2014 Christmas eCard

Merry Christmas from Luther, Bonnie & Jimmy! This year has been a remarkable year and I must take this opportunity to acknowledge two excellent professional trainers, Jim Elam who has trained Luther since he was 15 months old and has been there for us with his wisdom and talent, and Brad Slaybaugh who took us under his wing to train with him daily through the summer and into the fall. Brad had his work cutout with me and was so good at explaining to me what I was doing wrong handling (like flailing my arms). It is because of Jim and Brad that Luther earned his AKC Master Hunter title this fall! Luther and I bonded through all of this in a most unique way--so special.

Luther is going to be a DADDY for the first time in early January. Luther was bred with Maizie and these pups are going to be very special. David said Maizie is so "heavy with pups" she looks like a pot-bellied pig!!! Jimmy and I hopefully will select a female from the litter. David's dad, Don, wants a male. Both of these dogs are exceptional--their personalities, talents and pedigrees. I can't wait. Maize is smaller, about 55 pounds where Luther is 75 pounds and all bone and muscle! Both are chocolate but Maizie is a little darker like Hershey's syrup. I'll post some photos as soon as I have some.

Today is Christmas! I hope Santa was good to you. The new year is right around the corner. We wish you the best of everything for the new year! Let all pray that 2014 has excellent health and prosperity for all of us.

Bonnie, Jimmy and of course, Luther!

A Hunting We Will Go...

Today was Luther's first hunt this year. Jimmy and Luther left in the wee hours of the morning. Jimmy said Luther was the perfect companion today, kenneling in the boat and kenneling in the blind. They shot 1 duck and 3 geese and Luther retrieved them all. When retrieving one goose, the boat was in shallow water and Jimmy said Luther leaped into the boat, goose and all! After a strenuous morning, they stopped by a restaurant where Luther stayed in the car and Jimmy enjoyed a large salad and a plate of Chicken and Dumplings. Jimmy said there was too much food so they put most of the Chicken and Dumplings in a styrofoam container. Then they made another stop where Jimmy got out of the car and visited a friend. You guessed it. When Jimmy got back in the car, Luther was licking his lips!!! Luther said he loved the Chicken and Dumplings!!! And he never made a mess in the car. It was a good day. Now Luther is enjoying a nap with a full tummy.

Trophy Dog

Would you believe it??? Look at Luther's trophy! A couple of week's ago, our Tidewater Retriever Club held its Fall event for members. Since Luther had received his AKC Master title, he had to move up to the Open Gun Dog division. Luther was the second dog to run and run he did! He ran like a rocket to all 3 birds (the first one being in the pond and he swam a straight line to it) and nailed them all. During the awards after lunch (thanks David Colgin for the delicious BBQ), I thought Luther might receive a ribbon. I didn't see all the dogs run so I had no idea if another dog exceeded his performance. I kept listening for his name and after 2nd place, I figured he'd won it all or somehow got disqualified. You never know. Then they called Luther's name. We'll have Luther's name added to the trophy and we keep it for the next year and pass it on to next year's Open Gun Dog champion!

Luther's Master Hunter Title

I can't believe we've reached our goal! In the past several months, Luther's skills and head have come together. He's been a true team member and even though we are best buddies in and around the house, he has been willing to give me everything and listen while working in the field. On the other hand, my skills as a handler have exceeded what I'd ever dreamed. There are still countless scenarios I need to learn how to deal with, but compared to where I was, it's nothing less than a miracle. Our success today is the result of kind and sharing friends and pros. I remember seeing Lauren handle Tess in the field and thinking it was practically magic. Luther put on a performance here in Rose Hill this weekend that was practically that. His drive and energy are things to be admired. What the gallery couldn't see was his huge heart! I have to be his brakes and stop him because he'd keep going and give it his "all". Luther is my buddy, my friend. So quiet and caring next to my bed when I was having chemo, but so full blast and wide open in the field. What a dog!

Dog Talk

As usual, I have a curious sense of humor! I just love these dog cartoons.

HERE!

Luther continues to be my best buddy...(lying right here at my feet). This morning we went to the track at Richard Bland College to walk a few laps. I knew I should have left and come back later when I saw this Jack Russell running around loose with two ladies. Sure enough, after one lap, the little dog ran right up behind Luther (who I had on a leash just in case...) and tried to smell his butt. Luther jumped around and sat and behaved himself. That little dog was all over the place. The owner said she had lost his leash....really! A couple minutes later, one of the ladies said her brother had a dog like mine and asked what his name was. When I replied, "Luther", Luther took that to mean a release command and took off and the nylon leash burned through my fingers. Ouch! I called for him to sit and he did and said "Here" and he came right back to my side. Training is a good thing!

H. Cooper Black

I'd heard others talk about attending events at H. Cooper Black near Cheraw, SC. I didn't understand what all the fuss was about until our first trip there about 3 weeks ago. It's a State Park that has extremely nice facilities. There are a number of RV sites with hook-ups, a large open barn with 12x12 stalls, outside paddocks and miles of trails for riding, 8 kennel buildings with 12 kennels each. But the real story is the land... There are acres and acres of fields on rolling hillsides and numerous lakes for water training. It's gorgeous!

It was exciting seeing all the dogs run. Luther got better with each Master Hunt Test series. His last bird was a blind planted at the base of a dam about 5 feet tall. As usual, Luther took off like lightning and just as he was passing the bird, Jim Elam blew the whistle while Luther caught the scent. Luther put on the brakes and spun around to face Jim and rocks and dirt flew everywhere! My boy Luther!!!

Here's what the journaling says - H. Cooper Black March 9&10, 2013 What a beautiful weekend and what wonderful grounds for a Hunt Test! Friday night we ate ribs at Fatz. We invited a fellow dog owner, Don, to eat with us. Come to find out, he was a veterinarian for Disney vetting everything from snakes to elephants. He was fascinating to listen to. Nice guy! Our training group, headed by Jim Elam, had quite a successful outcome for the weekend. With 7 dogs entered, we received 7 ribbons...Belle, Gin, Luther, Lacy, Cole (run by Janet), Molly and Hoss. In the top picture: Bonnie, Jim Elam, Janet and Johnny. Not pictured: Jimmy Cuddihy (taking the photo). The other photo is a new favorite of Luther showing his handsome profile! H. Cooper Black is one impressive place. We look forward to a return trip and will request the exact same weather--with no bugs!

Life has its ups and downs. For me, I just appreciate the wonderful people around me--family, friends and of course, Luther. Although my design degree gave me special appreciation of the finer things in life, "stuff" is just that. This journey through colon cancer and the treatments needed to continue forward have given me lots of time to think about what is really important. I don't think I was too off base to begin with but simplifying more will definitely be a focus. I took my last chemo treatment last Wednesday. It was great to ring that bell in the Infusion room to announce to the world that hopefully, I've finished with those nasty chemicals. Now to heal...and to get my hair back!

The journaling reads...Yesterday we drove to NC to watch Jim Elam and Luther train. Luther has been my faithful companion for the past 6+ months during my chemo treatments. Either he was by my side or would come check on me every 10-15 minutes. He'd smell my breath by putting his nose to my mouth without actually touching me. He did his best to be there for me. Amazing what animals sense.

On good days we would go to the nearby football field and run a dozen or so marks. The weather recently has been wet with rain or snow so Luther has been limited to running around in the back yard. Jimmy did take Luther hunting a few times and Luther loved that. Jim Elam will quickly get Luther back into shape and tuned up for this years Hunt Test season.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, LUTHER!