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Duck Season 2017-2018: 2nd Split (my pictures from the season)...

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    Duck Season 2017-2018: 2nd Split (my pictures from the season)...

    Went into this season assuming it was going to be my oldest dog Paxton's last season. She turned 14 in late November. She has been semi-retired the last couple of seasons. With her body failing, being half blind and half deaf but still having the desire, she has been regulated to fair weather hunts and easy retrieves. Whipple would pick up any and all slack with pleasure and without any hesitation.

    What I didn't expect was that this was going to be my youngest dog Whipple's last season. She turned 7 in late November. She has been taking over most of the duties since Paxton has been slowing down. She was rushed into emergency surgery in the wee hours of May 22nd. She passed away during recovery later that day.

    Paxton has a lot of drive but Whipple would turn the dial up to 10 and then proceed to twist it off. She was a quick study and picked up on a lot of things naturally. She had that "it" factor. The only thing holding her back, if anything, was me. She was a firecracker in the field and cuddlebug around the house. She was just a joy to be around. We had a lot of fun together.

    If I had known what I know now, I would have spent more time in the field letting Whipple have more time doing what she loved. I thought we would have a lot more time together.

    They say the blows you don't see coming hurt the worst. I'm a believer.

    Ladies and Gentlemen, hug your pups.

    #2
    This season was slow with the ponds completely empty or on the verge and a lack of birds. The suck mud really put a damper on how and where we could hunt. Didn't go on any early season teal hunts. Never put on a pair of waders. Used a dwadr all season long. Paxton didn't go on a hunt all season due to the mud. Whipple was all in.



    12-4-17

    Birds down...



    Whipple chasing a cripple...



    Whipple hiding in the weeds...



    Waiting for more birds...



    The decoys...



    Pond shriveling up...



    The birds...

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      #3
      12-11-17

      Dove on the muck...



      Whipple waiting...



      Dove flying around...



      Pond is shrinking...



      Whipple being bored...





      Dry pond work...



      The birds...



      More dry pond work...



      Oops...

      Comment


        #4
        12-14-17

        The start of the day...



        Whipple waiting for the word...



        Whipple picking up some birds...









        Cripple shot...

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          #5
          Whipple picking up more birds...















          The birds...



          Nap time...

          Comment


            #6
            12-18-17

            Whipple getting after a couple of birds...



            Whipple waiting for more...





            The decoys...



            Whipple putting in some work...











            Comment


              #7
              Whipple wanting more...



              "Good shooting, Sir!"...





              "You going to shoot some?"...



              "Probably not."...



              Little muddy out...

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                #8
                Whipple cleaning up...









                Sup...



                The birds...



                Time to rest...

                Comment


                  #9
                  12-21-17

                  Finished the zipper off...



                  The decoys...



                  This gal hung out for awhile...





                  Whipple waiting...

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Had to work for her but finally got her...



                    Whipple picking her up...





                    Whipple waiting for more that never came...



                    The bird...



                    Whipple...

                    Comment


                      #11
                      12-26-17

                      The decoys...



                      Whipple watching...



                      This dude hung around for a bit...



                      It's a little damp out...



                      The bird...



                      Whipple with the bird and gear...

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Whipple waiting to carry the bird to the truck...



                        Did I say it was a little damp out?...





                        Whipple enjoying some heated leather after the hunt...



                        The aftermath...

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                          #13
                          Sorry for your loss. There is a special bond between a waterfowler and their dog. Always hurts to lose them and even more so at a young age. There will always be more dogs but they are each very special. Looks like she enjoyed her time here though.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by RShockley View Post
                            Sorry for your loss. There is a special bond between a waterfowler and their dog. Always hurts to lose them and even more so at a young age. There will always be more dogs but they are each very special. Looks like she enjoyed her time here though.
                            Thank you.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              12-29-17

                              Water needed...





                              Boredom set in for both of us...





                              The only bird shot flew off hurt...



                              Whipple messing around afterwards...

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