Sunday, August 30, 2009

Sunday, August 30, 2009

Cool & Crisp – we have a good crew in camp for the finish. Bonnie and Dennis are still here with Dennis going home this afternoon and Bonnie off to judge a Championship in Montana tomorrow. Ron and Annie here, along with Ed Meyer, Dave and Vickie. Stan should be heading back tomorrow and Bob G. will be here on Tuesday evening.

We're down to the last week or so and hope to put some real polish on the dogs and head out after Labor Day.

This morning we're going over to the east Hitchcock pasture and work from there. We've had Devin riding with us the last two days and it's great to have him here. He still knows what it takes to work a dog and a horse and he's a huge help working the team. Got to get him a birddog.

Roading:

· Lea, Sorrel, Shauna & Midge - very strong 61 min.

Hills:

Went to the south and over to Hitchcock's east pasture and worked maybe some big bunches of birds.

· Sol & Lily – Lily just didn't have it together at all ( after reviewing she's been very erratic at camp. Not what I had expected – no collar on today) a very inconsistent race. Got to about 35 and Lily had a poorly handled STF – made a minor correction and that picker her up some. Sol was very stable and had some good birdwork. A NP towards the end but overall Sol was connected.

· Gus & Galt – a very fun brace as both dogs ' leaned into the course' as Dave says—they were constantly knocking at the front in SD range. Only one bird seen being chased by Galt. These two young dogs have heart. 40 min.

· Brie & Jordy – Jordy a decent GD race with 2 v/good finds and a NP with a minor turtle contact. Brie was a big oink blowing by Jordy on a covey of sharptail find. She had 2 good finds – 2 very poor pieces of work and an ugly, rear – lateral race. Lots of birds but no class. 45 min. – Lots of cactus and sand burrs in the Triple Gate pasture we seldom use.

Meadows:

· Bert & Dani - Bert only saw the bird Dani caught and delivered to him – a moderate race with Dani all over and not wanting to come in at the end. 30 min.

· Tippy & Tequi – good GD race and into birds. Both showing more promise.

We called it a morning ( after noon ) and did some chores around camp. Dennis left in mid-afternoon. Dave's lining out projects to do. Down to the last part of camp. Want to see the A-Team shine!!!!!!!!

Had some fine steaks for dinner along with Vicki's potatoes – good music and a cool night – needed jackets and eventually went inside for ice cream.

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Happy Birthday Linda!!!!!!!! This is the big day and she wants to celebrate by roading her crew. This group really enjoy her roading & it helps us all bond with these dogs and get them into the best possible shape. We moved the crew to the pasture on Hitchcock's road to the west and this is the 1st time this season. Big pasture and lots of long hills.

Roading:

Kate, Erin, Brenna & Annie – 63 min. ( 63rd b-day and 63 minutes) was this a coincidence or what??????????????

Hills:

· Gus & Bart – Bart a little slow out of the box ( now his is based on his performances ) then really into it in the middle and after 35 min. in these big hills a bit of a slow down at the finish. Gus was powerful from the get go – with a nice middle but challenged strongly by Bart in the middle and showed some wear and tear at the end. Birds around Gus – Bart pointed solidly where a bird had just left but nothing produced in front of him. Fun brace with at least 50-60 birds – 1st time this summer with more chickens that sharptail.

· Hank & Buck – moved to a Richardson pasture north of the one we're in and had a powerful race form Buck with 1 NP and 2 very good finds. He be winning this field trial. Class and power was the work for him. Hank just couldn't get the job done for Lee – too bad as Lee is leaving today and I would've liked to see Lee have a positive performance from Hank – not to be. 40 min.

· Robin & Jordy- Jordy a fair GD race with 2 very good find – 2 stf with some style issues and a moderate finish. 35 min. Robin the best 16 minutes to day – she just flowed and reached forward. We had a minor conflict making a turn and the last half was not as good but I still saw good signs & have positive feelings about her progress. 35 minutes.

· Rhett & Jordy – Jordy – 2 finds with style and good manners – no style issues. Definite progress. Rhett – pointed 1 – knocked it and chased forever – caught it and retrieved. Long correction from Lee and then knocked the next one – blatantly – more correction – then ran to the island and blinked the island – not wanting more trouble. The pains you go through working a yard broke dog and bringing them up to green broke status. 25 min.

Tequi & Jimmy - hunt and a find with Jimmy joining the chase. A nice puppy performance for both dogs – 25 min.

