Life must go on, like it or not...

I am really just a pet owner who breeds a litter of and on... Breeders are not supposed to get too attached to their dogs, well, this is true from what I have seen from breeders in the show circuit. I am not like that, that is clear. Zuni was brought here to be my pet and our protector and look what happened... An out of control hobby arose.

Super star V20 Lana delivered a healthy litter of pups Sired by Eiko von Santamar on the 22nd of December. Boy is she a great whelper.
It created a sensational line breeding of 3, 3 on V2 (12th in the World) Ultri von der Wienerau.
This means, that on Lana's, as well as on Eiko side, Ultri is the Grand Mother of Lana and Eiko, thus the Great Grand Dam of these pups.

That is probably something I am the only one in the world who can do this, being that not many will have male and female grandchildren of Ultri. A 3, 3 on a male is much easier to accomplish, because the males can produce a lot more pups over their short breeding carreers, but a 3, 3 on a GREAT female, is a needle in a haystack combination. So I am pretty excited to see the pups grow up. Especially the females are of great importance, because from what I have seen is that a line breeding on a great female (such as the result of Zaoa of the Z litter) is that it will (hopefully) in the female pups bring in most of the external charactaristics of the female they were line bred on ie: V2 Ultri.

So we will see what the future brings, whether the females OR the males turn out better in this combination.

Sadness at vom Kerschberger

The saddest day of my life happened upon me on the 8th of October, when not one, but two of my dearest and greatest dogs I will ever have the honor of being their care giver to, passed on.

How likely is it that when I finally was ready to surrender Dian to life over the rainbow bridge, after a long struggle with a paralising disease, that not much than 6 hours later on that day Zuni would contract mesenteric torsion, which is twisting of the small intestines, and could not be saved?

I am not just devastated, but stunned as well. My only consolation is to have been so lucky to have known such Truly great dogs.

Zuni, aka Nolte von der Wienerau, has passed on the best of his genes in several Kerschberger litters that will show in small steps only, but boy, was he able to pass on his incredible character in dogs such as Wolfi, Cody, Luke, Zeuss, Zaoa and Bonita. There are many more, but I am pretty out of it now.

Zuni was 11 years and 8 weeks old, born on August 22nd, 1997, not old enough, not long with me enough, only 8 yrs and weeks. He arrived here at age three on August 17th, 2000. He was in good health throughout his life, though battling arthritis, still loving his walks still and eating well. Slowing down from his crazy self lately, but still the superb Alpha male of this pack which he managed with great tolerance and wisdom. Remaining tolerant to even the peskiest of pups.

What does one do when the love of your life leaves you... I have no clue other than I will honor him and am greatful, so greatful, to have been in the presence of him for this time, have his progeny and two of his grandchildren to keep me smiling some day again. There can only be one Zuni. There is no description of the pain and void in my life. The joy that was given to me by such sheer a crap shoot of having him enter in my life by the way how he did enter in my life, well, lets rephrase that, it probably was not luck nor a crap shoot, but destiny. THAT must be what destiny is. To not only learn so much about how a certain breed is supposed to be, but to learn so much about oneself through greatness like this, that can not be co-incidental. It sets the bar very high.

VA Dian still receives admiring emails from around the world. His greatness will be passed on through his Swedish Best of Breed, Best in Show son Space Tobini and his Russian Champion daughter Avangard Glace. He also has progeny in many more countries, including Argentina, the Philipines, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland. He has joined the historic rankings of the cream of the crop of the German Shepherds, the VA ranks in Argentina and Sweden. (excellent select ranking only extended in the Nationals of each country) I will miss him.

When I left the emergency vet clinic that night after Zuni had just passed, I walked onto the parking lot towards my car. It was dark, and the two light posts covering the parking area instantly went out. My car was parked between the two post. All other lights covering the remaining complexes remained on. I exclaimed HE's SIGNING ME He's OK!!! In darkness I fished my purse out of my car to pay the clinic, and while walking away from the car, the lights came back on... I rest my case, these two were special. ,
Two lights for two dogs for two Greats!
Here a short video clip of each, left is Zuni and below his video is Dian. The white nose is sun protection!
Gina

and the beat goes on

V20 Lana delivered the L litter of pups on the 15th of December 07 Sired by Zuni. Three only, 2 boys, 1 girl. Two for me, and one to sell. This may well be Zuni's last litter, as he's 10 1/2 so I have to be careful with what I sell. All three are very good looking pups. This is "Lancelot" ;) I absolutely want one more Zuni son to raise here and this is him. Zuess is already Five after all. Fiesty and independent he was from day one this boy.

I'm working on some very great future generations, but its hard work and a lot of puzzle pieces to put and keep together this bloodline.

Utica is pregnant by Cody, Zuni's fabulous 100% Wienerau son. She is due on the 20th of Feb 08 with 3 to 4 pups. She never has large litters, some females do, some don't. After this litter she will be retired from breeding and move to a friend who has a German Shepherd and she'll be doing a bit of Schutzhund with her.

Meantime, another incredible female is arriving on the 21st! Which will hopefully insert more of the rare Wienerau bloodline into this tiny breeding program of mine.