Regarding happiness--part 1

[Al Hansen]

Little did we know when we found out that our young yellow female, by the name of Pepper, was pregnant at the age of 10 months. Thank God, Pepper had smarts because we didn't show much promise for that elusive category.

Back in the early 2000s, I had made a small kennel just for my two hunting dogs, Chili and our newest girl, Pepper. The doghouse I made was well insulated and Bev helped out by making some heavy duty covers for each of the openings. That worked wonders because that blocked any winds from getting in and it was easy for the two dogs to come and go as they pleased.

Towards the end of February we decided to bring Pepper to the vet to have her examined and given an ultrasound. Dean told me that he saw 6 but it might be possible that there could be more. His calculated guess was within just a few days.

Well, one morning I went out to feed the dogs. Chili was already wagging her tail but no sight of Pepper. I walked in, knelt down and opened the curtains. I couldn't believe my eyes. There she was with 8 little snowballs. Her pups looked white enough to look like snow. I was also very thankful that when Pepper had dashed off down into the village, my friend who helped us when we were in Wisconsin, drove down to get her. She had hooked up with the only lab within a 5 mile radius. He was a good looking yellow male.

It never entered our minds that she should be brought into the house. So I kept close by and checked in on her often. Thank goodness she was blessed with brains. Everything inside her part of the doghouse was immaculate. Her pups were always getting washed and the area they were in was void of puppy stools. We used old bath towels and changed them daily.

Another thing that just seemed to work out. When the pups were born we had some beautiful weather. During the days it would warm up into the 60sF and in the nighttime it never got below the mid 40sF.

Here is what we witnessed one morning when Bev and I went out to check on our first litter of pups. I also found a picture of Pepper. She was a really good dog and I loved her style of retrieving. Her very first retrieve happened to be a snow goose. When she got close to the cripple it dove underwater. I was watching it all because it happened in the middle of the Rio Grande. Not to be outdone, she disappeared also for just a couple of seconds. She had the goose in her mouth and was heading back to me. Pepper happened to be gifted in her line of sight when a bird came down. It didn't make any difference what the terrain was she would come back with the bird. I should also thank Chili, who was my first retriever. She was a good instructor.

Here are a few more puppy pictures that I have saved over the years. I love holding pups. They sure are fun to be around.
Al

 

[Steve Steffy]

Dang it Al...I was just talking about how I missed having my hunting buddy around. Love those puppy pics! We were talking about getting a pup to train, but it looks like that will be a few years off still. I doubt I'll get another dog until we move. There's a new border collie behind us with absolutely zero manners, the dog and the owner. I'd rather not deal with that scenario while trying to train a pup. Thanks for the write up and stoking that fire.

 

[Al Hansen]

Hi Steve,
When I sat down to go through some pictures and decide which ones I would put in, I did think of all the folks that have said something to Bev or myself about Puppy Breath when holding a pup. Too bad someone didn't try to duplicate that.

You must be commended for making the decision to wait until getting your next pup. You are doing the right thing.

Bev and I have always made a "pick of the litter" just for fun. We like seeing what we think happens to be the best in the litter verses the person who has first pick. My wife decided to go with Cassie, who is the only yellow female and she was the lightest yellow. My pick was the dark yellow male, who we called Waylon. I had two reasons to pick him. That was the darkest yellow lab we have ever raised and that really got my attention and secondly, he had ALL the signs of being a very good retriever. Examples; first out of the whelping box, first to figure out how to use the doggie door which allowed him freedom and he was the first to to investigate the pea rock area where the pups learn to go to the bathroom. Waylon loved to run after a ball I tossed and even brought it back. He also enjoyed investigating things like he was doing when we put him in the courtyard.

There were 4 females (3 blacks & 1 yellow) along with 3 males (1 black and 2 yellows).
1st pick male was Cash, the only black male. The family wanted a male that was submissive and he sure passed the test.

2nd pick male was Willie, the first pick medium yellow male. He, too, was submissive but not like Cash. However. when I think about it, Cash picked them. Upon doing that, it was a done deal!

