Those crossed front legs say it all. You are unflappable, Manny. At ten weeks old on the vet’s table, you laid down, crossed your forelegs and surveyed your new domain. In the crate this morning it’s how I found you.
You knew I’d soon open the door with a creak and turn you loose on the limitless prairie. You were polite enough to let me open your great uncle’s box first and let him stretch his soon-to-be eleven-year-old legs. You are good in that way. For a while.
So you’ve learned a variant of patience in five years.You’ve taught me that as well.
You’ve roamed the woods, prairies, scablands and cultivated fields of a dozen states. Covered more miles each season than most dogs do in a life. And you’re always ready for more. You’ve learned that my lacing tall boots and the smell of Hoppe’s #9 means birds, and that a long drive always means hunting at the end – at least in your book.
You’ve brought me woodcock and ruffies from Wisconsin, ringnecks in six different states. You are magic on valley quail, and thankfully, an eager hill climber for elusive chukars. Bobwhites, sharptails, Huns … you have gently delivered them all to my waiting hand.
You’ve panted through tules, trembled on icy bluffs, and given your all in more habitats than I can count, but by morning you are up and at ’em, ready for another day on anything that flies. In the meanwhile, you’ll roll over and snore. Loudly.
Our first five years together were a rural-road’s-worth of ups and downs, some deep dips and towering peaks. But we made it, and you’ve become a fine bird dog in spite of your owner’s mis-steps.
Where you got your positive attitude and hopeful lust for doggy life, I’ll never know. I’m just grateful you have it, because it rubs off on me. To some, it looks more like bafflement (that beard helps), but I know deep inside it’s wonder … at the entire world, but especially at anything with feathers.
Scott Linden Outdoors 
I hope to see you on October 18th in Mitchell, SD, at Cabela’s. We will be en route to Pukwana, SD for our annual SD hunting trip.
It should be another good time. See you there, I hope.
It’s hard to believe how fast time flies and five or six years go by in a heartbeat. Our first two Spinone are 6 years old and I don’t know where the time went. Our Labs are 10 and 12 years old and it’s tough to remember them as energetic hunters while watching age take its toll.
My GSP just had her 9th birthday on the 29th. Congrats to you and your dog. BTW I have a new Fausti Dea 20 gauge. I hope it works for me as well as yours worked for you.
Thanks Don. I hope your DEA serves you well.
Do you prefer 3″ shells or 2 3/4″ 20 gauge?
Usually, 2-3/4″ are plenty for me. I don’t take many long shots, and a well-patterned load will have uniformity, “filling in the holes.” Simply throwing more pellets (many of which might be deformed) doesn’t make sense to me. You?
2 3/4″ for me as well. I have used B & P in the past, but I am now very inclined to support your sponsors, since I enjoy your shows so much. I have a 28 gauge that I used before my Fausti arrived. People trash the 28 gauge online with much vehemence. I don’t understand that negative point of view myself. People should shoot what they want. After all, it is all about the dogs anyway. I settled on the Fausti after seeing your shows. I finally gave up my crazy notion to own a Perazzi.
Good choices all around!