In Memory of Tank
6/24/90 - 9/18/04

In Loving memory of
Ch. Crockett's Rumrunner, CD
known to everyone as
Tank

We were looking for a Frenchie to replace our first one who died. We went to the breeder and we sat down on the cement pad while she let all the dogs out. Everyone was running around while Tank came over to us. He chose us and when I saw what a gorgeous Frenchie he was I was sure he was the right dog for us. From the first day to his last he was a lover as all Frenchies should be.

Tank had been a kennel dog and it took time to teach him proper behavior. He did not want to be scolded and he soon learned right from wrong. He always sought to please us.

When we asked him to go in the show ring he did us proud, earning a championship on Nov. 14, 1992. The following day he won Best of Breed with Alice handling him and was retired from the conformation show ring. When Alice took him in the obedience ring he earned his Companion Dog title, finishing in the ribbons each time, including second place at the Frenchie National in Orlando. He was our first balanced dog having title at both ends of his name.

He was a good traveler, going thousands of miles in his lifetime to dog shows and vacation trips to New England. We always trusted Tank. When we were out shopping he could be loose in the house while the other dogs were crated. He could be loose on the show grounds as he would not go further than the next motor home.

In the middle 90's he developed back problems and couldn't walk so we took him to an orthopedic vet who performed back surgery on his disks. Then followed three months of recovery and we had to carry him out to the dog yard and hold him up, with many therapy sessions each day. But he came back to please us. In 2001 he had an operation for bladder stones and again came back. In early 2002 the stones came back and we would have lost him but for the loving care at the veterinary school at Gainesville, FL. Again he came back to please us.

He spent his entire life trying to please us and being a very affectionate Frenchie.

He became ill again and on Sep. 18, 2004 he made his last trip to the vet.
I looked into his face and could see him telling me that he had pleased us the best he knew how but now his body was worn out. He looked so sad. We said goodbye and he crossed over the bridge. It was the hardest day of our lives.

He was 14 years and 3 months old. We are sure he has gone where the good doggies go.

David & Alice Welch