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.

Simply The Best!

Sorry it's been a month or so since I last posted. I've had some health issues that took priority. It's great to know that when you need help it's there. Such is the case with Luther. Since I had surgery (colon cancer) and was hospitalized, Jim Elam agreed to keep Luther and train him. We went down yesterday to visit and watch the training. Luther was as glad to see me as I was him. Jim said last weekend the Yadkin River Retriever Club visited his kennels. Jim used Luther as a Demo Dog to demonstrate training in the technical pond in the field behind the kennels. He said Luther did perfect. They are a great team together. I can't say enough about Jim Elam and the training program at Lake Country Retrievers. Luther is smart and talented and Jimmy and I were trying to learn and train at the same time and it just wasn't working out. At LCR, they are professional and hard workers. Each team member is talented and knows their responsibilities and the program works so smoothly. Jim Elam has made Luther the fine athlete he is today! The journal entry says: "Our goal when we got Luther was for me to have a buddy and Jimmy to have a good Hunting Dog. As Luther grew, we recognized that Luther was way more than an ordinary dog. We stumbled along the way with his training. Lauren Hall Koch got Luther off to a great start. The problem was she is in Montana. After trying to move forward, we realized there was so much we didn’t know. Our quest for a trainer brought us to Jim Elam. This was the perfect solution for Luther and us. Jim is about the nicest fellow you’d ever want to meet--and he’s in tune with each dog, it’s talents and shortcomings. Luther would never have gotten his first Master Pass at 2 years and 2 months without Jim Elam. Lake Country Retrievers has the finest, caring team working with each dog making them the best they can be. Jim has even worked with me teaching me handling skills with Luther. Needless to say, I can’t say enough accolades about Jim Elam. It’s a good thing!"

Visiting Honey

My grandchildren, Barton and Reagan, come to visit for a few days during Spring Break. One day we drove down to Emporia to watch Jim Elam train Luther. Mike Griffith was there training his 3 labs. Mike left a step stool by his truck and I turned to see both kids on the stool looking in and talking to Honey, Mike's yellow lab. My favorite photos are those that capture the moment like this one.

BLUR

Luther is quite a fellow. He has so much go power that when he runs up a hill, there's a dust trail behind him. At his Junior Title test, Luther was the first dog to run. The judge turned and asked the gallery to clap for him (he put on such as show) and told them that the rest of the dogs should thank Luther since he literally blazed a path up the hill to where the bird was. Cover? What cover? Nothing has changed. He gets as excited and focused as ever. That's what this layout is about. Jim Elam has done a fantastic job training Luther and harnessing his energy. Jim coordinates his direction and focus, has him mark, says "Luther" and off he goes! A BLUR!

The Most Important Things...

When Luther was home last, it was what I like to call "A Perfect Day"! The sky was a clear blue, no wind and the sun felt warm and melted on your skin. I walked out into the back yard and Luther walked with me and he laid down beside me. We stayed there without moving for about half an hour. It was only when I downloaded my photos that I saw Jimmy had picked up my camera and captured that moment. It's a good thing.

Lucky me! The majority of any retail "Lab" products I find feature Black Labs or even occasionally the Yellow Lab. Imagine my surprise when I spied these wonderful sandals in the L.L. Bean catalog with Chocolate Labs. The are comfortable and sporty, too. I've half a notion to order a second pair for backup since they are so perfect. ;-)

Luther's a Brother--Again!

It was indeed a thrill to hear that Tess (Luther's mother) just had a healthy litter of puppies. Lauren is careful and diligent about her dog's breeding program and her choice of studs--FC AFC It's All Over Now Baby Blue is an example of her extensive research. He certainly is a magnificent dog! I'm so glad all are doing well. Congratulations! (Wish I could see these cute babies.) The text on the layout reads - "Luther’s Mother, What Can Brown Do For You MH (Tess) was bred to FC AFC It’s All Over Now Baby Blue and their puppies were born on April 16th, 2012. Eight pups--6 chocolates--4 females, 2 males and 2 blacks. Mother and Pups doing well.