Break # 1 – midday on 7/31
The day was very warm and we just took it kinda easy. Checked on birds and watched the boys – mow – getting the home meadow done. That's great. We got some rain at night – less then .3 – good for the hills but they want the meadows dry to bail.
I was still a bit under the weather and just hung out. Plenty of nap time. Roger, Jason, Janet, Devin and Mason, Ryan & Heather all were around and stopped in to visit.
By the time everyone was fed and picked up we were late – so off to the Golden Steer for dinner. We had a very nice meal and got back to camp it was close to 10:00. Had a movie out ( Snow Dogs) and some ice cream and we were set.
Sunday, August 1, 1010
I had done a bunch of work on Friday and realize I have to head to Pittsburgh for a day this week. About a 2-3 hour meeting but 3 days to make the connections and get there on time. Sure hope it's worth the trip.
Linda got her first week under her belt and was looking forward to getting back to the main operator of the Roading Rig!!!!!!! She does a great job and has a keen eye to watch for soreness & injuries.
Hills:
Shauna & Hank: Daylight brought an end to a 70 degree night.
Hank still not in shape but working at it. A strong race early for Hank.
He bent the wrong was at the start of the Picnic Pasture but handled around for Ed. Good flowing moves – got down to the bottom of the hill by the lake and still pretty strong – pointed up the hill and his tank was getting heavy by the time he crested it. He worked his way to the windmill but had lost his pop. Very hot – he got plenty of water but after 20 he was pushing himself.
Shauna ran a big front running race – probably in the best condition of
any of the adult dogs. A smooth forward application went unrewarded
with birdwork but still a very solid 40 min. for the '08 Futurity dog.
She's shaping up well.
Jamie & Bentley – big & fast – brings back the images of some past
young stars like: Boomer, Rita, Rex & Kirby - Flash, , Dolly,
Bandit Picabo & last year's Gault. – these all fine young Derby's that left a high standard on the prarie. Except for Gault ( too young) these all went to great careers & wonderful performances.
Jamie & Bently are only 10 months along with Sadie & Jerry Jeff are showing tremendous raw talent. A week of foot handling and almost loosing them – on the hills off horseback. Off to the races – constant big moves – independent and fast. They even manage to come about 10 min. after we're done but that's okay right now. These are shining young dogs. 30 min.
Meadows:
Red, Blue, Right Side and Right shoulder – had their 1st time on the course. All showed hunt, speed, good tail set with cracking tails and desire for independence. Some nice moves for this young crew born only a few months ago. What a fun way to start them.
We finished up the weekend with some nice dogs and a good meal.
The first 2 weeks are done and I have to say it's been hot and difficult to get all the work done we wanted. We made progress and got several dogs exposed to the hills.
A warm night with a really loud barker who kept the whole string popping in – not sure who it is but we'll find out tomorrow.
Monday, August 2, 2010
A very warm night and bad sleeping due to all the barking. We got
got going with myself mainly doing office work. Monday's are a big
work day. Still everyone was doing there best and getting dogs all set
up.
Roading:
Lea, Erin, Annie & Sorrel
Solid roading but the boys were brats – still have a couple of females
on the edge of heat. 30 min.
Lily: Big day for Lily – her 1st on the big machine after months of
rehab. She did great after Linda worked her out every day with a
special rehab program designed by U of Wisconsin. I cannot say
enough good things about the Vet program they have and the care they
took with Lily. Now ready to get back on the program.
Linda and Lily came in all smiles – 10 minutes on the rig at 5 mph
for the 1st day. A great start.
Mariah - she's been in season and is just out so Linda got her on the
rig and got her 1st session. 18 solid minutes.
Fin, Dawn & Acey: All 3 showed a keen desire to go places at a
high rate of speed. Dawn might be the most objective orientated with
Fin and Acey showing the drive- Fin – big moves and mainly front –
these are 4+ month old pups for the Irish and Acey a 5 month old English who fit right in. These are our 2nd set of 4 litters of young dogs. Thisis the Gault/Brenna litter.
Robbie - on horseback with Bob & Ed handling. The goal was
to handle her front and stay with her to get it right. She ran down the
first edge and made the corner only to run up some chickens and off
to chase – Bob got her stopped – worked on for the first 15 min. and
did the off the horse correction only twice. Making progress – got
tired in the heat the last 5 min. 20 min.