· Libby & Homer – Liby a good race and solid point on a covey – good job – Homer showing good moments and plenty of desire.

Linda's birthday dinner was set for tonight. Ed had gone to Denver to pick up Dave and Vickie and bring them to camp. We cooked several of our Lou Malnatti pizza's for dinner. Ron and Annie arrived this afternoon and set up camp. Mary left early AM and made it to Sycamore by last night. Lee left camp around 5:00 pm and headed home. Both Lee & Mary had a good camp and sure were a big help getting things done and working dogs. Mary took Clifford home and we've decided he needed a big wild bird hunting season from him. Lee's string looked good - just a little down about Hank but the rest all made good progress. Jimmy went home with Mary as we had limited space for horses.

The pizza's came and so did our friends - Roger and Janet came early and helped with feeding, Devin – Shannon & Mason came along with Amelia, Heather & Jason plus Todd. Ron & Annie were here as were Bonnie & Dennis. Dennis made his peppermint ice cream mixture for Linda's party. Lot's of good stories and laughs.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Friday, August 28, 2009

Another beautiful morning and the promise of a great day. We're running early and Linda and I have to make the trip to the Atkinson Vet for a follow up on Striker's eye. He is doing great but want to make sure we're not cutting the treatment short.

Roading:

· Lily, Shauna, Inde & Brie. Brie just not feeling like working hard to day so Linda brought her to the dog wagon @ 32 to pick her up. The rest of the crew did great for 60 min. Linda has done a great job getting everybody up to speed.

Hills:

· Sorrel & Ritha – Ritha a good day on the hills with 2 finds, ok style and a solid GD race. Lee was happy with her overall perfomance. Sorrel on the other hand started okay but got into an area with hot deer scent. Ed saw a big buck bedded down and tried to get her away from the area. No such luck – Sorrel kept working until he got it up and the chase was on—Bonnie going full bore trying to catch him and me a half a pasture away. The only redeeming factor was that Sorrel handles birds and as he ran through a large covey of birds he STF and Bonnie was able to grab him – a bit of a tongue lashing was all we could go since he did STF. From this point on, he handled but didn't go anywhere. Boring !!!!!! - 36 min. and getting warm on the hills.

· Lea & Sol - Sol had the find of the day with a very stylish find and perfect manners. A nice SD race and good stamina. Lea had a moderate race with a bit too much of hanging with Sol early. I was watching for her to make a hill far off to the SE and Bonnie and Ed were yelling at me something about a horse ( I thought) As Bonnie later said I had All – Age eyes handling a SD. It turns out they were telling me she was making game between me and her and the next thing I now – I rode up the covey she was working – she STF and I shot and took her on. Not far away she had another STF on a single. Manners okay but don't like her crowding and couldn't blame her for the 1st one. 35 min.

· Rhett & Midge- a find for Midge with a short GD race and a decent find. Rhett a reasonable GD without a lot of style and didn't handle the bird Midge had so back to the drawing board for Rhett . He is a very young dog and this is where the statement ' Patience is a Virtue' really comes into play. 33 min.

· Galt & Bert (ES) – Galt runs as usual ' big – big –big' with a handle very solid SD race – big but looking for you and always staying front – just a treat. Bert a stylish English Setter that shows moderate SD race and a good year old puppy & very pleasing to watch. 24 min.

· Rio & Tippy & Pal – all 3 dogs show desire and hunt & ran decent races for young dogs. I think we have an excellent group of young dogs. All dogs got into birds and chase – pointing was in the cover and hot pursuit. 20 min.

Friday Linda and I went to Atkinson to see the vet. All the people there were great and happy to see how good Striker looked. He really is an extremely likeable puppy and he's made great progress. The whole team was happy. They do Penn Hips on dogs and we'll need to look at that in the future.

Friday night was a Tamale dinner that Ed brought from California and might be the best tamales I've had since San Antonio and Robin hooked us up with – mmmmmmmmgood!!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Thusday was another very cool morning with some early morning fog – we still got going good and hit the hills.

