Man's Best Friend

1/1/2014

The beginning of a new year naturally brings upon us a desire to reflect on the past. The last year was a hard one for our family friends and hunting partners...our dogs. Within our close group we lost three of our most trusted companions. The loss of a pet in no way compares to those that lost family members this year, but all of us with pets (primarily dogs since I hate most cats) understand the bond we build as we let them into our homes and our passions.

We lost Cody, Oscar, and Houston in 2013. Cody was always so proud riding around in the back of Dad's white pickup and knew every rooster in the area on a first name basis. Oscar was a giant friend and great family protector who never hesitated to lay down and take a nap. Houston was a fabulous hunting partner for all of us, human and canine, who had a motor that just wouldn't quit. Let's not forget the losses of years past. Clem gave us all a few good laughs and Lewis had a lab's brain stuck in a miniature schnauzer's body.

Brutis and Dakota are poised to provide our group with great hunts to come. Brutis has definitely lost a step as he is now approaching 10 (or 70 depending on your point of view) years of age, but those years of experience serve him well. Dakota is coming on very strong and has shown he has what it takes by retrieving close to 500 birds this year in Saskatchewan. Jeff has a new dog, Cooper, started on a training regimen and we all look forward to creating memories with him in the future.

Farewell to our good friends who provided so many great times, and here's to keeping the memorable moments coming.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Be sure to hover over any of the pics below for the captions. You can click on them too for a bigger version.