I am thinking about Attila Szukalek, and wishing to send him warmest regards, and words of comfort if there are any, and condolences upon the death of his beautiful, brilliant border collie, Fly.
I was thrilled a few years ago to meet Attila Szukalek at the Clicker Expo in Newport, he actually handled Tigerlily for a few seconds there in a seminar. He is such a great teacher. He and Fly performed several demonstrations, and he joined in Kay Lawrence's freestyle seminar. You know how good trainers are really good observers of dogs? I got the impression that Attila didn't miss a speck of behavior going on anywhere! So he was very helpful as he went around the room and helped handlers get a feel for his fluid training style. The highpoint of the expo for me was enjoying his dinner table, hearing him telling stories, and answering burning training questions from around the table. I especially remember one comment he made, about how sometime in the past, he might get mad at Fly when she was making a mistake or something, and talk to her in an angry tone of voice. He regretted ever having yelled! I think that's a pretty humble thing to think about, so self-effacing and self-reflective, the very greatest dog trainer on earth, showing how important it is, as trainers, to pay attention to our own behavior! I was very impressed. Here's an article about Attila and his dog here,
http://www.clickertraining.com/node/884 and another that is very informative here: http://www.caninehorizons.com/Attila_seminar.html .
This is a second major blow to freestyle enthusiasts, as another pioneering dog, Carolyn Scott's dog, Rookie, died just about a month ago. I can't imagine how hard this must be, to lose a dog you've trained for so long. Life isn't for wimps, as they say. Atilla is such an extraordinary trainer, I'm sure he has trained himself to prepare as much as anyone can for these realities of life and death. Oh Attila, I'm sorry. Many people are thinking of you fondly and wishing you peaceful beautiful thoughts at this time of transition. May superior freestyle and Fly live on in all your many admirers!
