WINDROCK LLC

 Better known as "Bubba", this remarkable greyhound was bred by Jack & Maggie Mitchell under the guidance of Joan Dalebout, and acquired at four months of age by Kim and Colin Fritzler of WINDROCK Hounds.

Kim remembers that even as a puppy, Bubba was fiercely independent, headstrong and very stubborn. He was anything but easy to work with! The Fritzler's recognized that they had a beautiful, but rebellious young dog that would require special handling. With the wisdom born of years of experience, they slowly and carefully set about the task of revealing the diamond in the rough. This would take an inordinate amount of time, training and patience. Kim and Colin were not deterred, they saw in Bubba the promise of future greatness and they believed in him--and in each other.

When the time came, Bubba, expertly conditioned, trained and shown by Kim Fritzler was presented to the dog show fancy and the rest is Greyhound History! Possessing an indescribable charisma and electrifying presence  all wrapped up in a male greyhound's sinewy grace, Bubba was quickly recognized and awarded by the top dog show judges of the day! The incomparable First Lady Of Dogs, Mrs. Anne Rogers Clark gave the white and red rising star his first Best In Show! In an amazing two years, totally owner-handled by Kim Fritzler and restrictively shown, highlights of Bubba's phenomenal accomplishments include:

 #1 Greyhound in 1996 & 1997 (Group & BIS wins)

7 All Breed Best In Shows, including two back to back BIS wins

6 SBIS, including back to back GCA Eastern wins.

BOB Westminster 

Undefeated with his get in Stud dog classes

Bubba is the all time top AKC greyhound champion sire and  he the top owner-handled greyhound dog  in North America! He is one of the breed's top 5 BIS winning males. He has sired more BIS & SBIS winners than any other greyhound and his get include many top ranked winners. His lovely daughter, BIS/SBIS Ch Huzzah Molly Malone is one of the top winning greyhounds ever with 13 BIS wins. Our own BIS/SBIS Ch Greystone's Barcelona was the #1 Greyhound Dog in 2001 & 2002.

From a breed health standpoint, Bubba's star as a significant sire really shines! Bubba himself was thoroughly health screened, OFA/CERF, thyroid and heart functions, and we required that females mated to him have  OFA/CERF clearances. To the best of our knowledge, out of his 113 children, there have been NO reported cases of ANY eye problems (a concern right now in the breed), NO hip or elbow dysplasia, and the incidence of GDV (bloat/torsion)  affecting his get is astounding--less than 7%--the breed average is at 19%!  As a whole, Bubba's offspring have had very few health aliments.

Time has proven that Bubba's  genetic influence on the Greyhound breed is a strong and positive one!  As outstanding as the dog was, he couldn't have done it all by himself--after all the sire is only half of the equation! Credit is due to the lovely females who whelped the puppies and to the breeders who sought him out to enhance their bloodlines.

WINDROCK is well known for our line of winning show and performance greyhounds and most of our dogs are descended from this amazing greyhound. We only need look at the hounds lounging on the couch to see constant reminders of Bubba's proponent bloodline.

We were privileged to know and love him and the Journey Bubba took Colin and I on was one Hell of a Ride!

       Bubba's #1 ranked son~in the ring and in our hearts

 (BIS/SBIS Ch Shazam's The Journey Begins  JC x Ch Arborcrest Europa JC)  DOB 11/08/1996 

WINDROCK acquired Barc as a stud fee puppy from his breeders, Steve & Sharon Heward. A son of the flashy top winning Ch Shazam's The Journey Begins JC, Barc was not at all reminiscent of his father!  He was a rather understated, compactly built little dog of dusty brown coloring.  Not overdone in any way, Barc was easily overlooked--until he moved.  Then you couldn't take your eyes off of him!  He was a very clean, balanced mover with a wonderful flowing gait.

