Anne’s Note:
It’s hard to describe to those that did not know Virginia Alexander just how much of a force she was. Jinny got what Jinny wanted. That’s how I got Friday. It didn’t matter that I didn’t want a dog, and I definitely didn’t want a show dog. But of course Jinny knew best. It turns out Friday coming into my life was serendipitous, but that’s a story for another time. I was also fortunate to have gotten Tude from Jinny.
Jinny was called the “Grandmother of Weims” and her book is often referred to as the “Bible” of the Weimaraner breed. Quick and sharp-witted even into her 80’s, she mentored hundreds of breeders. Her Reiteralm Weimaraners is legendary. In short, Virginia Alexander’s impact on the Weimaraner breed is unrivaled.
This beautiful tribute to Jinny was written by Steve Reynolds the day she died. Steve professionally trained and campaigned some of the top Weimaraners in history, including his own male, the “love of his life” whom he affectionately called “Schultzpuppy,” aka, NAFC FC AFC Snake Breaks SGT, a Hall of Fame dog.
Steve loved Jinny, and Jinny loved Steve. And I had the privilege of observing a relationship of true love, appreciation and respect — bound together by this amazing breed.
Farewell to My Best Friend
By Steve Reynolds
Jinny, you always were a woman of action, it was time to go and you were gone – before I could say goodbye.
The last card we sent with pictures of your dogs will get there a day too late, but my heart knows you realize just how much I will always love and respect you.
I never dreamed those many years ago when you asked a complete stranger to share breakfast at Lake Murray Lodge that it would change so many lives.
I was stunned that this genteel little lady from Maryland with the huge spark in her eye and a memory like the sharpest razor knew all about my Schultzpuppy, his breeding, and what he and I had done so far in the field. Incredible!
I was so excited about field trialing and so proud of my boy. All I had to say was that I wanted to train a few dogs to prove myself and you were there for me Jinny!
No one loved our Weimaraner breed more. You had boundless energy and enthusiasm to share that love and excitement with anyone, anytime, anywhere.
Your legacy is one of a kind. Your bible of our breed is unsurpassed. Your breeding program has created such great dogs. Your sometimes stubborn, insistent dedication to your Weimaraner way frustrated some, but the welcome you gave to so many new people is your greatest gift of all.
You encouraged and mentored so many Weimaraner owners, you made all of us feel like you were their good friend.
Thanks for always being there for me, through good times and bad. Once loyal friends proved otherwise, but you were steadfast in your belief and support of my dream and talent to train our gray field dogs.
When I called discouraged and angry about people and events you were matter of fact and positive, always a voice of wisdom and reason to someone with less perspective and patience. When people let you down you were deeply wounded but never uttered an angry, hateful word. You were always a class act, always loyal to family and friends.
You are the only human being to ever show me unconditional support and faith, it is the greatest gift anyone could dream off. Thank you so much Jinny.
So, farewell for now my best friend. I hope to catch up to you again sometime down the road. Give Schultz, Rudi, Saga and the other dogs that we loved and parted with a kiss and hug for me.
I can still see you crawling on the ground taking the best picture possible, and making God-awful squeaking noises to try to get the dogs attention.
I hear you laughing as you pass around goodies to hungry, tired souls in from running dogs in the rain or cold.
I see you offer a gentle, firm hand in greeting to new puppy people with gray bundles of energy in tow.
“Jinny Alexander,” you say in that warm, quiet way of yours, and you take them under your wing.
God has you under his gentle wing now. Bless you and we will hold you close in our hearts, minds and souls until it is our time to talk dogs again.
Namaste forever.
