September 20th and 21st, 2003 - Asheville, NC
Ellie
BoldtSeptember 25, 1944 - October 20, 2002
What is a hero? Someone measured by awards or rank or political office? By this definition Ellie Boldt was not a hero. But if a hero is someone who is measured by what she did for others then Ellie Boldt was a true hero. Ellie began dog training about 15 years ago when she started obedience training a Labrador Retriever. Her love of animals furthered her interest in training and the sport of obedience and tracking.
Her love of the outdoors and her dogs was a perfect combination in the tracking arena. Many of her dogs won multiple tracking titles. Her selfless attitude and her willingness to give of herself were a winning combination. She was involved in the Rose City Labrador Retriever Club of Oregon, the German Shepherd Dog Club of Oregon, the German Shepherd Dog Club of Greater Eugene, Luckiamute Dog Training Club, Portland Dog Obedience Club, Search One and Marion County Search and Rescue. Ellie often volunteered to assist in jobs shunned by others, knowing the work needed to be done.
In her private and public life she let it be known she had a strong belief in God and the church. She volunteered weekly to work in the church's soup kitchen. She was often heard to say a special prayer: "Thank you God. Thank you for everything. Thank you for a beautiful day. Thank you for all my yesterdays and any tomorrows you may have in store for me. But thank you God for today; especially for today."
Few people among her acquaintances knew of all the medical challenges that Ellie endured. In 1996 she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which she successfully fought. However, in 1999, cancer struck again in her lungs. In addition she was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and endured multiple operations to correct her condition. Throughout these ordeals, Ellie remained cheerful and continued not to think of herself, but of others and the sport of tracking. In 2002, despite her illness, Ellie entered the AKC National Tracking Exhibition and continued to work her dogs as long as she physically was able.
If a hero is measured by what she has done, by her giving of herself and her devotion to her sports, then Ellie Boldt is a true hero.