1st, 2nd, & 3rd pick females were all the blacks. Dolly, Patsy, and Loretta. What happened on these picks was amazing. 1st pick waited 18 months for this day to come and she took her time. Dolly was the pup she picked. The 2nd pick looked between Patsy and Loretta and he kept on going back to Patsy. She was the smallest of the litter but only by 2/10ths of a pound. There was no doubt that she was cute and compact. By compact I meant this. If you were to hold her she made you think you had a brick in your hands. This was a father and son combo. The son, who was in his early 50s, looked at his dad and said, "Great job picking Patsy. I'll drive back and you can hold her if you want." He just smiled and got into the passenger seat. When the folks who had 3rd pick arrived, before they even saw the last black female, the wife looked at me and said, "We are praying that Loretta is the last dog." You should have seen the smile on their faces when they looked into the playpen where she was waiting.

So that left us with Cassie and Waylon.

6th pick was Bev's light yellow female, Cassie. We had a retired American Airlines pilot who was a few years younger than us who had recently lost his lab. He called and asked if we had any pups left and I told him about the two we had. He made a time for the following Saturday and was very punctual about his arrival. He and his friend looked and asked questions as the two pups romped around in the courtyard. Dennis then asked me, "Which one do you think would be the most laid back of the two?" I picked up Waylon and held him upside down in my hand. He started to squirm around a little and so I put him down. Then I picked up Cassie and she almost closed her eyes. His friend commented on that and Dennis picked her up and said, "She is the one!" He was so happy to have another dog in his life.

7th pick was Waylon, the dark yellow I picked. The day that Dennis had called asking if we had any puppies left, I got another call maybe 45 minutes later. They wanted to know if Waylon was available and I told them about the party who was coming the next Saturday. When the decision was made to take Cassie, I called the family interested in Waylon. The wife asked if she and her husband could come down on Sunday morning to look at him. They arrived on time and spent a while looking at him, holding him but mostly just observing. The husband started talking about Waylon being inquisitive. He liked that because they enjoyed camping and hiking. Alicia was thrilled to hold Waylon in her arms and that pup didn't mind it one bit. She sat in the back seat of their pickup, with Waylon. I got a call from them when they got home telling me about what a good rider he was. No fussing at all. Then they told me about surprising their 3 and 5 year old kids who were at grandma and grandpa's house.

Everyone of those pups went to a good home. We were so pleased.

 

[Al Hansen]

Yesterday, Friday, December 30th, 2022, shall not be forgotten. I went out to feed our dogs in the kennel. A normal time being 4:00 PM was about when I got there, I guess. I went in to get the food container that I always use and proceeded to feed each lab. When I finished with that largest section where I keep 4 dogs, I headed to the west end and opened the door to Chaco's section. As I looked inside, Cayenne, one of our chocolate females greeted me but at first I didn't see Chaco. Then I spotted him stretched out on the floor next to his kennel.

I knelt down next to him and realized he had just recently died. His body was still warm but there was no life left.

In the space of 2 months and 2 days I lost Chip, our yellow sire, who was also my go to duck dog when I went hunting. Now I found myself sitting next to a wonderful chocolate sire who we named Chaco back in 2010 or 2011. I'll check Bev's records today. With a mind filled with mixed emotions, I got back up and did my best to get him to the doorway. I moved Cayenne down to Chip's old area and fed her in that area.

The only thing I could do at that very moment was call my neighbor and see if he could send his grandson over with his tractor. Carlos got there right away. I found a good spot for Chaco's grave. When everything was done the two of us placed Chaco in his grave.

My God, I sure miss him. It was like he had a sudden heart attack and then it was over. My boy lived a wonderful life. I guess I could say that he was blessed with great health because he never got sick if I can remember correctly. I know that Bev and I were so very lucky to have him as one of our sires. There are some dandy American chocolate labs in various spots of the United States that are marked with his DNA!
I love you, Chaco.
Al

I will credit Bev and her ability to get the most out of Chaco. That gentle giant weighed 80 pounds in his prime. He loved her and always enjoyed the walks that she took him on. The day back in August of 2013 when Bev was tossing him bumpers to retrieve, he would take off on "Dead Bird" and I would swear that he seemed to have been shot out of a cannon!

The second to the last picture of Chaco I like a lot just because most chocolate labs have very expressive eyes.

In that last picture of Chaco, who is watching Bev by the way, all I can say is he was one hell of a Labrador retriever.

Ooopps, I forgot the picture of Bev and Chaco that I took in March of 2011. Those two sure liked going on walks.

I gave much thought about where I would put this bit about Chaco. I know that I labeled this section to be about Happiness. After thinking about Chaco, my heavy heart when I found him yesterday afternoon, then burying him, that sure doesn't seem like Happiness. However, after much thought, I must admit that Chaco lived a truly remarkable life. One in which if you knew him well, you would be happy knowing that. Saying all of that, why did that tear find its way down my cheek?

