Reacher has been a very very good dog We are beginning to develop a rhythm to read eachothers needs. He has developed a good habit of sitting and staying. The key to this letter is that reacher and I went Duck hunting for the first time in a forested pond near our house. we sat still for about an hour in a storm until a Mallard duck flew over head. I shot, it fell end of story. It was my immediate wonder what reacher would do, would he jump in and retreave an animal he has never seen. Reacher not seeing the bird fall was immediatly interested when the gun went off and his senses peeked, he caught a smell ran to the waters edge pointed at the mass floating 10 yards out and soon etched his body into the water. When he reached the duck he ever so curiously checked its smell and placed the head in his mouth and brought it to shore. when he got to shore he dropped it and looked at me for approval. I praised him and gave him an in training command give, no kidding he brought the bird right to my feet. Wow the dog at hardly 6 months is awsome. This is but only one amazing event of the young boy.
Sincerely Josh Luders
1/1/09
Katy,
I hope this e-mail finds you doing well...just thought I would give you a little update!
Man when you said Reacher had "water love" you were right!!
example 1:
The other week I was filling up my bath tub, and I walked out of the bathroom to get something in the kitchen (the tub was almost full)....I heard a little something from the bathroom but I just assumed it was Reacher and Scarlette trying to get a sip out of the tub (as they like to do that)...much to my surprise when I returned Reacher had decided to take a bath himself! Rather then get upset, we played! I had glove and we played fetch....he did not hesitate a second to dive and search under the water head first!
example 2:
The other day Josh was in the hot tub, and Reacher was running around outside being his normal crazy self...he hoped up on the side of the tub to say "Hi" to Josh, but quickly decided that was not enough....He took a few steps back and took a flying leap into the hot tub! I swear the temperature did not bother him at all....he swam around for a second then Josh got him and lifted him out, only to have him turn right around and jump in again!
example 3:
Just last Sunday morning, Josh and I and the dogs took a walk into town, then came back home and stopped to play in the neighbors property. They have 20 some acres, cows and two ponds. I swear he must have sniffed out the pond in seconds... running and diving.
We played fetch for quite a bit getting throughly soaked! He was more interested in the water then the cows! He didn't even give them two thoughts!
And I think Scarlette is FINALLY starting to like him! They like to sleep together on the couch at night!
Again, I hope you are doing well. Have a Happy New Year.
Sincerely,
Jacqui
3/31/09
Katy,
As of yesterday I have decided not to attend the NAVHDA testing for two reasons. One work is bombarding me with the consumption of my time and two testing isnt really my scene. I feel that this is probably going to be of some disappointment to you, but I dont intend it to be. If you ever want to see Reacher in action you're more than welcome and if your wanting to ever breed he's all yours. I understand that you like to prove their testing abilities by the judge's handbook, but if there's any question why he wasn't tested, simply state that he's owned by and old minded hunter that rather be saving his nickels to chase wild game in America.
A brief on Reacher
He points for maybe 5-10 seconds now on most occasions.
On gun shot he is wanting to find the bullet's impact and bring it back.
He knows the difference between my slippers, boots and shoes and he'll bring them to me on call. He brings me the slippers now on his own deal because he simply wants to be outside in the morning.
He is the most gentle and curious creature I've ever known.
He guards my truck and cabin with a growl but attacks with a lick.
when he retrieves something good like a bird or a deer leg he holds it high and makes the most god awful howl as he brings and shows it to me.
water not a prob. the question with him is getting him out.
Showing him is not a prob but I prefer spending my time on our property and if for any reason you'd ever wish to come and see your free to do just that.
Josh and Reacher
9/3/09
We are off again for the property today once I get off work...which will be in about 2 hours! I can never tell who is more excited Josh or Reacher....
Last week I saw a beautiful thing between them... they had been out all day hunting and well just doing man things (getting exhausted I'm sure)....and at the end of the evening we decided to go to the tippy top of the property to make dinner and watch the sun set... As the sun was going down, beautiful shades of amber, violet, and gold, both the boys just sat out infront of me, near one another completly engrossed in the beauty beyond. No noise in the brush, nor bug in the air could distract them. They just sat there looking out with a silent understanding between them....They look like they were made for each other.
Josh often says he does not think he will ever find another dog like Reacher...as he seems to be his perfect match!
Thank you Katy!
All the best,
Jacqui
11/10/09
Katy,
This last Saturday, Reacher had the ability to practice his duck hunting skills. He made four successful retrieves, each being uniquely different.
The first retrieve we crippled a duck that flew to the waters edge about 100 yrds away. He focused in on it and searched the shoreline. When he got near he immediately caught wind of the bird hiding in the tall grass and went on point. Reacher pointed for about 30 seconds and eventually the bird darted over the water with a broken wing. The bird moved fast but not fast enough because Reacher eventually caught him. My first question was is he going to bring him back, I asked this because he has never brought anything back let alone a flavorful bird back from a 150 yrds away. Reacher brought him right to me.