For the record and easy referrel:
#1 – litter born out of Clifford( part Norwegian Breeding) and
Joy. They'll be 1 year in late September.
#2 – litter born our of Katrina ( Clifford's mom ) bed to Galt.
Litter born at the end of March this year.
#3 – litter born out of Galt bred to Brenna ( a Bitch Bob G.
out of Brie. Pups were born early April.
#4 – Repeat breeding of last falls litter – Clifford/ Joy. born in
early May.
Phil Ruff & Family ( 2 Joy litters) , Mary Pavelco and Bob
Geddeis all raised these litters at their homes and gave them awesome
young upbringing. At a very young age they're learning to travel,
be part of a string but still getting plenty of TLC and learn about life
on the prarie.
Hills:
Sadie & Jerry Jeff – Jerry Jeff is Dave & Vickie's dog ( only pup) out
Suzie and Sol. Same age as Sadie. They rocked and rolled – as all
these pups are doing at this point. Sadie – smooth and fast – Jerry Jeff
a bit on the gangly side going through a growth cycle but still very
athletic. They ran and stretched– top of some big hills and barely able
to get Sadie to go with Bob– Jerry Jeff took the fenceline between us
Seidel's place and went through the gate and up the hill as he was
coming back – Sadie hooked him and they were up in the hills. Jerry
Jeff came into Dave to get water and he's learning to handle – Sadie
knows nothing about handle yet but we're patient. This is 4 very
powerful young dogs. 35 min for Sadie – 30 for Jerry Jeff.
Meadows:
Rio – Using released birds on the hills for these guys – just trying to
get it all right before we cut them loose.
Rio handled nicely and went willingly with Ed – Ed's doing a fine job
of following the program and developing relationship with Rio. First
bird was smooth and very stylish – he pointed – handled with perfect
manners and not a word from Ed. As Ed was taking the dog off – he
hooked Ed and went back to the area where he just was – making an
error when Ed sent him off and he went back to the hot spot. Gave
him a correction and put him away. Ed was very silent throughout the
session only mild commands used.
Galt - Galt actually went first and went up a hill where we are
working and by the time I got there he was 300 yards away rolling – I
turned him and he responded nicely – brought him back into this area
and he winded a bird – roaded in for maybe 15 yards and pointed. He
was a bit soft but firmly planted. As I got to him he styled up
perfectly and had a very solid find – bird flushed. We shot over him
and called it a day.
Mild day today – for a change. I continued to do business stuff and
Bob G. had a major test of patience – fighting with HUGHES Satellite
about our wireless. This has been going since the start of camp. No
working internet – lucky for us Phil sent out his Hot Spot set-up and
we've been able to work with that. equipment. Now there trying to
charge us extra fees to upgrade when they were the fault of the problem. Ed worked on his projects and we did some rearranging of
dogs as the bitches in season come out. Roger's crew had a full head of steam cutting hay on the meadows. They have found several grouse
on the meadow as they were making hay. Good sign.
.
The mowing crew came through and all visited for awhile with Devin
stopping in talking about his bow hunting trip with Dennis H. and my
son Bob.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Another warm morning on the agenda. Jimmy Ferguson is due about
10:00 am to work on our 5 horse's teeth. They needed it.
Roading:
Robbie, Shauna, Hank & Kate – 30 min.
Mariah & Lily – 17 min.
Meadows:
Rhett & Rio - working with Rhett and make sure he doesn't bump off
the line. They cast off was smooth and no indications from either dog
that there wasn't a problem. A solid point by Rhett with Rio backing
50 yards away – very nice job. A borderline STF on Rhett's part with
Rio taken away. Overall a good job by both dogs.
Mariah – hadn't worked since trial season but she handled 2 birds like
the pro she is – class on both with long range points on both birds.
She's ready for the hills.
Jamie - worked on a checkcord and got a point – not as stylish as she
could be due to the fact she could see it but still pointed.
Bently - good checkcord piece for this young dog.
Annie – she pointed but then left the bird. Not what Ed wanted today.
