Congrats to The Waterfowler and his dog

[eSJay]

glad to hear that Pat is back!
Congrats to Ace as well! Outstanding!

[rustypjr]

That is awesome. The tales that dog could tell after 7000 retrieves.

[DUCKAHOLIC]

Patrick that is awesome.......

Congrats to you Mr Pat and ACE........................that is one special dog to put up with you.....

You can't beleive how attached Ace is to Dad. He pays no attention to anybody else, except a little bit to me and Stephen (more to Stephen). Ramsey and Jeff had to put him on a leash to get him out of the field the other day. He wouldn't listen to either of them, but I don't blame him!!! [/quote]

I hear that ace's motto is..................."F#$& RAMSEY".............

[The Waterfowler]

I bought Ace at 2 1/2 from my good friend and pro trainer Chris Akin. I told him, as my beloved Clipper who retrieved over 6800 for me and was aging into retirement, that I needed a dog that liked to hunt as much as I do and be a border-line psychopath for the love of the retrieve. A few weeks later he called and said that he had a dog I needed to see. A 70 pound male from NFC Abe's Ebony and Ivory and a Master Hunter, GHRC female that Chris had gotten from a divorce sale. As soon as they let him out of the kennel he ran to a dog stand at Chris' training ground and sat down and scanned the sky for a mark. He didn't want petted or ears scratched, just something to pick up. Even now when he is out of the kennel he's adamant to have an ATB or dummy to carry and if there is an open tailgate in one of our trucks with a port-a-kennel he's in it and ready to go. I paid Chris on the spot and left him there to get tuned up till the season opened. It took him a while to adjust to the fact that we were buddies and now he's my shadow whether at the camp, home or in the field. I can honestly say he's the most physically strong dog I've ever owned and that includes two good Chesapeakes, one of which saved Stephen from a possible drowning but that's another story. Now 8 years later he reached a milestone for me and I can't count the number of great retrieves he's made or memories we've had, but I can say he's made my waterfowl hunting a thrill with him being there. I'm saddened by the thought of him being gone and try not to think about it. Such is life.


All this wouldn't have been possible Saturday if not for some good friends helping me overcome a little setback I had and Stephen keeping his Josie at heal while Ace picked up the last 5 ducks he needed. Josie made a spectacular pinpoint mark on a long Speck that finally crashed into tall stubble at some 350 yards that was an impressive sight that afternoon also. She has a GPS marking ability like few other dogs I've seen. We were playing beat the clock as shooting time was a minute or two away and got this Greenhead working and rusted him down so he could finish. Just another retrieve for him, but a memory of a lifetime for me. Thanks to everyone that had a hand in the miles and memories we've traveled.

Waiting.


#7000 on the way in.


Delivered to hand.

[RedEyed Duck]

Wow, that is absolutely amazing on both accounts. Very glad to hear that Pat is feeling well enough to be over there at the club. I have most certainly known him long enough to know he does things his way How old is Ace? That is an amazing accomplishment for sure, 7k, wow! Pat, get well man and leave the geese to the young guns this year!

I see that you have answered my question as I was posting.... Hope ya keep getting better buddy!

[arduckslayer]

no-i sent a dvd to your mom and dad's house for you

Thanks, I'll get it this weekend.

I hear that ace's motto is..................."F#$& RAMSEY".............

Isn't that the same for everybody??


Great pics Dad!!!!!

[GulfCoast]

Way to go Pat and Ace! 7K is awesome!

[nbkillr]

here are a few pictures that I took Saturday afternoon.







Pretty special day for several people.

[chevy01234]

Pat,

Congratulations to you and Ace, that is an unbelievable way to end this season!

[JaMak84]

7K retrieves/8years=875 retrieves a year/365days=2.4 retrieves a day. There's a lot of miles under them paws. As G.W. McClintock would say, "That's got to be some kind of record."

[RedEyed Duck]

Seeing that pic of you walking out with the dog, carrying your gun and the wading staff...... Man, you are one tough ole joker Pat!

[BAY KINGFISHER]

Congrats Pat, that last picture of you walking out needs to be sent to your cardiologist!! You sir, are an inspiration!!

[yankee]

I'm just in awe that Pat is back with dog and gun. Having been there for the "episode" I was worried that it would be sometime next year. But I guess if you flush out the pipes-then things run even better than before! Warms my heart to see it, and makes me count my own significant blessings.

[The Waterfowler]

Thanks Doug, we all have been blessed with family and friends. Never take anything for granted and be thankful for all we have. I live for today and can't change yesterday and can't count on tomorrow but am thankful to be here.

[ACEINTHEHOLE]

Congrats Pat, that last picture of you walking out needs to be sent to your cardiologist!! You sir, are an inspiration!!

I am guessing his cardioligist would not be nearly as happy about this picture. Glad you made it back.