Andrea Werner (12/02/1949 - 12/10/2010)

In Fond Memory of Andrea Werner

A great friend, dedicated wife, mother and grandmother, retired school teacher, American Rat Terrier Association (ARTA) board member 2007 - 2010 (Eastern Director 2007-2009, President June 2009-December 2010), UKC Top Ten competitor 2007-2010...

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Andrea became Buzzy's greatest fan back in 2005 when he made his show debut in Florida during a visit to my parents (GRCH King Pen RB Buzzabout Ratitatt BIS RBIS BIMBS RBIMBS CGC). This led to Andrea's purchase of Jeter (son of Buzzy) in 2006 and she became one of my closest friends through 2010, much like a big sister I never had. We spoke frequently enough my family started to let me know when my "dog phone" (cell phone) was ringing.

Buzzy got to stay with Andrea for a couple of months when Jeter was born until Jeter arrived to Andrea's home. During this time, Andrea fine-tuned Buzzy's show performance, earning more Best and Reserve Best in Multi-breed titles and his Canine Good Citizen title during his visit. Andrea honored Buzzy with gifts that I still cherish today... Buzzy's custom Kangaroo show lead I used throughout his show career (well worn and retired in my tack box), a 2-dimensional metal Buzzy Rat Terrier statue, and a Bloodline magazine ad honoring Buzzy and Jeter.

Andrea went on to surpass Buzzy's career accomplishments with his son Jeter (GRCH 'PR'Ratitatt All Abuzz About Jeter, BISS, BIMBS, RBIMBS, CGC). Jeter had 127 Best of Breed wins, 1 Best in Specialty Show win, 22 Best in Multi-breed show wins, and 11 Reserve Best in Multi-breed show wins. We had a friendly banter during Jeter's show career that Andrea was trying to "out show" Buzzy! One of my fondest memories with Andrea was when we spent a weekend in Los Vegas to attend a dog show with our mutual friend Darice Ragan. Andrea made arrangements to set the 3 of us up in a luxurious suite at the Green Valley Ranch Resort. Fortunately, Jeter didn't completely outdo has father (or I would have never heard the end of it!) but came close - Buzzy and Jeter split the wins that weekend!

Andrea and I also had a great time at the UKC Premier in Kalamazoo, MI in June 2008 when both Buzzy and Jeter were neck-in-neck at the year-end 2007 Top Ten competition. Buzzy ended up moving onto the Finals, with Jeter earning the single honorable "Award of Excellence" - "Like father like son"!

Andrea founded Ratituee Rat Terriers with Jeter's offspring, and bred Dinger in 2008 (GRCH Ratituee Grand Slam I Am BISS BIMBS RBIMS), a son of Jeter, grandson of Buzzy. In June 2010, Dinger won the year-end 2009 Top Ten competition, moving onto the semi-final rounds! Dinger also earned a National Award of Merit in 2010.

In August of 2010, I had my last visit with my dear friend Andrea. That day in Florida, Dinger was bred to my Briar (GRCH 'PR'Ratitatt Thorn in My Side), resulting in a very nice litter, and the show prospect puppy "Blueberry" that we kept, born October 1, 2010. I didn't realize at that time it would be our last day with Andrea, with her passing just 4 months later. It was a beautiful day, with Andrea still feeling relatively well and in good spirits, bringing my 8 year old daughter along to play with Andrea's toddler grandson in her swimming pool. My "dog phone" isn't ringing so much any more. It reminds one to appreciate the time we have with good friends - for none of us know when our last moments will actually be...

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Family Obituary

Andrea  Werner, 61, passed away on December 10, 2010.  Andrea was born in Newark, New Jersey, on December 2, 1949.  She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Jeff; son, Brian (Sara), and daughter, Jamie (Michael) Sackett; grandson, Colby Sackett; and brother, Scott (Wendy) Garawitz.  Family, sports and animals gave unsurpassed richness to Andrea’s life. Andrea graduated from the University of Miami, where she played collegiate tennis. Following her passion for sports, she started her career as a professional tennis player and then went on to be an instructor. She was a devoted University of Miami fan along with the Miami Dolphins.  Over the years Andrea was found off and on a baseball diamond as President of the West Kendall Optimist Baseball, Assistant District Administrator of Little League International, a youth baseball coach, a pitching instructor, and a scorekeeper and statistician for the Sunset High School Baseball program. Since 1994, Andrea has been a physical education teacher, most recently at Sunset Park Elementary.  Starting as an avid equestrian, she always possessed a talented affinity with animals. Andrea currently was serving as President of the American Rat Terrier Association and recently became “The 2010 Top Ten Best of Breed Winner” at the UKC Top Ten Invitational and also won the Award of Excellence. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the American Rat Terrier Association, 4922 Morganton Road, Greenback TN 37742.  Services will be held Monday, December 13 at 11:00 a.m at Temple Bet Breira, 9400 S.W. 87 Ave., Miami, with graveside service to follow at Lakeside Cemetery.

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GRCH 'PR'Ratitatt All Abuzz About Jeter, BISS, BIMBS, RBIMBS, CGC (aka "Jeter"

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NEW UKC CHAMPION at just 6 months old! "Jeter" (CH 'PR'Ratitatt All Abuzz About Jeter) won 3 Best of Winners at the Lakeland, Florida shows July 22 - 23rd, 2006. Andrea and breeder Valerie are shown below with Jeter when earning his Champion title.

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Buzzy being handled by owner Valerie Luchsinger next to his son Jeter at 8 months old, being handled by owner Andrea Werner in Lakeland, Florida October 2006.

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"Jeter" is now at his new home shown here at 18 weeks old beside "Metal Jeter", created by Robbin Ferriss Peckham from Irish Glyn Rat Terriers in Oregon.

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What a likeness to our Buzzy! This is actually a metal statue, a gift from Andrea Werner - the one on the right, that is! "Metal Buzzy" was created by Robbin Ferriss Peckham from Irish Glyn Rat Terriers in Oregon.

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GRCH Ratituee Grand Slam I Am BISS BIMBS RBIMS (aka "Dinger")

Dinger is a Jeter son, Buzzy grandson. He is the result of combining the Ratitatt and Raganrat bloodlines.

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Ratitatt Wild Blueberry (aka "Blueberry")

Blueberry is a Dinger daughter, Jeter Granddaughter, Buzzy Great Granddaughter. She is a blend of the Ratitatt and Raganrat bloodlines. The older bloodlines further back in the pedigree include King Pen and Maxwell Rat Terriers.

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