NAVHDA Plaque Arrived

[Alfred Houde]

I received the plaque from NAVHDA that my young Brittany earned in the Natural Ability Test. Much nicer than I expected. I am having a lot of fun with this little gal, and she has performed very well during her first gunning season.

Wish I could have shown her a few more ducks, but I never made it up to WNY and the drought dried up all my holes and spots here in Virginia. Very pleased with the number of grouse and woodcock found, pointed, and retrieved, and the second split for woodcock begins Friday.

The ribbons in the back were earned by my late American Water Spaniel. He has been gone for over two years now and I just can't bring myself to take them down and put them away.

[edgarspencer]

Congratulations to you and Annie. That sure brings back memories. NAVHDA was a huge part of my family's activities back in the '70s. My dad was one of the founders, along with Bodo Winterholt and Gearge Adolph. GWPs dominated our family. All our dogs came from Betty Stroh, Hilltop Farm in Suffield, CT. Her best dog, Beau, sired some of the best champs back then. My dad's dog, Cyclone, died the same day as my dad, January 1985. My dog, Ringer (Hilltop's Ringmaster) was the best grouse pointing dog I've ever known. I embarrassed that dog more times than I can remember.

[Alfred Houde]

NAVHDA is a great organization and system. You just never really know what the dog is going to do. I went into the test worried about her swimming. I was totally confident on the pointing and tracking portions of the test. Test day she struggled a little with the track but swam like a seal, so you just don't know. A pass is a pass, and I really enjoy seeing and watching all of the different breeds.

[Steve Hodges]

Alfred, never take those ribbons down!! Leave them up to honor his memory and keep him alive in your heart! He is looking down and is pleased that they remain as a memory of him. I truly believe that.