Harro v. Klosterberg

Hunter was an import from Germany and the first time I saw him was when he arrived after a very long trip and he was so out of it with medication I had no idea what I had. We traveled to Los Angles to pick him up and on the return flight to Vancouver he was definitely wide awake. The flight attendants took turns walking him up and down the aisle making sure all the children onboard got to pat him. He was such a hit.

His introduction into the household was very interesting as our Cassie was the Queen Bee and was not too sure of him...after a couple of days of growls and nips he found his spot in the hierarchy of the family ? Cassie was still the Queen!

Hunter was such a trouper throughout his life. He was diagnosed with PRA (early onset) at the age of 19 months. This was such a heartbreak for us ? probably more for the humans than the dog. I really believe that Hunter was given to me for a reason and that reason manifested itself over the next 9 years. He was going to make a difference for the Entlebucher breed in the fight against PRA. He was awesome as a poster boy along with Bamse, Matt, and Shaman who also were our afflicted kids that shared the message with our membership and the medical research groups.

He gave his blood several times and finally we received the news we wanted ? the research team found the gene and the marker and from now on there will not be any dogs from our Code of Ethic Breeders that will have a PRA puppy. That heartbreak is over and I am so proud of my Hunter that he was part of this.

Hunter was also an amazing dog in so many other ways. As he was losing his sight he would chew a small hole in his favorite glow ball so when it was thrown for him he could hear it make a noise when it went by. When his sight was gone he still insisted on going for walks in the park and amazed people that he could still play ball just by listening to my instructions. He never missed the chance to be in the Maifest parade and since the first time NEMDA participated he was there ? dressed in his finery and enjoying the moment.

He was also quite the ladies man. His first love was Bliss (Kathy Marshall and Gina Thomas young lass) and he remembered her each time they met. Sassy (David and Coral Denis? little girl) loved him too and would curl up and sleep with him at night when she came to visit.

The girls loved him and even if he walked smack into a tree it just did not matter, they followed him everywhere. But I think he was most enchanted with the two little Mormon girls in his life ? Abby and Gailianna! I feel there was and will be a Canadian influence in both the litters.

He was the light of my life and I continually was amazed and proud at how great he was and how he coped with his disability. He was an inspiration to all afflicted dogs. He could do it all. I am going to miss him terribly, but I do celebrate his life ? he gave so much and I know I was lucky to have him in my life. He is with his friends now and I am sure that Cassie, Tillie and Elder and his two Weimaraner friends, Indy and Astro are there to greet him!!

With love ~ Lynda and all his furry family

**Note from Jane Torma - You just cannot put into words how INCREDIBLY BRAVE AND NOBLE HUNTER WAS! If only humans could face their own problems with the dignity that Hunter and Bamse handled PRA!