I don’t really know if bird hunters love their bird dogs more than everyday dog owners love their dogs, perhaps it just seems to us that we do. I know that in reality all dog owners love their dogs, and some folks would even accuse us hunters as seeing our dogs as mere tools. Maybe there are hunters who feel that way, but I’m fortunate in that I don’t know any of those people.
The bird hunters I know and hunt with treat their dogs like the treasured pets that they are. They live in the house with the rest of the family and probably sleep at the foot of the master’s bed, or worse, give the master’s spouse competition for snuggling rights. Some are even allowed to beg at the table and jump up on the good furniture, but only when my wife’s not looking! She only gets to sleep on the people bed when we’re at the hunting cabin and, believe me, she knows the difference. All my dogs have been that way, knowing they were allowed to get away with things at camp that were forbidden at home.
I had one dog who, as soon as we got inside the cabin, would lie down in front of the fireplace and give you the evil eye until you had a roaring fire going. If he could have laid up the kindling and lit a match he’d probably have done it himself. He couldn’t start a fire but old Max knew how to enjoy one. One evening we noticed him clawing at his ears while reposing in front of the hearth. Upon closer examination we discovered that he’d gotten so close to the fire that his ears were nearly too hot to touch. We were afraid we might have to chain him to the couch to keep him a safe distance away.
If I had my way I’d probably have four or five dogs living in the house with me.
Unfortunately, I wouldn’t have my wife anymore, and she’s kinda nice to have around, too, so we compromise. She stays and I limit my number of canine companions. Right now the number is one, but I’m working on her to up the limit.
We had two dogs in the house for a few years and it didn’t destroy our marriage, but there were a few times when it was close. Old Max had this annoying habit of running off and exploring the neighborhood when she’d leave him out to do his “business.” Even more exasperating was his habit of looking back over his shoulder at you as if to say, “You can’t stop me!” This little problem was about 100 percent worse when we also owned his daughter, who thought it was great fun to run off on an adventure with dear old dad.
They did it to me sometimes but seemed to know it was much more enjoyable when they victimized my spouse.
She, for some reason, wasn’t quite as philosophical about it as I was. I suspect it was some kind of character flaw that made her come so unglued, but the dogs thought it was great sport.
My current dog is, by far, the best I’ve ever had. I loved them all, but she makes me the proudest when we head to the field. She’s also a really nice dog to be around. She had a rather sudden health problem lately and when she reads this I want her to know I was worried about her. On second thought, maybe I’ll just let her look at the vet bill.
-- E-mail comments to jdsteese@yahoo.com.
Sports
Canines make faithful friends
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