Well, all the dogs are doing well. Jackson (Hudgens) has finally figured out the lixit valve. Kiwi (Souliz) likes to lick my face ALOT! Maggie (Markey) is settling in very well. Kane, Lucy and Dolly (Copeland) are old troopers at Casa De Bootleather and took it all in stride. Dot (Burke) is enjoying being next to Squirt and loving every minute of harassing her.
The young puppies are enjoying a respite until we get to South Dakota (just too darned hot to run them) and I am sure they will make up for the lazy days here in Texas by the end of July on wild birds in South Dakota.
Cheers
Keith - Posting from Under the Live Oaks
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Coming of Age - Knikki's Story
I thought as I anxiously await my journey to the prairies again this summer. I would share my thoughts on a nice, first year shooting dog we are taking with us this summer. This will be Knikki's 3rd summer on the prairie at our camp in SD. He went as a tiny little 2 month old puppy in 2007, developed into a very nice derby prospect in 2008, and I am hopeful he will develop into a classy shooting dog this year. Some of you may have read this, but I thought to post it as a lead off for my next installment on my BLOG - Under the Rusty Windmill V.
First off - I feel that your first successful field trial dog, is sorta like a first love - you never forget them. Shoeleather's Tanner is an intregal part of this story - He is the original first love. So, let's start at the beginning.
When Chuck and I made the deal for Tanner - one of the conditions was that I got to pick any dog in his kennel to breed Tanner to and keep or sell any or all of the puppies. Chuck Wilson has quite a few fine females in his kennel, a few of which have been bred to Tanner and lots of people have those dogs in their kennels today.
When I told Chuck my pick - he was amazed, he calls her the "mud fence dog" because he says she is "uglier than a mud fence." But, something always told me - he was reading Polly wrong. The breeding was accomplished and Polly whelped 5 puppies at our home. Their were 3 females and 2 males, and Teresa and I were drawn to the chestnut male and he spent lots of hours sleeping on Teresa's lap.
They were born in May just in time to be weaned and come with me to SD last summer. We sorted them out, running them and watching them develop here on the prairies .
The decision was made and Knikki was named the heir apparent. The one chosen to fill some mighty big paws. Knikki was worked in Texas and shortly after 6 1/2 months old (pups must be 6 months old minimum to run in field trials) we entered him in his very first AKC horseback field trial in Brownwood, TX.
Knikki broke away fast and to the front, I kept singing to him so that he was able to keep track of me through the live oaks and grassland, there were anxious moments as we lost track of him only to see a flash of white cross in front of us, going away. The course made a sharp turn and headed back towards the starting line, and I was concerned because I last had him to the front and going over a hill. Many times in the past this was his daddy's nemesis and kept Tanner from sometimes placing as the course turned and Tanner was over the hill and out of sight and lost. It seemed like an eternity as first one then two minutes ticked by (these are 15-20 minute stakes) and Knikki broke from the left and to the front and I thought, "Wow, he is getting it done."
Another couple hills and with two minutes left the judges had him as I called him out to the front 200 to 300 yds. At the final turn, he kicked it up just a little more and finished going away towards the dog wagon. I knew we were in it - but when the dust had cleared and the judges gave their decision - Knikki had just won the first field trial he ever entered!
I entered him in a couple more derbies (AF Shooting dog standards) and although he was never placed, he gave a great showing and the judges always had great things to say about him.
His second placement came at the NLGDC Classic in the companion derby stake. He had also run in a couple AKC Junior Hunt Tests and qualified both times.
I watched him get stronger and as I watched him run through the spring, it was evident that he was his father's son. At times, I almost forgot it was Knikki out there and not the great one, (at least in my heart and soul) Tanner. As the fall, and winter, turned to spring and summer. I found myself longing to take Knikki to the prairies - the grounds that helped develop his dad into the champion he became. The months seemed to go so slowly after the field trials season ended in Texas. But, at last the time came and Knikki along with his daddy, aunt, and sisters was on his way with me to the prairies.
The first day we were able to turn loose dogs here on the Reservation. I had made a point to include Knikki in the brace schedule. As I lead Knikki to the line, I felt almost giddy with excitement and nervousness. He was also excited as he pulled against the lead, and took him to the starting line. Daniel, had his sister Rhemy and led her to the line. I took the lead off, reached down scratched his ears, he pushed his head against my thigh, as if he felt the excitement too and was reassuring me that - everything was in order. I gave him a gentle "Whoa" and mounted my horse.
A long blast of my whistle and Knikki was off, making a move that would have made his daddy proud. As we topped a small rise, I spotted Knikki to the front, I turned my horse and Knikki on cue, turned with me. The breeze was mild and in his face as he feathered into a nice, stylish point. I almost could not breath, I thought to myself - "Get hold of yourself, Keith this is just a training workout," I dismounted from my tried and true field trial horse, Cody. This is the horse that carried me to victory many times with Tanner. As I walked in front, a pheasant flushed and I fired - Knikki broke at the shot. But, I just smiled - there was no way that I could be mad at him.
We continued on with the brace, Rhemy had some bird contacts, but I was lost in the moment. That brace, on that day it seemed like Knikki and I were in our own world. I watched as his young, strong body moved with little effort through the tall prairie grass and how he moved to sort out the intoxicating scents on the prairie of sharp tail and pheasant. As, we turned towards home, I watched Knikki take a tree line in a breathtaking finish. Too soon, for my tastes but, as I sat there on Cody and reflected.
