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An Open Letter to My Gun Dog
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February 26, 2010
An Open Letter to My Gun Dog
By David DiBenedetto
Happy Anniversary, Pritchard. One year ago today we plucked you from the only home you knew. A place filled with littermates—your pack—and other dogs. And suddenly you were riding home in the arms of Jenny.
Like new parents, we watched your every move, charted your every poop, studied you for any sign of gun dog talent, and marveled at your tiny size. You found comfort in snuggling with my brown shoes because, we liked to think, they resembled your littermates. You had a few accidents, whined all night long, and only quieted down when we pulled your crate close to the bed so that we could reach down to you.
Were you (are you) spoiled? Good Lord, yes.
Training began. And I rode the ups and downs as if strapped to the arm of an oil rig. One day you were going to be a field trial champ. The next day a lazy couch dog. But I quickly discovered you were nothing but a reflection of my training talents. Yes, I could take credit for your gorgeous first retrieve in the dove field. But I needed to also accept responsibility for the time you decapitated the pigeon during our first field trial.
Funny thing happened as we traveled down gun-dog road. You taught me as much as I taught you. Patience. Discipline. Fairness. Focus. And a bit more patience. Another thing happened, too. I went bird hunting more than ever. Dove, ducks, quail, and even an ill-fated marsh hen expedition. I wanted nothing more than to be in the field with you.
How far do we still need to go? Miles, pup. Miles. But I can’t wait.
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Comments (16)
love the pic. wow has she grown!
my labrador turned 11 months yesterday
they grow so fast dont they
Ahh, you have awakened sweet and precious miles of memories from my file of forgetfulness!
Great love story of reminiscent days, filled with knowledge gained and wisdom revealed ...
An endearing picture.
This is as it should be.
Field and Stream and Gundawgz forever!
That's the definition of SPOILED! :)
Let Gracie in the other night, thought the flag was down? NOT!
what kind of dog is that in the picture?
Damon619--That's my Boykin spaniel, Pritchard, at probably 9 weeks. -D
thank you Dave DiBenedetto
Great letter Dave, and congrats on meeting the one year mark. Your blog has truely helped me thru owning and training my first bird dog. You and Pritsch have always put this whole process into perspective...both the good and the bad (im not as bummed about my pooch catching and decapitating a pigeon three weeks ago)...hey it happens. Anyway, thanks again and keep em coming...something to look forward to everyday!!
Great Letter Dave! What did Pritch have to say about it?
Quack
Great letter Dave its been a great year.I look forward to your blog her next year.The training gets easier at this point the foundation has been set down and sets in for good the dog getting older and understanding the big picture is a large help.Snows getting deep here just got a large storm 3 more today 3 tonight and at least 3 after that in the forcast.Snowmobile is out my 20yr. old daughter has been rideing it.We did get in some ice fishing on historic Lake George and did have some success I pulled a 22 inch salmon threw the ice (felt good) on a 40up,nephew a 27 inch laker you should have seen his face,daughter and fience more than a couple of lakers and some were keepers(23in.).Im working training around the weather as it goes here this time of year here.Good ruffed grouse and rabbit and snowshoe hunting up north in the winter but the snow is 2 or 3 dogs deep.
Bookie- Thanks. Glad you appreciate the ups and the many downs...good luck with your pup. Keep us posted.
Quack- I fear Pritch thinks I'm a sap. She just wants another treat.
Kelmitch- We actually got about two inches of snow last week...It melted by noon but that was plenty for me and Pritch. Sounds like you're putting a hurting on the fish. Nice work. -D
The salmon was caught right in front of Fort William Henry what a setting.Teaching the kids to only take what we will use no more lakers but love the salmon!The real bad weather days are a good time to show the kids how to prepare the game at this time.Took some venison chili with us in my portable shanty black beans,red beans,white beans,not too many beens chunky with onion,tomatoes,green pepper,red pepper,and sauce but so good on a cold day.Time to clean the loft.
Love to hunt birds but playing as John Anderson said Marco Polo in the deep snow up north is not for me or Magnum.
"Another thing happened, too. I went bird hunting more than ever." I noticed the same thing with my beagle. Since I have gotten them, I go rabbit hunting a lot more than I used to. That got me more interested in coyote control, habitat, and so on. Dogs are awesome!
As my pediatrician told me at my daughter's three year check-up: "Unfortunately (and thank God) they're only puppies once. "
DiBenedetto,
Check this out. Apparently combat dogs suffer from PTSD too. Ever seen this type of behavior in a gun dog?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870447940457508736079029557...
Post a Comment
my labrador turned 11 months yesterday
they grow so fast dont they
Ahh, you have awakened sweet and precious miles of memories from my file of forgetfulness!
Great love story of reminiscent days, filled with knowledge gained and wisdom revealed ...
An endearing picture.
love the pic. wow has she grown!
This is as it should be.
Field and Stream and Gundawgz forever!
Damon619--That's my Boykin spaniel, Pritchard, at probably 9 weeks. -D
Great letter Dave, and congrats on meeting the one year mark. Your blog has truely helped me thru owning and training my first bird dog. You and Pritsch have always put this whole process into perspective...both the good and the bad (im not as bummed about my pooch catching and decapitating a pigeon three weeks ago)...hey it happens. Anyway, thanks again and keep em coming...something to look forward to everyday!!
That's the definition of SPOILED! :)
Let Gracie in the other night, thought the flag was down? NOT!
what kind of dog is that in the picture?
thank you Dave DiBenedetto
Great Letter Dave! What did Pritch have to say about it?
Quack
Great letter Dave its been a great year.I look forward to your blog her next year.The training gets easier at this point the foundation has been set down and sets in for good the dog getting older and understanding the big picture is a large help.Snows getting deep here just got a large storm 3 more today 3 tonight and at least 3 after that in the forcast.Snowmobile is out my 20yr. old daughter has been rideing it.We did get in some ice fishing on historic Lake George and did have some success I pulled a 22 inch salmon threw the ice (felt good) on a 40up,nephew a 27 inch laker you should have seen his face,daughter and fience more than a couple of lakers and some were keepers(23in.).Im working training around the weather as it goes here this time of year here.Good ruffed grouse and rabbit and snowshoe hunting up north in the winter but the snow is 2 or 3 dogs deep.
Bookie- Thanks. Glad you appreciate the ups and the many downs...good luck with your pup. Keep us posted.
Quack- I fear Pritch thinks I'm a sap. She just wants another treat.
Kelmitch- We actually got about two inches of snow last week...It melted by noon but that was plenty for me and Pritch. Sounds like you're putting a hurting on the fish. Nice work. -D
The salmon was caught right in front of Fort William Henry what a setting.Teaching the kids to only take what we will use no more lakers but love the salmon!The real bad weather days are a good time to show the kids how to prepare the game at this time.Took some venison chili with us in my portable shanty black beans,red beans,white beans,not too many beens chunky with onion,tomatoes,green pepper,red pepper,and sauce but so good on a cold day.Time to clean the loft.
Love to hunt birds but playing as John Anderson said Marco Polo in the deep snow up north is not for me or Magnum.
"Another thing happened, too. I went bird hunting more than ever." I noticed the same thing with my beagle. Since I have gotten them, I go rabbit hunting a lot more than I used to. That got me more interested in coyote control, habitat, and so on. Dogs are awesome!
As my pediatrician told me at my daughter's three year check-up: "Unfortunately (and thank God) they're only puppies once. "
DiBenedetto,
Check this out. Apparently combat dogs suffer from PTSD too. Ever seen this type of behavior in a gun dog?
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870447940457508736079029557...
Post a Comment