Monday, March 9, 2009

Martha Stewart's Chow, Ghengis Khan, Dies in Kennel Propane Blast

Ghengis Khan @ 9wks, perishes in kennel explosion
photo at right shows Ghengis Khan at around 9 weeks old.

Martha Stewart's chow puppy was one of 17 dogs killed in an accidental propane explosion at an eastern Pennsylvania kennel.

The domestic maven wrote on her blog that she was "deeply saddened" by the death of her dog, Ghengis Khan, in Friday's blast at Pazzazz Pet Boarding, a kennel in the Pocono Mountains that breeds and trains show dogs.

Fifteen dogs were killed in the explosion, and two more died over the weekend. Some of the dogs were featured at last weeks Westminster Dog Show.

Watch Video Here: Video of Pazzazz Kennel Explosion courtesy WFMZ.

The kennel was getting a propane delivery when the tank ignited, setting the pens on fire and injuring the driver, Timothy Kleinhagen, of Summit Hill.

Though badly burned, Kleinhagen managed to toss a cairn terrier over the kennel fence to safety. He was listed in critical condition Monday at Lehigh Valley Hospital.

"That man is a hero," said the kennel's co-owner, Karen Tracy. "My heart goes out to his family."



Genghis Khan was a grandson of Stewart's previous chow, Paw Paw, which died last April at age 12.

Stewart announced on her blog in December that she was adopting Genghis Khan, then 7 weeks old, calling him "very cute and square." She said she expected him to be "conquering his new territory in my home soon, with great charm and prowess. I'm also confident that Sharkey and Francesca (Stewart's French bulldogs) will be enamored with him."

Stewart also sent condolences to Tracy. Many of the dead dogs belonged to Tracy and her mother.

"My heart goes out to Karen Tracy and I am hoping for a speedy recovery for those (both pets and humans) injured in this terrible event," Stewart wrote.

Officials have said a spark or static electricity may have started the blaze.

AmeriGas Propane Inc., which owned the truck that Kleinhagen was driving, has declined to comment.

Martha has devoted herself to her animals and her time to animal awareness and causes. Two of Martha's dogs, Francesca and Sharkey, have their own blog.

As an animal lover and Martha Stewart fan myself, I send my condolences to Ghengis Khan, Martha Stewart, the Tracy family and to the families of the other animals that were either injured or killed in this terrible accident.


photo courtesy: Martha Stewart Living

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