Shown by Kim, Barc finished his AKC championship very quickly with multiple BOB wins and group placements from the classes.  Shown lightly, he was the #1 Greyhound dog in 2001 & 2002.  He won 4 BIS and 2 SBIS and was even High In Trial at the 2004 GCA Eastern Specialty, where his children won SIBS, WB,RWB, and another took the major in lure coursing!

Sire of the WINDROCK bred, "ABBA" litter, Barc and Ch Sobers Aquatica SC, gave us multiple BIS/SBIS winners, Breed Champions, Field Champions and Dual Champions along with multiple #1 winners in both the ring and on the field. 

Barc was as good a show dog as I have ever shown.  He was a "push button thing." He would self stack, respond instantly to the slightest gestures and always gave his best.  He loved to show and would really turn it on when it counted.  He made ME his handler, look a whole lot better than I actually was!  I haven't had the desire to special another dog since Barcelona. He spoiled me by making it look easy.

More than anything, Barc was my friend.  He would listen sympathetically while I complained about work or expressed concerns about things I found troubling.  After hearing me out, he would reach over, touch me with his paw and stare at me with those expressive eyes, "hey Kim! You've got me! I'll help you get though this!  And he always did  .  .  .

A kennel accident resulted in his expiring at age 9.  We were away at the time and were devasted at the loss of our "bestest buddy".

Barc was co-owned by our dear friend Marti Bradford.  Both of them have long since passed over the Rainbow Bridge. We sure miss them.

Good people and good dogs.  Neither of them live anywhere near long enough . . .

                                      Marti Bradford  with her beloved Beau.  9/29/1940  ~ 11/24/2005 

Remembering Marti  .  .  .

Will be a simple task, because to me, she hasn't left. Not a day goes by that I do not fail to savor a quiet reflection of Marti and what she might think or say. Such moments usually come when I am alone contemplating the merits of a gangly youngster out in one of our paddocks. I can almost hear her South Texas drawl, "Yes, he's loose there in front, but give him time, he'll come around  " . . or  "Yes, she's small, but Sugar, she's got it where it counts." Marti's intuition on such matters was rarely amiss.

Of simple, down-home upbringing myself, Marti's unwavering honesty and refusal to comprise her personal integrity were a refreshing change from what I had come to expect of many in the dog show fancy. We saw eye to eye on many issues, but could disagree without being disagreeable on others. Marti never sugar-coated a thing. I liked that. A person always knew where they stood with her, and she darn sure wasn't shy about calling you out on the carpet if the occasion called for it.

She bred some wonderful greyhound dogs, One was the highly campaigned and promoted Ch Gerico's Chasing The Wind. Pity that so many of that dog's advertisements failed to credit Marti as a co-breeder. Another white dog of note was Ch Martigra's Cupid's Beau, a dog that Marti allowed me a co-ownership in and in return, I gave her a co-ownership in a rather understated, plain little brindle dog that she saw as a youngster and was instantly enamored by what she foresaw.

You know, she was the only person that recognized early on something special about the dog known as Barcelona. It was a source of great satisfaction to Marti when Barc did indeed fulfill her prophecy and become not only a multiple BIS/SBIS winner, but the #1 greyhound dog two years running. I will never forget Marti's unfailing belief in that little dog--or in me.

Upon learning of Marti's affliction with terminal cancer, my husband Colin and I made a point of attending the 2005 Southern Specialty. We knew it would be the last time either of us would ever get to see her alive. How wonderful that the Fates allowed Marti's breeding a resounding success that day--her greyhounds swept well- nigh all the major awards, SBIS, WB,BOW, RWB, BISweeps and Brood Bitch!!

Seeing her bask in the glory of that specialty triumph, not yielding to a frail body ravaged by the cancerous demon within her--I know now there is for sure a God. For He allowed Marti that one final victory in the arena that she so reverently adored. That is the memory of Marti I will hold dearest for the remainder of my days.

I know not the Author to credit the following, but I think these words are appropriate.

