We didn’t start training again until the third week of June. The damn black flies in the northeast are so numerous in early summer they are a pain in the you know what. Their bite is worst than mosquito bites.
When we did start where we left off last season I learned she seemed to remember all that she learned. Now it is just repetition and more repetition.
During the summer we took her to places where she could swim in order to cool off in the middle of a hike. We learned Tova could naturally swim like most dogs but she wasn’t into it like a lab or a golden. She’d go in and cool off and then come back out.
By August, we started going back to the farm to hunt pheasants. I wanted her keep her skills sharp for the on coming season which will be her second season hunting in New Hampshire’s woods.
One of the things I enjoy about living here is you can be in the woods in a half and hour or less no matter where you live in the state. It’s the kind of state if you aren’t an outdoors person you are missing a great deal of what it has to offer and won’t get to appreciate its natural beauty.
Having a hunting dog and one who is a super companion with other activities makes all of it even more enjoyable.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Chapter Seven Tova's New Experience
My wife and I have been cross country skiing a number of years. We felt that since Tova was a year and a half and used to hiking with us, she would do well if we took her out in the woods while we cross country skied.
Two days before we are to go skiing my wife comes home with this fleece jacket which has a beautiful checkered assortment of colors. “This is Tova’s winter jacket. I don’t want her getting cold out there, she doesn’t have much hair,” says my wife.
Tova looks at me and of course we have to try the jacket on.
What another one. What is it with you people? I’m a dog I don’t need a coat.
Actually, it looks beautiful on her. My wife is so pleased and after a few minutes even Tova is starting to act as if she feels important in it.
Oh this is neat, I feel warm and fuzzy. Are we going out now?
Saturday arrives and the three of us load up and head out to Depot Road in Auburn NH.
There are plenty of trails there to cross country ski or snow mobile if you have one. In the spring they make good hiking and bike trails.
My wife purchased new bindings for our skis this year and they were a marked improvement over the original bindings that came with the packages.
We load Tova in the Suburban and place the skis and poles in the back.
What are they for? Are they for me? I don’t know about this now…
We are fortunate to find a parking spot and we take out the skiing equipment and remove Tova and place a leash on her to safely cross the road.
Tova watches us putting on the skis and you can see the questions in her eyes, What are you doing? What are they for?
Of course she didn’t have any skis to adjust to. Her good personality of staying close and having a lot of fun running in the snow and trying to chew on scrub pine branches when she could, made us laugh, the three of us had a ball. She’s still in that puppy stage so we had to learn not to holler at her and confuse her. If she was insistent on not paying attention I used a whistle or the electronic collar to get her attention.
She looks at Linda and me gliding on the snow along with the help of our poles. It almost looks as if she is trying to figure out what we are doing.
I have a weird family. They are trying to walk around this stuff on sticks.
Two days before we are to go skiing my wife comes home with this fleece jacket which has a beautiful checkered assortment of colors. “This is Tova’s winter jacket. I don’t want her getting cold out there, she doesn’t have much hair,” says my wife.
Tova looks at me and of course we have to try the jacket on.
What another one. What is it with you people? I’m a dog I don’t need a coat.
Actually, it looks beautiful on her. My wife is so pleased and after a few minutes even Tova is starting to act as if she feels important in it.
Oh this is neat, I feel warm and fuzzy. Are we going out now?
Saturday arrives and the three of us load up and head out to Depot Road in Auburn NH.
There are plenty of trails there to cross country ski or snow mobile if you have one. In the spring they make good hiking and bike trails.
My wife purchased new bindings for our skis this year and they were a marked improvement over the original bindings that came with the packages.
We load Tova in the Suburban and place the skis and poles in the back.
What are they for? Are they for me? I don’t know about this now…
We are fortunate to find a parking spot and we take out the skiing equipment and remove Tova and place a leash on her to safely cross the road.
Tova watches us putting on the skis and you can see the questions in her eyes, What are you doing? What are they for?
Of course she didn’t have any skis to adjust to. Her good personality of staying close and having a lot of fun running in the snow and trying to chew on scrub pine branches when she could, made us laugh, the three of us had a ball. She’s still in that puppy stage so we had to learn not to holler at her and confuse her. If she was insistent on not paying attention I used a whistle or the electronic collar to get her attention.
She looks at Linda and me gliding on the snow along with the help of our poles. It almost looks as if she is trying to figure out what we are doing.
I have a weird family. They are trying to walk around this stuff on sticks.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
A Cowboy's Vengeance
I'm excited about my third book a western thriller, It can be viewed on www.joesmiga3.com or go the the interesting links on this site and click on there. It will keep you interested to the very end.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Chapter Six Learning About Cornfields
Tova has never experienced running in cornfields before so I am curious how this is going to work out.
When we arrive, Ben tells me he wants to do the open field first and then we can try the corn fields.
It’s fine with me. I’m just happy to have my dog running with one who is experienced. This is something she hasn’t had before. When you run an inexperienced dog with one with experience, the inexperience dog normally picks up things from the experienced dog. Not overnight of course; it is a process that you want to continue.
