The Ice-breaker!

[Al Hansen]

Hi Al - That pup's a keeper for sure. These are some of the best dog action shots that I have seen. I was particularly struck by # 11 from the top with the first duct retrieve.....if his tail was any higher or straighter.............
Congrats -
sarge

Glad you liked those pictures, Sarge. Chip sure earned his keep on that day. Right now as I type this he has his head draped across my feet. I checked out #11 and you are right!
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Nice... Great Story my boy will turn 10 in 4 months... I hate it.. He has done everything I have asked and more.. Now he stays in on bad days..

I know exactly what you are talking about, John. I retired Chili but it was a very necessary thing to do. Most of all I am glad for you that your pup has filled you with lasting memories that you will never forget. Those are those precious moments that we live for when duck hunting.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Thank you for the great story and photos Al! (How many times have I typed that sentence?) It's amazing how some dogs just "get it" so much quicker than others. You have a fine dog on your hands, looks like you had a great season!

I sure appreciated the kind words, Cody. Thank you. When you talked about some dogs getting it quicker than others, they are no different than the students that I taught. Some would catch on to a new area in math while others struggled. But then again it could have something to do with the gene pool. Who knows?
As for the season, I loved it. I never shot a duck on the Rio Grande this year just because I couldn't get to it for such a long time. The ranch is so peaceful and serene that if I didn't shoot a duck on one of the days I hunted, I had no problem with that. I just felt sorry for the pup that was in the blind with me then.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Great dog work and photo's Al. Dogs are such a big part of duck hunting, and having a great tandem with your them makes the experience richer.

Greg, when you mentioned how much richer the experience of duck hunting is when using a dog, you are so right. Well said. Glad you enjoyed the photos.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

It,s been 6 months since i put mine down, and after looking at your pics i,m ready now . Thank you AL

Pat, first of all I want you to know how sorry I am that you had to put your dog down. Time has a way of healing along with God's Peace. If just one of those pictures was "the" one that triggered that thought of getting another pup, I'm sure glad that I wrote this story that was accompanied by those pictures. I'm happy that you are now ready. Good luck in your quest of finding a new pup. I sure hope you will post some pictures when that time comes.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

Hi Al,
You are really blessed to have such a good boy there.

He seems like a dream come true for any hunter

Hey George---more than once this past two to three weeks I have had to pinch myself to make sure I was actually seeing Chip doing what he did. Now to begin preparing for next year's season. This will be fun.
Al

 

[Al Hansen]

What a great way to end the season Al. For those of us in the north country the posts from you and others still hunting have kept the flame alive. Thanks for taking the time to share. Congrats to you and Chip.

You are most welcome, Jim. Thanks for what you had to say. I have been keeping track of the temps in the Minneapolis area where my daughter lives. It made me think back on those days when I lived in Minnesota and then in Wisconsin. By the way, you expect cold/cold when you live in Alaska! Stay warm, Jim. I hope one of these days soon those "Clippers" will begin to drift back north again. As for temps this week, we are supposed to be in the 50s and 60s down here.
Al