Roading:

· Robin, Kate, Brenna & Annie 55 min. Strong

Hills:

· Erin & Buck – Buck was a renegade and it was not his day – 25 min. of handling and 30 min of herding. Erin had his best day of camp with a nice forward race and lots of class. A find at 20. min coming down a hill with the wind up his back, he stopped as birds flushed and took a move to go with them but stopped and stood for me to ride over and shoot. Not the best – sent on he went back to eating up the countryside and had a stand at 32, a little tentative until I got near then really styled up. I went out and flushed a single sharptail, shot and the area erupted as 15+ birds flushed with Erin standing tall. At 40 he worked up a small hill and established nicely. I rode to the front, dismounted and flushed a nice bunch of birds – 8+ birds. He went on, slowing every so slightly and was hunting strong at 51 min. He definitely was dog of the day.

· Hank & Jordy – 2 stf for Jordy – 2nd one not quite up to the standard and then a nice find with a moderate GD race and bit of turtle work. Hank never was pleasing Lee – just lacked the spark- 45 min.

· Gault, Tequi & Homer – meadows work with birds for all the puppies and they all ran good, Gault taking the big course and the rest hunting the meadow. Just a nice brace and lots of work- knocking huns and then quail. Homer knocked one he didn't see so Gault chased it for him then Tequi & Homer gave chase onone Bonnie knocked. 28min.

· Rio, Libby & Jimmy – Rio had an emotional moment with Jimmy. Rio kinda all over Jimmy but he was plugged in and it didn't seem to work until he was properly connected. After the weak beginning, the pups settled into a nice race. Birds for all the pups in the big treeline and then another bunch at the island. 30 min.

After noon just quiet and work issues. We had a dinner invite to the McBrides & brought the whole crew for great steak meal. This a special 'designer' beef and a great meal. A cool night ahead. Shouldn't be any fog tomorrow.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Morning was cool, damp and foggy.

Roading:

· Lea, Sorrel, Inde & Annie – 53 min.

· Midge, Clifford, Brie & Shauna – 55 min.

Hills:

· Robin & Ritha 35 min. – Robin just didn't believe that Ed had the same rules as Stan. She hooked Lee from time to time and overall she wouldn't whoa for Ed. She wasn't bad like she could be and overall she improved as the brace went on. Ritha went on and had 4 contacts, good find on the Sidell edge – style and manners – STF – ok then a level tailed find w/good manners – 4 was OK. Overall a good job for Ritha & Robin needs continued work.

· Lily & Kate 38 min. – Lily not up to snuff today but did a controlled back on Kate and was mannerly. Overall Lily was not in tune and I need to drop the collar – she doesn't need it and does not like it!!! Kate did a nice solid job – forward and smooth - 1 vg find w/10:00 style.

· Dani & Rio 26 min. on the meadow - good day for both pups – hunt and reached with no play. Got to cut near Sidell's loop – very big move and couldn't see if they contacted birds. Rio big and strong – Dani made good moves with Rio carrying the load. Hard to be caught up with these two.

Bonnie arrived Wednesday, a tired puppy – she got set up and got some zzzzzzz!! time & she needed it. Fog early delayed us a bit but we still got a full morning in with the dogs. The team is smooth and we get moving pretty quick in the AM. We got our work going all day long and had a great pork tenderloin dinner with brown potatoes – Bonnie was in Heaven!! We had a very nice meal and some tunes and visits.

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

It was very muggy yesterday and stayed so even as we went to bed. During the night the dogs were much quieter ( in my opinion ) but still had room for improvement. Linda stayed after them during the night and I had a good night's sleep. Cooler this morning, a bit cloudy but mild.

There's been a story I've been meaning to tell. Last week one day Linda and Jenny were visiting with Janet Painter, they were discussing the accepted methods of euthanasia for the local flys that take up residence in your kitchen. Her new method is called the ' stun and stomp' – you use a quick, non - lethal swipe with your best fly swatter then you stomp the stunned body on the floor and kept fly guts off your eating surfaces.

Roading:

· Lea, Ritha, Hank & Brenna - 53 solid minutes.

Hills:

· Erin & Rhett - these 2 boys started out with a purpose and the young Rhett showed he had a good idea of how to run – his 1st part was a bit lateral as was Erin's - only he got huge and then slipped me sideways and to the rear. Erin had his all age shoes on but his compass was on backwards. Finally got Erin back to the front and had a very nice piece of birdwork – pointed solidly and I had a good ride to get to him, he was intent except flagging. I whistled him on and he worked running birds for the better part of 200 yards only to establish a tight point but flagging. As I rode to him birds got him and a nice 6-8 chicken covey left him – manners fine – style poor. The rest was better with still a hook to lateral and drifting back. We talked and he got the picture. Stamina was excellent. Rhett showed solid improvement and very good front running skills – more GD at times but not afraid to reach front and worked an area where we had seen birds left but couldn't pin a straggler. 52 min.

