Ziggo von der Fasanerie

SCHh3, IPO3, FH, KKL1, SG
(OFA EXCELLENT)
Born: May 12, 1995 - Died December 8, 2008

It is with great sadness that I write. Our dear friend, Ziggo, passed away today at the age of 14.

I remember the first day "Z" and I met at the airport. I looked in the crate and saw a huge head and determined eyes. I thought, "Oh boy! This dog looks like a mean one. Better be extra nice to him." Little did I know....

I opened the crate, snapped on a leash, and in a high, nervous pitch said, "Hi, Ziggo. Do you need to potty after that long flight, Buddy? Out stepped this beautiful, athletic, Marty Feldman-eyed, goober dog who was very glad to be back on solid ground. I breathed a big sigh of relief as Ziggo showed me, a total stranger, a glimpse of the big hearted dog that he was. If one could sum up Ziggo's personality it would have to be that he was simply happy to be alive.

In his youth, Ziggo was a true canine athelete in the sport of Schutzhund. He had TONS of heart and athleticism enough to make Arnold Schwarzenegger quake in his lederhosen. "Z" was a bruiser built like a tank.

His accomplishments included winning the DVG America National Championship in 2001 as well as 2nd and 3rd places in 2000 and 2002, respectively. He also competed in numerous International Championships and took Les to Europe 3 times for competitions.

Ziggo was one heck of a tracker - consistently earning "V" rated scores. In fact, Ziggo was THE ONLY dog in DVG America to ever earn a 100 point track at the DM Championship in Germany.

In obedience, he was driven to please and consistently earned scores in the mid 90's. A little crabby and crowded in the heeling and a few slow sits here and there but, other than that, you simply couldn't ask more of a dog. He adored Les and would gladly do whatever was asked of him.

In protection work, Ziggo had a grip that would quite literally STOP helpers in their tracks. He was a powerhouse. He'd follow that up with a brain rattling "kill shake" that would rock your world.

In his retirement, Ziggo enjoyed the cushy life of being a house dog. He slept a lot and became the caretaker of our home and kennel. And that 100 point nose of his...it still worked to his last days. Even though he was blind and deaf, he could still find that one tiny piece of food dropped in the front yard after working with a board and train dog. Not just find it but walk directly TO it! He always got extra cookies for the most simple of daily routine tasks. He was "Z" and he earned it. A true Champion working dog.

We will miss "Z" as a fixture around our home. The early morning walks to help Les clean kennels and fill water buckets and the late night walks with me to make sure all the other dogs were inside, the bowls were picked up, and the kennel was locked up for the night. And his final gift of helping Logan learn that big dogs weren't so scary after all.

Thank you, Old Man, for all the gifts you've given us. We were truly blessed to have known you. Say Hi to Nakaoa for us and don't let her give you too hard a time. We'll miss you terribly.

Love,
Your Family
(Les, Logan, and Dara)