[FetchExpress]

A little background...with all the questions and comments about unwritten rules at a HT and weird things we often see at HT...my motto has been LETS KEEP HUNT TEST'S....as a Hunt Test!!!! It is a sport that was designed for the average guy who wanted to train his dog to above average things in the field. It has been my observation that sometimes we get away from that.

At a recent MH in NV I challenged the everyone who ran and judged to keep a hunt test a hunt test...to give back to the sport...and to have fun with their dogs. One lady who titled that weekend gave a little victory jump in on the line as it was her MH title. I teased her about a "15 yard penalty for celebrating in the end zone".

I received this email this morning.....

KC,

Bob gave me your e-mail, I hope you don't mind. Not sure if you remember me, I was running a small red Golden in the Master second set in Nevada and you gave me "a 15 yard penalty for excessive celebration in the end zone". You asked to see my Canon lens.

There was something you said in your informal speech as they handed out ribbons, which has stuck in my head about keeping our Hunt Tests...a Hunt Tests!

I've run some Field Trials with my dog so I believe I know what you were alluding to. I've always enjoyed running under you and appreciate what you bring to the dog world.

Your little comment has sparked a great deal of thought for me, I've only been around this dog world stuff for 3 years, but see things like many others, who question the "continued upward trend of the expected performance" leaving many folks out of the game. Folks have encouraged me to become a judge but, I've always turned a cheek to the idea.
What your comment made me realize is that it is people like me who are allowing the Hunt Tests to be rendered.

I'm in this game because my dogs love it (for three years now my dog has put me on a leash and dragged me to the field). She hunts like a crazed maniac, and shines rich with a hunting heritage. Keeping our hunting heritage alive is important to our dogs, it is my impression we may share this philosophy.

Three days after I ran my dog under you, she was diagnosed with Lymphoma (3 years old) so we're hoping to make it to at least the next hunting season. As you might imagine, that 15 yard penalty means a great deal more today than it did the day you gave it to me.

Thank you for keeping the Hunt Test just that.

D

This was my response....
D

Wow I am a little floored. I have always been a big proponent of leading by example. Your words are a gracious gift that it works!

You are right we have to each and every one of us take back this sport. It was developed for the AVERAGE person and it needs to remain for the average person.

I share your heartbreak regarding the diagnosis. I dont even have words to offer you comfort at something so hard. I do believe that dogs come into our life for a reason and often a season. They choose us and they teach us...when we have learned they often move on. Old dogs it is easy to understand this....young dogs that is so much harder.

Your dog has my love, respect, and prayers...as do you for the time ahead. If you need a shoulder or an ear mine are available....that is hard stuff.

"Penalty recanted" after reviewing the tapes....it was well deserved! Celebrate time and life!

KC Owens


Folks is is about the dogs and the friendships!!!


Just my 2 cents!

 

[Furball]

Wow. That was profound. Thank you for sharing!

--Anney

 

[Brad Slaybaugh]

Thanks for sharing that KC, nice post.

Brad

 

[laker]

Great post....

 

[Lady Duck Hunter]

Thank you for sharing a very personal moment of triumph.

Now, I must make an appointment to get my eyes checked, they suddenly went blurry while reading the rest of the post.

 

[Kevin WI]

Way cool....very nice!

 

[Dan Wegner]

KC,

Great post! Thanks for sharing and reminding many of us why we do this.

After losing a very special dog last year, I spent allot of time reflecting on our time together and what it really meant. She taught me more than I ever bargained for, introduced me to a new way of life and many lifelong friends. All I could give her in return was a bowl of kibble, a warm place to bed down, a scratch on the head and all the love and respect I could muster.

In the end, the $2.50 ribbons on the wall aren't worth anywhere close to what we pay for them, but the memories created getting there are what we can truly hold onto for eternity.

I truly treasure everyday I get to spend with these magnificent creatures, even when things don't go our way. Afterall, they're still dogs.

Thanks again for the thoughts,

 

[Hambone]

Thanks for keepin' it real KC.

 

[Vicky Trainor]

Way to go, KC!! You made a difference in someone's life and you should be happy about that.

When you hear from the lady again, please let her know that I will be keeping her and her dog in my thoughts and prayers.

 

[kimsmith]

Great story KC and that's what it's about. Vicky is another fun person to run under and everyone should have fun at hunt test. We are out having a good time and judges can make the difference even if we fail......

 

[mostlygold]

I have been in the HT game for nearly 20 yrs now. I have seen many changes; some good, some not so good. After losing a very special dog at a young age a few years back, I even stepped back from dog events for several years. After coming back with my current dogs, I found myself somewhat disenchanted with where I felt the HT program was going. Some of the fun and comraderie was gone and the weekends were not the anticipated events they used to be. After several unhappy years, I decided to put the fun back into the tests myself, much like you describe KC. I run under judges I would like to train or hunt with; people that enjoy the game, enjoy the dogs and are able to park their egos at home. If I feel a judge will make the weekend unenjoyable, I just stay home that weekend and take time with my dogs or my family. There are so many good people who are out there with their dogs for the right reasons and those are the people I enjoy being with. We have our dogs for such a short time, some an even shorter time than others. I know of no other creature that brings so much to a relationship and asks so little.
Regards
Dawn

 

[Miriam Wade]

KC-

You really epitomize what this is all about. Some of us, at some point, lose sight of the fact that it's not about the ribbon or the title, but the relationship with the dog that brings you to it, that's what it's really all about. They work so hard and out of love and loyalty for us-if they don't succeed it's either because of our shortcomings as a trainer or because we expect too much for the ability that the dog brings to the table.