                              WHAT CANCER CANNOT DO

Cancer is so limited . . .

 It cannot cripple Love
It cannot shatter Hope
It cannot corrode Faith
It cannot destroy Peace
It cannot kill Friendship
It cannot suppress Memories
It cannot silence Courage
It cannot invade the Soul
It cannot conquer the Spirit.

  Good-bye Marti.  I was privileged to know you and call you my Friend.  
                                                                                                           

"Karmen" was my heart dog. If you are lucky enough to have such a dog in your life, you know exactly what I am talking about.

Karmen was WINDROCK's first ASFA and AKC Field Champion and also our first Dual Champion. A tall up-standing blue brindle bitch of generous proportions, she finished her AKC bench championship with some nice wins, including a Specialty RWB. As an owner handler, I have shown many of our dogs to Best In Show wins. One of my fondest moments in the ring was with Karmen. Usually Karmen's ring performances where a begrudgingly "I'm only doing this for you" affair, she despised the silly notion of being touched by perfect strangers and trotting nowhere in a circle. However, at the 2004 GCA Western I showed her in Best Dual Champion and her spectacular performance thrilled my heart and won her the award. Had she shown like that all her career I have no doubt that she would have been a BIS winner. But Karmen didn't care about such things. And neither did I.

As a 6 month old puppy, Karmen was originally sold to Susan Mallonee of Amberwind. Susan had loved Barcelona, Karmen's father, and she gave her a wonderful home. It was Susan who introduced the both of us to lure coursing! Karmen gained all her titles with Susan. Changes in Susan's home situation and an incident in which one of her whippets was injured prompted Karmen's return to us. I will always be grateful to Susan for all that she did for Karmen.

Karmen lived with us for over three years after her return.  I have never known a dog that savored life as Karmen did. Every moment of every day she lived Life to its fullest.  It was like she knew that her remaining time would be brief and she crammed as much into every day as she could. The weeping willow we planted specifically for the greyhounds to "trance" under we refer to as "Karmen's Tree".  How she loved the sensation of the drooping branches gently touching her back and sides! The expanse of our acreage gave Karmen the freedom of running 'all out' with the wind whistling in her ears and hours of endless play with her littermates and younger relatives.  Almost a veteran she still played like a puppy with the youngsters while her sisters dozed.  Karmen was never sick a day in her life and seemed invincible.

Her greatest love was coursing and she had more raw courage and heart than any dog I have ever known.  She never gave up.  Never.  She was big and had a tremendous stride, but was often outrun by her sibling "Naughty", who was smaller, swifter, and more agile. Defeat never fazed Karmen. She never quit, never cheated and was blissfully happy for each opportunity to run.  Karmen always gave her best and the many pictures taken of her chasing the plastic bag show her bright eyed with a big smile on her face.

At home, it was always Karmen who was first to greet Colin and I as we returned from work.  She would enthusiastically greet and accompany him to the house and return to the yard to await for my arrival which could be hours later.  When I would finally drive up, Karmen would bound gleefully to the gate and force her muzzle into my hand and thus lead me to the door of our home.

She shared our home with her three sisters, Naughty, Whisper and Cassandra, but it was Karmen who slept with us and often checked on both Colin and I-- me in the shower (or he in particular in the bathroom!) to make sure that we were 'all right'. Whenever the van door was opened, in a flash, she would leap inside, tongue laughing and eyes dancing-ready for the next adventure!

Colin and I both admired Karmen's unbridled exuberance for Life. Karmen did everything with gusto. I try hard to emulate her philosophy as she truly lived and loved.  Passionately.

Abruptly, Karmen left us in September of 2007. The agonizing decision had to be made to end her life owing to unfavorable prognosis after surgery.  She fought valiantly for Life as she had lived, giving all she had.  The battle was too great, it could not be won and Colin and I loved her enough to let her go.

