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!

Santa and Me

Luther has a small stuffed Santa doll. That and an old bone are his only toys. He will strut around the house holding Santa. He loves to grab the pompom on Santa's hat and give Santa a twirl. It's a happy thing!

Luther's World

Here's a picture Jimmy took yesterday of Luther sitting in the boat at the dock. Luther loves riding in the boat and better yet, retrieving ducks and geese. This was just an expedition to try and locate the Ecollar that Jimmy pulled off of Luther and fell in the James River on Thanksgiving Day. Jimmy's convinced he will recover the Ecollar! I'm afraid that by the time it IS recovered, it will be corroded and we'll need new equipment. Time will tell...

Brandywine Hunt Test

Recently we drove up near Washington DC to take Luther to a Hunt Test. We had him signed up for one Master and one Senior test. We got there about 10 minutes to 8 AM. I hopped out of the car to air Luther and Jimmy took off to find the Senior test site. There I was...with a dog in hand and the Master Test dog was running the course and the Judges were explaining their requirements and I couldn't see any of it because I was stuck with Luther. Luther was the second dog to run. Needless to say, I turned into a bag of nerves. I think Luther knew it, too. Luther nailed the land retrieves. He started off on a perfect line to the land blind and then took a left turn. From there it was down hill. His second land blind was okay but the first had too many errors (my fault) and we were dropped.

Jimmy ran him in the Senior test. His land series was great. He is so focused, he doesn't miss a retrieve on land or water. His entry into the water for all the water marks was perfect...the angle in was great...his blind was right on. So all was not lost since Luther got his first Senior Hunt Test pass.

Luther has continued to be my angel, guardian and best buddy. My chemo treatments leave me tired and sick and he will follow me around like my shadow. If he is at the office window checking out his neighborhood, he'll return every 15 minutes or so to check on me. He smells my breath to judge how I'm feeling. Otherwise, he sleeps next to the bed near me. What a great dog the good Lord has gifted me with. Some kind of special!!!

Tidewater Retriever Club has wonderful picnics. It's good to have relaxation time to visit and catch up with the latest news with fellow members and their dogs. And of course all the new puppies are here for you to love and watch. It wouldn't be an event without running the dogs so you can sign up your dog in one category ranging from Open Dog to the Puppy Class. The club has several large trophies that are given to the first place winners of each respective division. Each winning member (and their dog) is given the club trophy, has a plate with their names added to it, and keeps it for one year. The trophy is returned to the following year's picnic to enhance the fireplace mantle of the next winner! It's a lot of fun especially when the winner is informed that by being the trophy winner, they judge their division test next year!

The day was overcast with a nice breeze and I can tell you that was wonderful and much appreciated for July 14th in Southern Virginia--past Stony Creek in Sussex County to be exact! Just as we were finishing running the dogs, some raindrops fell. We all jumped in our cars/trucks and went on a parade through paved, gravel and dirt roads looking for the food venue. It was fun. We arrived amongst sunflower, cotton and tobacco fields and were surprised to find a nice new building complete with kitchen facilities, a real bathroom, and a large room with tables and 2 flat screen TVs. Just as we went inside, the sky opened up and it poured outside big time. We needed the rain so their were no complaints. All of the food was delicious--BBQ chicken, potato salad, boiled potatoes, green beans and rolls. Plus Banana Pudding for dessert. After dinner, the new winners were announced and trophies were presented.

It was a great day in the countryside. Everyone, including the dogs, had a fun time! Thanks to David Witt and all the members (and there were a bunch of you) who helped make this a memorable day.