You know, that trip was a highlight for me, even though it was a bust in terms of "duck killin'". Wood ducks and teal on the Cache, and the Arkansas river trip.
Her swim across the Arkansas was one I won't forget. Most dogs would have turned around after we planed out and hauled it across the channel to chase that cripple...she would not give up. I kept looking over my shoulder in disbelief...chug, chug, chug...
I freely admit two things...I kept an eye out for other boats or a barge, "just in case", because your dog was not worth a crippled bird to me. I was ready to fire up and run to her before anything could happen. The second thing is that at some point, I wanted to see that she had the grit to swim out there and help, "okay you two...I'm here, it's time to get the damned bird....show you how it's done."
I hope you're doing okay over there.
I'll miss that pup...she had heart.