CH. ELHEW SWAMI HAS DIED

CH. ELHEW SWAMI HAS DIED

It is with a heavy heart that I write this. Our great dog and champion, Elhew Swami, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning, May 11.

She had had a recent bout with some tumors in her breast that had been removed and we thought she was in the clear, but without any warning she died in my home, on her bed, quickly and without any suffering. Bama, as she was called, would have been 12 years of age July 3.

As many of you know she had an unbelievable career as a shooting dog under the whistle of Shawn Kinkelaar. They had a fabulous rapport; it was an absolute ball watching Bama work for Shawn.

Bama ended her career with 16 open shooting dog championship titles with another 14 runner-up championship wins and a total of 40 wins. She won the Top Shooting Dog of the Year Award a remarkable three times. She was as tough of a competitor as you will find in any sport.

Bama was jointly owned by myself, Stan Howton and Bryce Flaming. Bryce Flaming bred the litter (Elhew Jefferson-Hanna’s Elhew Lou), whelped July 3, 1998.

We decided to retire her from competition three years ago before she turned nine. She spent the rest of her time at our home in Kentucky as Lisa’s and my house dog, having the full run of the place. She accompanied me to work and was my constant companion.

Lisa and I, along with Stan and Bryce, were very blessed to have had her and will miss her greatly.

Thanks for one helluva ride, Bama.

— Rob Butler