There was a tragic accident last night. Ivan took off after a fox and was hit by a car. He died instantly.
He was a major part of our lives and we planned our time off and vacations around what we were doing with him. We loved him so much. Over time he had turned into a great dog and was a favorite everywhere we went with him.
Words can not adequately express how we feel or the depth of our loss. This is so hard to write. Ivan was everything to us.
Lynda and Jack, and Dylan
Nothing I say will ease the pain, but know my thoughts and prayers go out to you at this time!
I am so very, very sorry. I had to read that twice to be sure I was even comprehending the words. Ivan has been a “hero” dog to me for as long as I have been reading this blog. His pictures inspired. His accomplishments awed. His every blog entry was something that made me smile, even when recently grieving from losing my own GSD at far too young an age. I know that you packed more love and activities into his time on this earth than 99% of dogs I have ever known of will receive.
I know nothing can ease the pain, but there are those of us who share it with you, and will all miss him. I will keep you all in my prayers. -Lee
Lynda, I am so very sorry to hear about Ivan. I can only imagine the grief and sorrow that you feel. He was a magnificant dog – and a part of your life that will never be forgotten. He will always be there in your heart!
I am deeply saddened and shocked by this news, my deepest sympathy to you both, Ivan had a wonderful life with both of you and I cannot imagine your pain, know that in the end these magnificent dogs are animals, and there is nothing we can do to stop them from being animals, there is no blame, just overwhelming grief, from all of us here who shared your successes, a huge hug from me. 🙁
I am so very sorry for your loss. I have enjoyed following your adventures and accomplishments with Ivan and Dylan through this blog. It is amazing how much you accomplished in such a short period of time. I am at a loss for words — my thoughts are with you.
Oh, Lynda and Jack. We can’t find words to express how very, very sorry we are to hear of your loss. I have tears rolling down my face as I write this. Our animals are so much a part of our families, and of our lives. You gave Ivan, and you give all of your animals, the very best lives animals could hope for. Having Ivan’s littermate, we know how extra-special he was. Our hearts are heavy, right alongside yours.
Lynda and Jack, we are moved to tears over the loss of your beloved Ivan. We all know how central Ivan was in your lives, and the tremendous love between you. We are so very sorry to hear this awful news. He was a huge part of the AT family because you both shared so much of your lives together with us through the stories and videos of Ivan and Dylan’s amazing accomplishments, as well as those beautiful pictures of your family activities at the beach, through wooded trails, and even bedded down in hotel rooms relaxing after competitions. Our hearts are with you during this painful time.
Dear Lynda and Jack,
I feel sick and saddened to hear about Ivan. I only met him once, but was impressed with this beautiful, wonderfully temperamented dog, and I know how much he meant to both of you. The loss of a pet family member, especially one you shared such a close bond with through all your interaction and training is devastating, and no words can ease the pain you are feeling. Nevertheless, I want to express my heartfelt sympathy. I have enjoyed following Ivan’s career on the blog and have rejoiced in the many accomplishments you both achieved in all your endeavors. Ivan will be missed.
What terrible news. I am so sorry for your loss.
Probably only you two and Julie really know how much I admired Ivan and everything you did with him. I will always visualize him running on the beach, playing ball, and having fun with you and Dylan. You were role models for all of us, and we appreciate your sharing all of the great adventures.
I am so sorry Lynda and Jack, I am in shock with this devastating news.
I am in tears here at work, I cannot comprehend this.
I am mourning with you guys.
Josie
Dear Lynda & Jack,
I am SO very sorry. He was a joy to watch on this blog. You did such a wonderful job with his training, he was a smart boy, and you could tell he LOVED his job and you both! My heart aches for you two and Dylan also.
I’m so sorry. Somebody said it – dog blog hero.
Betsy
My deepest condolences to you and Jack. You raised and trained Ivan to be a great dog who accomplished so much in such a short time. He was the perfect Alta-Tollhaus role model and a great ambassador for our breed. I am so sorry. Godspeed, sweet Ivan. You will be greatly missed by many.
