Dogs.

Beautiful Chessie Phil. Reminds me of my ol Jake from years ago. That same always vigilant look when waiting for birds.
 
Yes Al, Otter is ready...lol... he is always ready!

Kodi and Otter are/were very different dogs... but you can always tell a CBR by their posture.
 
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This is my dd Adonis vom Goldentriangle aka Dobby
Most of these pictures where under 1 1/2. I don't take many photos because I was trying to get him all set and didn't want him to slip up. This year should be good.
 
In chronological order, from 1985 to present. I have been blessed with wonderful companions.


Brook, the springer, teaching Gyr what how to retrieve geese on the Chester River, Maryland. On her first hunt, he retrieved the 1st goose of the day and she beat him to the remaining 5 and retrieved them to hand like she had been doing it for years.
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Blade in Alberta showing off his hard work. As I remember this was his first day of prairie goose hunting and he was the only retriever. He slept well that night.

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Ruger, the low key work horse, in eastern Washington.

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Ruger teaching Kip the ropes in Saskatchewan.

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Kip in his prime on the Columbia.
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Kip getting it done on Puget Sound. He retrieved birds from Manitoba to the Pacific Ocean. But he loved nothing more than riding in my Bankes and retrieving scaup.

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Brant on duty on the Columbia. 95 pounds of lovable goofy dog. Afraid of linoleum floors but never shied away from any retrieve, loved to body slam crippled geese or swim down crippled divers for as long as it would take.

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Jake the machine. Home after a trip to eastern Washington. At 19 months, he literally can not get enough retrieves. He had days this season in Alberta and Washington when he retrieved over 30 birds and wanted to keep going after the limits had been reached.


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The almost the same progression for cuteness sake.

Ruger and Blade

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Ruger and Kip.
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Kip and Brant

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Brant and Jake.

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You only get a few really good ones in your life, and I lost a good one a couple weeks ago.

This probably won't be a very eloquent posting. It's been tough losing my best friend Brooke unexpectedly. She had a wonderful day retrieving 12 Teal without skipping a beat. Even a couple that were pushing the 80 yard mark.

I always said I don't even really think she likes picking up ducks, but she did it with great zeal because she knew it made me happy. Although she's retrieved hundreds if not thousands in her life. She was very good at it. She was just as home on the couch as in the marsh.

She had a full life even though it was shorter than I expected. She spent every day with me in my workshop or taking walks, or out hunting. She was always by my side. We were inseparable. I am not very good without a black Labrador tagging along.

I just wanted to share a few pictures of my precious girl.

I deal with this type of loss all the time for other people, in making my Decoy urns. It's because of how I feel right now that I know how much they mean to each my customers.

She will eventually find her way into a rig of Greenwing teal and I will cherish and hunt over.
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So sorry for your loss Jode. Sounds like she was one hell of a friend and companion.
 
I am so sorry to hear about Brooke's passing Jode. It sucks and I wish I could say something that would make people feel better. She was a beauty and sounds like she was a great companion. Love the puppy shot.

Dani
 


Sorry to see this Jode.

I lost my first water dog back in 2018. Jake was a far better retriever than I was a trainer and absolutely loved pointing woodcock.
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Some of Jake's last few retrieves were Bull Cans and Wigeon.

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I just finished duck season with this youngster who will be 4 this month. He has earned the reputation that seemingly all Chocolate labs have and he is the most hardheaded dog I've ever had. His drive to retrieve is absolutely incredible and he won't quit until the point of total exhaustion. Cooper is steadier and more comfortable in a pirogue than most folks I know.

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