ducksoup
12-08-2007, 08:21 AM
First of all let me wish everybody on this forum a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year -- Myrosia, Maxx, and I wish nothing but the best to all of the Canadian Hunting Dog Forum members!!!!!
At this time of year I reflect over the past year and think about some of the plans I have for the coming year -- last year I came close to selling one of my best friends (no, not Myrosia -- and she'll kill me for posting this!!!!) -- I almost sold Maxx as some of you may already know -- any way, I didn't and we ended up running two FTs together as a team -- we finished the first one (got all the chickens) but no ribbon -- but I was really pleased especially after I had been advised I would never be able to handle Maxx (supposedly too much dog for me which is why I had put him up for sale -- and in fairness he is A LOT OF DOG as anybody who has seen him run or train knows) -- the next FT at Bancroft, last trial of season, we won the Junior -- that blue ribbon made my day (Maxx doesn't care about ribbons -- just loves to retrieve) -- so my goal for 2007 was certainly met as Maxx had indeed finished a Junior stake and placed -- and with several other littermates finishing well too (2nd, 4th, and CM) -- but most of all my buddy is home and we've settled in up in the Midland area quite nicely -- lots of great places to train and great people to train with -- I've had a lot of help with Maxx -- and expect I'll need much more as we both progress on to Qualifying and hopefully All Age -- I want to again thank any body who we've trained with over the past year -- certainly couldn't have done it without Anna S., Eden B., Ruth B., Marty P., Bob S., Bob T., Marvin, Pauline N., Dennis R., Ron D., Dave B., Ron G., Carl C., Sue P. and many many others (including Basics and Transition work done by Dan and Gloria of Baypoint Kennels); from now on though (and since August) Maxx is trained and handled solely by myself -- certainly got a lot of support from members of this forum and other such sites -- as for goals for 2008 I hope Maxx and I are competitive in Qualifying (won't run until I think we can at least finish) -- I believe I have a dog capable of being an All-Age dog -- just not sure how long before his handler is too -- Maxx is a big part of my life (and Myrosia -- for somebody who never had a dog she's great with her "cookie monster") -- on top of that I have a house to finish, school as well (gone back to finish off graduate degree), and hopefully fit in a marriage between FTs (just kidding Myrosia if you read this but we're honeymooning at the National right?!?!?) -- any way sorry for such a long post but please add your hopes and dreams for 2008 as well as reflections on 2007 -- one thing I'll add is how great it was to develop so many new friendships through the dogs as well as regain some old ones (North of 7 especially comes to mind -- really appreciated Jim's support at Bancroft) -- so post any goals or dreams or past reflections and again best of the Season to all !!!!!!
P.S. I would like to thank Drew personally as well for this forum -- it certainly keeps me "connected"!!!!!
Pardon last year's pictures but one with Dan DeVos is still timely!!!!
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/ducksoup_photo/image0012.jpg[/IMG]http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/ducksoup_photo/maxxswortc1.jpghttp://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/ducksoup_photo/maxxswortc2.jpghttp://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/ducksoup_photo/maxxswortc3.jpg
At this time of year I reflect over the past year and think about some of the plans I have for the coming year -- last year I came close to selling one of my best friends (no, not Myrosia -- and she'll kill me for posting this!!!!) -- I almost sold Maxx as some of you may already know -- any way, I didn't and we ended up running two FTs together as a team -- we finished the first one (got all the chickens) but no ribbon -- but I was really pleased especially after I had been advised I would never be able to handle Maxx (supposedly too much dog for me which is why I had put him up for sale -- and in fairness he is A LOT OF DOG as anybody who has seen him run or train knows) -- the next FT at Bancroft, last trial of season, we won the Junior -- that blue ribbon made my day (Maxx doesn't care about ribbons -- just loves to retrieve) -- so my goal for 2007 was certainly met as Maxx had indeed finished a Junior stake and placed -- and with several other littermates finishing well too (2nd, 4th, and CM) -- but most of all my buddy is home and we've settled in up in the Midland area quite nicely -- lots of great places to train and great people to train with -- I've had a lot of help with Maxx -- and expect I'll need much more as we both progress on to Qualifying and hopefully All Age -- I want to again thank any body who we've trained with over the past year -- certainly couldn't have done it without Anna S., Eden B., Ruth B., Marty P., Bob S., Bob T., Marvin, Pauline N., Dennis R., Ron D., Dave B., Ron G., Carl C., Sue P. and many many others (including Basics and Transition work done by Dan and Gloria of Baypoint Kennels); from now on though (and since August) Maxx is trained and handled solely by myself -- certainly got a lot of support from members of this forum and other such sites -- as for goals for 2008 I hope Maxx and I are competitive in Qualifying (won't run until I think we can at least finish) -- I believe I have a dog capable of being an All-Age dog -- just not sure how long before his handler is too -- Maxx is a big part of my life (and Myrosia -- for somebody who never had a dog she's great with her "cookie monster") -- on top of that I have a house to finish, school as well (gone back to finish off graduate degree), and hopefully fit in a marriage between FTs (just kidding Myrosia if you read this but we're honeymooning at the National right?!?!?) -- any way sorry for such a long post but please add your hopes and dreams for 2008 as well as reflections on 2007 -- one thing I'll add is how great it was to develop so many new friendships through the dogs as well as regain some old ones (North of 7 especially comes to mind -- really appreciated Jim's support at Bancroft) -- so post any goals or dreams or past reflections and again best of the Season to all !!!!!!
P.S. I would like to thank Drew personally as well for this forum -- it certainly keeps me "connected"!!!!!
Pardon last year's pictures but one with Dan DeVos is still timely!!!!
http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/ducksoup_photo/image0012.jpg[/IMG]http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/ducksoup_photo/maxxswortc1.jpghttp://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/ducksoup_photo/maxxswortc2.jpghttp://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o218/ducksoup_photo/maxxswortc3.jpg