Roderick Reserve, where the idea started.

I have hunted with beagles for much of my life, though I always wanted a bird dog. I had given up on the idea of another dog for a long time before I was reawakened to the idea one morning four years ago as I hid along the pond pictured above hunting ducks. As day was breaking I saw a steady stream of migrating woodcocks crossing the lake from Canada. Upon returning home, I started my search and study of potential bird dog breeds. I initially considered a Small Munsterlander. I spoke with a man in New England at length about one of his dogs, but decided the breed wasn't what I wanted. After some more searching I decided an Epagneul Breton was what I really wanted to help me chase the woodcock and grouse I desired. I grew more determined to have a dog after reading Frank Woolner and Burton Spillers work. There is something magnificent about the staunch point of a well trained bird dog. That said, I have never seen a dog point in person. A woodcock over a pointer is about as classy as you can get. So I came to find Jazz de Cache d'Or (Silas), from Bill Kelly's kennel in Frederick, Maryland. Today I took Silas to the Roderick Reserve. I wanted to see the place with him along. The desire that began again that day has come to fruition in Silas and it was nice to photograph him where the idea began. When he is ready, I will hunt for the woodcocks in the cover around the pond. I can't wait for that day.

Empty Purple Hulls

Silas and I took a walk early Sunday morning on Game Land 191, Erie county. The weather was beautiful, warm and calm. I have a small silver turkey bell I have been wearing on him in the field. I can here it quite well and he seems to enjoy it because it means we are going for a walk. We are able to go for 20-30 minutes before he seems to tire. I am fortunate to live where I can let him off the leash to really run a bit without fear of him running onto a road. We are always along dirt roads that get very little travel. He responds quite well to the whistle; two blasts and he checks back. I ran into some empty 16 gauge shells on our walk, two of them. I don't see many empty shotgun shells and even fewer 16 gauge shells anymore. I like to see them as they tell a little story of other hunters that passed by the same way at one time or another. I often wonder what they shot at and if they hit or missed. The second photo above shows our view at the truck. The view is long.

May 9, 2014

Silas was at the vet on Monday for his last shots of the year. He weighs 12.8 pounds. The vet said he was at an ideal weight. I feed him a half cup of Purina Pro Plan Puppy 2 times a day. He will be bumping up a little very soon. He and I spent the day lounging around since I was off for turkey hunting and killed one yesterday. Sarah got one on Saturday so we are both done for the spring. Silas sure loves turkey and pheasant feathers!

April 30, 2014

Bad weather continues here in Erie. We have had very strong wind and heavy rain for a couple of days now. I took Silas for a walk around the development this evening due to field flooding. We had a nice time in a fenced in baseball field as he was able to run free. There are so many distractions for a puppy in a townhouse area with lots of other pets around. Sarah and I are attempting to make a move back to the country in the Venango/Clarion county area. Silas an I will have much more room to roam there; more wild birds too! Silas spends most of his time now with free range over the entire house. He is doing quite well with all the new space. I have fencing to make the deck safe as well since it is elevated.

April 26, 2014

Mom and Dad came up to Erie this weekend. Silas discovered he likes to  sleep on the couch with Dad almost as much as he does with me. I have noticed quite a change in his behavior over the past week. He is a little more relaxed throughout the day. He explores very well on our walks but checks back with me. He does well with positive reinforcement to include a piece of kibble or a little petting when he does something I ask him to do well. He is fairly reliable with both whistle and call at this point. He has started to really notice birds on our walks. He had his rabies shot on Monday and weighed 10.10 at the time. The week before he was 10.1. I am feeding him 1/2 cup Purina Pro Plan puppy, Focus, 2 times a day. I am thinking I will continue 2 smaller feedings a day throughout his life. Just an update of his development.

April 23, 2014 Jazz/Silas is 12 weeks old today.

Silas is 12 weeks old today. I have not posted for several days because I haven't had a chance. We had a beautiful weekend in Oil City, Venango county over Easter weekend. Sarah sang a church. Silas and I took a nice walk on Saturday. It was our nicest day so far this year. I called a nice gobbler in while Silas hid beside me. He is becoming more and more independent and is exploring his environment a little more on each walk. He alternates from walking around my legs to quick sprints out ahead. I think he is coming along quite well. At home, we have begun to allow him into other rooms of the house. So far that is going as well as expected. He attempts to play with the cats but they are not yet ready for him. He is starting to bark some at the cats or us when we are not in the room with him. I'm not sure what to think of this behavior yet as we live in a town house and I don't want the neighbors to complain. Anyway, he is doing well so far as my limited experience tells me. He sure is a nice boy!

 

April, 15 2014 Snow in Erie

As I write this post Silas is chewing a rawhide on the kitchen floor. We just returned from our evening walk in snow, 2 inches with more falling, and a bitter 20 degree air temp with wind. On a positive note, he seems to adore snow. Silas has changed quite a bit over the past few days. He is biting at our hands, pants, etc. much less. A firm no and short time out have seemed to work well. He comes out and plays hard following this but with no nipping attempts. Silas is meeting many new adults, children and other animals and has become much more outgoing with them. We took a walk through Oil City on Saturday where he was quite a hit among the townspeople. Silas is now sleeping through the night in his kennel. I put him to bed around 10 pm after a restroom trip and he sleeps soundly until 5 am when I get up to feed him and take him for a walk. He is a really good boy. Yesterday he noticed a robin and chased it a short distance. He had a couple of booster shots yesterday and has a rabies shot next week then he will be off to pet smart for puppy class with Sarah and me. I want him to have more socialization with other dogs.