When I think about poodles, I think of Klaus – a black and white standard poodle that seems to have come straight out of a novel.
What comes to mind when someone tells you they have a poodle? Do you think of the perfectly coifed dogs you see in dog shows – all blobs and puff – or a small dog that can be carried around in a handbag? What about a dog that is a great hunter or just looks fantastic walking down the street with sensational hair and that star quality Lipizzaner-like gait?
When I think about poodles, I think of Klaus – a black and white standard poodle that seems to have come straight out of a novel. Indeed, Klaus is the swashbuckling D’Artagnan from the Three Musketeers – both dashing and daring, debonair and incredibly smart, admired and adored by everyone, thoughtful and able to execute complex problems with calculated ease. I know I shouldn’t anthropomorphize, but in Klaus’s case I think it’s appropriate, because he was special, and if you can call a dog legendary – well he certainly was that.
Klaus, a favorite with Victoria Stilwell Academy students, graduates and dog lovers all over the world, sadly died this past weekend after a heroic battle with cancer and it is difficult to imagine the world without him. Any VSA graduate or student that has seen him work and had the privilege of actually meeting and working with him during the US In-Person Track of the Dog Trainer Course knows what I’m talking about.
Klaus was the kind of dog that made you smile. When he entered any room during class or at home, he would make you grin from ear to ear. He had an energy that gave you energy, a vitality that made you want to spend time with him and a desire to learn and solve problems that made him an incredible teacher. He was wise and tolerant of every student, even those who were at the start of their learning journey, trying to figure out how things are done. He approached life with curiosity and joy.
He also had an incredible teacher. Klaus hit the lottery when he came into Aly’s life as a little puppy and from day one, he was raised with such devotion. Aly fostered his love of learning, enriched his life with wonderful experiences, helped him navigate his challenges and nurtured his curious spirit. They were a perfect team.
Our hearts break for Aly, who spent eleven years of her life next to this amazing being. We mourn his loss too because we will no longer be able to reach out and greet him, to see him work and learn right in front of us and to make us feel good. But he will never leave our memories. He will keep teaching students via the numerous videos he stars in both for the VSA and Positively courses and he will always make us smile when we think about him.
Dogs don’t have long on this planet and everyone who has loved and lost a dog mourns that fact, but when we share time with a dog we get to experience something very special. We are constantly reminded what it is like to feel joy, to have courage, to overcome challenging situations, to be curious and to be loved. How lucky we are.
Klaus, you will be sorely missed but rest easy now you, “brave and adventurous captain.” You were a perfect gentleman, a courageous warrior to the end and an endlessly joyful being. We promise to look after Aly because we know she was your everything and she is like you in so many ways. She has more work to do on this planet to teach people about dogs like you, to educate the teachers of tomorrow and to show people all over the world how incredible dogs are. You helped nurture that gift and for that, dearest Klaus, we are eternally grateful.