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Owners 3
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Some of you have sent pics by US mail and I have
filed them in special mysterious places. It will take a rainy day for
me to get around to digging them out. We certainly could use a few
rainy days!!! |
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More Owner comments |
Click on pics to enlarge |
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White/orange male Pup out of Jingles and Blacksmith. D S |
White/orange male Pup out of DD and Powerball |
White/orange Pup out of Huckleberry and
Blacksmith. |
In the woods
- Jim S |
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Roxie & Ron V.
We Love those lobsters! And the fish
was out of this world!! M |
Tri Female |
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| This is my favorite
picture and I have it on my screen saver. Ralph settled down mid-season to
become a really good dog, both for hunting and as a pet. In the picture you
can see two quail at my feet. We were hunting wild quail when he went on
point, the covey being a good 20 feet from him. They all broke at once and
I dropped one, then swung on a second bird and missed. Ralph marked and
retrieved the first bird. Then, he went to the edge of the field and
retrieved the second bird, which I had not missed after all. My first ever
double on wild quail! Blacksmith should be proud of his boy. David W |
White/orange male |
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| Kerry,
3/29/03 - Just wanted to drop a quick line about
Havelock Spartacus that we got from you. He was born on Sept 20,02 and today
was our first AKC Field trial at just over 6 months. He did quite well, he
went against dogs that were 11 months and up. He placed fourth so we are
very happy at such a young age. We are running pretty much every weekend
through May. I will keep you posted by the way Sparky has an unbelievable
nose and his bird work has been spectacular. Thanks, Jon B
4/27/03 - Great news here in Wisconsin! Sparky won an AKC Puppy stake today!
He has everything that it will take. He is something special. We are taking
it easy, having fun, and he has an unbelievable amount of style and desire.
I have included a picture of us today! Many more wins and placements in the
future! Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Jon
5/2/03 - For the second straight week, he won
the AKC puppy stake, therefore, we have finished our open puppy points! Only
have one more trial on the docket at the end of the month in which we will
run derby! Jon B
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Go Sparky!!!
Tri color male |
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Happy Hunters with Havelock Setters
Grace x Powerball |
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Rosey & Jazz
Taking a rare nap break |
Chestnut |
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| Hi
Kerry and Marian. I hope your winter has been as kind to you as it has
been to us. Yesterday was the last day of game farm hunting (here it is the
only place you will find pheasants) and Tammy has done herself proud this
season. She started out ranging a little bit more than we wanted but soon
figured out she had better stay with us. At first she used to really motor
when she heard gunshots in other sections but now could care less. She is
steady to flight on most of her birds, cuts off running birds between
herself and Jim and is just a joy to watch. In fact several people were
watching from the hillside yesterday when she had one of the best pieces of
birdwork of the season and all had to comment on her when she came in.
Still won't retrieve but doesn't sit on them anymore since she got her
bottom pecked when one wasn't dead yet, since we never really had a good
retriever it really doesn't bother us. Force retrieving just isn't my game
and if she just sits by it and yips "hurry up" that is fine with us. We
told everyone that admired her and yes, even one fellow wanted to buy her,
where to get one. Of course she loves mud so she had to have a bath when she
got home, can't sit on my lap dirty! I see that her littermate took first in
an open derby in Ok, Randy Anderson handling, since he is an all age trainer
that dog must really be rolling. Pat G.
Hi
Marian, Just an update on our girl. She was the only dog that
qualified both days at the Badgerland Gordon Setter club, this in Jr. Hunter
on May 2 & 3. She had the highest scores both days and Sunday had the
highest score ever given at this club's tests. The judges Sunday were so
impressed with her, said they had never seen an English respond so well as
she did. Of course she points like her daddy, just takes your breath away.
Update: We just got back Tammy's OFA papers,
according to our vet she has perfect hips! Guess that must be the
reason she can walk across the backyard on her hind legs. |
Blacksmith x Pride |
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Blacksmith x Pride |
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In the snow |
In the woods |
At the beach |
At the Barbecue |
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Chris and I just wanted to send you an updated
picture of "Martini". She has been a great dog to work with; her ability to
learn has been amazing. Her favorite thing of course to do is flush
birds, we fortunately have a double lot and she has a blast stalking,
pointing and chasing birds out of our evergreens for hours at a time. She
also loves to run, our longest run this summer has been 3 1/2 miles where
she enjoys all the interactions with both dogs and people. We couldn't be
more happy and we look forward to eventually adding to our "family." Chris
& Tammy |
Chestnut Female |
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| I just
wanted to drop you a quick line to let you know how happy we are with our
new puppy (Reba x Blacksmith litter - female #2). She arrived safely
yesterday and has had a blast getting acquainted with her new home and
brother (1 1/2 yr. old male). She (aka - Maggie Mae) is truly a beautiful
dog. We couldn't have found a higher quality dog anywhere. We will
definitely be in touch in the future. A.P. ...................... Ohio |
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| Just
a note to let you know that "Libby" made it just fine. She fat and sassy and
fits right in with the household. We decided to name her Liberty Belle so
keep an eye out for her in NSTRA here in a few years. I really lover her
already and am excited to show her off. Thanks again! Sincerely, Samantha M. |
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| Dakota
made it to Oklahoma City safely. He is doing wonderful. We want to thank
you again for the puppy. I think he will make Tyler and I a good dog. We
saw the Pheasant when we left. We had to see about 100 along the road
between your place and South Dakota. Thanks again, Michael, Tyler and Maria
B. |
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| Subject:
coincidence in Lander Wyoming.