· Sorrel & Bart - I had high hopes for this brace. Sorrel just didn't have it today. A very erratic brace with many times just blowing me off going his way. He did have a good find – pointing tightly as a single sharptail almost hit him as it flushed followed by 15 more in waves – only a 1 step lateral mark – very acceptable bird work but back to turtles, junk and his own direction. I had a talk with him and let's see how he is next time. Bart a bit slow and erratic to start but ended up with a very nice race and strong forward moves. He held his own. 50 min.

· Galt & Tequi – we headed back to camp and ran these 2 from the meadow. A strong powerful race for both dogs with Tequi getting into the cover and Galt taking the big country. Probably going to be easier for Tequi to handle our cover. 30 min. No birds.

We called it a day and got ready to hit town. Met Joe & Lori at the Spur for lunch and had a nice visit. The old ATV is still on the repair list and I expect it should be totally ready in July of '10 – I hope.

Lee went our and did his yard work with Rhett – now he's working with Mary and Clifford and see if he can make some headway. A moderately cool afternoon. The string of good weather has been truly amazing. We have a great group in camp and once again everyone are great workers and pitch right in wherever needed.

Chicken breasts and pasta for dinner – plus a beautiful evening. Bonnie due in camp tomorrow and Dennis on the weekend.

August 24, 2009

August 24, 2009

We awoke in the middle of the night and the dogs were barking their heads off. I yelled and threatened and finally grabbed 1 culprit – Libby – that helped but I missed Kate & the night was a very short one indeed. Not a very nice way to treat someone on their birthday. I had asked for Lou Malnalti's Chicago Pizza for dinner so we had a plan.

The day was a workday for me and the crew was running the dogs.

Roading:

· Midge, Erin, Robin & Mariah– 60 min. (32 min. for Mariah) Linda was doing her 2nd watering when she realized – Mariah?????? - what are you doing here? Somebody put Mariah on instead of Lea – whoops, well she actually did quite well and no sign of hurting any puppies. I took the truck out and picked up Mariah.

· Lily, Clifford, Annie & Shauna – Well about ¾ the way into this brace, Linda tried to cross the wet spot in the meadow and got the rig stuck. Not delayed – stuck. I had to get a truck and towstrap to get them out of the hole. 73 min but a good wait while we pulled her out. Now that's the way to celebrate a Birthday – getting somebody else out who is buried in the mud.

Meadow:

· Kate & Brenna – Brenna just a flake – wouldn't back Kate and ended up knocking birds, delayed chase and wouldn't leave the area. She neededa good talking to. 35 min. Kate – 15 min. for Brenna. Kate a solid Gun Dog with good application and 1 good find.

· Brie & Inde – Brie the good one here with a solid race and no birds. Inde went to the Hun Shelter belt and never returned to judgement – gone for 55 min. & probably rooting birds. Brie a solid 35 min.

· Rio & Dani – Dani did a nice job today and so did Rio. Both did a nice job with Rio ignoring Dani for the whole brace. 25 min.

Back to camp for some breakfast and an early nap for me. Linda went to town & Lee washed his rig and everyone kinda took it easy. I worked on business stuff until it was time for camp chores and we all hit and got them done in no time. A warm afternoon – didn't quite make it to 90 but almost.

We got the Pizza ready to cook and the sweet corn and we had a real feast. Linda had got some home made pies and we really over served ourselves. Fine Silver Oak wine supplied by Lee. Great bottle of wine.

Linda got me an awesome Irish Pub – Town Setting with the Brophy name on the pub and Brophy Cote of Arms on the minature town model. What an awesome gift!!! Linda found this several months ago and had a hard time waiting to my birthday. Let me tell you " it was worth the wait".

We had a great dinner – plenty to eat and some good tunes followed by desert. They could've rolled us into bed – we were stuffed.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Sunday, August 23, 2009

A cool night and quite breezy. Linda & I stayed out till about 10:00 and Mary and Ed had stayed up to 1:00 am swapping stories. Working on the write up and Lee arrives about 11:30 on Saturday morning and getting set up and unloaded.

Dogs on Holiday – Striker looks much improved and Mariah just might be pregnant. Should now by next weekend.

