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Teri & Will
Michelle & Denbigh |
We chose the name "WilDen" as a combination of the names of our "heart" dogs: Will (for Teri) and Denbigh (for Michelle). Teri P. Nelson and Will: Even though I grew up with a springer in the house, I never imagined that springers would eventually be such a big part of my life. In May of 1995 (just as I was about to get married), my mother got a baby springer puppy. The following year, I went with her (just because she didn't want to go by herself) to watch this puppy be shown at the Potomac Valley Specialty in Manassas, VA. I sat in my chair at the ring with goosebumps all over me as I watched the beautiful dogs float across the ring. Although I didn't "recognize" the bond between handler and dog at the time, I knew I was seeing something very special. And I knew I wanted a dog like that. :-) "Will" came to me as a baby puppy in March of 1997. At the tender age of 7 months he was awarded a 5 point major. These were the first points, and thus the first major win, of which I was ever a part. Will went on to finish his championship in grand style with three more majors . He was always and only owner-handled by me and went on to be the first dog that I ever put the following agility titles on: NA, NAJ, OA, OAJ, and AX. Will also earned his CD in obedience with a high score of 193.5. No matter whether it's agility or obedience, Will will always be special because he was, above all else, the *first* :-) At the age of 3 1/2 years old, Will had his first seizure. In addition, Will had some behavioral issues which escalated and eventually resulted in his euthanization in July 2004. This dog was my "heart dog" and I devoted much of my life and countless hours trying to figure out what made him tick. He was truly special to me, and I owe him everything that this "doggie path" of my life may ever bring. Michelle F. Givens and Denbigh: I decided I wanted to become a member of the dog fancy at the age of 12, and began researching all of the AKC breeds at the time. At age 13 I had it narrowed down to 6 (including the Weimeraner, Samoyed, Soft Coated Wheaten, Tibetan Terrier, Bearded Collie, and English Springer Spaniel), then chose the ESS. In 1985, Karen Foster kindly sold Georgian April Rain to me as a puppy, and the rest was history. Fast forward to my life after gaining my Master's degree in Community & Clinical Psychology, and my soul mate dog entered the picture. Georgian Trade Secret, called Denbigh, was the only pup in her litter whom I didn't want (she reminded me, painfully, of my first girl, "Rainy," who had died prematurely from a botched spay operation). Karen knew best and sent her home with me, where I wonder on a daily basis how I could ever manage to draw breath without her. She is a constant source of humor in my life! Den has been an utter joy, and I cannot imagine life without her. Because of and directly through her I met my husband, Jason, and began to realize I wanted to do some field work. She's my first dog pointed in conformation, my first JH, and my first dog with agility titles and placements. Heck, we even got a puppy stake placement (entered against all those fieldbred pups) at the Southern Wisconsin Sporting Spaniel Club's Fun Trial one year! Denbigh was retired from everything except being worshipped. Recently, though, she went with me to an agility trial and finished her NAJ title, and took a blue ribbon the next day to go with her green ribbon in Open Jumpers!!?? I guess we'll try to finish that title, too. As my constant companion, this dog can't be beat. |
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