I am so sorry and sad to hear about your loss. Everything you did with Ivan was just amazing. You both have been an inspiration to me with Roman and our obedience training. I’m crying as I type this because I know how much our dogs mean to us. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers.
So sorry about your loss. I’m new here, but I loved the Ivan posts.
Just keep your chin up. You’ll see him at the bridge.
I don’t know what to type –
Ive watched you and him together on this blog for over a year and read in sheer awe at what can be accomplished with a dog. I have learned how he was so much more than a list of accomplishments and medals. You have both served as a role model for the relationship I want with my dog and my heart truly aches for you and Jack. A week hasn’t gone by where I haven’t looked at you and Ivan and said to myself I want to be able to do that with Grizzly someday.
My sincerest and deepest condolences.
Oh Lynda and Jack, I am so sorry. I can’t believe I am reading this. I’m just crying my eyes out and so sad for you. I just loved your Ivan and Dylan posts. I will miss his happy face and all of his many adventures we shared with you on the blog. You gave him a great life and generously shared him with your AT family. God speed Ivan-You will truly be missed. My sincerest and deepest sympathy.
I was shocked when I read this. Like everyone I’m so sorry. I always checked out the blog to see what Ivan was up to. We always looked to him as Singer’s brother. We are in tears.
Singer, Rich & Jan
Lynda and Jack – I’m so very sorry for your devastating loss of Ivan. I’m glad he didn’t suffer. I, too, am in tears as I type this. He obviously enriched the lives of everyone who knew and to those of us who have read your wonderful stories about him. I’m sure Dylan is a bit lost, as well. Trust he will be remembered by all of us. Godspeed Ivan and BIG hugs to you, Jack and Dylan ~ Judy.
Lynda and Jack- We are so sorry for your loss. We have always said that we wanted to meet Ivan one day, and then, recently, I realized that he was actually the very first puppy we ever met at Julie’s. We even have a picture of our daughter, Amelia, holding him. We were always so inspired by all the work you did with him and jealous of all the fun places he got to visit! He certainly had a WONDERFUL life, full of fun and love. We pray for peace in your hearts, as well as for Dylan.
Dale, Sarah & Amelia Spencley & Millie
I sit here sobbing, unable to process the words on the page. I have followed your posts and marveled at the wonderful relationship you have with your dogs. I have laughed and cheered …enjoying the opportunity to have a peek into your lives. I now cry and send my heart felt condolences.
Lynda and Jack, I am so sorry to hear of your tragic loss of you beloved Ivan. I have followed all of Ivan’s achievements on the blog, he was truly an amazing pet. I know how hard it is, I lost my treasured German Shepherd in September, and oh how I loved him. Please know it gets easier, but to this day I still think of my beloved Bosco and miss him so much it still brings tears to my eyes. They are truly our best friends and give us so much joy, may you hold dear all your beautiful memories you have as I do of mine. God Bless, Tammie
Lynda and Jack, we were shocked to read such a terrible post. Your relationship with Ivan epitomized what we hope to develop with our new puppy – if we had just a fraction of that, I would consider us blessed. He was a beautiful dog and his accomplishments a tangible testimony to the love you have for him and the major role in your life he played. We are so very sorry for the loss of such a beloved part of your family.
Lynda and Jack,
I was so shocked and saddened to read this. I got up and left work early to go home and hug my dog’s in Ivan’s honor. I’m sure no words can ease the hurt right now. Ivan had such a wonderful life while he was with you and accomplished much more than most dogs do in a decade. Run free, Ivan.
Lynda and Jack,
I am still in shock after reading this for the millionth time, hoping I would wake up and this will just be a bad dream.
Like everyone else I’ve enjoyed Ivan’s success stories thru your videos and blog posts. The love you all shared poured from these stories. I would sit in front of the PC and watch your videos over and over again with both Ivan and Dylan graceful and beautiful.
