We said goodbye to our beloved Elena when she was 17 years, 2 weeks, and 6 days old.  She was everything we hoped our first Welsh Springer would be: lively, smart, silly, and affectionate.  We loved her so much.  The house isn't the same without her.

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Elena was our first Welsh Springer, and boy were we busy!  She was a mischievous puppy, always keeping us guessing as to what kind of trouble she would get into next.  My older daughter and I started her in puppy kindergarten as quickly as possible and then, much to our surprise, she earned her Canine Good Citizen certificate at only 4-1/2 months.  An AKC spokesperson thought that Elena might be the youngest dog ever to pass the test.

June 2006

Elena won Best Puppy in Breed at the Maryland Sporting Dog show at 8 months, under the late esteemed judge Anne Rogers Clark, with her first championship point coming a few weeks later.  Our older daughter showed her in Junior Showmanship and moved up from the Novice to Open division in tough competition.  Younger daughter also showed Elena in Juniors until she completed her Novice wins.

At the age of 4 Elena had a total of 10 points, with a number of major reserve wins, but she still needed the two majors required for her championship.  We suspected that she was bored with showing, so we gave her a break.  A year later we entered her in three shows, and Elena quickly won a major, a major reserve, and another major to finish.

We like Elena's correct proportions, rectangular outline, rib spring, and "round and spanielly" body.  She's one of the smartest dogs we've ever owned, and the easiest of our four Welshies to live with.

After a litter sired by Ch. Rysan's Just For Me in 2007, Elena was retired from breeding and conformation.  She earned her Rally Novice Title at our national specialty weekend in April 2011, and occasionally I take her into the veterans class, where she loves being a show dog again. 

Elena at 13


July 2006, age 5

Elena at 9 years old.  We think she has reached
her mature years with dignity and grace.


Photos above Anthony W. Lee

Elena seems to be expressing what she thought of her photo shoot


Photo Catherine C. Lee    

February 2006

Photo Isabelle Francais 

July 2001