Multitool for car or camp

This is a pretty cool multi tool.  Pliers, knife, flashlight, and fire-starting combo!    Made by Gerber, which, like Leatherman, makes good multi-tools.

Cowboy Life

Cowboy Life: The Letters of George Philip is a series of letters from Philip to his children documenting his younger days in southwest South Dakota at the tail end of the open range.  Philip spent a few years cowboying at the turn of the century before going to law school at U of M, returning home, and becoming a respected member of that country for many years.  

More than anything, the letters provide a portrait of the old-timers who were the real cowboys.  Philip's letters exhibit a genuine love and respect for those men, whatever their personal strengths or faults.  If you've ever seen some of those evocative photos of deserted homesteads out west and wondered what stories they could tell, Cowboy Life will give you a glimpse of the answer.

Soft mouth

Larsen headed for the hills to find the quail that got away.  He tracked it down and brought it in.  What was funny, really, was that after that trip across the field in Larsen's mouth the little bird seemed more put out than anything else, and squawked for his release as Larsen hupped.

    

Memorial Day

Although the origins are ambiguous, Memorial day in the US seems to date back to the Civil War, and probably originated in the south, as May provided a fine month for remembrances and decorating the graves of the fallen.  Today we honor sacrifices of those who have died in all of the nation's wars.

"Memorial Day in America – or, if you're a real old-timer, Decoration Day, a day for decorating the graves of the Civil War dead. The songs many of those soldiers marched to are still known today – "The Yellow Rose Of Texas", "When Johnny Comes Marching Home", "Dixie". But this one belongs in a category all its own:

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord
He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored…

See the rest of the story at Steynonline.

Aki and Larsen's obedience title

Larsen was a working dog at Perry last week, and he showed it by earning an obedience title (BN).  Aki handled him.  The work required a course much like Rally, wherein the dog (on lead) heeled around traffic cones, stopped, sat, and let the handler walk away from and around the dog.  The dog had to respond to a single command, with no finger snapping or thigh patting permitted.  Larsen's scores were very good on the first two days - - he was second only to Tatum on the first day. His Sunday score was a mere two points above passing grade, probably due to me being around and watching, and possibly also due to the hours and days on the grooming table at the show.

Aki and Larsen walked off with a fist-full of ribbons on their first attempt as battery mates.

Vickie & Ty, Kristi & Jamie, Aki & Larsen show off their BN ribbons.

Ok, here we go!

Perry, day 1

Larsen illustrates the term "long-suffering" as he patiently awaits yet another round on the grooming table in the pavilion at the Ag Center in Perry, Ga at the Welsh Spring Spaniel Club of America nationals.  Larsen and Aki head first to the obedience ring, and then immediately to the conformation ring where they will match up with Caden and Spike.

Larsen in his Elvis jacket on the grooming table in Perry Georgia.

Scaring up Big Bird

Even though rain was coming down sideways, Larsen and I decided to explore the front 40 of Bob's yard in Hayesville, North Carolina over the weekend.  Larsen was very pleased with what he saw, smelled, and rolled in.  We wandered our way toward the front of the property when Larsen flushed two enormous turkeys.  One went left, one went right, and both went to the tree line with Larsen in pursuit, somehow, of both.  I finally hit the whistle, but it was far too late to have any effect whatsoever on the dog, whose eyes were bugging out of his head.  I imagine he was hoping that somehow I would take a shot at one of those big birds.

After their escape, Larsen retraced his steps the point of the initial flush, hoping to pick up the scent and continue to trail.  I had absolutely no control as he tried first one and then another scent trail.  After some time, I pipped the frothing dog to a sit.  I got him by the ear and frog-marched him toward me and hit the "come" whistle a few times.  Then I lassoed him and headed to the house.

In another few days, we will be on the field trying for a MH leg.    

Spaniel Test now Upland Test

From the AKC: 

Date: April 2013

To: Clubs Licensed to Hold Spaniel Hunting Tests

Subject: Labrador and Golden Retrievers Are Eligible to Participate in Spaniel Hunting Tests

The AKC Board has approved Labrador Retrievers and the Golden Retrievers to be eligible to participate in the Spaniel Hunting Test Program effective July 1, 2013. AKC Performance Events are meant to test the skills for which a breed was originally developed. The history of both the Labrador and Golden Retrievers indicates they were developed to be versatile hunting dogs, proficient in both upland and waterfowl hunting. Their upland heritage is still very much in use today as these breeds are commonly used for upland bird hunting.

The Hunting Test standards of performance are not being changed due to the inclusion of these breeds.  Titles earned by Labs and Goldens will be designated with a “U” (for Upland) to indicate the title was earned in the Spaniel Hunting Test program. Hunting style descriptions for these breeds will be posted on the AKC website – http://www.akc.org/events/hunting_te...unting_styles/ - as soon as they are available. Retriever Clubs can apply to become licensed to hold Spaniel Hunting Tests after July 1, 2014. (One year following the breed’s eligibility to participate.) 

If entries are limited to a specific number, Spaniel clubs may prioritize entries to the Spaniel breeds. Retriever clubs are also provided the ability to prioritize entries to the Retriever breeds. 

Specifically the following will appear in Chapter 1, Section 4 of the Regulations upon the next reprint - 

Section 4. Tests Offered, Entry Requirements. 

Prioritizing Entries. If entries are limited to a specific number as stated in the premium, a Spaniel Club may, at its  option, prioritize the entries for its Hunting Test to the Spaniel breeds (except the Irish Water Spaniel) plus Airedales. If at the time of closing the limit has not been reached, the Club must accept entries from other eligible  breeds up to the event limit. If entries are to be prioritized to the Spaniel breeds (except the Irish Water Spaniel) and Airedales, this must be stated in the premium.

If entries are limited to a specific number as stated in the premium, a Retriever Club may, at its option, prioritize the entries for its Hunting Test to the Retriever breeds plus the Irish Water Spaniel. If at the time of closing the limit has not been reached, the Club must accept entries from other eligible breeds up to the event limit. If entries are to be prioritized to the Retriever breeds and the Irish Water Spaniels, this must be stated in the premium.

All-breed hunting clubs and Airedale clubs may not prioritize their entries (except in the case of a test held in conjunction with a National Specialty Show). 

A Spaniel Club is defined by the club having “Spaniel” in its name (except for the Irish Water Spaniel clubs). A 
Retriever Club is defined by the club having “Retriever” in its name plus the Irish Water Spaniel clubs.