Houdini's D'Hurlain Pre (Wind'em)
Today was my dog Wind'em's last.
Windy has been a joy to look after these past 4 years since we adopted him from the kennel we bought Scout, our other Llewellin, from and he remained quite healthy and active until very recently. But he has declined quite rapidly over the last month and it has become clear it is time. Born June 2, 1998, at 14 years we feel like he has had a good, long and healthy life.
Elegant, self possessed, gentle with all, he won the hearts of most every person and dog he came into contact with. Perhaps it came from a life spent in a good kennel but he was masterful in handling any dog, whether an aggressive, dominant adult or a frisky and untrained puppy. And there wasn't a person who didn't remark on what a beautiful, gentle and friendly dog he was.
Until we took him, Windy had spent his life at stud. Not a bad life I suppose, an endless parade of ladies to keep him occupied but he seemed happy to retire and come and join our family. He was a great companion to Scout, doing his best to keep that young pup in line. Our son Gordon is close to both dogs. Where Gordon went, so did the dogs and so they were a great constant in Gordon's life as our family went through the recent turmoil of establishing separate households.
Wind'em was known in the Llewellin community throughout North America as a successful stud, with blood lines as pure as can be had. He is a direct descendant of Count Noble, perhaps the most famous hunting dog in history, known in the 1880's as the "$10,000 dog" and the only dog ever honoured by an obituary in the New York Times. Windy's sire, Gladstone Wind'em, was from the kennel founded by the originator of the breed, Purcell Llewellin, which still exists today.
While very different in many respects from my other three Llewellins, I suspect those differences are only evident to those with experience with this great breed. Like all I have come to know, Wind'em had that special something that all Llewellins seem to have and has drawn me to the breed.
My only regret was never having the opportunity to work the fields and forest with him when he was younger. When I adopted him from the kennel at age 10, the breeder asked me not to hunt him. He did, however, spend many hours in the fields with me, just never with a gun.
All of you who have dogs know how difficult a time this can be. Having had to make this decision now 4 times, I can attest to the fact it doesn't get easier with experience. Despite only having Windy for 4 years, he was a loved and valued member of our little family. He will be missed.
Regards,
James
