J-Bo, J-Biscuit, Joshy, J-Man, J-Dog... he had lots of names. But "Josh" was the name given to him by Aaron Kelly's father, Dwayne. Dwayne purchased Josh as a puppy and I remember the day he picked up him from Slate Rock Kennels. I thought to myself, really... he's naming him Josh? "Josh-Kelly's Bounty Hunter" to be exact!
Aaron taught his dad the basics of how to train Josh to be a hunting dog and how to maintain a standard of obedience and diligence. The implementation of which did not go as smooth as it sounded. I remember hunting with Dwayne and Josh and the phone call to Aaron after the hunt saying "dude, you really need to talk to your dad about being consistent, he goes from milliary obedience to loving on him and scratching his belly and baby talk in like 5 seconds." Aaron said "believe me... i know".
Aaron lost his father only a few short years later and Josh went to live with Aaron and Melissa. He was a mess, in a goofy way, and an unmistakable character. It's impossible not to fall in love with his sweet face, big floppy ears, and the "Josh smile" smirk he'd make when you found just the right spot to scratch.
Aaron started over with Josh, from the beginning, and incorporated him into his daily training routine.
He won a Qual and finished/placed in several others. Without much higher expectations, Aaron kept training him with the other dogs and gradually decreased the physical effort as Josh got older. In 2006, he got an Amateur 3rd.
By this time, Aaron and I co-owned Boogie together and Aaron suggested that I start running Josh in the Amateur with Boogie. He probably wasn't going to set the world on fire, but we messed around and finished a few and had a lot of fun doing it. It was also my excuse to keep Josh at my house as much as possible... he loved being a house dog and we loved having him.
My house, specifically my bed, was Josh's second home. Anytime Aaron need to free up a kennel run or they went out of town, Josh would come live the "resort life", as Aaron called it, at our house.
We all bond with our dogs but Aaron and Josh had a special relationship. Bonded by the loss they suffered - having both lost their dad - they comforted each other and served as a constant reminder to each other of the great father, friend, and mentor they once shared.
I will forever cherish my dear friends Aaron and Melissa for allowing me to be a part of Josh's life.
Staci and I are extremely saddened by the loss they are suffering right now and ask that you say an extra prayer for the Kelly's; as they lost much more than a dog yesterday.
Shayne & Staci
Lots of birds, treats, and couches are waiting for you old friend. RIP J-Bo
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Aaron taught his dad the basics of how to train Josh to be a hunting dog and how to maintain a standard of obedience and diligence. The implementation of which did not go as smooth as it sounded. I remember hunting with Dwayne and Josh and the phone call to Aaron after the hunt saying "dude, you really need to talk to your dad about being consistent, he goes from milliary obedience to loving on him and scratching his belly and baby talk in like 5 seconds." Aaron said "believe me... i know".
Aaron lost his father only a few short years later and Josh went to live with Aaron and Melissa. He was a mess, in a goofy way, and an unmistakable character. It's impossible not to fall in love with his sweet face, big floppy ears, and the "Josh smile" smirk he'd make when you found just the right spot to scratch.
Aaron started over with Josh, from the beginning, and incorporated him into his daily training routine.
He won a Qual and finished/placed in several others. Without much higher expectations, Aaron kept training him with the other dogs and gradually decreased the physical effort as Josh got older. In 2006, he got an Amateur 3rd.
By this time, Aaron and I co-owned Boogie together and Aaron suggested that I start running Josh in the Amateur with Boogie. He probably wasn't going to set the world on fire, but we messed around and finished a few and had a lot of fun doing it. It was also my excuse to keep Josh at my house as much as possible... he loved being a house dog and we loved having him.
My house, specifically my bed, was Josh's second home. Anytime Aaron need to free up a kennel run or they went out of town, Josh would come live the "resort life", as Aaron called it, at our house.
We all bond with our dogs but Aaron and Josh had a special relationship. Bonded by the loss they suffered - having both lost their dad - they comforted each other and served as a constant reminder to each other of the great father, friend, and mentor they once shared.
I will forever cherish my dear friends Aaron and Melissa for allowing me to be a part of Josh's life.
Staci and I are extremely saddened by the loss they are suffering right now and ask that you say an extra prayer for the Kelly's; as they lost much more than a dog yesterday.
Shayne & Staci
Lots of birds, treats, and couches are waiting for you old friend. RIP J-Bo
