The American Bloodhound Club Bulletin An article from the fall 1997 issue

Pat Simancek got the call she had been waiting for. It was Jackie Sinkinson of The Rectory Kennels calling to tell her that Shalom had whelped her five puppies. Arrangements were made for Pat to visit and choose her favorite.

The day came when Pat along with her son drove to the Sinkinsons'. Shalom's pups were playing and having a wonderful time. As is the case with puppies, some got into little scraps with each other. When this happened, a certain boy would run into the box and sit at its entry just watching the others. No way was he getting involved in that kind of nonsense. Jackie worried that this pup might be a little shy, but Pat wasn't the least bit concerned. Besides that, he stole her heart when he moved across the floor. At only six weeks old, this puppy had the most beautiful movement! Pat was sold. The Rectory's Limbo would be hers. Of the five puppies in the litter out of Ch. The Rectory's Shalom and Ch. Leroy of Langsford, every one of them achieved their championships. American/Bermudian Ch. The Rectory's Limbo had a stunning and remarkable show career. He had so many group placements that Pat could not recall the exact number. He won the breed at Westminster three times, had two Best in Show wins, and three Best of Breed ABC specialty wins (one of which he was owner handled).

Limbo and Pat winning Best of Breed at the 1981 Northeastern Specialty from the Veteran Class. Limbo also earned a Group 3 placement that day.

During the time that Limbo first started his show career, bloodhounds were smaller than they are now. Limbo was exactly 27-1/2" at the shoulders and right in the standard. He was not big, but compared to the other bloodhounds, he looked larger. He was big-boned and had the most magnificent shoulder layback. Limbo was a wonderful specimen and a great example of what the standard called for.

Limbo was co-owned by the late Harriet Krakounas and if not handled by Pat, he was shown by professional handler, Vic Capone. Pat recalled a time when he was taking Limbo home from a show and they were leaving the show grounds. As they approached the exit area, Limbo started to hop back and forth from one side of the vehicle to the other. Pat had no idea what he was doing until she spotted Vic's rig. Apparently, Limbo had seen it before Pat and knew just where he wanted to be. She had no choice but to turn him over to Vic. Limbo was just as happy with Vic at dog shows as he was at home.

Limbo, or Bo Bo, as Pat affectionately called him was a very easy going, loving, fun boy. She remembered one dog show weekend when they got to their motel in Ohio around 2:00 a.m. Limbo was all fired up and ready to play. Pat was exhausted and wanted to sleep. To try and wear down all the energy that Bo Bo had stored up, she and Helen stood at each end of the motel rooms' hallway. They took turns calling Limbo back and forth until they thought he had enough. Finally, they could turn in for the night. During his show career, Limbo was always up to something mischievous. While being shown by Vic in the group ring, another well-known handler was in front of them with his dog. Bob Forsyth always tried to get in front of Vic so that he could play with Limbo. This was a particularly hot day and Forsyth was constantly wiping his face with a handkerchief. When it was time for the dogs to go around together, Limbo ran up behind Forsyth and grabbed that handkerchief right out of his back pocket. He never missed a beat of his flawless movement.

Jackie Sinkinson is the recipient of Limbo's happy affection after winning Best of Breed at Westminster in 1975.

Limbo's charm did not work on everyone, though. Once again during group judging, Bob Forsyth and his dog were in front of Vic and Limbo. Bob started to play with Limbo, but Maxwell Riddle, the judge, caught sight of their antics. Mr. Riddle was not so taken with Limbo's playful ways and promptly placed Vic and Limbo at the end of the line. Tough lesson it was that day.

Pat had many wonderful stories about Limbo's show days and she laughed as she recalled this one. Back then, when rings were put up, equipment was used to remove small pieces of sod so that the ring fences could be erected. As Bo Bo was going into the group ring, he spotted a piece of this sod and immediately grabbed it. As he was running around the ring, in his mouth he held this hunk of sod with the dirt flying every which way. Despite the sod, Limbo never faltered. He was a show dog all the way.

Pat sent Limbo out on the show circuit with Vic and Sue Capone many times. While in Florida Vic used to do a lot of fishing. If Sue needed to find Vic she'd put the harness on Limbo and take him out to find Vic. Sure enough, Limbo always found Vic at his fishing hole.

As a stud, Limbo produced many wonderful puppies. All in all, he sired 78 champions. The very first one was Ch. Roamingwood's Belle Star. One time, while in the breed ring, Pat recalls Steve Harper asking if she knew who a particular bloodhound was. She did not know the dog, but knew the dog looked like Limbo. He turned out to be "Macho," a Limbo son. Pat hadn't seen Macho since he was a puppy, but he had the look that Limbo seemed to throw.

Limbo loved being a kennel dog. It never bothered him to be outside. One day, though, Pat remembers seeing him sitting outside the kennel in the sun. He sat there all day just staring at the house. Thinking something might be wrong with Limbo, Pat brought him into the house. From that moment on, Limbo never went back to the kennel. He was going to live the rest of his life as a house dog. After all, he earned it. Now, he would have his own bed ( literally)!

During retirement, Pat thought she might try Limbo in obedience. She would practice and practice with him. Pat would hold up his big old ear and said "sit" right into it. Sure enough, he sat! Unfortunately, this was not something she could do in the obedience ring. Never did he sit without his ear being lifted. Limbo's obedience career was washed up before it began. After that, he spent the rest of his days taking long walks with Pat and basically doing whatever he wanted to. Pat lost her beloved Limbo right before his 11th birthday.

American/Bermudian Ch. The Rectory's Limbo contributed so much to our breed in so many ways. He was a beautiful top winning show dog and he can be found in so many pedigrees of our hounds today. Since pedigrees are usually six generations, you might not see Limbo there, but believe me, he probably is! His influence can be seen in lots of our hounds and the breed is much better for it.

Limbo and company celebrate his tenth birthday in style. Teri Lukefahr made a gift of the flowers in the photo.

He was gone I am left without something special Beautiful Gone A gentle passing God reached down his hand (a tribute to Limbo by Pat Simancek)

Authors Note: Thank you, Pat Simancek, for taking the time to tell Limbo's story to me. When I called Pat and told her I was going to write a new column for the Bulletin that was about old time bloodhounds, she was thrilled that I had chosen Limbo as the first dog. I believe he is a great starting point and I look forward to bringing all of you a new story each issue. Look for a working dog story next time.

Daphne Myers