THE NOT SO PERFECT PUPPY!!!

It's amazing how dogs learn. The perfect puppy, Meg, who is the apple of my eye, has learned how to use her middle finger!!!

We went from being the best little girl who listened and did EVERYTHING on command to the really cute little dog who doesn't listen to a word I say.

Apparently "here" actually means run in the opposite direction with a toy, a bird or anything one can find as fast as you possibly can so that big meany can't catch up to you!!! It has been a very long weekend. What does get into them?

Did I say she was cute???? Just in case I didn't, she is still cute.

Back to the drawing board and the "really really long line"

We're Getting Brave

I'm getting brave.

I just figured out how to post pictures on Canadian Hunt Dogs and I have just officially introduced Meg to the "Canadian Retriever Community". I'm in for a terrible amount of ribbing since I have switched breeds and this doesn't go unnoticed.

I have had golden retrievers for the past 15 years and I finally decided that I wanted a lab.

Meg has settled in famously and she is just a dream. She is funny, smart and gets along with everybody.

We, the goldens and I, are having lots and lots of fun with Meg. Jett and Logan might try to tell you otherwise but I guarantee that they are having the time of their lives with little Meg. Jett finally has a playmate again and they are so incredibly compatible that its great! Logan doesn't seem his age anymore and he's even getting in on the action. Our little Meg has breathed new life into a couple of old farts. Well Jett's not really an old fart, but Logan is - but not any longer!!!

Meg is the hit of doggie daycare and obedience. She has a repertoire of sit, shake a paw and stay. She's working on down but I usually get everything else before the down. Apparently, "down" is going to be a problem. Well, it may be a problem but its very entertaining nonetheless!!

Here's Meg

It has been a while since I last posted and things have changed dramatically since October. Meet Meg (Megan) also known as Elmingo's Prime Suspect.

Meg joined our household a few days before Christmas. I flew out to Calgary to pick her up in the middle of two snowstorms which made air travel very difficult. Our trip home, which should have been a 4 hour flight, ended up being a 17 hour marathon. Through it all, Meg was a trooper. Not a peep out of her.

I have two golden retrievers and this is my first lab and I love her to death. Meg is absolutely the best puppy and the easiest puppy I have ever had.

Meg and Jett have forged a very good relationship and rip and roll around the house playing for a good part of every day. My old guy, Logan, even likes her. He tries to get in and play every now and then. I've even caught Meg and Logan curled up together. It's very sweet.

We started puppy competition obedience three weeks ago and Meg loves it! Mind you, anything involving food and/or treats is a big hit with Meg.

The weather here has been horrible - very very cold and very snowy so that makes things difficult for field training but we manage to get in some work. Meg is retrieving and bringing back bumpers and birds to hand. I can't ask any more than that. She is phenomenal.

Friday Night Hunt

I got home from work a little early yesterday and it was such a perfect afternoon. The sun was shining, it was quite cool and there was just enough wind to make conditions good for hunting...or so we thought.

As it turned out the fields we hunt have been abandoned. Not sure where the birds are going, we're going to have to get out and scout around.

All in all a nice night though and it's just good to get out in the fresh air. No birds, but the dogs had a good time.

This is Kinsey

This is a portrait of Rimfire's Kinsey Millhone WC, JH done by a very good friend of mine, Peter Ferin.

I debated about going back over old things in my blog but then I realized that if I didn't put something in about Kinsey it was being disrespectful of a dog that meant so much more than just being "just a dog."

Kinsey was my first dog and she came to me as a 7 week old puppy at a very difficult time in my life. My mother was terminally ill and I was forced to quit work to stay home and look after things. Had it not been for Kinsey, and the joy she brought to both of us, at that time I don't know how either one of us would have coped.

Kinsey was by far, not the easiest of dogs. She was very opinionated and stubborn beyond belief. She was quite independent and at at times even seemed aloof. But when it came to seniors and children her true colours came out. Kinsey adored seniors. She would cuddle and lie beside them with her head in their laps. She loved kids and would play forever with them. Kinsey loved the cottage and was a phenomenal swimmer. She would troll the lake for hours, exploring every nook and cranny. It gave me pleasure to watch a dog do what they were supposed to do. No leashes, no rules - just go and have fun. Kinsey had lots of fun.

Incredibly, and this may sound terribly corny, but through Kinsey, my life took an entirely different path. Because of her, I moved to the country. Because of her, I joined a training group and learned about hunt tests, field trials and obedience. Through her, I made so many new friends that I know will be lifetime friends. Because of Kinsey, I learned to hunt and then made a whole bunch of other friends. Kinsey took me to places that I never - ever thought I would go and to places that I never want to leave.

Kinsey was a good dog and my best friend. Kinsey died almost 2 years ago at 12 1/2 years of age. Losing Kinsey broke my heart in a way I never could imagine. I still miss her every day.

Jett

This is Eslana Tealgrove Jet Set MH, Can/Am WCX, CD, also known as Jett. My nephew, Harry and I co-own Jett together.

When it was discovered that Logan had vision issues it became very clear that he was not going to be able to be a working dog. My friends Alan and Esther had this beautiful Golden named Grace and she was unlike any other Golden I had ever seen. Grace was incredible and worked like a dream. I decided that I wanted one of her pups. Jett is that pup.

Jett will be 7 years old in November but you'd never know it. She is a WILD child and has been a challenge to train. Don't get me wrong, I love her dearly and she has a wonderful personality but she's work. She can make you crazy. Jett is one of those thinking dogs that is so smart that they end up thinking themselves into all kinds of trouble. Add to that the fact that Jett is REALLY REALLY fast. (Her name fits her perfectly) You have to be 10 steps ahead of her and know where she's going to go so you can blow the whistle really quick because if you let her go too long....IT'S ALL OVER.

Jett is very funny and loves everybody. I want to get her an audition for the Loto 649 Happy Dance because she's got a routine that I figure could make us millions. She is hysterical.

Jett loves to hunt and is an acomplished upland hunting dog as well as a duck dog. We're going to do more obedience this winter and then we're off to Alabama in the spring and hopefully one or maybe two more legs of her American Master.

Logan

This is Logan.

Logan is 11 1/2 years old and has been blind since he was 3.

At 18 months of age he was diagnosed with cataracts on both eyes. He actually had cataract surgery but the outcome was not as anticipated. Logan developed scar tissue over both corneas and the result has been progessive blindness ever since.

We all call Logan my "challenged" dog. He is very sweet and very cuddly but Logan has a mind of his own.

Blind dogs are supposed to stick close...but not this boy. If given the chance he is quite prepared to go on a "toot" and wander off to the nearest pond.

Logan loves to swim and retrieve bumpers. He will dive off the dock and he uses his nose to search out the bumpers. He's pretty good at it too. He brings the bumper back and sits at heel and delivers to hand. He's a great swimmer and tries very hard to please.

The hardest thing about Logan is trying to get a good picture of him. The one above is the best I could find. I can never get him to sit by himself for a picture. Unfortunately, I'm always in it.