It's now way to hot for dogs and the air is dead. A quiet evening at
dog camp.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
A bit cooler and a touch of rain last night. I'm up early and getting
ready for my trip to Pittsburgh. I got packed up and down the road to a
flight from Omaha. I got to just west of Norfolk and had a call letting
me know the meeding had been cancelled. I turned around and head-
ed back to camp. Good to be back.
Roading:
Lea, Erin, Brenna & Rhett – 30 min.u
Lily – 17 min. – 6 mph
Hills:
Annie & Shauna 35 min – A strong race for Shauna but no luck
around birds. Annie pointed one then left it. Not good! She ran out
of gas at this point and called it a day.
Bart & Jamie – Bart hasn't been run all spring or summer. He'll
make someone a nice pet and hunting companion. 20 min. and a bit
tired while Jamie rolled – too much dink bird hunting but very high
on the stamina and drive. 30+ min.
Arrived back in town about 12:30 or 1:00. Bob had a sign made
for the highway 7 board – Circle Paw – will put on the Blog. Looks
great.
Very warm afternoon. Kinda hung out in town. George Newcomb
game by the bar and we visited for quite awhile.
A lazy night and a good dinner with the McBride's coming over
after dinner. We had some good music player and a very nice visit.
Whitely will be around after football practice.
Thursday, August 4, 2010
Promise of it being cooler today. We'll see!
Roading:
Whitley was in camp this morning and helped us bird work dogs. He
has football early in the morning. He comes right after and digs right
in and helps.
Lea, Galt, Rio – 31 min.
Robbie, Hank, Katie – 30 min
Hills:
Mariah & Brenna – Mariah running the hills nicely – had a bird flush
wild – Ed command whoa and as he dismounted and walked to her – more birds were flushed in groups – very stylish and mannerly for the
for the rest of the 15 bird covey. In the meantime, Brenna chased the
ones that flew past her. 30 min. – good hunt for Mariah but she's short on conditioning.
Meadows:
Sorrel & Rhett – We continue on to find Rhett a bracemate he
doesn't like and I've yet to find one. Cast off was perfect. Sorrel
backed on Bob's command and handled Rhett's STF – which he moved
on. They went on and Rhett had a good find and Sorrel a command
back that I had to firm him up. 22 min. Coarses for both dogs were
pretty good.
Rio - Still on foot – forward and roaded in on an area that had birds
he handled STF but wanted to move on as more flushed. Not his best
day but sill more good than bad.
Galt – Galt was hunting nicely around the pond. Had birds planted
on fenceline – and pointed very nicely – bird stood up and he took
stopping across the fenceline and settled a bit – we corrected worked
on – not pretty and finally got a bid planted in good cover and he had
a stylish mannerly find. Ended on a positive note.
Fin, Dawn & Acey – a nice race with dogs and horses – Fin and
Acey put up 5-6 chickens – 1st wild contact – great for them. Dawn
good but not with the other guys when they got birds.
Sadie & Jerry Jeff- Sadie the race that wouldn't stop. Big but more
signs of handle. Jerry Jeff all over the place – good speed and ? hunt
he just won't come to you and ran around for close to an hour before
we got him – close to camp. Sadie is definitely hunting.
A nice night – had a good dinner and relazing evening. Ed's leaving
tomorrow after we run. He's heading home and then to Australia.
He'll be back toward the end of camp.
Friday, August 6, 2010
No football today so Whitley is at camp and riding the hills with us.
He's a big help!!!!!!!!
Roading:
Annie, Rhett, Sorrel & Mariah & a very big Buck Antelope by the
first pond. That got Linda's crew on their toes. 30 min.
Lily – Linda needs to tell this story.
For those of you who haven't heard the saga of Lily – almost 6
long months ago, Lily had 1" of tendon removed from her left shoulder
joint as a result of a tear and fraying. The U. of Wisconsin surgeon
attached the end of the remaining tendon with a screw & washer – and
guided us through physical therapy. Lily has not been allowed off lead
except to be loose in the house – and then only after first 3 months.
Only controlled exercises and walking on lead – some trotting last
month was added.
Basic rules have been –
NO prancing – NO dancing – NO running – NO playing – NO FUN !
Following is a blog written by Lily to her family and friends :
I'm Back ! by Lily Ruff
Mon. 8 / 2 – Linda finally roaded me from the ATV for only 10 min.
at 5mph – felt great being a dog again!
