anselthroneIf you’ve spent any time here at Left Coast Cowboys, you know that Smooth Fox Terriers rule. However, there is one breed that we feel has the looks and attitude to stand with that noble breed. It’s the Dachshund, and we’ve been privileged to know several exemplary members of that group — dogs so special that we have made the breed honorary terriers and dubbed them Smooth Dachs Terriers. This week, we lost one of the greats. I’m speaking of Ansel, or as his Humble Handmaiden begged us to call him, Ansel HRH or simply The King. King Ansel ruled his kingdom in a far away land called Rhode Island. Facebook was frequently filled with his adventures as he sat on his throne, ate his royal meals, sailed the waters of his bay and walked his sovereign nation. Most of us met Ansel virtually when he was already at the ripe old age of 17. As we waited anxiously through countdowns to his 17th, then 18th, then 19th birthday, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter, we cheered for this little old dog to make it through one more royal celebration. Recently, many of us had come to think that The King would simply rule forever. Alas, he laid down the royal scepter on April 19, 2014 at the ripe old age of 19 years and 8 months.

But should we even use the word “die” in connection with a dog this special? Say instead that King Ansel took on a new and sprightlier form, re-energized the “Richard Gere strut” of his younger years, and marched across the Rainbow Bridge to rule over other departed dogs with a firm, but tiny paw.

As he did with everything in life, King Ansel handled his departure with great style, choosing to leave on the week of William Shakespeare’s birth. Therefore, we turn to the Bard for a fitting farewell.

Good night, sweet prince, And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest!

The terriers of Two Terrier Vineyards say: “Vale, oh Noble One”. And send two puppy play bows in your honor toward the general direction of Rhode Island.

Ansel as a young prince, aged two.

Ansel as a young prince, aged two.

And every self-respecting monarch needs his yacht!

And every self-respecting monarch needs his yacht!

King Ansel perfected the Dachshund version of The Richard Gere Strut (think An Officer and a Gentleman.)

King Ansel perfected the Dachshund version of The Richard Gere Strut (think An Officer and a Gentleman.)

King Ansel was mostly well served by his Humble Handmaiden Judi. However she did have a not quite up to protocol habit of catching him asleep with his tongue lolling out. She was forgiven by the King's Grace.

King Ansel was mostly well served by his Humble Handmaiden Judi. However she did have a not quite up to protocol habit of catching him asleep with his tongue lolling out. She was forgiven by the King’s Grace.

Please note that King Ansel did not lay down his scepter until well after his 19th birthday. That's 133 in Dog Years!

Please note that King Ansel did not lay down his scepter until well after his 19th birthday. That’s 133 in Dog Years!

And lest any canines think the tiny paw of Dachshund Domination has lifted now that Ansel rules in a more ethereal realm, note that Ansel leaves his Queen Britta of Memphis in charge. Smooth Fox Terriers, BEHAVE!

And lest any canines think the tiny paw of Dachshund Domination has lifted now that Ansel rules in a more ethereal realm, note that Ansel leaves his Queen Britta of Memphis in charge. Smooth Fox Terriers, BEHAVE!

Photo of Ansel on his throne and The Richard Gere Strut by Soozie Sundlun, East Greenwich Photo and Studio. All other photos of Ansel by Judi Alling Sherwood at Judith’s Point Photography.

And a few more posts on Ansel through the years: A Dachshund of Destiny and Let Us Now Praise Famous Dachshunds.