We took the entire day off on Sunday and no dog work. Watched a movie at dinner and hit the hay early.

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Saturday, August 22, 2009.

Stan snuck out of camp before daylight and headed home and then on to Virginia and Stephanie's engagement party then he'll comeback on Monday a week from now. He's got some traveling to do.

Cool and crisp this morning –plenty of dew. We have a light session for today.

Roading:

· Hank, Brie, Brenna & Inde – 54 min. They're getting up

Birdwork: Out to the meadow pond with a bunch of Huns and plenty of dogs that needed some polish.

· Lea – walked her down an edge then swung to the pond – very nice style and perfect manners.

· Shauna – once again – fast moving – hard point w/ a crick in her tail. Good manners for the flush and shot.

· Cliff – this was not a pretty picture & Cliff couldn't get by the basic obedience commands commands. Last weeks problems with wild birds has kinda set him back a touch. We'll stay off the planted bird for a bit and regroup.

· Lily – worked very nicely and hunted, good stylish point ( tail @10:00) but intent.

· Sorrel – he's aware of this game and did some stalking @ 1st. He hit the bird hard and a perfect stylish find.

· Rio – let loose dragging a cord – we had moved to the pond before Triple gates and had a stylish point near the waters edge – bird flushed wild with Rio chasing. He came by the second one and pointed and knocked and the birds while being a great flyer still couldn't outrun the eagle eye of Rio and made the mistake of landing on the mowed part of the pasture. Rio is a soft mouthed retriever.

· Tequi – up on the hill now – along a cut edge, we checkcorded her in and got a very solid, stylish point. Great job!

· Annie – worked loose and hit the bird softly, when Ed came in she tried to leave. Not a good scene.

· Dani – worked on a checkcord and got her just puttering around – not very focused and barely a flash point.

We filled up the bird boxes with feed and water. Called it a day and spent our time doing other things. Striker is showing improvement and getting stronger and more excited by the day.

We had a repeat of the dinner – beef burgundy – still good for the 2nd day. Watched Man From Snowy Rive – great flick and Mary Pavelco got into camp about 10:00 PM. Good trip into camp and all is well. She's ready for the hills. Tomorrow Lee is due in camp and we're ready for some new blood. We're taking Sunday off – give the dogs a break and it's supposed to be close to 90 for a couple of days now.

Friday, August 21, 2009

Friday, August 21, 2009.

Striker is feeling better. Sleeping in the house in a crate he's being a great patient and looks to be feeling much better. Let's hope it keeps up. This morning is very cool – about 52 degrees.

Roading:

· Lea, Clifford, Kate & Ritha - 52 min. – Time is going up.

Meadows:

· Midge & Robin – Robin's best day in camp showing great improvement and a very competitive course with very little time spent behind. Midge just didn't have a lick in her today – not showing me the improvement I expect but handling a chicken find with manners but not with enthusiasm. 40 min.

· Lily & Rhett – Rhett starting off very big and too the front, Lily a bit slow the first 2-3 min. Birds seen in the air and Rhett behind at a distance – couldn't be sure but I think he got us. Lily was very consistant and showed class on the ground. Rhett then crossed the front and went with a wild flush chicken – got him stopped and shot over and took front. He was decent on the ground and showed good handle with plenty of leg. Wild birds are challenging him right now. We think he's making progress – very good stamina. 42 min.

· Dani & Tequi ­- a couple of quick taps to keep her from tagging and Tequi was off and running. Dani showed hunt and more forward but still not putting it together all the time. A solid 30 min. for Tequi and not bad for Dani.

· Bart & Libby – Bart a big race and plenty of drive – hit the windmill and Libby never made it down. Stan looked and she saw him and just left the area – kinda slinked off – very strange. She didn't show up at pick up and we went back to camp – got the truck and went to the hills – no Libby. 35 min. for Bart.

Stan & Ed looked and looked but no luck. We were back in camp – plenty of dog barking so she has to know home but I'm not sure. About 4 hours after she disappeared, Stan was out filling water buckets and there came Libby across the meadow – wouldn't come to Stan but went over to her barrel and laid down. She was done and knew where home was. Try and figure out what that was about.

Friday night dinner was planned with the Painter's. Jason bought himself a Semi for over the road stock hauling and is working as an independent truck driver. He's back in town tonight. We made Beef Burgundy with homemade noodles and fresh sweet corn. Great dinner and good conversations with our friends. A very mild night.