Off on a tangent, but whoever had the foresight to incorportate bringing attention to "style" as being an important part of the game did so because a retriever who doesn't exhibit joie de vivre-however it manifests-in his work has been shortchanged somewhere in his training. The woman who inspired you to start this thread is in this game for all the right reasons and I pray her dog beats the odds and stays with her for many years to come.

Hope to meet you next time I'm in UT KC.

M

 

[2tall]

Thank you KC! After losing my former dog to cancer at 9, I swore that with my next dog I would find something we could do together every day of his life so that I never had to regret the lost times together again. That is exactly why I keep on with my wild boy. We have done more together in 4 years than all the time I had my beloved Harry. He loves his life and I am the real beneficiary of the experience. You are a unique and wise lady.

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

Really? I thought the weekend HT was all about the Master National. I mean this past weekend it was nothing but politics, past MN judges working to incorporate tricks and gimmicks made popular at the MN and stressing over making it to Texas. I knew something was wrong when the first time junior folks were asking what the Master National is and how they get in "that group." I miss the good old days....

/Paul

 

[FetchExpress]

I miss the good old days....

/Paul

Paul

I am not being a smart alec................but why do we have to miss the good ole days? WHy can't we create new good old days? If enough of us try..we can take it back to what it was and what it should be...I really believe that. We can make the fun times happen....we can refuse to let others pee in our cheerios! :razz: Why shouldn't the weekend be about the dogs and the friendships?

KC

 

[Juli H]

Thanks KC.... For helping people see what is really important....

It is about having fun....

Maybe someday you'll make it to Alaska to do some judging.

Juli

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

Paul

I am not being a smart alec................but why do we have to miss the good ole days? WHy can't we create new good old days? If enough of us try..we can take it back to what it was and what it should be...I really believe that. We can make the fun times happen....we can refuse to let others pee in our cheerios! :razz: Why shouldn't the weekend be about the dogs and the friendships?

KC

KC, I know we don't know each other but I hope after all these years that my love for humor, having a good time, and focus on training dogs has come through. If not, I assure you my focus is on humor, having a good time and training dogs. I still miss the old days when that dominated the HT instead of being the minority.

/Paul

 

[Juli H]

I did not run hunt tests in the 'good old days'....I am curious if anyone thinks the fun has appeared to go to the wayside because the size of the entries.... I have not run a hunt test with more than 30 dogs entered in all so can't give an opinion on runnig a test with 40 or more in just ONE level...We have a lot of fun....I run NARHA, but don't think that has as much to do with it as the fact that there is more time to visit with people, watch the other dogs run, and just relax....(even when I'm helping out...LOL)...Always lots of laughs, and good times...

Juli

 

[FetchExpress]

curious if anyone thinks the fun has appeared to go to the wayside because the size of the entries.... Juli

Juli

My 2 cents is that numbers have very little to do with it and attitude has everything to do with it. I don't know about you but I was taught if you don't have something good or helpful to say it is best to be quiet. I am not talking about not standing up for yourself or your dog in the extreme cases but dogs are always going to be dogs. Sometimes things go our way and sometimes they dont. If it isn't fun why are we doing this??????? Hunting is about the most fun thing on the face of this earth in my opinion. THe sights, the sounds, the smells, the birds, the dogs, and the friends.....you know sometimes my dog screws up out hunting as well. So many shared laughs and memories in a blind!!! Hunt Tests offer the same shared laughs and memories but it seems sometimes we focus on the success or failure to much. More numbers of people does complicate mechanics but it also gives you a chance to meet ALOT of new friends and see alot more handlers and dogs to learn new things from.

I really think it is about perspective and attitude...but we do have a choice of how we want to be.

Just my 2 cents

kc

 

[Pals]

Excellent post, especially given the 'unwritten' rules posts of late. I most certainly hope that the little golden pulls through and kudos to you KC for making a difference to someone.

The best time I ever had running a MH test--we failed last bird last series. BOMBED bigger than elephant turds. You know that kind that makes you cry on your way home. Ruck and I had a ball, learned a lot and I left that test so excited for the next weekend attempt--no tears, just a smile of what a blast that weekend was. I keep that test in mind each time I run, unfortunately I've run under several judges that who act like they would rather be watching weeds grow. So last year I decided that it was time to give back and throw my hat into the judges ring. My one goal in that? Fair tests that were fun. Otherwise what the heck is the point?

Every test I've ever run and really enjoyed had some common denominators: Judges that were friendly, smiling and stressed that this was a HUNT TEST. They encouraged questions, made sure to ask each contestant as they stood ready to leave the holding blind: Do you understand the test and are you ready to go hunting? And they were genuinely sorry if you bombed out and smiled big if you and your four legged buddy done good. I discovered that I really enjoy watching each and every dog run, I find myself rooting for all of them as they run--under my breath of course--I like judging. Now some handlers, I could take or leave--but that is not why we are there to judge. It's the dogs.....

Nothing worse then running under someone who won't smile, barely makes eye contact and acts like they've sucked on a lemon, or are storing a bushel of them in their rear-endage.

I judged down the JR/SR in Central Kentucky early this spring, miserable, MISERABLE weather--I made it a point to make sure everyone knew we were there for a fun test, despite the poopy weather conditions. The nicest thing a lady who failed said to me was this: "It's so nice to run under someone who is there for the dogs and is kind to the handlers, nice test."

I really believe it falls on the judges shoulders to make sure that MN only mentality/wipe out the field/trick em/must pass less then 30% BS, does not creep into your judging and tests.

just my two cents....