My New Hunting and Fishing Buddy

[wildcatter]

My current best fishing and hunting buddy is Carter, my 12 year old GSP. I was gifted him by my best human fishing buddy 12 years ago. Not just a gift, but choice of his them females first litter. He is the last living member of that litter, and knowing how close I have become with Carter, and the trips we make together over the years, he has told me before how he hates to think of how I'm going to take it when he's gone. I've had Lab's, and Goldens, Blue Healers, and black and tans, many hunting dogs, and fishing and camping companions, researched many national forests and river drainages, off the beaten path over the years with almost all of them. But none have chewed as much of the same grounds together as I have with Carter by ourselves.


Well last week, Thursday evening, I got a call, it was my good buddy Jerry. I knew had bought a new registered female a couple years ago when his last GSP died, hit by a car at 8 years old. But I didn't know that after Sky, his current female was bread over the winter? I have a fish camp on one of 3 secluded private lakes about 5 miles from where he lives, a place he introduced me to. He asked when I was going to be at the lake next. This made me think he was wanting to get together and go fishing, so I replied I'll probably be up monday after my doctors appointment at 7:45am that morning, why you been fishing. His reply was a shock, No but you need to stop by and pickup one of these pups?????????


Again, I had no idea he had bread her, and replied you gotta be kidding, when did she have them. He let me know they were 8 weeks old, and just got their last set of shots, wormed, and ready. Tails bobbed and dewclaws removed at birth. So I asked what I needed, his was reply was nothing, but I need to come get one as Carter wasn't going to be around forever, and now would be a good time to train a new pardner, while Carter was still around!

So I have been wore plum out for the past week, he aint short on energy, and already knows his name, comes,,, most of the time when called, but knows what I want when I say come, down, getting better at stay. I won't brag on being potty trained as the two times I have I've caught him starting to go inside. But I can say he's very close to house broke. twice in 8 days, only pooping once, which is actually better with hard stools. But all in all, he brings many memories of when I brought Carter home, and Carter is a reminder of how I should treasure his agrivating little ars while I can, and assures me of the years I should be rewarded with him by doing so.


I'm truly blessed to have them both at the same time! For that I owe many thanks to Jerry!!

 

[1K6BRA]

Great story! The pup will learn volumes from his elder. My wife yes, my truck maybe my dog never! Can’t imagine being without a hound in my life.

 

[WileyG]

Beautiful companions all around in these pics! The amount of love that dogs give us can't be measured and they're always happy to see us. God sure knew what He was doing in giving the world these wonderful creatures!

 

[jds holler]

Great post wildcatter. You are indeed blessed X2.
These "best friends" of ours definitely make our world a happier place, and boy do they leave a hole when they leave us. Starting a youngin when you've still got the olden, may be the way to make that time easier.

My Millie is still a young dog, but I might consider getting her a little sister or brother as time goes by. jd

 

[wildcatter]

Great post wildcatter. You are indeed blessed X2.
These "best friends" of ours definitely make our world a happier place, and boy do they leave a hole when they leave us. Starting a youngin when you've still got the olden, may be the way to make that time easier.

My Millie is still a young dog, but I might consider getting her a little sister or brother as time goes by. jd
View attachment 1682568

They certainly do! It might help, but that hole is impossible to fill, it might shorten the initial heartbreak, but that hole is one that can never be filled, as they are never forgotten! But anyone that has ever filled their heart with one understands that.

 

[Mfitz717]

After having labs with an ex girlfriend I always wanted a gsp. Last spring I got one. A LOT of work for a single guy but totally worth it. He’s helped me get in shape and with hunting.

 

[Turkeytider]

Beautiful companions all around in these pics! The amount of love that dogs give us can't be measured and they're always happy to see us. God sure knew what He was doing in giving the world these wonderful creatures!

God gave man the dog to show him what pure, unadulterated love looks like.

 

[danny]

Great story! The pup will learn volumes from his elder. My wife yes, my truck maybe my dog never! Can’t imagine being without a hound in my life.View attachment 1682360

I really love Beagles!

Danny

 

[TTE]

German Short hair's are great !

I had one, (Max) when I was young. Smartest dog I've ever seen.

When he died, I did not get another dog for 10 years, as I was afraid I would compare him to Max

 

[jds holler]

God gave man the dog to show him what pure, unadulterated love looks like.

I think that God would be very happy indeed with us if we would share that pure and powerful love that we share with our dogs, - with him.
This reminds me of a good one --

Did ya hear about the dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac??
He'd lay awake at night, wondering if there really is a dog.

jd

 

[Mfitz717]

German Short hair's are great !

