The Wonder Pups ~ Just Wondering...
Margo,
Me and the "boys" have been taking advantage of these mild, sunny days. This morning we spent an hour or so in a Public Game Production Area just north of Eureka. I took the camera. As if I need to tell you: Boggs on the left; Ben on the right (they are the best of friends). . . simply checking out the wildlife on the far hill. We were a mile and a half from the nearest oil road. There are close to a hundred deer and hundreds of pheasant (mostly hens) wintering in the area . . . scratching and picking at soybean and wheat stubble. We get to share the place with them. The only way to get there is by snowmobile . . . or x-country skis. I do the skis . . . that way I can return home and . . . eat with both hands . . . a 6,000 calorie lunch.
"Retriever Journal" Feb/Mar issue (got it yesterday) included an article featuring Aberdeen, SD and concluded that it is the "Pheasant Capital of the World." Which means: next fall it could get even more crowded than usual our here. Eureka is an hour's drive from Aberdeen.
You might think the "boys" are interested in the scenery. But . . . I'm think'en that . . . the're wondering: "Will Margo be our Valentine?"
Hope all is well.
Peter, Boggs and Ben
Planes, Pools and Pristine Surroundings
Wanted to share what BWCA Labs is like in January...don't see the dogs; because they are snuggled down today in their heated dog room...except to potty they are right back in there; and happy to do so. We're kinda like hibernating bears around here during this month. Either that or we feel like rodents in the tunnels as we travel through our pathways around the kennel after our roof was shoveled clear of an approx snow load 30 inches deep. Here's a link to the photo album recently posted:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2112791&id=1197691061&l=cc28514522
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2112791&id=1197691061&l=cc28514522
A peek behind: Christmas 2009 Ben & Boggs
a beautiful picture and story from their owner Peter Ostrwoski Jr:
The bird season is just about done. We have a couple more weeks . . . when we can walk on the ice . . . on the water-side of cattails. The season started with a lot of unharvested corn. Now, middle of December, most of the corn is still unharvested! It concealed and sheltered the birds and deer. Even so, we flushed many birds. My success rate was up . . . with my new, fitted Spanish side by side (16 Ga. with Polywad's, Vintager shells, 2 1/2 inch, 7/8th oz #6's). In August, I took Sue to Aspen, CO so that I could be fitted and purchase a gun from a guy named Jon Hollinger at the Aspen Outfitting Co. It was an amazing experience. We did it for the "boys." I wanted to be better able to drop birds as a reward for their enthusiasm and hard work in the field. It was a totally unselfish gesture . . . . !!
Best of all: every bird I did drop, Boggs and Ben found it . . . no matter where and no matter how hard it was hit: deep in the corn rows; into cattails; tens of yards away into food plots. They have had a 100% retrieve rate. Some of the retrieves were what I call "team retrieves." It is fun to watch. It is what they do with a stick. They might eventually out-grow it, but for a non-purist like myself: it is simply fun to watch the "boys" having fun.
Their hunting instincts are incredible. I attribute some of it to my being able to get their noses into scents . . . early and often. Ever since we brought them home, not a day would go by without a couple hours of "follow your nose." It is easy to do out here. Any promising, piece of cover that might hold birds, the pups will gravitate to it. They never hang behind me. They are always busy . . . out in front. They know there is too much to smell and do.
Breeders Note: Ben and Boggs have the same mother as our current available puppies, by chance (?) we have TWO brothers! 2 - eight week old boys: another couple of Wonder Pups!
12/18/10: The Tales of Ben & Boggs by Peter Ostrowski Jr
Yes, Margo, I love the blogs; and, of course, I'd be flattered should you want to include some of the old Boggs & Ben stories. Their puppy year was a busy, curious & romping time. Feel free to chop & dice, or edit - just go for it! It was a special & inspirational time.
The picture we sent you was taken this week, southwest of Eureka at "our lake." The last couple weeks I have been leaving the gun home & simply going for long excursions in bird country on x-country skis. We go down onto the ice . . . up over the hills . . . and into those trees in the background, before returning to the truck. Once and a while we get to follow coyote tracks (three) over the snow covered ice.
