MY DOG NAMED TELL
(Wag-Ae Monte V Tref)

In February 1994 Shawn (my wife) and I made the journey to see Joe Wolak (breeder) in Attica New York to look at puppies. Who drives 8 hours to look at puppies and does not plan to get one... NOT. I spent a great deal of time with each pup to try to pick just the right dog for NAVHDA and me. After a few puppy tests and some time I picked my new pup - all liver in color and a ball of fire. His name would be TELL.

Over the months Tell proved himself to be very cooperative and consistant in his training. He would even look up at me as if he knew exactly what I was saying. When I talk about Tell's consistencies they showed in all his NAVHDA Tests: UT 195 Prize II, UT 200 Prize II, UT 200 Prize II, and UT 202 Prize I, which he received at 2 years 7 months. In his Master Hunt Tests he also did an outstanding job by passing 10 out of 12 tests. Tell and I attended the 1998 Invitational and although Tell did not pass because he did not retrieve the duck during the blind sequence, he gave it his all and I could not ask for anything more than that. In my eyes he will always be a winner.

All of Tell's accomplishments could never have happen without the help of the entire Delaware Valley Chapter. I would like to THANK all the members for their assistance's and a SPECIAL THANKS to Rob Warner my training buddy and hunting companion. Testing is a "Good Thing" but when it comes right down to it, it is the Hunting Season and the great passion for the outdoors and being with your dog and friends. We had some great ruff grouse trips to Wisconsin, Minnesota and Tennessee and to watch Tell a finished dog go through his paces was a very enjoyable sight.

On a sad note in April 1999 I never thought that Tell at 5 years old would have developed a tumor on his spinal cord and have to be put to sleep. It is a terrible loss and I will miss him so. He was my buddy, pal and friend.

The paragraph below was taken from a Hallmark card.

There must be a heaven for our animal friends we love. They are not human, yet they bring out our own humanity.. sometimes in ways that other people cannot. They do not worry about fame or fortune... instead; they bring our hearts nearer to the joy of simple things. Each day they teach us little lessons in trust and steadfast affection. Whatever heaven may be, there's surely a place in it for friends as good as these.

Tim and Shawn Clark
May 1999