Our beloved Karmen runs with the Angels now . . . through bitter tears I imagine that she is leading them all.

Losing her has been very difficult.  Life has lost much of its color without her.

**********************

To Bury A Good Dog

One would say that there are various places in which a dog may be buried. I am thinking now of a setter whose coat was bright in the sunshine and who, so far as we are aware, never entertained a mean or unworthy thought. This setter is buried underneath a cherry tree, under four feet of garden loam, and at its proper season the cherry strews petals on the green lawn of his grave.

Beneath a cherry tree, or an apple, or any flowering shrub of the garden, is an excellent place to bury a good dog. Beneath such trees, such shrubs he slept in the drowsy summer, or gnawed at a flavorous bone, or lifted head to challenge some strange intruder. These are good places, in Life or in Death. Yet it is a small matter. For if the dog be well remembered, if sometimes he leaps through your dreams actual as in Life, eye kindling, laughing, begging, it matters not where that dog sleeps.

On a hill where the wind is unrebuked, and the trees are roaring, or beside a stream he knew from puppyhood, or somewhere in the flatness of a pasture land, where most exhilarating cattle graze. It is all one to the dog, and all one to you, and nothing is lost--If Memory lives. But there is one best place to bury a dog. If you bury him in this spot, he will come to you when you call--come to you over the grim, dim frontiers of Death, and down the well-remembered path and to your side again. And though you call a dozen living dogs to heel they shall not growl at him, nor resent his coming for he belongs there.

People may scoff at you, who see no lightest blade of grass bent by his footfall, who hear no whimper, people who may never really have had a dog. Smile at them, for you shall know something that is hidden from them, and which is well worth knowing. The one best place to bury a good dog is in the heart of his master.

Written by Ben Hur Lampman

This tragedy will reveal why home inspections by breeders should be mandatory. 

 Windrock Does Your Mother Know, alias "Guilty" was the biggest and strongest puppy from  Windrock's impressive ABBA litter. I remember little Guilty very well, he was a funny blue brindle puppy with a great sense of humor.  Although he was a bit big and strong for my tastes, he was a very well conformed dog with wonderful lines and beautiful sidegait.  He moved his large frame with surprising agility and had superior conformation--beautiful feet, low hocks and straight limbs. He was an exceptional male greyhound in every sense of the word.

Guilty was the #1 Greyhound Dog (Group and BIS wins) in 2003.  He was SBIS over a tremendous entry at the 2003  GCA Eastern judged by Rita Bond. He was a multiple Group winner and had a BIS win at an International Kennel Club show. He was a kind and loving dog and a great ambassador for the breed. 

Guilty was sold to an unscrupulous Cheyenne, Wyoming woman. She deceived us by lies and misrepresentation. She lives here and gave us another address as her residence and we BELIEVED her and did not investigate.  An oversight that cost an innocent dog his life.  The photos  are of the actual residence of this unscrupulous party. Too naive were Colin and I, and much too trusting--we believed the lies we were told told and fell for this woman's glowing words that the dog would be properly fed and housed--hook, line and sinker. Too late we were made aware of the horrific conditions  the dog was subject to and tragically Guilty was dead before four years of age. Of neglect.

 c

 Had I done an actual home inspection on the woman who bought him, Guilty would be alive today as I NEVER would have sold the person living in these deplorable conditions a dog. No one who honestly gives a damn about their dogs would knowingly put one in a situation like this.  Not surprisingly, I have learned that many other dogs have perished here for want of proper care.

 As Breeders, we play a vital role in the creation of Life.  The decisions in placing the puppies that we have worked so hard to raise and love as our own flesh and blood should not come back to haunt us. It behooves all of us to thoroughly investigate a party BEFORE entrusting them with a dog.  I grieve for poor Guilty. He deserved far better.

Sobers Corinne was one of two bitches Colin and I first imported from Scandinavia to advance our breeding program.

