Strange times

It is through tragedy that Elettra has come to live out the rest of her life with us.

Three days after Elvis, our last Spinone, passed away, a good friend whom we’ve known for nearly 20 years also passed away. We often joked that she was more family than friend, and it was she who introduced us to this wonderful breed that changed our lives. Upon hearing the news of her death, we contacted her family and then spent the week on an unplanned 1000-mile journey to Chicago.

Elettra lived with us for 1 ½ years as a pup, so that I could train and test her. With me, Elettra earned 3 of the 4 legs towards her AKC Jr. Hunt title before going into the show ring and earning her Champion title. After a couple of litters, we took Elettra back for six months to finish off her title, but it was another trainer who accomplished that at the National Specialty.

I always referred to Elettra and Mia as my “huntresses”, and it was a joy to brace them on bird hunts. Elettra has now returned to us as an aged senior but her eyes still sparkle with that same youthful exuberance.

Last year was a strange one and we lost friends and family to COVID-19. For us, strange times continue - not so much that we continue losing friends and family, but it’s the timing of it all that is odd.

Which is the long version of why I didn’t post a blog last week. Stay tuned.