Zoe thrilled us at 9 weeks when put to the test at her first field trial.  On training day, someone took a clip-wing pigeon and threw it to "see what the pup does."  This clipwing happened to go about four trucks down the row, and underneath one.  Zoe rushed after it with complete confidence of purpose, despite the crowds hanging around waiting to get on the training field, snatched that bird from inside the engine and brought it straight back to me.   To have that much focus at that age, in that atmosphere indicated a very special pup. 

As she grew, we had too many dogs, and especially too many females, so we sold Zoe to a potential trial home.   Zoe was able to thrill her owner Jim Ellsberry with some puppy placements in the midwest, under the training and handling of Jason Givens.  But things change, with people and with dogs, and Zoe has now returned to us and will be running in the Amateur stakes on the West Coast.   

Zoe is a speedster with an outstanding nose and lovely enthusiasm in flushing and retrieving.  Luckily she has the head to keep up with her physical attributes which makes for a truly fun dog to run.  Still a youngster at heart, Zoe is a bit of a prankster, yet an affectionate Springer.  Her long legs, happy tail action and bright, dark eyes are the physical attributes you notice most about this extremely talented girl.   She is truly one of the most stylish and exciting dogs we have ever seen with incredible acceleration in narrowing the scent cone.  We affectionately call her "Zo-Zo" and she sure knows how to "go-go!" 

Zoe placed 2nd in the Amateur at Antelope Valley FT (10/26/02), qualifying for our home state National Amateur Championship!   In 2003, she spent some training time with Gary Breitbarth, and unfortunately her heat cycle kept her out of most of Fall 2003 trials.   Fall 2004 just started with a bang:  Zoe garnered 1st place in the Amateur at a tough trial in Walla Walla, WA (Inland Empire ESSC) -- her first outing of the season!  

Since Tony did not have the time to trial Zoe and she was definitely a prime competitor, we decided to share her with our friend Mike Leonetti.  She still lives close to us, gets to snuggle with us regularly, but Mike and April give her a great home and Mike trains and trials her regularly.  As a result, she finished her AFC points in Utah this March, and completed the water test in August to formally earn the title.   She placed in three Open stakes in the fall of 05, although brother Zeke stole more of the thunder this fall!

Above:  Older brother Bruce, Tony and Zoe in August 04. (They are the male/female versions of each other!)

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