Tues. 8 / 3 – Linda roaded me for 17 @ 6 mph – I'm getting there!
Wed. 8 / 4 – I'm finally out of season – roaded another 17 – but this
time I decided to try a bit of "jogging" – no problem!
Thurs. 8/5 – I'm feeling fit as a fiddle and Never any lameness – I'm
allowed to be on the stake out cable to the trailer all day – I'm
really feeling Great – but no roading today – Bummer!
Fri. 8/6 – I roaded from camp – all around the Second Meadow South.
Heading back to camp, we turned around some hay bales
and surprise – a covey of quail were scurrying around the shady
side of the bales! Of course, I pointed them and thank goodness
Linda noticed and also came to a screamin' halt! My tail was about
10 o'clock – but Linda encouraged me to 12 o'clock.
The quail were trying to run around the bales – but ran into Linda
coming around the other side!
No place to go – the quail exploded to the sky – 10 of them!
Linda came back to congratulate me – I must admit – I was proud
of me too!
I even tried out some short-lopes on the way back to camp – 28
minutes – YAHOO!
What a good day – but my story continues –
Linda walked me back to hook me up to the trailer – and my good
fortune continued – I realized that Linda wasn't holding onto my
collar for only a second – so I wandered over to the other side of
the tree. Linda told me to "come" – and normally I would – but
Clint was watching from the other side of the yard – and I wanted
to tell him my story.
Linda started getting a little tense – demanding me to "come here
Lily Ruff" – so I told the puppies briefly – but they didn't get it –
so I RAN over to my family's trailer on the hill – circling but no
where to go – Linda is now becoming unglued and pleading me
to come - along with a string of swear words.
I'm obviously already in trouble – so what have I got to lose?
I've been waiting 6 months for an all stretched out victory lap &
today is the perfect day for it! So I ran full stride to the dog line –
they ALL cheered me on and congratulated me !
I then obediently went directly back to me home on the trailer –
Linda was there at the same time. She alternately hugged me and
pointed her finger in my face.
I'm sorry I scared Grammy – but it sure felt good – and after all,
I wasn't running with scissors!
I'm back!
Hills:
Erin & Shauna - 35 min. on Richardson's place west of us – a nice
solid application for both dogs but Shauna just has the speed. She is
class. Erin up the hill and a legit STF on chicken at 22. Good finish even though it was getting hot.
Moved to Roger's by the lake – more birds we hoped.
Robin & Rio – Robin is very steadily impoving – staying on her she
was bigger at the end and looked good. A poorly handled STF and
somewhere during that correction he noticed his IPhone was gone.
oooops' He and Whitley went back to scour the area but no such
luck. He's taking the ATV back this afternoon to scour the area.
Rio on the other hand ran a very smooth and attractive 35 min in the
heat. No bird contacts but not because of lack of effort. He looked
good.
Back to camp – with Ed packing up and heading down the road. He'll
be back towards the last 2 weeks of camp. Whitley will be back if he canwith football practice the main event right now.
We hit town and did some business and some visiting – 90 plus this
afternoon. Dennis is still due in camp tonight. We ate very late as it
was taking forever to cool down. We took in a movie and stayed up to it cooled down. It was after 11 for us – Dennis rolled in about midnight.
Trailer was connected, running order done – we plan on beating the heat.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Yep it's cool this morning but the promise of big heat wave to come.
Dennis had his crew ready to go. Heather called early this morning
invited us down for supper. We're looking forward to it. We're all
up early and got Linda out on the roading rig before 7:00 AM.
Roading:
Galt , Brenna, Kate & Mariah – 40 min. This is Linda's 1st 40
min. trip but lots of stops early. Still a good sign with Galt figuring
out the roading rig.
Lily – 24 min. @ 7 mph: She was not stiff or favoring at all this
morning. Linda put in 90% of the rehab on this young female and
she is really excited by the wonderful results. Corrine did a lot of the
later work as it involved gentle jogging to loosen everything up for
this more intense workout. We are hopeful she will continue.
