Taku, a short time after he made the cut down
to the final eight
in American Bred at the National under Judge Tom Coen
A juicy 4 point AKC major -- shown
by Jan Williams
Taku's first three Canadian points!!!
Thank you, Jan!!!
This beautiful little sable boy
was a wonderful example of the breed, with a beautiful, lean head, fabulous
front, nice rear, chest and a gorgeous coat. He moved out cleanly and
beautifully. Finishing his AKC championship in 2005 with
four majors in a row, including a BOB, Taku stole the hearts of all he met. At the National this past year, his fan club was in the stands
cheering him on, while Stephanie, his favorite person in all the world (other
than Jan Williams and his mom), helped him show off his stuff in the ring, making it to the final
cut of eight dogs in American Bred under Tom Coen.
Taku earned his Canadian
championship in the fall of 2004. On Halloween weekend in Abbottsford, British Columbia,
I was able to put two Best of Winners and Best of Breeds on this fabulous dog to
finish what had been started at a show a week or so prior with Jan Williams at the end of the lead. In the process, he went BOB over a top-ranked special, an American
champion working on his Canadian championship, and his own fabulous
half-brother, Am/Can Ch.
Coastal Wyndsong's Promise (Keeper).
Taku was a very special
dog. I will remember and love him for the rest of my life. Sadly,
he was taken from me much too early -- probably the result of a eating something
that injured his intestines, resulting in intussception and adhesions. He
soldiered on for as long as possible, for many months past expectations (the
best surgeons wouldn't touch him because it involved the major blood supply to
his intestines). I tried every remedy I could find. Finally, I could
see that he was in almost constant, and sometimes unbearable pain. I was
forced to face the greatest obstacle of my life... and give in to what was
necessary out of love.
The grief you feel for the loss
of a best friend and constant companion is profound. Indescribable.
Almost unbearable.
Am/Can Ch. Coastal Wyndsong's Take'Em
By Storm "Taku"
November 24, 2002 - June 27, 2005
My sweet baby boy, right up to
the end, would try to jump up on my bed if I wasn't there in time to lift him
up. A couple of times a night, he'd gently nose me awake to take him
outside, or wake me with his terrible breath, as he wasn't able to hold himself
all night. He loved to bite my ankles and play growl at me, always
eliciting a smile or a laugh. He never failed, no matter how he was
feeling, to thump his tail, or close his eyes in bliss when I stroked his head
and ears. It was hard to let him go. So hard.
We went for a walk shortly before
the vet's office, and he was able to sniff and mark and sniff some more. I
could tell he enjoyed that brief interlude. I wish so much that he didn't
have to go -- that we could have many more walks in the tall grass.
He was very appropriately named.
He took my heart, and the American and Canadian show rings by storm. He is
well loved, and so very terribly missed.
Goodbye, sweet
prince!
Taku at nine months
Taku
(on right) won Best Puppy in Breed and
Reserve
Winner's Dog shown by my son Michael
at the Yukon Kennel Club shows in
Whitehorse, YT (Canada) at six months of age.
He
is shown above with his litter brother, Storm, who is AKC
pointed and who also won
best puppy in breed in the other
show held that day.
Taku
is the name of a "Southeast Alaska" wind,
one
that can reach hurricane force.
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