Two Old Dogs

MLBob Furia

MLBob Furia

Well-known member
Sadie turns 11 this month - getting grey around the muzzle and eyes, big fatty tumor behind her right shoulder - but still always game to go. And me.... well, lets just say I'm "picking my spots" more often now. Just getting past some back problems that took a spinal epidural and a month of PT to get turned around. We trailered down to the River Monday (first weekday after the second split opener). Sat on the ramp in a driving rain for about an hour before I decided there is no reason for an old retired guy with an "iffy" back to get soaking wet running the river & making a set... ended up splitting a sandwich with Sadie and heading home.



Back today (Wed.)- the rains were gone. Drove through some flurries on the way down, but by the time we arrived no precip & just cloud cover. Today was the first all-frond decoy hunt as well. Put out a rig of frond mallards and blacks, with a frond merganser and a widgeon added to the mix for a little variety. Took a few good pictures of individual decoys.


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I was hoping for some nice, easy retrieves for the old girl, and got my wish when we took 2 greenheads out of a group that came in about noon. The falls were fairly long, but both birds were dead. I'm not looking forward to the day I have to start leaving her behind, but today it was good to see her just go about her business like the old pro she is.
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Bob, Great pics + Decoys. Sadie sure seems to be enjoying herself too.......all the makings of a fine day afield!
 
Love it!
I spent Thanksgiving in Ohio and got out a few times for Mallards and Blackducks. Wish I had that rig to hunt over though gorgeous decoys.
 
I saw the palm frond posts a few weeks/months back and thought they were cool.... but after seeing those pics I'll be taking a different view of the scenery on my trade show trip to Anaheim differently every year forward... AWESOME!
 
Beautiful story and yes well, written and photographed. How much joy and substance they bring to a day in a blind or layout boat. Watching them still makes me tear up at times
My eldest son wants a GoPro camera with the dog harness for Christmas so that he can hook up his Chesapeake Mahi and film and photograph it from his perspective. What a great idea!
My Jack now has a hot tub step so that he can get up on the bed at night. Took him about a week to trust it, but he's at the foot of the bed right now.
God I love him! I've had some amazing dogs over the years including many great Chessie's but he and my sons dog ( his nephew) are really something special. In my will that our ashes go together over the harbor I grew up on out here.
Enough rambling, but thanks for jarring my hard drive. Dogs. Where and who would we be without them?
 
Sat on the ramp in a driving rain for about an hour before I decided there is no reason for an old retired guy with an "iffy" back to get soaking wet running the river & making a set...
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Bob,
Heck, I 've done that and I'm not even retired. Tired yes, but not retired. :>) I walked out the door one day this season, then realized it was sleeting, so turned right around and went back to bed.
Great photos, especially the last two.
 
Very touching Bob. Like Sadie, my Callie was 13 and retrieved ducks up to one week before she passed. You are enjoying sweet moments with her. Enjoy them. And, at our age, hunting smart is the wise thing to do.

Enjoy your days afield with her. Everyone is a blessing... Godspeed Sadie! Pat
 
It is so humbling when reality sinks in. I loved this story and the pictures, Bob. For being one of the old dogs, I sure do like those decoys you had set up. Beautiful!

Sadie is so special and you captured the moments in words and pictures just perfectly. Not only that, you had a very successful hunt.
Al
 
Bob,
Great pics and decoys as usual. I took my old girl out to North Dakota for her last trip this past fall and it was bittersweet. Its tough when they still have the heart for it but the body starts to fail them. She has made the trip with me for 11 years and each year holds special memories. Now I just pick my spots with her to go on easy local hunts where we can just enjoy being out and if we get birds all the better. It looks like you picked out a perfect hunt for both of you to enjoy. Well done!
 
Hey Bob,

Bummer to hear about your back. Hope you recovery fully and as quickly as possible.

Since I met Sadie in Michigan I always thought she was about as pretty a black dog as I have seen. Perfect size for a boat too.

Take care and good hunting.
 
All-
Thanks for the nice replies! Obviously a lot of folks have had the pleasure of "being owned" by some fine dogs over the years.
Years ago, my wife gave me this framed print for Christmas. I'm posting a picture of it, as it's something I know the dog people will appreciate:


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Old duck hunters get to look forward to hanging around in well-worn clothes, with a retriever who's always willing to listen to their stories - and who was probably there for a lot of them!
Dave, I can always count on your being honest ;-).
I started the day early at Riley's; came home & cleaned ducks; cleaned the gun; then got in the shop to get some calls done for the late Holiday shoppers. Nevertheless, my first thought when I left Riley's was: " Looks like a 'ducky' day; I should've gone."
 
Bob
Good to see Sadie and those beautiful decoys being put to use and glad your back now allows you to oversee a hunt.
wis boz
 
It's nice to see you posting again Bob, I'm glad to hear the back is on the mend.
I can look at pictures of your frond rig all day. Thanks for taking the time!
 
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