 

[Paul Meisenheimer]

So very sorry to hear this Al. I have always believed that you have a special bond with your dogs and I know you must miss each of them terribly when they pass. Thinking of you!

 

[Al Hansen]

Thank you for those kind words, Paul.
Al

 

[Steve Steffy]

Oh man, Sorry for your and Deb's loss Al. Sounds (and looks) like Chaco was one heck of a dog. Great pictures to remember him by for sure.

By the way...Cassie is also my sisters name. I'm skeptical that she got the proper training that your Cassie will likely get. I can't wait until the day we can bring a new pup into our lives. I will bide my time though; it will be well worth the wait.

 

[Carl]

Sorry for your loss Al.
Give Bev and the other doggies a hug.

 

[Eric Patterson]

What a handsome dog and wonderful tribute to Chaco. Sorry to hear about your loss. A hunting partner came over to my shop just last night. Eyes red he had come from his vet where he had "Matilda" put down. Losing a loved pet is never easy and it certainly makes grown men cry like very few things can. That's what happens when you lose something special in your life. Something that gave joy and never really demanded anything yet gave uncompromised loyalty and love.

Eric

 

[Al Hansen]

Thank you for your reply, Steve. I sure got a kick out of your reply. Now I won't say any more about it so I don't get into trouble.
Al [smile]

 

[Al Hansen]

Thank you very much, Carl. I made sure to do that for the others in the kennel. As for my dear wife, Bev will be back in New Mexico tomorrow around supper time. I am really looking forward to having her home.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

When you said, "Losing a pet is never easy." Nothing could be truer than that in my way of thinking. Thanks for those words you selected. It was appreciated.
Al

It is always fun when we have a customer who is pleased with their pup. I was thrilled with Chaco's DNA.

Here is a two year old dark chocolate male out of Chaco and Cayenne.

 

[Troy Fields]

Good morning Al,

I'm really sorry to hear about Chip and now Chaco, I've not been on the page much lately. It's so obvious of the love you and Bev have for your dogs and the joy reciprocated by both sides of those bumper throws. I can't imagine losing not one, but two dogs in that short time frame. Until the next retrieve...my best to you both.


Troy

 

[Al Hansen]

Hi Troy,
It was good to hear from you and I am thankful for your kind thoughts. Whenever I see your avatar and then see Pearl by your side, I wonder how she is doing also.

Please tell me how long ago it was when you introduced her to this great gang of waterfowlers. She sure has been your steadfast partner. This makes me smile just knowing how much she means to you.

Have a wonderful 2023. I hope you still have some sea ducks to hunt.
Al

 

[Troy Fields]

Hi Al,

Pearl is doing wonderful. We're both slightly older though. She will be 11 this Feb. and currently sitting at 1739 retrieves. The time certainly has gone quickly. We are still doing our thing on the ocean although I will be slowing down next season to hunt more with friends and family as well as being a shooter for Pearl. I also worry somedays about her getting cold now. Being a little older in those cold temps, both retrieving and waiting, I worry about her staying warm enough. I still use the army jacket though. Here are some other pictures of her this season.

 

[Al Hansen]

Troy,
Those pictures are fantastic! Each has a story especially about Pearl. There will be a day in Pearl's life when she will let you know when the water is too cold. She looks wonderful and in great condition.

By the way, it was good to read that you are keeping track of Pearl's retrieves and continue to do so. I did that just when I hunted with Chili and that started 20 years ago in the 2003/04 duck season. I sure wish that I could remember some of those hunts but they have faded away unfortunately. I'm glad that I have some pictures.

Thanks again for your input.
Al

Here is Chili on a typical day in NM back then. The weather most of the time was "severe clear", which is the best kind of weather to hunt desert big ducks. My .02 worth. Chili is showing off her camo outfit. This area that I hunted for a good 5 or 6 years was blessed with cattails, smart weed, water that averaged about 10 to 12 inches and lots of ducks.

Normally I hunted only during the week. I did get carried away one year when I hunted 89 days, which was 14 more days than I hunted my first year when I retired.

The second shot is of Chili and the spot she had. No ducks saw her. Once again she had the perfect camo outfit on. There were times where I made darn sure that she wore one of those zippered jackets and that was when it was cold or maybe some thin ice in the area.