Is it worth having a dog?

Huntindave McCann

Well-known member
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What with all the dog food, the vet bills, the monthly heartworm pills.


It all goes into a 50 second retrieve, and worth every penny. She is my constant companion, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Good stuff. Love the video.
Took me a while to figure out it was a hoodie was next to the green headed thing.
 
Dave

What a treat to see her doing her thing. I'll say it again, it seems like things just keep getting better for your duck career.

Eric
 
Hunting with a dog is the greatest experience duck hunting. Best day, picking up the pup, spending those days training together, fist retrieve, watching the dog work. A great companion of yours, the family and a friend to talk to about your problems. I have only lost a few birds after getting a dog. Worth every penny, especially if you have kids. You don't have to buy a $3000 dog to hunt.
 
Worth every penny! Not just for the hunting experiences, every day is better with a dog.

I have only lost a few birds after getting a dog.

Funny story, yesterday I brought home a single pheasant. A crippled near dead hen that some one shot earlier and failed to recover. Without a dog it would have been scavenger food, now it will be added to the soup pot!
 
Two seasons ago I had to go through it without a dog. Okay but now I realize what a crucial piece to enjoying hunting.IMG_8524.JPG
 
I am currently without a dog and have been since we lost Kaden (the red retriever). I can not imagine hunting without one. I know that other guys do, and some do well even minus the dog.

Due to the nature of my lifestyle now, it would be damned difficult for me to take on a bird dog... I am back and forth between SE Asia and. So Oregon every few months. When I am in the states, I stay with my elderly mother who refuses to take on a new dog. (Mom is 86, quite frail at 90 lbs soaking wet) and she's afraid she'll kick off and the dog will be left in the lurch if i am overseas.) She was heartbroken when we lost Kaden, so much so that she will not consider a new companion. Thought it'd be helpful for her as she is terribly hard of hearing and the dog is alert and able to let her know of things needing attention, plus, she walks 3 miles a day anyways. She's still active but doesn't want the responsibility.

I have tried to get her to acquiesce, but she will not budge, and I have to respect her wishes.
Once I am able to live in Thailand full time, then I will still have to get past the 3 cats and one dog we already have in the family compound. I feel as though the odds are not in my favor right now, but sometimes things change and I will always be receptive to having another bird dog. Yes they can be expensive with vet care and fancy food and furniture that gets torn up when they are young, but in my book, they are worth every penny.
 
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Never once did my Chessie: not show up on time, leave me at the ramp by myself, decline to go because it was too cold, have to quit early, stay home because "everything was frozen", or a million other things that could come up. He was my faithful friend and hunting companion til the end. I almost quit hunting when I had to put him down.
 
don novicki said:
Never once did my Chessie: not show up on time, leave me at the ramp by myself, decline to go because it was too cold, have to quit early, stay home because "everything was frozen", or a million other things that could come up. He was my faithful friend and hunting companion til the end. I almost quit hunting when I had to put him down.


Agree 100% with you Don
 
Been through 5 since 1976 Think the esposa and are going to be at odds, as when Cap hits ten, i am going to want to go with just one more! Cap will be the alpha until he tells me it is time to retire, then a new trainee takes over.
 
Is it worth having a dog?

"Someone" to join you in the field?

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"Someone" to make sure that you don't waste a crumb?

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"Someone" to take up all the space in your bed?

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Nope definitely not worth it. Not at all. Not for one second. There is something wrong with us dog owners....
 
Everyone needs a lookout to wake you up from your nap. And do the hard work. 20230107_125131.jpg20221011_170059.jpg
 
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Dani,

Your new lab looks like a fine boy. Keep on spoiling him and Belle, one of the great joys in having dogs.
 
[size 5] Worth every penny and more, Dave!

Ohio pheasant opener was last Friday 11/3 and Scooter put up 2 nice cock birds in the first half-hour. She worked in close and at a pace that suited the lower back & hip problems that have plagued me for the past few months. I sure was glad that we were back at the truck so quickly.
We're both looking forward to the waterfowl seasons.



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12 hour road trip, 1 hour boat ride to camp, hunting and fishing this pup is my sidekick, my ride or die buddy. This is his 5th season.

He is a retrieving machine and the best hunting and fishing partner I've ever had. I lost a yellow lab in 2018. He lived nearly 14 years. It might sound sappy but I never thought I could love another dog as much as I loved my yellow lab.........now I don't know where I'd be without this chocolate.

We are heading back to camp in S La tomorrow night. Another 12 hour drive and 1 hour boat ride, he will be in heaven. He is more comfortable in a pirogue than most men. We always have a great time making memories.

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