Christmas Day

Life is good. Luther received a bone (a rarity) and a package of dog biscuits from Karen and Roland. His tolerance level was very good. I had to take his photo and he allowed me to do it without any problem. I put a red metallic ribbon around his neck and I guess with all the collar changes, this isn't too bad. Luther looks so festive!

Lauren emailed me yesterday and said Tess (Luther's mother) is in labor. Can't wait to hear how many newborn Christmas puppies there are!

It's not officially winter yet and we had 2" of snow the other day with 2-5" predicted for tomorrow. If that's not bad enough, it's supposed to snow this weekend, too! We've had record lows and the wind has been blowing. Luther doesn't mind the cold and the snow is a new novelty. He loves it! He loves to bury his nose in the white fluffy snow and smell things below. It must be quite exciting because he will run along using his nose as a snow plow. I told Luther that the dentist doesn't like you to eat ice but he pays no attention. Luther thinks ice is a delicacy. He gets wound up like the horses used to do and takes off like a bullet racing across the yard. It must be a good thing to be a dog playing in the snow.

Luther's First Bath

I knew that some day this event would occur but I don't think Luther had any inkling! Luther had gone hunting with Jimmy and spent some time in the mud successfully scouting for ducks that had been shot down. When Luther came home, he brought the smelly mud with him. That was bothering me. But when he went out in the back yard and dragged a dead fish out of the lake, tossed it and repeatedly rolled on it, that was it! Stinky dog!
Matt Carden had shared that Joy was about the same PH as a dog's skin so this was the soap of choice. Jimmy brought our unwilling candidate into the guest bath because this tub has a shower head with a hose. Jimmy looped a short rope around Luther's neck and after a couple commands, he stood still and let me shampoo and rinse him all over. I had expected more of a water fight but he was very cooperative. After a vigorous toweling, off he ran streaking around the house. Goodbye fish, hello Luther!

The Official Hunt

I haven't posted much lately due to our flying to Montana to pick up Luther at his trainer's, Lauren Hall Koch and the holidays. Lauren is diligent and very competent. The proof is in the wonderful, obedient dog we picked up. Lauren knows how to focus and communicate without heavy use on the peripheral training aids. Luther's gun dog training as well as house manners are fully credited to Lauren. Now if we can keep up her tutelage! The pressure is on us now to maintain his focus.

The Annual Thanksgiving Day Hunt is a big deal for Jimmy and his duck hunting crew and it was important to arrive home in time for this premier event. This year was especially significant since it was Luther's first official hunt. The club had built Luther a special area with ramp access from the river. Jimmy said Luther did everything he was asked with style and finesse retrieving 5 teal ducks and 2 Canada Geese! Jimmy was ecstatic!!!

The photo was taken by Bart Leahey on the Saturday following Thanksgiving. Luther looks like he fits right in.