Corinne finished her AKC Championship with four major wins and multiple BOB and Group placements. A stunning fire red brindle she was very curvy and fit the Standard to a T!  She had a big open stride and covered ground in an effortless manner.  She had very large dark eyes and the most endearing "smile",--Corinne would show all of her pearly whites as part of conversation when I chatted with her.

I talk to our dogs just like with other folks, and they talk back, in their own way, of course. Corinne was a brilliant conversationalist.  I would mention another greyhound's name, say for example, her half sister "Abby" (Sobers Aquatica) Corinne would look at Abby, wrinkle her nose, flash that amazing smile, and alternately reach forward with one of her forelegs for emphasis while jawing articulately.  A true tattle-tale-- she would 'rat out' any culprits that had done wrong.  She was quite the personality!

Corinne had two litters in which she produced some wonderful, multi-talented greyhounds.  From her first litter  sired by BIS Int Windrock Fernando came DC Windrock Stray Cat Strut SC FCH , the lovely red bitch, Ch Windrock Rev It Up and Go who was Top Ten ranked in Conformation,  Specialty BOS winning Ch Windrock Blast Off and the ASFA II BOB winner,  MBIF DC Windrock Lookin' Better Every Beer SC FCH.

Corinne's second litter was a bit of an experiment. She was put to Ch Windrock Go Go Gadget JC who is of half NGA (racing) breeding.  Out of this combination came the Grand National Best In Field winner and AKC National Champion, MBIF NFC FC Windrock Candle In The Wind SC LCX Fch,  and the beautiful Windrock Toni The Tiger who has BOB conformation wins.  Several pups are pursuing careers in therapy and as 4-H projects. We are pleased with the litter and look to the infusion of more outcrossed blood in the future.

My team roping partner used to say, "The only time Thoroughbred blood ever hurt the Quarter Horses was when it wasn't there."  There is a lot of truth in that statement, especially in breeds of dogs with small gene pools like AKC greyhounds. 

Corinne now waits for us at the Rainbow Bridge.  Colin and I both miss her and the funny little things she used to do. Blood does tell, and Corinne's look alike daughter Toni smiles like her . . . and just the other day Toni told me about one of her sister Amber's misdeeds . . .

Angie was one of many exceptional greyhounds from Windrock's  sensational "ABBA" litter.  A beautiful dark blue brindle with black beady eyes  she was a most promising puppy and the Fritzler's wanted someone special for her.  Her quality was recognized early on by Swedish breeder Inger Jonnsson of "Skyings" kennel fame and Angie left the States as a 4 month old sapling to go live in Scandinavia!

Angie had a wonderful life with Inger and Rolf and had a brilliant show career in which won Championships in many countries and earned the title of International Champion! She held the record for the most CC wins for a bitch in Sweden! 

Although Angie enjoyed a great show career her greatest strength lay in the whelping box.  Inger bred her wisely and Angie produced many worthy champions and BIS winners and her influence is strong even in her grandchildren.  She left a wonderful legacy. Angie left her family at the age of 7 yrs owing to a terminal brain tumor.

A Loan From God

God promised at the birth of time,
A special friend to give,
Her time on earth is short, he said,
So love her while she lives.

It may be only five or six years,
Or twelve or then sixteen,
But will you, till I call her back,
Take care of her for me?

A wagging tail and cold wet nose,
And silken velvet ears,
A heart as big as all outdoors,
To love you through the years.

Her puppy ways will gladden you,
And antics bring a smile,
As guardian or friend she will,
Be loyal all the while.

She'll bring her charms to grace your life,
And though her stay be brief,
When she's gone the memories,
Are solace for your grief.

I cannot promise she will stay,
Since all from earth return,
But lessons only a dog can teach,
I want you each to learn.

Whatever love you give to her,
Returns in triple measure,
Follow her lead and gain a life,
Brim full of simple pleasure.