I had one, (Max) when I was young. Smartest dog I've ever seen.

When he died, I did not get another dog for 10 years, as I was afraid I would compare him to Max

Very intelligent. Loads of energy too.

 

[wildcatter]

I have had Irish Setters, Beagles, Golden Retrievers, and 2 Labrador, i loved them all, at one time i after havong my second lab, a yellow, i thaught I woul allways have a lab.

Then my buddy who knew how much I loved his GSP, and allways spent a lot of time when i would come around, offered me choice of a litter. These were highly prized well pedigrees, with field champions on bothe dame and sire sides.

The adault above is him, Carter, gifted to me, as I not only couldn't at the time, but wouldnt have spent the amount that litter sold for. I got the same treatment again from another litter only had 2 to choose from this time, but again, no charge.

I have to say, they are after Carter, my favorite breed. But, as I tell everyone, they are all special, and all different, with different trates and behaviors.

Good and bad, the good is, i agree, GSP's are very integent as far as breeds go, they also are very energetic and athletic. They as loyal as any breed can be, better around children than most, and not much on barking.

But, they are the most stuborn breed I have seen, and I have never had any dog that requiers as much attention as GSP, mine as well as others. They never want any me time, and 24 hours a day want to be with the hole family, or as many as possible.

Me and Carter have put a lot of miles on from fishing trips to road trips, some over 1000 miles in a couple days time. But no mater how much we travel or when, as soon as he hears keys, he's up and ready. The times he dont get to go, he pouts, but that don't last long as he cant stand not getting attention.

That is good and well, but my hope is Jake will requier the same amount of time, love, and be near the same companion Carter has been. So far, so good, i think Carter will set the tune for just what that is. Hell he might be dooing it just for me, so when he is gone I will have living memories of me and him for another decade anyways!

Regardless he will never be forgoton!

 

[Turkeytider]

I think that God would be very happy indeed with us if we would share that pure and powerful love that we share with our dogs, - with him. View attachment 1682664
This reminds me of a good one --

Did ya hear about the dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac??
He'd lay awake at night, wondering if there really is a dog.

jd

Well, dog IS God spelled backwards.

 

[jds holler]

Well, dog IS God spelled backwards.

BINGO!! Hey, you're not dyslexic are ya? jd

 

[mike mccormick]

There is certainly a reason they are called man's best friend. There are few truly bad days with a dog in your life.

 

[swd]

This little guy came to us in January as a 4 pound, 6 week old rescue. Now about 55 lbs.. He and his 7 siblings were abandoned to a local shelter. Fortunately we have contact info for all of them and he occasionally gets together for a play day with them. One of his sisters looks exactly like him too.

 

[ArtinNC]

Neffiepoo

 

[Turkeytider]

This little guy came to us in January as a 4 pound, 6 week old rescue. Now about 55 lbs.. He and his 7 siblings were abandoned to a local shelter. Fortunately we have contact info for all of them and he occasionally gets together for a play day with them. One of his sisters looks exactly like him too.

If someone just wants a buddy and companion, there are SO many ( far too many ) great dogs that need homes in rescues and shelters. Even most breeds have rescues that one can go to for adoption. From a bloodline perspective, I can see going to a breeder for a working dog, perhaps.

 

[swd]

If someone just wants a buddy and companion, there are SO many ( far too many ) great dogs that need homes in rescues and shelters. Even most breeds have rescues that one can go to for adoption. From a bloodline perspective, I can see going to a breeder for a working dog, perhaps.

I’ve done it both ways. Got a nice looking GSP from a shelter years ago. Turned out gun shy and not birdy at all. But he made for a great home protection dog and companion. Bought a great English Pointer pup from a world class breeder and had the one in a lifetime hunting buddy. This new guy is still up in the air. Not the smartest but he is the friendliest. And takes watching the house pretty seriously. More importantly my wife loves him. We’ll find out in the fall if he’s a hunter..

 

[blades]

Gun shy, Got a Gordon Setter years back after losing my brit to Blasto Micosis. She was a year old already , breeder said she wasn't making the grade. The gun shy part i fixed by taking her to the range with me and going for long walks while all the excitement was transpiring. Took about one summer. Another item with her was she was afraid to enter a room with strangers in there. Again the gun club solved the skittish problem with constant meeting and greeting new to her people. For 12 years she was a fixture at my shop and the gun club, We did ok at upland hunting. Fact was if someone took a shot while hunting a 1/4 mile away I would have to call her back.