Oldest Boxer in the 2000 ABC National Specialty
Left to right: Peter Lockwood, Dr. Bob Oliver, Beverly Lockwood,
Amer/Can CH Hilldale’s Sud'n Impact Jodiac, Ilse Loechel, Cal GruverGerman Boxer Club Members
Donate Trophy At 2000 ABC National
One of the surprises of the Award Dinner evening at the ABC this year was the awarding of a trophy from members of the German Boxer Club for the oldest Boxer that participated in the 2000 show.
Mrs Ilse Loechel and Mrs Rosemarie Westphal from Hamburg, attending their first ABC, brought the trophy with them from Germany. They and several other members of the German Internet Boxer Mailing List purchased the trophy and had it engraved with a German inscription.
The award went to Amer/Can CH Hilldales Sud'n Impact Jodiac, who turned 11 last March, owned by Bev and Peter Lockwood.
Mrs. Loechel's moving presentation, which is printed in its entirety belown, brought tears to the eyes of many at the dinner. Since the award had been kept a secret, not even the Lockwoods knew why their presence at the dinner was requested by the ABC president himself.
Presentation Speech by Ilse Loechel, Hamburg, Germany
Ladies and gentlemen,
In Rosi's and my name, first of all I would like to thank you very much for this invitation to your show. We are both very honored to be able to take part in such a wonderful Boxer show.
We are very happy to be able to meet with American Boxers—and also their owners, because we all have one thing in common: Our love and joy for Boxers!
A lot of our German Boxer friends envy us today for having this opportunity to be here—but all of them told us to greet all American Boxer friends very much.
Dear Boxer friends, we also have similar shows like this in Germany. Experience has taught and showed me that the most celebrated parties are always the Boxer puppies, followed by the beautiful and strong Boxer males and females.
But the most important participants—in our point of view—in a show like this, sometimes stand a bit in the shadows. Their glamour days are gone, and how fast do we forget about them.
I am talking about our senior Boxers, which have been along our side for 10 years and more. They have been best of friends —through good and bad times—they’ve been our loyal companions, those whom we may have to say goodbye to soon —they are the ones who deserve our utmost respect.
This is the reason why Rosi and I have decided to give this cup to the oldest Boxer of the show who was still fit enough to make this journey and to participate in a show like this one.
We wish all of you will keep this show in good memory, as we will, and that you were satisfied with the success you’ve reached. Please keep in mind, no matter how your Boxer has been judged—for you he will and should be the best and most beautiful always!
Dear friends, Boxers are not our whole life, but they sure make our life whole.
Thank you.
Email From Bev Lockwood to Show-Boxer List
I had shown my Suddi, Amer/Can Ch Hilldale's Sud'n Impact Jodiac in Veterans at age 11 yrs 2 mos. I was a nervous wreck as I love this class and it may be his last at ABC. He is still in great health but with our breed, you never know. He showed like a dream and flew around the ring to applause. We took second in his class, and we were thrilled.
We were asked to be at the Awards Dinner on Thursday night and were clueless why. The only table available at that late reservation time was right up front by the awards table. We were with friends from Pennsylvania, so did not think much of it. Little did we know.
Peter was thrilled when he won the centerpiece. He was like a little kid. Actually the dinner was great for a change. Before dessert was served, they were getting ready to start the presentations, and I had to go to the bathroom. Others at the table told me I could not go right now and had to wait.
Then President Bob Oliver got up and introduced all the international guests and what countries they were from. He had Cal come up to introduce the guests from Germany. Cal said they had emailed him and wanted to present an award. Since it was not listed on the premium, he had to figure out how to do it. Then he introduced Ilsa Loechel, and she started with a lovely speech about being there and seeing all the dogs. She said they wanted to do something special. Awards are always given for puppies, stud dogs, winners, etc. but forget about those who
quoting her...
"sometimes stand a bit in the shadows. Their glamour days are gone and how fast do we forget about them..
"I am talking about our senior Boxers who have been along our side for 10 years and more. They have been our best of friends—through good and bad times, they've been our loyal companions—those whom we may have to say goodbye to soon—they are the ones, who deserve our utmost respect."
That was when I lost it, as I realized they were talking about Veterans. The tears just started pouring down my face.They presented us with a gorgeous trophy from Germany engraved [ in German] TO THE OLDEST VETERAN BOXER AT ABC 2000. Our Suddi was the oldest. There were not too many dry eyes in the room of 450 people. We were both so stunned.
I can't begin to tell you how special this was to us. We are both so happy and it was such a beautiful presentation and award. It is one of a kind and probably will never be repeated. And to make it even more special, he is our first home-bred Champion. We had tons of people coming up to congratulate us...even people who I had no idea who they were. The next day we had a picture taking with Ilsa Loechel, Cal and President Bob Oliver and, of course, Suddi. We still are in 7th heaven. Now I have to get a special curio cabinet to hold the award. When we were having the picture taken, she also presented me with a tote bag that she makes herself.
My heartfelt thanks to the German Boxer Club, Ilsa Loechel and Rosi Westphal, for this beautiful tribute.
Beverly & Peter Lockwood Hilldale's Boxers, Syracuse, NY
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