Another duck season rolls by while I am contiuously learning more and more about the “ultimate sport”, as some might call it. Of course we all know that duck hunting isn’t complete if you don’t have a “retriever”. I wrote the last word in quotes because some would consider almost any K-9 as a hunting companion. What I am looking for is a solid retriever. I’m talking about the loyal, water loving friend all men should have. Sadly enough I have been rather slack in my efforts to get Dixie into the ole’ winter routine. She went out with us once for early teal season and made her first retrieve. She sat impatiently under my gun waiting for that one sound to send her into a frenzy. BANG!!!…which in her terms means “Go get the freaking bird!!!!!!” Let’s just say steadiness doesn’t suite her at the moment, but she doesn’t realize what is fixing to transpire. Later in the season we went on another trip taking all the pups. Dixie, Allie, and Hudson all were in attendance. The first hour, she did ok as she sat patiently waiting for me to raise the gun. The rails flying to and fro were beginning to set her into a fetching frenzy. No matter what the command, she was ready to go catch a bird right out of the air. “SIT!!!”, I said for the 50th time. No more than 30 minutes later, she was spinning in circles chasing her tail. Then she began rolling in the mud and growling at the limb laying to her side. Allie and Hudson now had their attention on Dixie, as did I. As the weather got colder and the water began to freeze, I didn’t take her anymore because I didn’t have a vest for her. Although she wasn’t the “best” hunting dog this season, I thought she did fairly well. Just the other night I took a picture of her, and I am convinced she has gone soft. It won’t be long and she will be in boot camp, becoming the dog I know she can be. It may be a shock at first, but with time she will love me more for it. I may even take her squirrel hunting a few times….who knows…
good luck this spring,
Dewayne
