ATB: Hemi's Page / Saturday Night Pheasant Fry Menu

Hemi's Page
One of my many writing projects for this fall is the annual revision of our J & A’s Brittanys website. A lot of updates have been made already including new 2011 photos for the actual hunting dog gallery, with plenty of room left to add more. As the update continues I’ll revise individual profile pages to be sure they are current. There will also be a brand new page for our puppy, Hemi.

He’s almost 6 months old and when I asked John what came to mind when it came to describing Hemi he replied Hemi is a little “pain in the… !” That wasn’t quite the response I was looking for so I pressed my husband to be just a little bit more specific - although I will agree with his initial reaction!

Here’s what else John said about Hemi: “He is very determined when it comes to finding his birds, especially for being less than 6 months old. We have watched him several times come across the scent and then work it right up until several feet away from the bird which he will then hold point. Flushing the bird for him and shooting a blank gun he still would like to chase the bird but of course he is just so young. We see a lot of good qualities in Hemi and he seems to be very smart, a fast learner and willing to please. I think that’s pretty good for a puppy his age!” So do I.

Because of Hemi’s age it is a little challenging to profile specific and measurable goals but John has done a great job laying a good foundation with little britches in the field. I’m doing my part in preparing Hemi for his very first dog show as past blog posts about him will indicate. As I build Hemi’s ‘bio’ page each piece of information and all the tidbits will help showcase what this little guy is about - or what we ‘think’ he is about!

In a nutshell his socialization is ongoing as it is with all of our dogs, especially the pups. Every opportunity to try something new, meet new people, or have a fresh and unique experience is given to him. And most of his practical training actually takes place in our home as normal every day life happens. Multiple dog families have unique challenges and we are no exception. I do not want Hemi to rely on the other dogs for his entertainment and certainly not for his training. He needs to look to me or to John for direction and approval. This isn’t always easy. And it’s very important for Hemi to have time alone without other dogs whether indoors or outside. He’s doing well in all of these areas.

In August I ran Hemi in a fun trial for Northern New England Brittany Club members only. He was just 3 months old so the only expectation I had was to walk the entire brace and that he would not run away from me. He didn’t let me down and has a 4th place win in a fun field trial! That will be part of his bio. We participated in handling classes under the expertise of Penny Cary at Finish Forward Dogs in Scarborough, Maine where he did really well. He was exposed to a variety of dog breeds of different shapes, ages, and sizes. Lessons included how to be prepared for handlers who will intentionally run up on another dog in the ring or other un-sportsmanship gestures. We’ve been in two official AKC sanctioned fun matches and he has ribbons for Best of Breed, Best Opposite Sex, Puppy Group 2, Adult Group 4, all with competition, including a brother Magnum and sister Thistle.

I am so not in a hurry to rush the process. Hemi is fast approaching the magic age of being old enough to enter a real dog show to compete for championship points I’ll be watching him closely. Not every puppy is ready for the demands of showing at an early age, and I quite frankly just have no business plan or personal agenda in place to put showing dogs first in my life. I do enjoy the social aspects of showing, the time spent with good friends, getting away and having fun. Having said that, I will look forward to building Hemi’s page around the few events we plan to participate in with him and with his sister Thistle. There are several other in his litter who may join us in time. There’s no rush to fill in the pages of their lives in such a way. But I do anticipate what will eventually be written will be quite magnificent to say the least. And that is a fact.

One more thing from John for Hemi‘s page: At 5 months Hemi ran out into the field, came back and barked at John 3 times, then ran back out and held his point while John flushed/shot 3 birds over him which he then retrieved. Pffffffttttt! (To know John is absolutely to love John - and I do!)

What's Cooking at ATB?

Saturday Night Pheasant Fry

8 pheasants dressed out and deboned - soaking in ice cold water to which salt has been added
3 tbs crushed, dried garlic
1 sleeve Ritz crackers, crushed
2 tbs flour
Salt, pepper
Dip boneless pheasant in a bath of eggs and milk. Coat in mixture of above. Pan fry in cast iron skillet with olive oil.
Cook thoroughly until done. Drain and serve.

Oven Baked Potatoes
Thinly slice 8 washed, unpeeled potatoes
Arrange on a cookie sheet and sprinkle with salt & pepper, drizzle with olive oil
Cook in 350 oven until golden brown
Serve with molasses or ketchup

Green Beans in Milk
Cook 3-4 cups of fresh, canned, or frozen green beans until done
Drain water
Add 2 cups of milk, pat of butter, salt & pepper
Heat until milk curdles
Serve

Green Tomato Pickles, Sweet Bread, Gingersnaps
Hot Tea

Hope you enjoyed this post, and as always thanks for your interest! Take care and God bless you and yours - John, Ann, and our wonderful canine crew