Fell for you Bruce. ch

Thanks Calvin, Sam and everybody else. Yes I have a little setter now, very sweet, a good bird dog, so it softens the loss. Shortstop was a first rate bird dog.

Calvin, I'm really worried about the birds this year. A few months ago, I was seeing plenty of pheasants in the evenings but now it seems like I am not seeing as many. We've had this terrible heat, way above 100 day after day, no rain, crops dying. I'll be in Dodge most of next week and will be looking. What are you seeing?

Bruce,
Sorry to hear about Shortstop. From the four years I hunted behind him (3 S Dakota and 1 Kansas) it was obvious he was a hard headed, big hearted, alpha male and I am sure you miss him dearly. Getting a new pup as you did always make these passing’s a little easier. My lab is now 10 and is showing signs of slowing down and I dread the day we will have to say goodbye.

Bruce sorry for your loss of a good friend.

I am sorry. I know you know this but it quits hurting after awhile.

Mike

Bruce, Just put Shortstop in place of Sparky. Sorry for your loss and hope this helps soften the blow. Jim




THIS DOG'S LIFE

God Of All Living Things:

You do, indeed, work in mysterious ways.
Only You would use a dog to help mold a man. I'm
told no living creature-not even a sparrow-falls to
earth beyond Your watchful eye. If that be so, then
You already know old "Sparky" missed the hunt
today. From the now still form of this big, black
dog You call this man to instruction. You open
my heart to the wisdom of the ages.

To Loyalty: He accepted me exactly as I am.

To Patience: He would quietly wait and watch
for my moods to pass.

To Forgiveness: One word, a crack of a smile,
and he was back at my side again.

To Friendship: He was always there when I
needed him.

To Humor: He filled my belly and my day with
laughter.

To Love: He loved me unconditionally; very
much I suppose like Your love for mankind.

Now that his big heart has beat its last, I want
to thank You, Lord, for blessing this man with
this dog's life.

Amen

J. Brent Pichard
Matthew 10: 29

Bruce not many young birds lot of hens with none see some with 2 or 3. Sparying yeasterday I did see 12 0r so young birds fly up didn't see mom they might of been quail? See a lot of old roosters so hunting should be fair. But not like it has been. hottest i can remember. ch Didn't see any early here. I probably won't shoot gentleman bob this year.

Shortstop
 

Bruce: I havn't been on the forum for awhile and I see this thread. Sorry to hear about shortstop. I was playing with Huck today and already worried about the day he'll be gone. We'll get tired ourselves one day and remember our fine dogs as rewarding our lives right along and almost equally with our best friends. Stay in touch.
Dick Dow dowdd.s@roadrunner.com

Oh my gosh. Thank you all for your support and condolences. I'm very touched and grateful for you all.

Pete Kappes called me last night and I learned that Pete lost his little pointer last March. That little dog was another fine bird dog that lived a good life and went with Pete everywhere in the cab of his pickup. Pete bought a new truck for the farm but kept the old one for running around with his dogs......that and his wife refused to get in the old truck.

And from another point of view
 

--"And when the Vet's advice runs towards needles or a chamber, there is no other course you can take- then you'll realize the final harsh lesson, that you've given your heart to a dog for to break" Rudyard Kipling "The Power Of The Dog" 1894--Bruce, I too have buried many fine four legged friends- too many now that I look back over 60 years of days afield (other than my 10 in the USMC) the dog makes the hunt more than just killing birds awing, whether with a fine Parker or Smith, or a Iver Johnson Champion. All the fine walnut and blued steel can't ever come close to the lick of a tongue, his panting breath in your face as he struggles, in his pup years, to bring back the big Rooster you knocked down- the thumping of his tail against the side door of your Jeep on the long drive home, the whine of a dream in his memory path as he lays sleeping at your feet in front of a cabin fireplace-- Of all the great writers- Nash Buckingham, Corey Ford and Gene Hill probably have written it best- others described their dogs as I might a Bridgeport Mill to an apprentice- form, function, purpose- but those three greats knew the heart of soul of the noblest creature God ever blessed man with- I am sadden by your loss, but hopeful the new pup, over time, will assuage somehow Shortstop's passing-