No words can erase your pain but do know that we are all sending our love and hugs, with the hope that the wonderful memories you had with Ivan will somewhat make your pain more bearable.
Good bye Ivan and thanks for the memories… you have left behind a very very sad family.
Lynda & Jack, I am reading this post in tears with disbelief. I can not find the words that could possibly express how deeply sorry I am for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family. Ivan has been such a huge part of our extended dog family, and a constant source of inspiration.
Godspeed Ivan, you were surrounded by much love and shall be very missed.
Much love and warm hugs to you both and an extra tight one for Dylan, too.
Lynda & Jack,
I am so sad to hear about Ivan. Please know that you are in my thoughts. Ivan is a true dog blog hero and will never be forgotten. Thank you for sharing his amazing journey with us. Hugs to you & Jack as you grieve and love pats to Dylan.
Michelle
My name is nancy and I have often admired photos of your beautiful
Ivan on this site. My heart goes out to you. 35 years ago, my beloved GSD, Barin, was hit by a train in a bizarre accident, and died instantly. I was in my late 20s at the time, and still miss her. I think I have felt something like you feel about the tragic and senseless loss of your wonderful Ivan. Sending you many blessing, Linda and Jack.
Oh, Lynda, we are so very sorry. What shocking, horrible news. I have so enjoyed getting to know you, Jack, Ivan, and Dylan through this blog and our emails. Ivan was a beautiful, accomplished, wonderful dog and I have often admired your dedication and skill as an owner. My thoughts are with you in this terrible time.
We here in Florida are so very sorry for your loss. We feel as though we have lost a great blog friend too. Before we received the green collared from the X litter ( Xero), we would see all that you and ivan had accomplished in so little time. We marveled at your dedication and at his willingness to learn. I am sitting here writing this with tears coming down ( so if there are any misspelled words, it’s because I can’t read my keyboard). May your memories of such a wonderful dog give you comfort at this time,. He will be truly missed but never forgotten.
I am broken-hearted for you and wish you didn’t have to suffer such horrible pain. I pray the Good Lord eases your heavy burden in the days to come. God Bless you all.
Lyda & Jack, AL and I are so very sorry for your loss, Ivan was an awesome boy and we are so happy we had the privilege of being around him a few times. We always felt like you guys were family and still do! There are no words to easy the devastation your feeling, but know we love you guys, and your all in our thoughts and prayers.
You have Michele & my deepest sympathy. May all the thoughts and prayers help with some small bit of the sadness.
Hello,
I am very sorry for your loss. The time we have with loved one is precious.
Peace and love to you and your family
I am at work as I write. My husband got to the blog before me and called with the devastating news. I can’t stop crying. I am in shock.
Lynda, the love you showed Ivan radiated from you everytime I saw pictures of you with Ivan. What was even more profound to me was the fact that I could see the love he had for you in his eyes when he was with you. Thank-you for what you did with Ivan…every accomplishment, every medal, every honor…it kept us all motivated with hopes of following in your footsteps.
Art, Lily and I send our deepest sympathies
Jack and Lynda,
I am living in a place of denial right now. It is a place I like to go to when I cannot comprehend something or it is just too much for me to think about.
Tiffany, who is the most empathetic person I know, called me barely able to speak she was so crushed over the loss of Ivan. I just felt like the conversation was part of a really, really bad joke.
I look at this picture of Ivan, and this is how I will always remember him. Big, goofy, happy boy, and so handsome. and the part that melts my heart is Allie is so evident in that big stunning expression-filled face.
Ivan accomplished so much and touched so many people’s heart yet he had not even yet reached his potential, still so young, the best was still ahead. It is so cruel, so unfair that he was taken from us. The words seem shallow and meaningless but all I can say is I am so very sorry. Jack, Lynda, you are such terrific people I am so blessed to know you and to count you as dear friends and family.