Hi, Last night I was visiting with a new person in town about our new
English Setters puppy...to be born in March, in N Dakota and she suddenly
said, "this sounds familiar." She told me that she works with a woman who
also has a N Dakota Setter pup "reserved" that will be born in March, and
the description of the 'web site' was familiar too. Well, it turned out she
was talking about Wendy J. I know Wendy too, so I called her up and found
out that they already have two Havelock Setters. We talked excitedly for
about 30 min over our lunch break and then she brought her two setters by
the Library (where I work.) WOW!!! Do I ever know how to pick a fantastic
blood line from among many suggestions! Their younger dog, "Barney" is the
most beautiful setter I have ever seen. Of course, they were not hunting,
just lounging in the car, but he is knock 'em dead gorgeous. She said he is
from "Ike" and "Grace." Their other dog, Otis, is also lovely and is a
son of Blackie. Both are tri color, but Barney is ticked in both black and
orange so really exceptional. I think Wendy said that "he turned out even
better than they had thought!" They have 2nd pick male from the Jingles
litter and will pick up our pup for us if we decide not to make the trip (I
really want to see N Dakota though, so we will probably still drive up to
get our pup.) Anyway, she is as excited as I am. Loved seeing the pictures
on the web of the two January litters. Hope Fuzz is looking really fat and
happy by now. Less than a month to go. Barbara O. |
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Just a pup |
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Blacksmith x Dockette |
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| Hi
Marian and Kerry,
It was sure good to meet you and pick up my new
pup. I felt like the Pied Piper when I drove into your place and had all the
dogs following the suburban.
We had a great first day. "Tana" was in and out
of my arms all the way home and adapted extremely well to he new home. She
is eating out of the automatic feeder and water dish and going in and out of
the kennel door just fine after a quick "lesson". She walked about 1/2 mile
with me early this morning and never got behind. She even ventured out a
little on her own and explored the woods and the river bank. The most
amazing thing, she seems to be house broken already. She has not had an
accident . I stopped and let her out every hour on the way home and she
"did her thing" right away. Same last night. My wife is amazed.
I couldn't be happier so far !
Steve S |
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Subject: Zeke (Blackie/Bonnie) and
Darla (Blackie/jingles) Dear Marian and Kerry, This week marked the
end of the 2002-03 hunting season for Zeke (18 months old) and Darla (8
months old). We've had quite and enjoyable season and the dogs are showing
their breeding. Zeke is about as obliging a bird dog as I've ever had. He
has long legs and a range to fit the legs, but he's learned the whistle and
voice command "here" quite well. It does take a handler's attention to keep
him at mid range for hunting on foot. With attention it is quite doable.
But for the first week of the season in Kansas, when the temperature was in
the 60s and the wind high Zeke held his points well. He responds to "whoa"
and is working toward steady to wing and shot, but in the absence of the
hunters in thick woods I believe he was overly tempted early on by the sight
of the covey. I also think that his pre-season work on game farm quail
misinformed him of the flight characteristics and other behaviors of coveys
of wild birds. As the wild bird season progressed he became near perfect
and began adding backing to his talents. Next year we'll work on hunting
dead and bring out the tack collar to soften the mouth a little. He's prone
to chewing the birds which won't do, especially with quail. Darla is a
bit young yet. She's prone to chasing birds of all kinds. When she points
she's solid, but all too often she's gets into the coveys. She's weak on
"whoa", which I haven't worried about too much. She has a natural backing
tendency, but her curiosity often drives her to bust Zeke's points. This is
a forgiven season for the pup. The major objective is to cultivate the
desire to hunt and the orientation to the hunter. We seem to be succeeding
there. For the most part Darla's quartering surpasses Zeke's and her return
to the hunter is full of joy. They're both smart. They do allow us to spoil
them, which is only natural. I'm pleased that the spoiling doesn't seem to
affect their field work. You have quite a line of dogs. Sincerely,
William H. B. - MN |
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Kerry
and Marian, Just wanted to drop you a note to tell you Happy Holidays
and to give you a progress report on Jack. The pup is doing great. He's
bright and eager to learn. He's adapted well to living in the fenced-in back
yard, and really seems to enjoy big brother Blue (who now weighs two pounds
less than his little brother). Jack is up to 41 lbs at 18 weeks. I think
he's going to be a big boy. He's learned the kennel, come and heel commands
pretty well. Like all pups, he has lapses, but he's doing great. But
this last weekend sealed the deal. I took him with me to a preserve in CO
(we don't have any birds at all this year - what a shame). I hunted the
majority of the morning with Blue, but at the end of the morning I put out
two Chukar for him. When we went out to find them, the first was out and
running around. He chased it, flushed it and then chased it with all the
happy abandon a pup should have. I was quite pleased, but it just got
better. The second bird was holed up in a bush.
As Jack ran by it, you could see the light bulb go off. He spun in his
tracks and started to scent the bird. He got to within three feet of
the bird and suddenly locked up in a head erect, 90* tailed point. He held
it for about five seconds and then jumped in on the bird. Needless to say, I
was walking on cloud nine the rest of the day. Boy, I'm sold. Anytime you
need a recommendation, just let me know. With this kind of instinct,
the only way I can see he wouldn't be a great bird dog would be if I screw
up the training. Thanks, and hope that your holidays are exceptional.
Tom B. |
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| Dear
Kerry and Marion, You might be interested in knowing that the British
Columbia Council of Pointing Dog Clubs awarded a magnificent trophy to Storm
Boy and me as Derby Dog of the Year 2002. He is really doing a great job
for me. I should tell you also (and this is not kennel blindness) that Storm
Boy is the most handsome field english setter that I have ever seen. He is
simply spectacular. Kindest regards, Michael S., (proud owner). We were the
ones that arrived at your farm the afternoon of July 4th, 2000 all the way
from Victoria, on Vancouver Island (Joanne S) |
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