Meadows
Rhett & Houston ( pointer ) - took them to the line and let them
meet each other. Cut Houston loose first and had Rhett give a slight
indication of a move to the male – a very light ( low 2) hit and he
turned and never looked at his bracemate again. Still his race was
less then I've seen and not really in a bird finding mood after this –
Houston showed some big moves and needed to be road for and
brought around. 25 min.
The weather is warming very fast – nice breeze helping. Devin and his
buddy Jeff came out and road all morning. Jeff's first time running
bird dogs but he's got Devin teaching him & that's a real good
teacher.
Sorrel & Sol - These were cut loose into the hills – Sorrel a very good
start with forward moving casts – he had moments that were great-
Sol had some spots that were very good but he is definitely short on
conditioning. Sol had a couple of very solid non-productives. Sorrel
was somewhat erratic in his application but showed much better
stamina and had a bird contact where he roaded up a valley with a
couple of stops and finally a STB with the birds a good distance away.
This is why you work wild birds – 15 chickens got out and he stood
with Sol backing nicely. Back to the pond and headed into camp – at
about 40 or so the dogs were slipping with Sorrel showing heart and
overall 50 min. on the ground. 51 min.
Bently & Homer – Homer was a bit on the short side and never
really pleased Dennis. Bently showed good eye appeal and some
nice application with a cracking tail. 25 min. It was not the biggest
I've seen Bently but still some nice independence and we got him into
water.
Jamie & Tippy - Jamie a rather spotty application for her – just
loves those trash birds to a fault – need to get her in wild birds and
changing focus – Tippy a very flashy smooth running bitch – we
enjoyed her moves – big jack rabbit chase – but she recovers quick-
ly. Overall these two showed great potential.
Back at camp by noon – very hot and pushing 100 – we had a lot of
kitchen time today – visiting with Denny – going to be short days the
next few days – hot – hot.
Dinner tonight with Jason & Heather!
---- great dinner with Heather & Jason's folks there and everyone
having a good meal and some good stories.
Going to be very hot tomorrow – 100+ is the rumor.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Warm morning with the high temperatures lowered to middle
90's. Devin came over and we loaded horses and headed 4 miles
south.
Roading:
Lea, Erin, Brenna & Gault – 40 min. fast brace says Linda – they
are up to speed and getting strong. She uses all the home meadow and
south meadow to get her time in.
Hank & Kate – 40 min with Hank a bit on the lethargic side. Still
they are coming along.
Hills:
Shauna & Kate (Dennis's Irish) – these two got off covering ground
with Shauna very fast and reaching nicely. At about 20 she pointed,
moved and knocked a covey of chickens. She was corrected and sent
on – a little less of a reckless step after that encounter. Kate needed a
correction after an error and Shauna came in and blinked the back-
not a good day for either one.
Buck(Dennis's-Pointer) & Rio – the old pro and young Futurity dog.
Buck started by crossing the fence line and headed south. Rio showed
good forward application as a medium GD. He has signs of being
worked on foot while being broke but he's opening up more and more.
We never connected with Dennis & Devin again – onward hunting
some low hills along the waterway. Rio casting back at us into the
wind and Bob called Point. A very slight tick as I arrived as he
styled up nicely. Nose and tail at 12:00 – I was thinking turtle do to
the heavy sand on this knoll and as I dismounted the birds began to
boil out with 4 distinct flushes of 5 or 6 sharptail each - over 20
birds in the covey. Rio was a statue the whole time and remained
solid for the shot and then the 'good boy pet' as it was completed.
What a wonderful piece of work for such a young dog. He was
sent on and finished reaching to the east as I called him back to the
truck – job well done. 35 min. Dennis reported a excellent find
for Buck on chickens and a powerfull shooting dog race to give
Rio a run for his money. We agreed to do a 2nd series next week-
end when he comes back to camp.
Now it was very hot in the hills and we had young dogs so we
called it a morning. Back at camp we put the animals up and Bob
took Brie for a run on the meadow. Found her standing along the
corner of the center cut. A well handled covey of quail – nicely
handled with good style. In the meantime, Bob's horse had seen
enough and headed back to camp. Bob had a good walk back.
Dennis packed up and headed home. Bonnie will be in tomorrow for
her midweek visit. Devin headed home and we're ready for an after-
noon siesta.
Break # 2 – midday on 8/8/2010
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