My Poster Child...well, Dog!

Last year, Luther won the Tidewater Retriever Club's Open Gun Dog trophy. The dog that wins it keeps it for a year and adds a plaque with his name and handler to the trophy. The other day, I polished up the silver to get it ready for the next recipient this fall. I took Luther's photo with the trophy and played with a filter for an effect and it looked like it needed to be made into a poster so I went with the flow. (I'll add this poster to the room dedicated to dogs in our house--the powder room!) This created a moment to look back and think about everything in our lives that has happened since Luther won the trophy last year. It's been a fun ride. Now we've got Java to join in our fun and festivities. There's so much to look forward to.

Java's Coming Out Event

Java is 9 1/2 months old. She's been at Lake Country Retrievers for almost 3 months. Wednesday morning Jimmy and I went down to Jim Elam's to train Luther. We were there a little early and Jim said to let Java out into the yard so we could visit. (I was surprised to hear this but didn't argue!) Java was her usual exuberant self--so glad to see us. When everyone was ready to leave to go to the field, Jim said to put Java on the truck! Shock--to my knowledge, Java has never been on the dog truck before. After lunch Prentice brought Java into the field and Jim rode the 4 wheeler and threw 4 birds for her--50 yards to about 100 yards. She marked each one and retrieved them to hand like a pro. I had no idea she was as advanced as she is. She is handling, doing pattern blinds and working on Swim By. She absolutely loves it. I was so surprised to see all this. My pup is growing up. Thank you Jim, Prentice, Patrick, Preston and Charles! All your hard work shows. Jimmy and I were both stunned and speechless on the drive home. Jim really surprised us with Java's progress!

White Coat Syndrome

My brother has "White Coat Syndrome". Whenever he goes to the doctor and they take his blood pressure, it shoots through the roof. He'll come home and monitor it for days and it is normal. Today Luther had "White Coat Syndrome" but his was a different kind. Jimmy had been to Dick's Sporting Goods and saw a ladies Columbia white jacket on sale. He came home and had me close my eyes and hold out one arm. He slipped a sleeve on it and repeated with the other arm. Meanwhile, Luther started getting all worked up and excited! He knew that I wear a white jacket when he runs long distances. Luther was so happy and was ready to go even though it wasn't my usual white jacket. It was new, but he knew!!!

I Love Luther Day!

Call me lucky. This morning as I grabbed some extra shut-eye, Jimmy went down through the garage and out to his car to get something. The problem was when he came back, Luther didn't make it into the garage before the door went down. I woke up and missed seeing Luther at the foot of the bed. I walked around and called him. No response. I asked Jimmy if he'd seen him and the answer was "No". I checked the guest room where the door closes him in occasionally, no Luther. I opened the porch sliding door and checked it and the back yard. No Luther. By the time I opened the front door, Jimmy was there. He grabbed the whistle and blew it 3 short times LOUDLY for a "Here" command. A minute or two later, Luther came flying through the house. He'd come in through the sliding door and was really wet. It had been a quiet rainy morning. I guess he'd been outside by himself over an hour or more. He was happy to see me. I toweled him off and gave him a treat. What a scare. Maybe I'm not near as lucky as Jimmy was! I cannot even conceive life without Luther. My buddy. This photo of Luther sitting near me was taken later this morning. As a good friend described him--a Magnificent Beast!

Java at 6 Months

Are you believing it? Java is 6 months old. Actually she was 6 months old on the 4th of July! I took this picture of her last Friday and I think it captures her personality. She is always so alert and doesn't want to miss a thing. She sits while I open her crate in the morning and when I give her permission to come out, she bounds out and runs in reverse down the hallway on the way to the Kitchen. She's focused on me and making sure Luther is coming, too. Like Ginger Rogers, she does it backwards and in heels!!! She's quite the young lady.

Luther & Me---Selfie!

Move over Hollywood--I figured we follow the trend and take a selfie, too.

Soft Spot

The text reads: We have a new soft spot in our hearts... We brought you home on 22 Feb 14. You were the first pup of the litter to leave home. You are very much your own self, very determined and fearless. You run until you drop! Luther is good to you but a little wrestling goes a long way. Thank goodness for the folding fence. You’re a true lab--loving food more than anything. Right away you were sitting on command and wanting to go outside to do you thing. Smart girl! Stop growing and stay a puppy for a while!!! You are just too cute for words.