Life comes full circle
 

Last February, when I posted Hold Them Dear, For They Own Our Hearts I was uncertain of things to come. Annie Oakley and I had just lost our best friend and hunting partner, Abby. All my best laid plans evaporated faster than the tears. We were left lost and forlorn, in the new dynamic in which we found ourselves.

Life goes on. We were fortunate to find a fine stud candidate with Long Gone Kennels in New Hampshire. Oakley carries a lot of Grouse Ridge and Long Gone blood. Lloyd Murray acquired the dogs from Grouse Ridge when they retired. He knew of all the Grouse Ridge dogs in Oakley's pedigree. We chose to breed with his 2X Champion Long Gone Porky. This past Sunday (8/29) Oakley blessed us with a litter of beautiful, healthy puppies.

Oakley and I will be breaking in a new hunting partner! Certainly not this season, but for many seasons to come. She, one of her daughters and I will make new memories, for a new generation.

Best of luck to you!





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Hope and happiness you can hold.

Thats wonderful. Those are some great pups. Enjoy.....

Thanks all.

Nothing better than an English Setter!

She looks like a good mommy

We love them all. We miss them when they are gone.

Hmm, okay. Seems the universe had other plans for us. Instead of one, we now have 2 new pups. The first is the golden girl I had planned on keeping. The second, her brother, the universe apparently wanted us to keep also. Both are showing great potential.

John: They both look great. You are going to have your hands full with the mischief they will get into.... LOL Good luck to ya.

Jon, always good to listen to the Universe! I have no doubt you'll be glad you did. What's not to love about the promise of a puppy, and two(!) adds exponential pleasure to life. Enjoy.

Nothing better than an English setter pup to hold in your arms

There is nothing which generates more optimism than a new gun dog puppy (or 2!)

My word, how life changes doesn't it? Good for you! I always have had more than one dog to "ease the pain" and it doesn't quite erase it. But I'm glad you went all in with your chips. I am always reminded of what Gene Hill wrote, "God made dogs lives short so we could enjoy more of them in our lives." Good luck, you'll be busy : )

Thought I'd share these. My brother, Sheepherder, holding 8 wk old Annie Oakley at Game Creek, 5 1/2 years ago. And holding her 6 wk old daughter, Aurelia Skye, 5 1/2 weeks ago.

Today the pups are 12 weeks old. I received this pic from the proud owner of the other female in the litter. She went to New Brunswick, Canada. They were out today doing some training and little Winnie pointed her first quail. Nice style for 12 weeks!

Gorgeous style and a good looking girl. And I love her name. My family has always given our gun dogs a dignified gun name. We’ve have had and have a Colt, Remmy, Parker, Ruger, Elsie, and a Winny.
She’s got a lot of promise, and you can’t deny, a lot of style!

Thanks. This entire litter shows that drive and promise. We intend to repeat this breeding in a year or so.