NEWS

by Frank O'Leary

When we made plans to attend the 2010 Kleemann in Zistersdorf, Austria we thought it would be nice to attend the event without the pressure of having a dog participating. That all changed in July when we were in Germany and learned that a dog I had first seen when he was twelve weeks old was for sale. Darwin vom Hege- Hof had been one of the most tested dogs in Germany and certainly one of the most successful in Zuchtschau events since he was eight months old. Now we would once again be going to the Kleemann as an owner.

The next day we went with another club member to watch as his dog successfully completed its water work and received the KS title. That evening the Kleemann Banquet was held and everyone was relaxed and the connections of the successful dogs were happy. Others thought about what could have been.

For the O’Leary’s the 2008 Kleemann will be something we will always remember. Atlanta and Mr. Bommers delivered as usual and the recognition from the elderly hunters at the water was very special and would be included in her judge’s report. Bellevue and Thomas Hofstetter were spectacular in the field. Claudia, the wild card, had worked perfectly for her leader Mr. Klutz and had been reward accordingly. At the end of the day we had three dogs, with three different leaders, and each received their KS title at the 2008 Kleemann. We could not have been prouder for our dogs and their leaders.

When we left for Ampflwang, Austria to attend the International Kurzhaarprü fung (IKP) we had been told by both of our leaders (handlers) that Atlanta vom Hege-Haus and Bellevue vom Hege-Haus were in great form. Mr. Bommers’ daughter Rita suggested that it was very possible we were to witness something very special and was she ever correct.