/19/92 - 06/16/1998
Our first Flat-Coated Retriever was the kindest, sleepiest puppy we have ever had! Magic loved us (and loved Tom Allen) with all his heart and he took most of ours with him when he died at 5 years of age. Losing a much loved member is always painful, but we were so unprepared to lose our lovely boy to an autoimmune disease that the vets could do nothing for.
Magic didn't love showing so he achieved only ONE point in the short time he was in the show ring (OK, he HATED it!) But he did so enjoy obedience with his extremely novice instructor - me!
Not a day goes by that I don't think about our pretty boy - anytime the word "magic" is used - he is with us.
Magic: 09/19/92 - 06/16/1998
CH Twin Oaks Primetime, CGC
Deion...Deeps, DeMan, DeBest! (Pictured at 9 weeks.) Lee and I decided the our Magic needed a buddy. So, we looked into his pedigree and called both Pat Cox (DarkTarn) and Joanie Sharpe (Twin Oaks.) Joanie didn't know us but called Larry and Darlene, and the next thing we knew, we were driving the 9 hours to North Carolina!
I told Joanie that we were interested in a big puppy and possibly would show him. Deion proved to be not huge, but perfect for the show ring. He, unlike his uncle Magic, positively LOVED showing! I took him to a match at 3 mos., and he blew everyone - including me - away! From that point on, he never took a wrong step and became ranked #16 in the country with no one else showing him but me...(actually, he could have shown himself - he was THAT composed.)
When we moved to Florida, Deion continued to inspire us as he helped a little 7 yr. old girl overcome her fear of dogs. He left us at almost 11 years of age.
Deion: 12/19/1995 - 02/07/2006
I told Joanie that we were interested in a big puppy and possibly would show him. Deion proved to be not huge, but perfect for the show ring. He, unlike his uncle Magic, positively LOVED showing! I took him to a match at 3 mos., and he blew everyone - including me - away! From that point on, he never took a wrong step and became ranked #16 in the country with no one else showing him but me...(actually, he could have shown himself - he was THAT composed.)
When we moved to Florida, Deion continued to inspire us as he helped a little 7 yr. old girl overcome her fear of dogs. He left us at almost 11 years of age.
Deion: 12/19/1995 - 02/07/2006
CH Twin Oaks T.K.O. CGC
Tyson! (Pictured here at 10 weeks.) Tysie (aka: Roonie) was a half-brother to Deion. Out of the "God's Gift" litter, he was bred (unbeknownst to me) for the field. All we asked Joanie for was "the biggest puppy in the litter." And he was - not only in size, but in heart. Tysie stole Lee's heart from the get-go and never gave it back.
By the time I figured out that he was amazing in the field, he was 7 years old and I was busy working with Jordan and Isabel, so he never aspired to what his pedigree was about. Tyson never missed an opportuntiy to amaze us, and thrill Lee, with his joie de vivre! One of the greatest pups of our lives...
Tyson: 05/24/1997 - 09/21/2007
By the time I figured out that he was amazing in the field, he was 7 years old and I was busy working with Jordan and Isabel, so he never aspired to what his pedigree was about. Tyson never missed an opportuntiy to amaze us, and thrill Lee, with his joie de vivre! One of the greatest pups of our lives...
Tyson: 05/24/1997 - 09/21/2007