The second bird was a goose that another hunter shot. The goose sailed about 500yrds away and after that hunter and his dog couldn't find it, I brought Reacher to the assumed location. In about 5 min he caught scent in the rice stubble and followed a trail until a large goose attempted to stand its ground. The hell with standing up to reacher, he jumped on that thing so quick and held on. The goose was flapping wings all over as Reacher took the bird to the other dog. He rubbed in his success, then brought it to me. The hunter who shot the bird asked if I wanted the bird, he said that Reacher earned it.
The third was a goose that dove underwater. Reacher didnt understand it, he just started digging in the wated where it disapeared. My fellow hunter, john, went out and grabbed the goose then gave it to reacher so that he could bring it to me.
The fourth goose was a follow up like the last. We got another diving goose, but Reacher wasn't fooled this time. When the goose went under Reacher waited with caution to see him surface, when it did he pounced on the bird and brought it in.
My high energy dog never failed to stay in his place by the blind, he always searched the sky for movement and when we got quite as birds worked the club so did Reacher, he ininstinctively understood that he should duck and hide as well.
Katy the people at our club could not believe his age in relationship to his ability. "Beyond his Years" one man said. Its always nerve racking when a new dog is on the club, its because their generally undisciplined and high energy distractions for the other hunters, not Reacher.
Cricket, owned by Neil and Corinne, BC, Canada
12/16/09
Hi Katy:
We finally made it to North Vancouver for a visit with my son and his family. As of December 7th, his family grew once again with the addition of Lily. They now have 3 girls and one boy. The picture that I have sent you is my granddaughter Sydney. I think you will recognize the other two dudes.
Cricket is such a joy. Our daily walks....yes every day rain, snow or shine...are along the Vedder River. There is a great trail along this beautiful river which is noted for its salmon. Today we passed under four huge bald eagles sitting in the boughs above.
There are hundreds of ducks and gulls. Other birds spotted include stellar jays, blue herons, crows, ravens and numerous small birds which are of particular interest to Cricket. At this time of year there are not too many folks on the trail but there are the regulars who I recognize mostly by their dogs. For most of the time Cricket is off leash and is able to play with all of the other well-behaved dogs we meet. The regulars that we meet include: 2 gorgeous black standard poodles; several golden retrievers; a German wirehaired pointer who doesn't have wire hair; labs galore and many mixed breeds. Cricket is a hit with the folks who are always curious to know what breed she is. Needless to say, I am so proud to be able to introduce Cricket and her breed to the folds. There is only one other that I know of in the area who is only about seven months old. This Griff was the dog that we met at a local resort in early July. Her name was Holly and she was only 10 weeks old. As a result of this meeting, we became attracted to the breed and the rest, as they say, is history. We have not seen Holly since.
What I have enjoyed about these walks is how Cricket has become more confident and accepting of the two-legged animals that we meet. At first she would bark at almost everyone we met but now she pays little attention to most of them preferring to explore the thickets that align the north side of the trail. Our walks are averaging about 5 miles a day but, for Cricket, I think that you would have to at least double that number.
I love to watch her as she explores, chases, points and mixes with her other "friends" along the way. It is particularly enjoyable as she chases or gets chased by two other whippets........such speed and agility as they swirl in circles in the fields of the near-by park. The way that she bounds up in the air like a deer is most elegant and pleasing.
With all of the exercise, we have increased her food intake by double and I still wonder if it is enough. She gobbles it down in less than two minutes and always seems to want more. She now gets about 5 cups of Royal Canin a day over three feedings and one Denta-Stix. She doesn't have any fat on her and seems to have enough energy every day so I think we have got the amount about right.
Because we are joined at the hip I could go on about her but I sure hope you know how much she is loved and how well she has adjusted to her new digs.
For all that we do for her, she gives me back far more.
We have not developed any plans yet for a trip south but I'll keep you posted.
Regards..............Neil
2/4/10
I don't think I have ever talked about Cricket's newfound love of water. Over the past month or so she started to dip her toes into the water: about a week or two ago she began to swim a little ways out from the shore with splashing paddling motions but with some smooth strokes thrown in for good measure: over the past two days she has taken to barreling into the creek in chase of ducks. Today she confidently left shore and smoothly paddled some 100 yards or more in chase of a dozen or so ducks. She was very impressive. She definitely loves the water and I predict she is going to be one of the best canine swimmers that I have ever seen. Regards Neil
Woody, owned by Dave, Westminster, CO
2/1/10
Hey Katy,
Hope all is well. Looks like the new puppies are getting big. Bet they are
a handful about now.
Just wanted to send some new photos of Woody on his last weekend in Kansas
and let you know how he did. The last couple of trips to Kansas were some
excellent hunts for Woody. He gets better every time he goes. The Kansas
Pheasant and Quail season ended this last weekend and Woody finished the
year in style. He was a pointing and retrieving machine as usual and this
last weekend he had a point and retrieve on all the Pheasants we shot and
was the lead on 9 of 12 Quail. He was putting on a clinic and having the
time of his life. His nose and ability to find birds is absolutely amazing.
I will have to give you some more details when we talk.
I tried to get a good photo of him on point but the cover was a little
thick .
Take care and talk to you soon.
Dave