September 27, 2009

A Beautiful and Amazing Talent


Until you participate in a hunt test or field trial or hunt on your own, you really can't appreciate what these dogs have in their blood. Their natural instinct is un-canny. Down right beautiful.

I've seen my own dogs point squirrels :o) and the beauty in their statuesque pose. I marvel that they get "to the point" with no formal training. But to see a dog, fulfill to the fullest, his/her heritage is breathtaking. Honest.

I never gave it much thought before. To me, a hunting dog was a hunting dog, no big deal. I never saw a dog do what he/she was suppose to do in the field. Watching it on TV, which I haven't done, wouldn't be the same. It didn't mean anything to me. Now, I have a real appreciation for their talents and respect what they do. Until you can experience it or see it happening in front of you, you'll never really know.

I love my non-hunting dogs and it doesn't matter to me that they don't hunt. They are complete in my heart for who they are. I love them no less. But I have a new respect for those that have the talent to hunt.

Although I didn't have an interest in doing this, I have to say that I'm glad Lisa had me do it. She saw the talent that Heathcliff had from the beginning and possibly giving him a second chance, with a family that doesn't care he may be a little older. He's by no means done hunting. His run was intense from the minute his leash was off. He never tired for the 15+ minutes he had allocated to him. His recall was amazing, but I knew that from Wauconda dog park of 68 acres. He runs large, covers a lot of ground and checks in or comes when called, every time. He retrieved the birds and brought them back to me. Alive!

To imagine that someone let him go, for what I believe is age, is so sad. The elders teach the young. What a waste of talent. It would take years to teach a young dog all the knowledge he has. The only good part of this sad situation is this, I WILL MAKE SURE HIS NEW PARENTS WILL APPRECIATE AND LOVE HIM FOREVER!

September 26, 2009

Excrcise Pays Off

Exercise really can make you do better. Just look at what I did today. I AM A HUNTER!! Registered with the AKC as "IBR’s Unrequited Love"
aka HeathcliffI got my first "Q" will you help me get my Jr. Hunt Title? Just think of the bond we'll have earning it together. We CAN DO IT!

My very first Hunt Test and although I don't know what it exactly means, my scores were 8's in 4 catagories. WOW! for me. Check this out.

Here is a slideshow pictures of Casey, Trudy, Lani and Buckwheat and the judges out in the field.

September 25, 2009

Taking a Breather

I have to keep in shape for my big Hunt Test tomorrow.
Even I need to take a breather from the workout.
Come back tomorrow night and I'll let you know how I did. Now, back to running!

September 16, 2009

Feeling Better to Play Now

After going through some surgery last week, I finally feel like playing. To everyones surprise, I do play. What fun!

I think I surprised Jimmy Choo. He didn't expect me to chase him.

September 14, 2009

Fun Day at the Park

I got neutured this past Thursday, but it sure didn't stop me from having so much fun. I was a little sore Sunday night, but by morning, I was back to my normal self.

I had a BLAST!!! A pack (10 total) of us went to the dog park Sunday and man was it fun. We ran for 2-1/2 hours nonstop. It felt great to run the open fields and through the woods.

To cool off we did find a mud pond of sorts. Needless to say, the humans weren't to thrilled with us. Don't you think it highlights our whites :o)Lani wins the prize for the best coverage.







September 7, 2009

Laid Back and Relaxed



Cliff has been here 3 weeks now and he is really a great dog. He doesn't hump my other foster anymore. Hasn't marked in the house. Gets a little separation anxiety, but calms down quickly. Sleeps out of his kennel with no issues. Likes to hang where ever you are, rather than being out in the yard with other dogs or just roaming or laying around.

Off Leash And Having a Blast

Only being in foster care for less than 2 weeks, Heathcliff (aka Cliff) is having a blast running the open fields with the other dogs. He is excellent in checking in, staying about 100-200 yds out and can point a bird at least 10 feet away and hold point. He was a hunter at some point in his life and could be an excellent bird dog for his new family too, I bet. We haven't shot over him yet, so it's only speculation on our part for now.

September 3, 2009

6 Pack for Dinner


Another friend for dinner. Jimmy Choo has come to stay. Gees! any more and we'll have to eat outside. 4 of the 6 of us are IBR dogs. 2 of us are fosters. IBR dogs are; Sugar standing on the towel, Jimmy next to her, me standing in front of Jimmy and Ali in the lower left corner. Lady, in front of Sugar was adopted from a shelter and Sienna by the table, came as a puppy 5 years ago. What a happy group.

After a good meal, a little rest feels good. Unfortunately, I'm just a little too big to be a lap dog. But this may work and a lot more comfortable.