Adventures with Alex

[duckboy]

I left work at 10pm Friday night, ran home and picked up my bird dog Alex.

We drove for 5 hours to our spot and then parked to sleep for an hour.




The sky turns from Indigo as the crescent moon rises with its companion.




We woke up and summoned energy from deep within the well, had a bagel and took a moment to clear our minds of all but the sounds of the crickets still chirping.

I vested up, put on my mittens and Let the hound loose.. He was a fireball!


Alex was tearing it up, he could hardly control himself.

He’s over 10 years old now, and just hammers the hell out of the hillsides.


I kept telling him, “Slow down boy, take it easy, Save some of your energy”.





Blazing through wild rose, and Elderberry, into deadfall timber and tangles of old barbed wire.

I am not certain how he has managed to survive his days afield without puncturing himself on a branch, or jamming his eyes out with limbs? His back has scars on it from bolting under fences and his Muzzle has a scratch or two from his troubles with the badger.

I can hear him crashing through the timber, limbs snapping off, snorting and sneezing and plowing the underbrush like a black battering ram, but somehow, with a grace and ease only Alex could pull off.

He remains unstoppable.

It is easy to spot his pedigree with that Black splotched tongue,





he is 100% hunter and 100% business.

Alex isn’t one to snuggle and kiss face,

He has always kept his distance, even from me,
he likes to work.

It is what makes him happy, and seeing him happy can’t help but to make me happy too.

So we have spent the last 9 Seasons doing this.

Alex once treed a yearling bear. He didn’t bark though, so I guess he must not be a real “Bear Dog”.

His approach is absolutely fearless, and he seems to have unlimited stamina and strength.
I admire him for these attributes.


He gets into a mode where it is as though he was on birds and then today. He just stopped! Sat on the edge of the rim and scented.







Our bear was disappearing down the hillside about 100 yards.
Alex elected to “let this one go” Much to my relief.


He put me into a pair of nice Blues early on. I had a massive tree right in front of my line of sight, so held my fire.

“Good Boy” I said, hoping we’d kick up a few more.

Over the weekend, we pushed several groups of Grouse, but not nearly as many as in years past. & no ruffs at all despite good cover and berries still on the bushes.


I took a few breaks throughout each day, Alex seems unbeatable, but I know his legs have to get tired, and his tongue can only hang so far and then he starts to trip over it.

We even took a snooze under a gigantic Ponderosa.

I was so tired from driving all night after working all day, I actually fell asleep.

I could hear the wind through the needles over my head, and the sound of birds and chip munks working on the cones.
It felt good to be free.
No phone, no TV, no mail.



Just me and my dog , gun, and high blue skies with clouds.
Those Horse tail looking ones,
the good kind.


Alex kept an eye on the hillside, but I think he appreciated the rest. I know I did.

Thought this kind of made a neat photo.




Decided to wrap it up for the day, It was getting warm and the snakes were out, so to play it safe, and conserve a little energy for next time, we headed into the little Berg about an hour away.

I have discovered that Blopping on a whole bunch of bag balm on Alex's foot pads can make them hold up 3 times longer over a 3 or 4 day trip.. This stuff is a "must have" and as soon as he beds down, i put it all over his pads and he seems to like it.




I got Alex a couple of Corn dogs, He really loves a corn dog after a hunt.




I had some soup and then Alex worked over the can.

He is a serious eater.


Glad we were able to get out and spend a weekend just Me & him.

I'd do it again, just give me a few minutes to rest up.

[Matthewc]

ROTF! sweet post..those pics are simply sweet....The corndog & soup ones rawk...

[HawkeyeBilt]

Very nice.

[RAGHORN!]

It's obvious in your words how much you love your dog! I always enjoy your post and pics!

[CombinationLicense]

Great story Duckboy - thanks for sharing it. There is sure something special about hunters and our dogs. It doesn't matter what kind of dog it is, just watching how happy they are while they're working for you says it all. I took one of mine with me this weekend on a deer scouting/bird hunting combo trip over by Lapine. No birds, but we found some deer and some likely hunting spots for the rifle opener. The best part was getting to work the dog while stretching my legs with a few good hikes.

"CL"

[Smokin'Bulls]

duckboy back in the house! Nice pics!

[samiam]

Great post! Thanks for sharing the pics, too. The corn dog cracks me up. The bag balm is a good tip.

[duckboy]

Balg balm has saved more trips than Rimadyl or anything else.



It is mission critical to glop as much of it on your dogs feet as possible as they bed down for the day.

The dry air and rocky evironment is really harsh on a dog's feet, and this stuff is as close to any dog "Hunting elixir" I've ever come across.


Get it if you give a dang about your dog.

and just blop it on as thick as you can each night when they crash.

[CombinationLicense]

I've been using Pad Heal on my Springer's feet and it seems to work well too. I just start putting it on a couple of weeks before the season and then every morning/night that we hunt. I also keep a spray bottle of the "no sting" alcohol free New Skin handy for pad abrasions and needle nose pliers for sticker & burr removal in my hunting vest. Must have items IMHO!

"CL"

[Ryan Pultz]

awesome Post gotta love alex! rp

[quackersnacker]

Well done Alex, Well done Todd.
Corndogs all around!

[STRUTTIN-1]

:grin:You are somewhat of a poet.Sweet post.Hopefully I will do the same come duck season for my love and appreciation for mine is the same as yours.Unconditional love can not be beat.



Corndogs:frown:Sorry cant and wont do that one.

[duckboy]

Now don't start Knocking the Mystical power of the Corn Dog.

Corn dogs and Chicken Strips are a traditional fare offered to the dog at the conclusion of a days hunting.

I know it is garbage, but, He loves it so, and I am a pushover for a dog with an 18 inch slime of drool hanging down on the car seat and all over my shoulder as I try to drive home.

p

[RODACTION]

Excellent post D/B !!

The many post you have made with your pups being centered is just great !! My hat is off to you.

Now, don't forget about the ice cream cones, Ginger loves one after a long day on the river.

[duckboy]

Well,

anyone get out there this year?

[TTFishon]

If you mean out to bird hunt then no. Deer hunt then yes. I just wanted to say thanks for resurrecting this post. Great dog. Great post.