What's Happening Now?
September 2008
Things have been busy we had a puppy picnic with the January puppies and things went very well. Puppies played in the pond, we had good food and better friendship time. We have added to our extended family and we are enjoying every minute of watching Thor and Rosebud's first litter grow up.
In August, Rosebud blessed us with 5 more puppies following a back to back breeding. After we started the puppies on puppy food and moved them into the dog room to sleep, we promised Rosebud the break she greatly needed. This will be our last litter until next year.
The puppies are great and can be seen on their own page "August 2008 Puppies".
May 2008
Where has the first half of the year gone?
Training has been good and we have been doing quite a bit with the some of the local puppies. They are growing like weeds and it is very satisfying to see pictures of them as they grow.
Torrie is starting in a training class after the Memorial Day weekend, hopefully this will help her be more socialized. She still thinks she can beat up on the older dogs and unfortunately they let her until they can't take any more. Thor has proven that he isn't a dead beat dad because he will put Torrie in her place before anyone else.
With the soaring price of gas, Connie is taking the summer off from training away from the house. She is hoping that more clients will see our ad and call for training.
We are planning a puppy gathering for later this summer so keep your eyes open for the pictures that will surely make you laugh.
January 2008
We are preparing for the arrival of Rosebud's first litter. Thor the every concerned Papa is waiting with bated breath!
Watch for new pictures of the little ones as Connie will be the typical grandma and snap pictures just to show them when they grow up and embarrass them to death!!!
Connie is excited about the field training that she is starting the first Saturday in April, unless the weather breaks earlier and she will start earlier. Her and the ladies are excited about attending their first field trial so watch here for pictures and progress reports. Rosebud should be ready to rock and roll by that time and maybe someone who buys one of the pups will join them! Who knows!
October 2007
First half of dove season has ended. The first part of the season went well with a harvest of 75 birds. Thor was a busy boy retrieving most of the 75 birds in the first week of the season. We had some issues with the decoys that were placed in the hunting area, a Red Tail Hawk was so hungry he took one while we were in getting lunch, and two others a week later. I guess the drought has effected more than us humans this year.
The first Waterfowl season opens on October 20th and Sky has been practicing because she doesn't want Thor to fetch more than her this year. Thor isn't himself these days because we have some girls coming into season and his mind isn't into hunting right now.
Connie has gathered up several ladies and has them interested in field training. Their goal is to get a good start on land training during the next month and progress to water in the Spring. They are all talking about entering a Hunt Test in the Spring, so look out for the female Labs and Chessie with the crazy ladies tagging along! This is truly an all girl event at Bluebill Retrievers. Thor and I feel like the fifth wheels these days.
Connie has asked me to help with the field training but she decided that the women need to learn how to throw bumpers and handle real birds with out freaking out so she has delegated me as the "Line Judge" and "Consultant". I'll let you know how long they keep me!
August 2007
As hunting season approaches things are busy as usual around Bluebill Retrievers. In the middle of preparing for the season, Thunder took a turn for the worst and was laid to rest on August 15th. This awesome dog was awesome to the very end. His life was full and when we told our friends and family of his passing everyone had a "Thunder" story. Thank you for the many calls that have helped us deal with this huge loss in our lives.
On August 20th our little Sunny went to live in Gainesville Georgia. When he got in the truck for his 7 hour trip he was all kissy face and had to be told to get on his side of the truck seat. He watched the miles slip away for about an hour and then laid down and wasn't heard from the rest of the trip. We will be getting regular updates on Sunny since he went to live with Connie's brother on a large farm in Georgia.
Upcoming Events:
Field training has started call for dates and times. Land training will be first on the agenda.
Catching up from a long winter is challenging for both handler and dog. The dogs are ready to work and excited everytime someone goes out the door. Things are progressing nicely for everyone.
Thor in enrolled in an obedience classes to brush him up for the ring, Connie wants to enter him in some local Obedience Trials this summer. Good Luck Thor! He is also enrolled in a Therapy class this summer so they can go visiting at the local nursing homes!
Rosebud is entering a training class for her Canine Good Citizen certificate. Rosebud's problem is she wants to fetch so bad that if you give her a bumper the rest of her brain turns off. She is one mean fetching machine and she won't drop a bumper or bird for anything.
Sky is working on her field training and doing very nice. She is also assisting in an obedience class that Connie is teaching and is in her element. Connie has her in a Therpy class and she is doing great. She sure loved being held and rolled all over the floor the first night she attended class.