Enjoy each day as it comes,
Allow your heart to guide,
Be loyal and steadfast in love,
As the dog there by your side.

Now will you give her all your love,
Nor think the labor vain,
Nor hate me when I come to call,
To take her back again?

I fancy each of us would say,
"Dear Lord, thy will be done,
For all the joy this dog shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.

"We'll shelter her with tenderness,
We'll love her while we may,
And for the happiness we've known,
Forever grateful stay.

"But shall the angels call for her,
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
And try to understand."

 The little red girl with the biggest heart~

 Javelin is in blue sprinting off of the line!  Lure coursing out here in the Western US is highly competitive and in spite of her diminite size, "Javie" proved she could run with the best of them!  Javelin was bred by Elaine Summerhill and Laurel Drew. WINDROCK proudly co-owned this little red dynamo with  Elaine.  After the 2007 Grand National, Javelin went back home with Elaine and we sadly bid her good-bye.  

 Elaine brought Javelin to the 2008 So. Colo KC shows where she noted that Javelin clearly wanted to go home with us.  After tearfully hugging Javie, Elaine handed the leash to Colin.  "Take her, she knows where she wants to go"  . . . it was an emotional moment. I know how much Elaine loves her dogs and how hard it was for her to hand Javelin over. 

So Javelin came back home to WINDROCK and moved right back in and lived with us for a number of years. A little busybody, she told the calves to eat all their food and the pups to stay out of the irrigation ditch.  We could count on Javelin to keep an  eagle-eye on things for us and she was a much loved companion until kidney failure stole her from us. Javelin gave us only one puppy to remember us by, but what a puppy she was--MBIF DC Windrock DM The One And Only SC Fch "Nikki" who is a constant reminder of her lovely mother.

  GOT'CHA!!!!!

Javelin was a superb courser! She enjoyed a long coursing career, mostly lure coursing, but was a good running open field dog .  This amazing photo was taken at the 2008 Grand Nationa when she was a veteran!

Sire: BIS/SBIS Ch Greystone's Barcelona x Ch Sobers Aquatica SC   DOB 11/11/00   CERF

Cassie was one of the ABBA litter that featured so many outstanding puppies! She was a substantial blue brindle lady  with strong bone and hard, well defined muscling. She finished her AKC Championship with some impressive wins. Cassie was Reserve Winners Bitch to her sister at the 2006 GCA Eastern but avenged her defeat by going WB over Whisper the next two days at the specialty supported entry shows.  Cassie also won Best Of Breed to finish at these large shows. These two brindle sisters dominated taking the points over large entries on the 2006 Eastern Specialty weekend!  Cassie returned in 2007 to take another BOB on this highly competitive weekend!

Cassie was an exceptional mover with open effortless sidegait and totally clean on the up and back. She never put a foot down wrong. Lightly shown as a mature bitch she had multiple Group placements and really liked to strut her stuff--much like her daddy Barcelona!  We would show her occasionally as a Veteran and what great fun she had! 

Like so many of WINDROCK's exceptional Greyhounds, Cassie never had puppies. The reasons are many, often because a suitable mate could not be found, or the time wasn't right owing to work demands or family commitments. Cassie would have been a great Mom, and enjoyed playing with her little nieces and nephews. 

Cassie's three sisters-Karmen, Naughty and Whisper are Dual Champions and Cassie herself loved to run. Her interpretation of how a course should be run was creative to say the least.  Cassie actually became a better courser as an older bitch. She managed to earn a Senior Courser title and multiple AKC field points. Colin and I used to joke about if we could figure out how to tie a T-Bone steak to the line, she'd be tough to beat!  Cassie loved her food!  Just a few months shy of her 12th birthday, Cassie left us in 2012 after a brief illness, 

It is so hard watching those you love deteriorate and then ultimately,  that final agonizing trip to the veterinary.  Goodbye Cassie.  Every time I open the cookie jar, I think of you .