Jack of Hearts Parting Shots (Photos)

PARTING SHOTS

"...I hope life treats you kind

And I hope you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish to you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love..."

We love these puppies in a special way. You all know why.  Of course we can't 'bring Jack back' and it's not like he hasn't sired many, many litters through the years.  But here he is again. 2 years after his passing at the age of 12 and 5 years after he was "collected, frozen, and stored".  These will be the sweetest Brittanys who are deserving not only of being loved and well cared for, but are deserving of every opportunity to live out the purpose for their very existence - the joy of being a family's bird dog.  I will treasure in my heart always the memories of how John and Jack worked together flawlessly in the woods and in the fields. Walking down by York River on a warm autumn day just watching the two and the only shooting I did was with my camera.  I will always remember my own first day in the woods with Jack as a puppy in the fall of 2005.  The moment he detected scent his entire body froze.  No training, that was to come when he was older. Just reaction.  There were so many birds that I always believed he was intoxicated by it!  We happened to notice the direction his head was turned and where his eyes were focused.  John slowly walked in to what was to be a huge covey of grouse (partridge). As surely as Jack's mother taught me the behavior of woodcock my first time out, so did Jack show me the excitement and challenge of grouse hunting. Indeed.  Jack lives on.

Pups at 8 days, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 8 weeks.

ARROW - now Auggie

BEAUTY - now Shaye

Carly is still Karli

DUDE now Rusty

ECLIPSE is Henley

FLINT is Flint

GINGER is Ginja

HAWKEYE is Wesson

IKE is BD