Like Whoppa, Rolex joined
me as a representative of English Springer Spaniel Club of Long
Island-Rescue. We had the opportunity to compete in the Breed ring in
2008 at Westminster. Rolex was, I believe, the first "rescued"English Springer Spaniel to compete in Westminster.
In 2005, at that event, I met Carol Hamilton, while assisting
Susan Sutton with Ch. Woodlander's Praise Hymn. Carol
called me later that year to say that she had a Springer she
had bred that had been left at a kennel in California for
almost two years when the previous owner left the country.
As breeder and co-owner, she, of course, wanted to take him
back and asked me to find him a new good home. Her goal was
a loving home and she didn't care if he continued to compete
for his championship. I agreed but soon realized that I
personally wanted to take Rolex into my home and attempt to
finish him. On March 25, 2006 at the Western Pennsylvania
Kennel Association, Inc. show in Pittsburgh, PA. with the help of friend and pro handler Howard Huber and Judge Kelly Photopopoulus we accomplished just that.
Rolex was a beautiful representation of all that the breed
has to offer. Not only to the fancier, but the pet home as
well. One of my greatest joys was putting him back into the
ring for the first time in two years the same day that it
was announced that ESS Rescue together with the state of
Maine, successfully closed down Mark Hagelin's springer
puppy mill in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine thereby rescuing almost
100 English Springer Spaniels. Rolex was a wonderful
companion for a number of those little pups that came into
MY home for foster care.
On
March 25, 2009, just before his 8th birthday Rolex passed
away of unknown causes. He had just started to compete
successfully in the world of Veteran's and was almost ready
to begin an agility career. Unfortunately his only
chance at siring a litter of puppies
was unsuccessful so his beauty and temperament
are lost forever. His presence is a great loss to this
household.
To see Rolex's "scrapbook", click here:
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