Old Friends and New Dogs

Old Friends.........

Steve, Dan, Michael and "Happy" our Gordon Setter......Good times!

Steve, Dan and Happy

For the past 5 years, my husbands best friend Steve, from California, has come to Montana for the opening day of Grouse Season. Dan and Steve met years ago when they were both young. They remained friends through the years as they made a living and raised their families, living in different states.  It was just in the past 5 years that they were able to see each other more often and enjoy the fact that they were both now retired. Steve really enjoyed the bird hunts and fell in love with the Gordon Setters.

Steve with Happy and 2 grouse

Last year, we got together with Steve and his wife Deanette, and another couple of good friends, Ron and Cindy,  and rented a houseboat on Lake Powell. For 5 days we fished and explored, soaked up the sun and went swimming,  all while enjoying good food and drinks, and having a great time visiting and relaxing. It was the best!   

 
New Dogs.............

This summer we got a call from someone who had a 2 year old, neutered male Gordon Setter and he was looking for a home for him. After speaking with him on the phone, Dan called Steve and told him about this Gordon Setter who needed a home. Steve decided he wanted the dog. He asked Dan to keep him until he could get here, Sept. 1, for grouse season. He sent a check to the owner, and changed the dogs name to "Sport". Dan and I spent the next few weeks getting to know Sport. He is a wonderful dog. Not one single problem. We thought Steve had gotten lucky with this one.

"Sport"

Dan spent time with Sport and put him on birds. I did a post, or two on Sport - the "guest" dog. He needed a little "steady up" but he was doing really well for a 2 year old. He's a beautiful boy and weighs in at about 65 pounds.

I sent Steve pictures of Sport learning and hunting and kept him informed.  We were looking forward to him getting to know his new Gordon Setter and going hunting. Steve was even more excited as he was getting his first bird dog.

Delays........
In late July or early August, Steve called. It wasn't the usual call to schedule his flight to Montana. This was a call to say he may be delayed. He told Dan he was having a little stomach problem, nothing serious....but he had to go to the doctor and get checked out.

Only a few short weeks later, Steve was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. It was obvious he was not going to make it to Montana this year.  He was worried about Sport, even with what he was facing. We assured Steve that we'd take good care of Sport and even bring him to California if he wanted. All that mattered was for him to get  better.

Sadly,  with all the love and prayers that was around him, Steve passed away on Sept 10, 2010.

Cancer is a wicked disease. 

Steve was a good man, a good friend, and a damn fine human being. It was a pleasure to know him the short time I did. I know Dan will always be fond of their friendship and these past few years they had together running bird dogs all over Montana. Steve will truly be missed.

So now, Back to "New Dogs"...........

Sport

Steve's wife Deanette, asked us to keep Sport or find him a good "hunting" home.  We really weren't looking for another dog. This all happened just after Happy died. I wasn't emotionally ready for another dog.  He's neutered, so he can't be bred. We have 4 dogs already. He'd be an expense that was not part of the "business". We don't need another dog........BUT..............We HAVE to keep him. He's been here since June. Just look at him for goodness sakes! He's beautiful.....and HE thinks he belongs here.

He's fallen in love with Dan. And I mean serious love! He follows him all over the place. He looks at him with adoring eyes.....literally! So I can only conclude,  it was meant to be. Sport obviously wants to be here.  Dan wants him to be here. And yes, I want him to be here too. I think that would make Steve very happy. I know it does Sport.
   

So Sport..........

Welcome to the family!