Tess

[Mick Trainer]

At 8.00am this morning I had to put Von Zennith Contesse (Aka Tess) to sleep due to her worsoning condition from cancer of the liver. She was 11 1/2.

On the tangible front Tess was an incedible working dog possessing courage, drive and hardness usually only seen in males. I only had the pleasure of owning her for the last 5 years of her life but had the pleasure of putting her through her paces many times from the pointy end of the working arena and I always regarded her as the second best working bitch I had ever had on the sleeve. She put all but the greatest of males to shame. She is still to this day the only bitch I have stood behind whilst doing security work. Her working ability went without ever being questioned by all who worked her. Words like incredible, awsome etc were used to describe her by even some of the owrlds great trainers.

Her confirmation as well was truly sound. 0/0 hips and similar elbows. Size and substance to die for with a compactness that gave her extreme speed and agility. A breadth of chest unequalled in any bitches I have seen.

She was also a great producer having in total 43 pups from 4 litters producing many great dogs especially in the working field including my own male Von Zane Kyle who took on many of his mothers working traits. From her first litter ever the smallest and weakest of the bitches is doing security work in another part of our country. She has progeny and grand progeny working activly in PP, SchH and S&R fields as well as many sound pets. I suppose the greatest definition of her quality as a producer can be summed up by the fact that the then owners of her was offered $10,000 plus 2 pups from each further litter when her first litter was 7 months old and she and 3 of her offspring attended a seminar and other people saw her working ability. Two days before her death the pick bitch from her last litter gave birth to eight healthy pups. For what she has given us in progeny alone she will not soon be forgotten.

But to judge her only by these tangible qualites would be to sell her well short. As well her working ability was her extremely gentle nature when ever introduced to people or dogs alike. Just 2 weeks ago even with her health failing she spent almost a full day following around my 5 year old nephew looking endlessly for the pets that would come, by her standards, all to infrequently. As well as her own litters she helped raise a Golden Retriever male who was removed from his mother at 4 weeks of age and brought to training. I was able to convince the owners that they should leave the pup with me and that Tess should raise it until 8 weeks which she did with great success. She took the pup in like it was her own and set about teaching it all that mothers do at this age. She could be seen pushing the pup with her paw and submitting when he would crack it at her to build confidence in a pup she considered a bit softer. She truly had a large heart and was one of the great affection givers to anyone who would accept it. A demo dyas even after 8 hours of receiving pups she would be the one dog still looking for more from anyone who cared to even look inher direction. She was truly a dog that could jump from working too full on affection at the blink of an eye. She was not only happy to be petted after work she was down right estactic. Tess was one of the most tacktile dogs I have ever seen. She was not content to just be near you she had to be upon you to be truly happy.

Well that is my testimonial to one of the greatest dogs I have met and been lucky enough to own even for a short time. I will miss her so much it is impossible to describe. She was too much dog for words to describe her. For me she will simply go down as one of "The Greatest".

Mick.

[lovemypuppies]

Dear Mick, I am touched by the beautiful eulogy for your truly great Tess. I am still new here but of course, have the highest respect for the knowledge you so generously share. Your loss is so great, I can only say that the appreciation you showed to your Tess in life is a beautiful thing to read. Marianne.

[targonrotts]

so sorry to hear of your loss.
we all have that great one in our lives we never forget.
rest in peace, tess.

[Bucky's Mom]

i am so sorry - even 11 years isn't long enough

Lisa (Bucky's Mom)

[miccmill]

I am so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing the tale of such a wonderful Rottweiler.

[Ilovemypuppy]

Thank-you for sharing you Tess with us as you have and please accept my sincere sympathy at your great loss Mick.

[spoteet]

So sorry for your loss The working Rottweiler world has lost several great ones over the past few weeks

[observer]

I'm so sorry for your loss, Mick. What a wonderful tribute to a dog who was clearly everything a Rottweiler can be.

They are never with us long enough.

[jas'smom]

I am so terribly sorry for your loss Mick....God Speed Tess.....

[Rene Allegrini]

God speed Tess - I am so terribly sorry for your loss Mick

[Bruce Lanthier]

Sorry to hear about your girl, Mick. Time with them is always to short.

[Karyn]

Oh My! I am truly sorry for such a great loss. You were blessed to have her even for only 5 years - and I am sure they were the happiest years of her life. Fly on the wings of angels dear Tess! She truly lived to the fullest under your careful guidance.

[Anne]

Mick I am so very sorry your Tess has gone. We were only speaking of her a couple of weeks ago.

Goodbye Tess you worked hard, now have your wings, fly free and watch over the man who loved you so.

Rest In Peace Dear Tess

[Gunsey'sMom]

I am so sorry!

What a beautiful tribute to Tess! I can see why she will be missed dearly. Maybe you will see her in the twinkle of the eyes of one of the wonderful dogs she has blessed us with.

[moondog]

Mick,

A beautiful testament to a wonderful girl.....I'm so sorry she had to leave. I'm betting she won't go far.....her job now is to be that tear on your cheek, that smile on your face when you recall how well she performed a task, and that warm feeling that washes over you with memories of her fierce and gentle nature.

Godspeed, Tess!