The open field was pretty muddy that morning as we had numerous days of rain before the season opened. Both dogs did their best slouching through the puddles trying to pick up a scent.
After a half an hour of scouring the fields Sam kicks up a rooster who flies in Ben’s direction. Ben leads it for around forty or more yards then fires. Good shot the bird went down with one round. He calls to Sam to fetch the bird. For some reason Sam doesn’t respond to his command. Tova looks at me and Sam looks at me, I don’t want to send Tova as it is Ben’s bird and his dog should do the retrieving.
After three or four more commands, Sam is still adamant about going where the bird is for some reason. Ben trudges over to where the bird dropped, picks it up, and with a disgusted voice says, “Let’s go over to the cornfields.”
At the cornfields Sam rushes right in amongst the stalks and Tova looks up at the tall eight to ten foot heights and looks at me.
What are these things? They’re too big. I’m afraid!
I can sense her fear and intimidation of the height of the stalks and talk gently to her.
“It’s okay, girl. Go ahead in.”
She continues to look at me and I can see she’s not ready to try it.
Meanwhile Sam is running inside of the corn patch, chasing some birds.
I call Tova over to me and give her a few pats of encouragement. I don’t want this remembered as a bad experience for you.
“Stay with me, Tova. It’s okay. You’ll learn.”
Ben turns around and says, “Force her, she needs to learn.”
“No, she’ll learn on her own; that there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m not going to force her.”
Tova and I separated from Ben and walked around the perimeter of the cornfield. Ben tried to follow Sam’s paths around the field as well.
When we arrive, Ben tells me he wants to do the open field first and then we can try the corn fields.
It’s fine with me. I’m just happy to have my dog running with one who is experienced. This is something she hasn’t had before. When you run an inexperienced dog with one with experience, the inexperience dog normally picks up things from the experienced dog. Not overnight of course; it is a process that you want to continue.
The open field was pretty muddy that morning as we had numerous days of rain before the season opened. Both dogs did their best slouching through the puddles trying to pick up a scent.
After a half an hour of scouring the fields Sam kicks up a rooster who flies in Ben’s direction. Ben leads it for around forty or more yards then fires. Good shot the bird went down with one round. He calls to Sam to fetch the bird. For some reason Sam doesn’t respond to his command. Tova looks at me and Sam looks at me, I don’t want to send Tova as it is Ben’s bird and his dog should do the retrieving.
After three or four more commands, Sam is still adamant about going where the bird is for some reason. Ben trudges over to where the bird dropped, picks it up, and with a disgusted voice says, “Let’s go over to the cornfields.”
At the cornfields Sam rushes right in amongst the stalks and Tova looks up at the tall eight to ten foot heights and looks at me.
What are these things? They’re too big. I’m afraid!
I can sense her fear and intimidation of the height of the stalks and talk gently to her.
“It’s okay, girl. Go ahead in.”
She continues to look at me and I can see she’s not ready to try it.
Meanwhile Sam is running inside of the corn patch, chasing some birds.
I call Tova over to me and give her a few pats of encouragement. I don’t want this remembered as a bad experience for you.
“Stay with me, Tova. It’s okay. You’ll learn.”
Ben turns around and says, “Force her, she needs to learn.”
“No, she’ll learn on her own; that there’s nothing to be afraid of. I’m not going to force her.”
Tova and I separated from Ben and walked around the perimeter of the cornfield. Ben tried to follow Sam’s paths around the field as well.
Monday, July 5, 2010
Chapter Five Two Weeks Later
My wife has been going shopping an unusual number of times for her personality. Both of us really hate to shop. So I know something is up.
About ten days after our first hunt Linda comes up the stairs into the living room and says, “This is for Tova.”
What she hands me is an expensive blaze orange colored hunting vest designed for dogs which also had a sturdy belly protector to guard them against cuts and bruises on their delicate sections.
My wife, who rarely spends money on herself, spent more money on this vest than she would for a dress.
“Let’s try it on her,” she says.
What is this thing? Tova is squirming around while we get her legs through the vest, around her shoulders and over her back and belly.
I don’t need a coat. Do I have to wear this?
“What do you think? How does she look?” Linda asks.
“First of all it will do what you want it to. Second she’s going to be the best dressed dog in the woods.”
Linda gives me that look. You know the look, just leave it alone.
About ten days after our first hunt Linda comes up the stairs into the living room and says, “This is for Tova.”
What she hands me is an expensive blaze orange colored hunting vest designed for dogs which also had a sturdy belly protector to guard them against cuts and bruises on their delicate sections.
My wife, who rarely spends money on herself, spent more money on this vest than she would for a dress.
“Let’s try it on her,” she says.
What is this thing? Tova is squirming around while we get her legs through the vest, around her shoulders and over her back and belly.
I don’t need a coat. Do I have to wear this?
“What do you think? How does she look?” Linda asks.
“First of all it will do what you want it to. Second she’s going to be the best dressed dog in the woods.”
Linda gives me that look. You know the look, just leave it alone.
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