Pheasant season was/is good. Once again, the "boys" flourished. Last spring, I cleaned out a savings account and ordered a 28 Ga AyA Round Action Sidelock - from Spain. It was either hearing aids or a shotgun. I could not do both! It was one of the easiest decisions I ever made.
Opening day I took the "elegant toothpick" to the field. I had seven shots at pheasant. Two of the seven were made while walking up to the pups on point. I was able to walk up and wait for the flush. That day; I went O for 7. But - I love the gun. If anyone was razzing me about it . . . I didn't hear it.
A couple days later in a different place, I dropped two birds. The first bird flushed out of a marsh on my right and flew left. I led it and squeezed. The bird flinched and went down on a hillside on the other side of a slew . . . eighty yards away. It hit the ground running and went over the hill. Out of the corner of my right eye, I saw the "boys" blow out of the marsh . . . and run toward the downed bird like a politician's security detail; going after a wack job! They got to the hill, picked up the scent, and disappeared over the horizon. I simply stood my ground and waited. If I had a Marlboro . . . I would have had time to light up and relax over a few drags . . . confident of what would happen next.
After a few minutes, maybe more, the "boys" reappeared on the horizon; with the rooster in 'hand', doing the "team retrieve." Each had a mouth on the bird and they were running at me shoulder to shoulder - in a celebratory frolic! The bird did not have a tooth mark on it. Good boys!
The picture we sent you was taken this week, southwest of Eureka at "our lake." The last couple weeks I have been leaving the gun home & simply going for long excursions in bird country on x-country skis. We go down onto the ice . . . up over the hills . . . and into those trees in the background, before returning to the truck. Once and a while we get to follow coyote tracks (three) over the snow covered ice.
Pheasant season was/is good. Once again, the "boys" flourished. Last spring, I cleaned out a savings account and ordered a 28 Ga AyA Round Action Sidelock - from Spain. It was either hearing aids or a shotgun. I could not do both! It was one of the easiest decisions I ever made.
Opening day I took the "elegant toothpick" to the field. I had seven shots at pheasant. Two of the seven were made while walking up to the pups on point. I was able to walk up and wait for the flush. That day; I went O for 7. But - I love the gun. If anyone was razzing me about it . . . I didn't hear it.
A couple days later in a different place, I dropped two birds. The first bird flushed out of a marsh on my right and flew left. I led it and squeezed. The bird flinched and went down on a hillside on the other side of a slew . . . eighty yards away. It hit the ground running and went over the hill. Out of the corner of my right eye, I saw the "boys" blow out of the marsh . . . and run toward the downed bird like a politician's security detail; going after a wack job! They got to the hill, picked up the scent, and disappeared over the horizon. I simply stood my ground and waited. If I had a Marlboro . . . I would have had time to light up and relax over a few drags . . . confident of what would happen next.
After a few minutes, maybe more, the "boys" reappeared on the horizon; with the rooster in 'hand', doing the "team retrieve." Each had a mouth on the bird and they were running at me shoulder to shoulder - in a celebratory frolic! The bird did not have a tooth mark on it. Good boys!
Merry Christmas to BWCA Labs 2010 from Boggs and Ben!!
This is a recent picture of two of our pups that were sold to Peter Ostrowski in Eureka, South Dakota.
Ben and Boggs are sired by Beauregard M.Y. Echo ex High Amp Zesty Liza (dob: 4/22/07), They are full brothers to our Lab: Jolor's Rejuvenator SH, "Sparkle". Also their dad & mom (Beau & Zesty) are still with us.We are thankful for all the wonderful puppy placements over the years; those who stay in touch with us ~ bring us updates and extra smiles!
Merry Christmas to you, too, Ben & Boggs aka 'The Wonder Pups', if only they could talk...oh, the stories they could tell! Thanks to Peter, however - I have a full portfolio of stories he has graciously sent me; I could title it: The Tales of Ben & Boggs. by Mr. Peter Ostrowski Jr. (Oh, wish I coud share them with you...he is an excellent writer - I'll ask and see if he'll give me permission to Blog a few. If he says 'yes', are you ready for that feeling like you're a kid again; out in the field romping through the woods, with a couple great dogs?)
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