Viljo
FC Cadium Aurinkosoturi (Finland)
PEDIGREE
Male
Born: May 26, 2010
Breeder: Tia Eskelinen
Imported to US: August 18, 2010
Weight: 9.8 kg / 21.6 lbs
Chest: 44 cm / 17 in
Sire: FI SE EE LV LT BALT CH SvCH EEJW-09 EEW-09 BALTJW-09 Red Top's Klatjofs
Dam: Zingarese Zarzuela
Viljo flew in cabin with me from Finland on his 12 weeks birthday. His journey to Ohio was a long one but the story of how and why it all happened is rather short and sweet.
Surfing the internet in the summer of 2009, I was looking for a good unrelated male. Olive, Pie, Babe, Sonic, Sage, and Seiko were all bitches owned by me or colleagues of mine and they are all closely related. We needed some outside bloodlines and, as I've been doing for a dozen years or so, I was looking overseas. (For reasons why I cannot find an appropriate stud dog in the States see My Perspective.) I came across some photos of a young dog in Scandinavia and was attracted to him and his pedigree. Here is one such photo.
And I found some photos of that young dog's black/tan mother. I liked her, too. Her maternal grandfather is the same dog as Kasi's father, from the old Nuits lines in Sweden. And I knew some things about other dogs in her pedigree, gleaned from websites and the FKC database.
I did not bookmark either website! I looked for these photos several times through the next months but could not find them.
Lo and behold, in mid-May, 2010, I finally located the male dog again. I'd 'remembered' that he was in Sweden - but I was only half right. He was bred in Sweden but owned by a breeder, Tia Eskelinen, in Finland. On his owner's website, I also saw that they were expecting a litter sired by this male who I now knew by name, Multi CH Red Top's Klatjofs, aka "Svante."
May 28, I was back on Tia's website and saw this photo of three male puppies!
Lo and behold, in mid-May, 2010, I finally located the male dog again. I'd 'remembered' that he was in Sweden - but I was only half right. He was bred in Sweden but owned by a breeder, Tia Eskelinen, in Finland. On his owner's website, I also saw that they were expecting a litter sired by this male who I now knew by name, Multi CH Red Top's Klatjofs, aka "Svante."
May 28, I was back on Tia's website and saw this photo of three male puppies!
All of them were red and they all looked shiny and healthy. I just couldn't take my eyes off the smaller, darker puppy. I wrote to Tia that day and told her I was looking for an excellent male. Might she be willing to sell a puppy to the US? Tia replied in good English. (Thank God! Have you seen the Finnish language?!) She said let's talk.
On their fifth day of life, tragically, one puppy died. I was very sad and concerned to receive this news but relieved that the smaller, darker male survived. He and his brother, named Viljo and Vertti at birth, continued to thrive.
On their fifth day of life, tragically, one puppy died. I was very sad and concerned to receive this news but relieved that the smaller, darker male survived. He and his brother, named Viljo and Vertti at birth, continued to thrive.
The pups' mother Veera lives with Tia's cousin Leeni Virta. Veera had been bitten in a back leg by a European Viper when she was five weeks pregnant and was at the vet's in critical condition for a few days. Autopsy done on her dead puppy revealed he'd had a bloody, gangrenous bacterial infection in his lungs. We hoped the other puppies were safe.
At Leeni's house, Veera blossomed again and Viljo and Vertti grew. And grew!
At Leeni's house, Veera blossomed again and Viljo and Vertti grew. And grew!
Tia and I exchanged a multitude of emails and Tia sent many good photos.
I became increasingly convinced that one of these boys might be right for me. On June 14 was the first mention made of the possibility of my going to Finland to see them.
I became increasingly convinced that one of these boys might be right for me. On June 14 was the first mention made of the possibility of my going to Finland to see them.
This is the photo Tia used on her blog telling how Viljo and Vertti beat the odds after their mother was bitten by a viper. Tia named the little surviors Aurinkosoturi and Aavikkosoturi. Sun Warrior and Desert Warrior. How fitting!
Viljo on the day he turned eight weeks old. Tia captioned this photo "Viljo thinking." You can almost see the wheels turning. This "sitting and thinking" behavior continues to be very typical of Viljo.
We continued corresponding. When Tia sent photos, my eyes burned holes in the monitor. Vertti was a very handsome puppy but my eyes more often focused on Viljo. Tia said I could have my pick. I decided I must meet them.
On July 19, I purchased airfare. I left the Columbus airport on Wednesday, August 4, scheduled to return two weeks later, on Wednesday, August 18.
On July 19, I purchased airfare. I left the Columbus airport on Wednesday, August 4, scheduled to return two weeks later, on Wednesday, August 18.
Viljo, just turned 11 weeks, one week before leaving Finland. I am holding Viljo and he is holding on to a dead pigeon he and his brother found in the forest. It's mine, Viljo said, and I do not want to let go.
Viljo visited Leeni Virta the day before he turned 12 weeks and flew to the States.
Viljo's mother Veera lives with Leeni. Veera and Leeni raised and took very good care of the puppies until Tia and Jarkko took them to their house at 8.5 weeks.
Viljo's mother Veera lives with Leeni. Veera and Leeni raised and took very good care of the puppies until Tia and Jarkko took them to their house at 8.5 weeks.
I'd planned to change his call name. I did not want a name that I had to explain how to pronounce, "Veal´ Yo." The closest candidate was Uri. But I kept "Viljo" for it is all Finnish, short and distinctive, seemed to fit this guy - and it had grown on me!
My thanks to Tia & Jarkko Eskelinen, Leeni Virta, papa Svante & mama Veera for a fine dog.