I can't help but think how exciting and amazing of a journey Knikki has made from last year and a being a Puppy on the Prairie - to now - his Coming of Age. We have not yet come full circle, but I am confident we are on our way.
Tanner is still with me and still strong, enjoying yet another summer on the prairie - as I look with pride into the eyes of this great dog, Tanner. I am blessed in the sure knowledge that his legacy is assured.
Keith - Posting from Under the Rusty Windmill
This year we are taking 5 puppies by Whiterock Forever Knight out of Whiterock Mali - they are only a couple months old so they will hopefully develop as Puppies On The Prairie like their daddy did 2 yrs ago.
First off - I feel that your first successful field trial dog, is sorta like a first love - you never forget them. Shoeleather's Tanner is an intregal part of this story - He is the original first love. So, let's start at the beginning.
When Chuck and I made the deal for Tanner - one of the conditions was that I got to pick any dog in his kennel to breed Tanner to and keep or sell any or all of the puppies. Chuck Wilson has quite a few fine females in his kennel, a few of which have been bred to Tanner and lots of people have those dogs in their kennels today.
When I told Chuck my pick - he was amazed, he calls her the "mud fence dog" because he says she is "uglier than a mud fence." But, something always told me - he was reading Polly wrong. The breeding was accomplished and Polly whelped 5 puppies at our home. Their were 3 females and 2 males, and Teresa and I were drawn to the chestnut male and he spent lots of hours sleeping on Teresa's lap.
They were born in May just in time to be weaned and come with me to SD last summer. We sorted them out, running them and watching them develop here on the prairies .
The decision was made and Knikki was named the heir apparent. The one chosen to fill some mighty big paws. Knikki was worked in Texas and shortly after 6 1/2 months old (pups must be 6 months old minimum to run in field trials) we entered him in his very first AKC horseback field trial in Brownwood, TX.
Knikki broke away fast and to the front, I kept singing to him so that he was able to keep track of me through the live oaks and grassland, there were anxious moments as we lost track of him only to see a flash of white cross in front of us, going away. The course made a sharp turn and headed back towards the starting line, and I was concerned because I last had him to the front and going over a hill. Many times in the past this was his daddy's nemesis and kept Tanner from sometimes placing as the course turned and Tanner was over the hill and out of sight and lost. It seemed like an eternity as first one then two minutes ticked by (these are 15-20 minute stakes) and Knikki broke from the left and to the front and I thought, "Wow, he is getting it done."
Another couple hills and with two minutes left the judges had him as I called him out to the front 200 to 300 yds. At the final turn, he kicked it up just a little more and finished going away towards the dog wagon. I knew we were in it - but when the dust had cleared and the judges gave their decision - Knikki had just won the first field trial he ever entered!
I entered him in a couple more derbies (AF Shooting dog standards) and although he was never placed, he gave a great showing and the judges always had great things to say about him.
His second placement came at the NLGDC Classic in the companion derby stake. He had also run in a couple AKC Junior Hunt Tests and qualified both times.
I watched him get stronger and as I watched him run through the spring, it was evident that he was his father's son. At times, I almost forgot it was Knikki out there and not the great one, (at least in my heart and soul) Tanner. As the fall, and winter, turned to spring and summer. I found myself longing to take Knikki to the prairies - the grounds that helped develop his dad into the champion he became. The months seemed to go so slowly after the field trials season ended in Texas. But, at last the time came and Knikki along with his daddy, aunt, and sisters was on his way with me to the prairies.
The first day we were able to turn loose dogs here on the Reservation. I had made a point to include Knikki in the brace schedule. As I lead Knikki to the line, I felt almost giddy with excitement and nervousness. He was also excited as he pulled against the lead, and took him to the starting line. Daniel, had his sister Rhemy and led her to the line. I took the lead off, reached down scratched his ears, he pushed his head against my thigh, as if he felt the excitement too and was reassuring me that - everything was in order. I gave him a gentle "Whoa" and mounted my horse.
A long blast of my whistle and Knikki was off, making a move that would have made his daddy proud. As we topped a small rise, I spotted Knikki to the front, I turned my horse and Knikki on cue, turned with me. The breeze was mild and in his face as he feathered into a nice, stylish point. I almost could not breath, I thought to myself - "Get hold of yourself, Keith this is just a training workout," I dismounted from my tried and true field trial horse, Cody. This is the horse that carried me to victory many times with Tanner. As I walked in front, a pheasant flushed and I fired - Knikki broke at the shot. But, I just smiled - there was no way that I could be mad at him.
We continued on with the brace, Rhemy had some bird contacts, but I was lost in the moment. That brace, on that day it seemed like Knikki and I were in our own world. I watched as his young, strong body moved with little effort through the tall prairie grass and how he moved to sort out the intoxicating scents on the prairie of sharp tail and pheasant. As, we turned towards home, I watched Knikki take a tree line in a breathtaking finish. Too soon, for my tastes but, as I sat there on Cody and reflected.
I can't help but think how exciting and amazing of a journey Knikki has made from last year and a being a Puppy on the Prairie - to now - his Coming of Age. We have not yet come full circle, but I am confident we are on our way.
Tanner is still with me and still strong, enjoying yet another summer on the prairie - as I look with pride into the eyes of this great dog, Tanner. I am blessed in the sure knowledge that his legacy is assured.
Keith - Posting from Under the Rusty Windmill
This year we are taking 5 puppies by Whiterock Forever Knight out of Whiterock Mali - they are only a couple months old so they will hopefully develop as Puppies On The Prairie like their daddy did 2 yrs ago.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
