Just How Long Do I Need To Wait?

 The patience of a bird dog.  Occasionally, I ponder the life of a dog on the road.  We think of all the running and smelling and retrieving and pointing, etc., but, really, what is their life?  Most of it consists of looking out the holes of a box.  At what?  More hunting gear and the inside of your truck bed? Hours and hours of that view, and then The Man comes along, opens the dog door, straps some bling on the neck, and sends them off- expected to never pass up a bird, bump a bird, have a slow retrieve, or make a mistake.  Then, hours more in the box (while The Man has a good meal, a warm shower and a few adult beverages with his pack.) resting up for another day.  

My best bird dog ever, Ruby (long ago departed), loved the box on the road.  She'd curl up in GA and I would have a hard time getting her to water down on rest stops.  When I opened the door to the dog box, she'd look out.  If she saw pavement, she'd put her head back down, sigh, and chuff and say, "Leave me alone. I'm going to need this sleep for later!"   If she saw gravel, thick woods, prairie, cut-over, wheat fields or mountains, she'd be up and ready to go.

They are amazing animals.

She's Ready

This is Flyboy Ace's Ruby Deux (Ruby). Last year, she was pointing, backing and retrieving at 8 mos. old in Montana and Minnnesota. Since then, as expected, the wheels came off the bus and that necessitated some training and force fetching lessons- and, of course, some maturity. The last few trips (to SD, ND, KS, ID, NM, TX) we made last season showed me what she was capable of, and I'm really looking forward to September this year and Montana Sharptails and Huns. She is ready and so am I.

A Bertram Original

This lanyard is made from Kangaroo Leather.  Bob Bertram, the artist, talked with me several times to determine the colors I wanted.  It turned out perfectly to match the color of my Brits.  It took about three weeks, because each one is made by Bob in a tree house made from ethically harvested non-rare trees (Stop!, Just kidding about the tree house!)  Anyway, he makes each one by hand and will make yours to reflect your requirements.  636-256-7817- Bob Bertram, Sporting Artist

Getting the pup ready for MT

Momma's out of town and the boys are watching Braves baseball and talking hunting!

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I've been going through old pictures again!

Rocket and Pheasant 2001 ND

Here's an old picture of my Brittany, Rocket.  He's long gone now, but he was a good hunting buddy for 12 1/2 years.  He really caused me to fall in love with the breed.  I remember this day- exactly.  ( I may remember the shooting a little too well, however.)

First Aid Kit for Your Dog

Here is a link to a blog that describes a great first aid kit for in the field:  http://setterfeathers.com/2008/06/07/bird-dog-field-first-aid-kit-2008/

Tires

I drive a 2001 Ford F-250 Super Cab Diesel.  It's got 290,000 miles on it now and I'm looking toward the 400,000 mile mark.  I've been through all sorts of tires, expensive and cheap and good and bad. Frankly, I hate buying tires- they end up costing me $1000, more or less, and there are too many to choose from.  Cooper, Kuhmo, Goodrich, Goodyear, etc.  A good tire is like a good airline pilot- you never know it's there.  And the converse is true, also. I drive 1000 to 2000 miles to hunt, and, then, I'm on muddy two-tracks for two weeks in all parts of the country. I do that four times a year- from September to February. Poor tires can really mess me up in mud, rain, snow and combination of the above.  This time I went with the Goodyear Wrangler SilentArmor Pro-Grade E.  For what I paid for them, they warrant 50,000 miles.  I sure hope so. You'll read about it if they don't.  

Another year, another set of tires.....