I have a new friend. He doesn't really have a name yet (his kennel name is Gambler), but he's a 7 month old
Brittany. I won him in the
PFHT raffle and I only bought $20 in tickets! Cheri Heimbach, the secretary and Grand Diva of our club donated him to the fundraiser. The decision to accept him was only hard because I knew that the Baron wanted to wait till the rest of the house was built. This, however, was an opportunity that doesn't come around often. We met him on Friday night at the annual meeting; he was calm and confident among 100 strangers. Only when he saw Will, his apprentice and former frequent companion, did he make any noise. He raised up on his back legs occasionally, but it was a delicate and gentle greeting rather than aggressive or assertive bowl-me-over game. He needs puppy training but he's housebroken and crate trained. He's had his first puppy shots, worming and vet check. Since he's lived with his mother, 2 sibs and assorted hawks and other critters until now, he's well socialized and knows he's a dog. So, when Michael called my name second, I only debated a few minutes. I knew this was a good dog that will fit into the Barony well.
I picked him up this morning from Cheri's motel room and we drove home, 3.5 hrs, with a stop at Petco for a crate and puppy chow and at Home Depot for some more CaCO3 since the temps are supposed to get bitter and we have 6" of new snow on top of the old ice. For most of the drive he had his head on my lap.
A crow flying over the car got his attention; he pointed as much as he could in the car. He attentively watched the road from then on. He hasn't cried and hardly barked; he growled at his reflection in the window after dark; I spotlighted but didn't see anything outside so I can only assume he was unsure of himself in the dark window. He certainly does like windows. He gently jumps up to look out the stairs window and spent a lot of time at the deck door. When he jumps up on furniture or to see what's for dinner, a quick "no, get down" correction and he's immediately down. He's a smart dog.
I wasn't going to let him off leash for a few days, until he has a better idea that this is home, but his big eyes and straining shoulders, plus the snow and ice made it hard for me to give him the exercise he needed. I released him and he was off. He ran up the Jennifer Trail but came back when he got half way up; then he was gone. Out of sight. I couldn't track him in the snow and was half sure I'd lost the little boy only 6 hours from pick up. 10 minutes later he came racing back for a pet and then raced down the Trail. What a thrill. He made a huge circle around the house and then went to the door and was done. If that's the kind of exercise runs he wants, I'll feel better when I get a microchip in him. But, I'll just find a good tree stump to sit on while he races aound. He's now sleeping at my feet.
I called Erle Ryba, an aquaintance from WOCC and owner of a kennel in Julian for vet recomendations and advice on training. He recommended a book called
Hey Pup, Fetch it Up and suggested that I join the bird dog club. We'll start out at
Animal Medical Hospital. I filled out their new patient form on line tonight.
His parents have been
tested for hip dysplasia:
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