My Boys

It's hard to get a pic with both Jimmy and Luther posed perfectly. This is right out of the camera and close but needs a little touch up work. Last weekend we worked the Tidewater Retriever Club's Spring Event. We hadn't signed Luther up. One more successful entry and he'll have his Junior Hunter title. Yesterday we worked Luther with a pro--Jeff Stoneman. What an impressive man. He told us to work on the basics and have them nailed down tight. Jeff was extremely helpful. We'll train again with him soon. I was really impressed how he worked with one dog to fix a problem. He tries to get in the dog's head and understand each dog's strengths and weaknesses. They are all so different.

Hunt Test - Linden, NC

Another weekend, and two more Junior Hunt Tests. This time Jimmy was here to handle Luther. Luther loved every minute of it. He marked super and even though the weather turned cold (upper 30s to mid 40s), and the drizzle was on and off, he loved the water retrieves (picture above). He nailed the ducks buried in the winter wheat field. Good job, Luther.

Luther's First Rosette

The weekend of March 19 & 20th, Luther and I drove to Kinston, NC, for Luther's first Junior Hunt Test. This involved 2 retrieves of a duck on land and 2 retrieves in water. Luther arrived at the Hunt Test with extra energy! His usual calm centered self was now pumped up with boldness and vigor. I guess it was like taking a kid to the circus! He loved it. Luther marks (sees where the duck drops) with pinpoint accuracy. He's used to running much longer distances, too. He earned his first leg of four of his Junior Hunter title. Congrats, Luther! And Thanks to the Down East Hunting Retriever Club for such a fun time and well run event.

A Glance Back

When I took some Birthday photos of Luther, I couldn't help but compare a puppy photo I took on May 31st, when Luther was 2-1/2 months old, to a photo I took on March 16th. The same place and same pose. My buddy!

Computer Perks

For the past several years, I have taught several classes using Adobe Photoshop Elements. One class is a Digital Scrapbooking class. As a follow-up for those wanting to learn more, we have a Digi Crop Club that meets once a month and I teach a new technique. This month our topic was "Creating your own Custom Wallpaper". Here's the layout I made using the photos of Luther. Now Jimmy can enjoy seeing Luther everyday when he looks at his computer screen!

Tidewater Retriever Club

What a gorgeous day! Today was Luther's day. This was our first visit to the Tidewater Retriever Club and their first practice hunt trial of the year. Luther retrieved bumpers in the puppy session and ran duck retrievals in the big dog class. All the training with Lauren Hall Koch in Montana and with Jimmy and I here in the field on those cold winter days is paying off. Luther did fantastic! I'm so proud of him. We've decided to sign up to work for his Junior Hunter title. Thanks to all in the Tidewater Retriever Club for such a warm welcome to Luther, Jimmy and me.

Such Focus

Luther never believes in missing a meal...or a treat. I buy the smallest Milkbone biscuits and break them in half and balance half on his nose. Luther snaps it up quickly. He likes the challenge and yesterday got 4 out of 4. Such talent!