God Bless. XOXOXOOX
I read this over and over praying I was wrong and it wasn’t Ivan and it wasn’t true. I have never met you or Ivan except through this blog and have followed all you have done with him all you accomplished the gorgeous pictures of Ivan and Dylan and my heart just breaks for you as the tears stream down my face thinking of the heartache you must be feeling. I am so sorry and hope somehow you will get through this. The same thing just happened to an agility friend with her 2 yr old dog and it’s been a rough road. Please know we are all thinking of you and wishing we could help you ease the pain but only time can do that. Just know that Ivan’ s memory will live on in many hearts and minds forever. Thinking of you all….
Lyda & Jack,
Ivan was an amazing dog. My heart breaks at his loss. robin
Dear Lynda and Jack,
I am so shocked and heartbroken by this news. I am writing you with tears in my eyes, still in disbelief that your Ivan is gone. I can’t imagine how hard this must be for you.
I wish I could say something to ease your pain, but I know I can’t. Ivan was one of my favorite A-T dogs. Seeing your bond with him, and watching how much you loved working together, has been a huge inspiration to me. I admire your pack — human and canine — so much. I hope you can take a small measure of comfort from knowing how much we all loved Ivan and how much we care about you.
Life is what you do with the time you have. In the cruelly short amount of time you had with Ivan, you gave him a life packed full of love and fun and limitless possibility. In just over 2 years, he won countless fans and admirers, earned numerous titles in conformation, obedience and agility, got his own cat, helped shelter dogs during hurricane Irene, flew in a private plane to the Bahamas, was featured on TV news as part of the legendary Doggie Duo, and served as a true ambassador for the breed in temperament, beauty, spirit, and now, in memory. He experienced more in 2 years than most dogs do in a lifetime. And he will be terribly, terribly missed.
My heart goes out to you both, and to dear Dylan.
Love,
Jennie
I just don’t know the words. I am so very sorry. Hugs and prayers for you all. Dealing with the loss of my Ruffie and Shilo this past year, I have learned it is ok to love and hurt. Ironically, earlier in the week the kindle deal of the day on Amazon is the book Heroes and Monsters and here is a quote from the description: “Riebock shows readers that pain and beauty are so inextricably linked that to lose the former costs us the latter.” Pretty much says it all.
I hope you will find comfort in the fact we share your loss and understand the grief that comes with such a love as you all had for Ivan.
“Riebock shows readers that pain and beauty are so inextricably linked that to lose the former costs us the latter.”
Irene….just reading that stings….but it is the truth.
Dear Lynda and Jack,
Words seem inadequate to express the sadness we feel. Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss.
Ivan was so blessed to have you in his life.
We can say no more than we said in our email. Our hearts are breaking for you. Peace and love to you.
I haven’t been here for a few days and was absolutely shocked when I opened up the site. You have our family’s heartfelt sympathy.
You’re right – it is the intensity of those extremes, Ivan’s extraordinary beauty at all levels, that amplifies the pain of his loss. It is what makes life so very precious, and it is the reason we are all holding our loved ones even closer now. Lynda and Jack filled every moment of Ivan’s life with love and the joy of accomplishments rarely seen at his young age. I hope, in time, those memories will help ease their heartache.
From Jane:
I’m on vacation out in California and just now pulled up the blog on Dick’s computer. What a shock to read that Linda and Jack have lost Ivan. I tried to express my sympathy and love to them but was unable to get on the blog site to do so. Please let them know that I know the shock and the sorrow they are feeling. I know ivan gave them so much love and loyalty. They also gave him a wonderful home and life. What other dog is able to fly in planes, swim in the ocean, run on the beach, enjoy the competitive challenges, and be loved as deeply as he was by them. He was in a true doggie paradise.
Jane
I am so sad to hear the news about Ivan. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. I am just speechless when something like this happens. I am so sorry.
Lynda and Jack,
I just learned of this heartbreaking news. I am sorry. You’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Oh Lynda, I am so sorry to hear about Ivan. I wish there were words I could type that would take away the pain. Over time the pain and sadness will fade and you’ll be left with memories and smiles. Until that time know that you can lean on all of us for hugs and strength. My families thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Bless Ivan and all the people that loved him!