Thanks guys for the information. It's good to have a place where you can discuss things and get honest feedback from others experiences.
Well I had a conversation with Missy today, told her it looked like she was moving into the house and her hunting days were probably over, she seemed to take the news better than I did giving it.
That conversation behind us I bought her a new bed and moved it to my den. Missy's accepting the new arrangements quit well.
She has been my go to dog for some time, always that dog that could be counted on to be put back on the ground at the end of a day an help you finish out a limit.
It's now time for Scout the pup I wrote about last year in the Parker pages to step up. He's ready.
One quick story in her honor. Chris Dawe joined me last year for a week of chasing birds. We had hunted all three dogs earlier in the day and dispite our opportunities had not, let's say we had not done as well as we should have.
Putting Missy and her litter mate Bell, back on the ground they struck out and shortly the dogs were into the birds and the game started The dogs split up and were several hundred yards apart when suddenly they both went on point. Moving towards Bell I informed Chris that Missy was on point over 200 + yards away. Moving into position to shoot, I told Chris we would flush this covey and then move on to Missy.
When the action was over a couple of birds were added to the bag.
Then off to find Missy.
By the time we got to Missy, 25 minutes had passed and the excitement of birds flushing, Double guns going off and the excitement of Chris and I excitedly talking about what had taken place.
Topping a small hill there stood Missy staunch on point, head and tail up and like a statue still holding the birds. Chis and I moved forward and a dozen Mearns quail flushed with the turrrrrrrrr of multiple wings and the distinctive peeping sound you hear when a Mearns covey busts at your feet in cover you have searched and swore held no birds ans that birds had long moved on from.
Not only does this jump start your heart, but without words sums up in in a micro second why we hunt.
Both Chris and I snapped the 20 gauges to our shoulders and like it was a made for movie footage, dropped two birds.
At the report Missy moved forward with Chris and I laughing and encouragements to fetch um-up. Missy darted forward 20 yards and picked up one of the birds then switched directions dropping the bird she held in her mouth on top of the other downed bird.
Without hesitation she scooped both of them up and delivered them to my hand. I was in awe with her performance and can not discribe how proud I was to have a true friend and hunting partner witness such a performance .
No need to brag on Missy, no words are needed. Missy did what she was bred to do no training needed what she did was using a intelligence that you can not train.
She was ONE with these hunters that day.
The sun was almost down when Chris And I crossed the last little trickling creek were the dogs drank from the cool water.
Chris and I had both managed as I recall, a limit of birds,. No two hunters and three dogs had ever experienced a more satisfying day in the field.
I have struggled for days on what to do. I think I know now. I was going to ask, but I think after writing this I know the answer.
If I am fortunate to life a long life and yet can no longer can go to the field. What would I rather have, a fine shotgun in the safe, $10,000 in the bank that it might bring (as long as my family is provided for), or memories of hunting a couple more seasons over Missy with good friends?
I can not foresee the future but my guess is the memories.
|