I haven't posted about Bay in a while due to deer season. The gun season is over in NH. I went deer less again this year but had a great time hunting with my son and brother in law who each got a deer so venison cuisine has been on the menu.

Belle is growing like a weed. And as she grows she is starting to bother Bay. At first Bay was all about play but she is an adult dog and I can see the signs Belle's constant antagonism is wearing her patience thin.

One thing that is bothering me and it is my fault and mine to correct is Bay is gaining weight due to non activity. We put her on low fat dry food about a month ago and it seems to have stopped her from getting any bigger. The biggest thing Bay is missing is exercise. When Bay was alone she only ate when she was hungry. Now with Belle in the house Bay eats her two meals a day more to prevent Belle from stealing her food. And let me tell you our nickname for Belle is "stealer". Shoes, socks, etc. She grabs things when you are not looking then proudly brings them to you to show her prize. She isn't a big chewer thank goodness.

Two things sparked me to write about Bay today. One was last weekend when I had to move the four wheeler out of the shed to get the snow blower out for the winter. I took Bay for a ride around the yard. I knew she loved and missed this time we have always shared together at camp. I got distracted while I was prepping the snow blower for winter use. Then I realized Bay wasn't by my side. I looked up and she was laying down in her seat on the four wheeler just watching me and the world going by. Our bond is strong.

Then last night on her outside her body language told me she wanted to go into the shed. I opened the door and she went inside and sniffed her usual things but it was the look she had when she glanced up at the four wheeler seat that really told me Bay understands, has emotions and feelings.

I miss hunting and walking my yellow dog. Things are about to change. We have three Saturdays left for partridge in Maine and NH. It is my intent that those days will be devoted to my most favorite Labrador retriever in the world.......Miss Bay !!

12-14-13
It was a brisk eight degrees this morning when the Ford pulled into Sampson's Bay. It could have been zero and it wouldn't have affected this crew. The couple inches of powder snow that had been on the ground for week meant if it walked we'd know where it had been.

So up the mountain we went. While partridge were the quarry the tracks in the snow said deer, turkey, snowshoe hare, fox, coyote, squirrels and one lone partridge call Camp Mountain home.

After our hunt we took a walk around the perimeter of our campsite.



The deer have been visiting the apple tree hoping for the last of this fall's crop to drop. Looks like a feral cat is keeping the mouse population in check. It is living under the out buildings. A fox has a urine post on the lawn.

It wasn't until I went to the front of the old homestead that I saw we have a resident partridge.





This is a first for Bay's Place.

Belle loved having free rein.



She stayed close and hunted with Bay.



Both Bay and I were dreaming of hearing spring gobbles echo off our neighboring mountain.



By then we had made full circle and found ourselves back to reality.



It was only a half hearted effort to find a grouse. My goal was work Belle into Bay's hunting style. I'm really happy with how both dogs worked. Each one vacuumed the ground in search of sweet bird smells. One thing is for sure I know all the spots to set blind and gland lure sets for the fox and coyote. Both were obsessed with where their ancestors marked their territory.

12-18-13
We have gotten 19" of snow from the storm last Sunday 13" and last night 6". All powder. Perfect for doing what Bay and I love to do. Snowshoe!

Bay and I went out shoeing while it was snowing last night. She got a great snow bath.

I can tell she loves this time we have together away from Belle where she is my #1.

12-27-13

Belle is 5 1/2 months old now and full of love. Basic training is going really well. We are having backyard no leash sessions. She comes to calling her name and whistle. She is sitting on the raised arm command better than voice command.

We got our first real snow storm here a couple weeks ago. Boy was that something new for Belle. She kept trying to catch snowflakes. She loves the snow.

We noticed blood on Bay a few days ago after a "Girls Gone Wild" session. Belle is losing her puppy teeth. She has been gnawing on her bones a lot lately. She isn't a chewer really. More a stealer.

She slips into the bedroom and steals socks and other personal items. Even shoes. She runs up to show you what she has. She is so proud of her finds. No problem with the give command.

Wild Girls



My wife had Belle outside yesterday as she was off from work and her comment was there wasn't a bird that flew by that she didn't notice. If those words weren't candy to this bird hunter.

While I can whoa Bay on our backyard wild turkey flock it may take a little persuading with Belle.

All and all things are going well with Belle who we call Bay's "mini me".

Raising a puppy is a lot of work. The morning and evening outside time. Just like a child you constantly have to know where they are and what kind of mischief they may be getting into. Feeding needs to be on a schedule etc., etc., etc., but you know what....

I'd do it all again in a dogbeat.

Take it from a couple of empty nesters, having Bay and Belle and the love we share for both has strengthened our marriage. I love the women I call my better half for her commitment to our brace of yella' dogs.

01-05-2014
It's a winter wonderland in the backyard. Our snowshoe trail invites adventure. Good times with my canine friends.

01-18-14

.........Comes Around

Just wanted to share that I love how you share your adventures here on the Board with us. I read every new post and don't often post anymore. You and Peacemaker both have a writing style that take the reader right to where you were. It's a gift and I appreciate you sharing it with us.

Thank you Dale. I think PM would agree it is a labor of love. Which reminds me.......

PM where are you?

01-25-14
I took the girls out to the Family Grounds Beaver Pond today. This was Belle's first visit and her longest woods walk to date. As we traveled in the truck to our parking area Bay rode shotgun.

Wherever I have taken Bay she remembers the route. She may sleep for the hour long ride to camp but as soon as we are on Camp Mountain Road she is fully alert.

Just we pulled into our spot I looked over to Bay and repeated a couple times, "teach Belle". Her ears perked up and to my surprise she turned and looked at her assignment in the back seat.

At no time in our journey was either dog out of my sight. Both worked the woods trail together. Bay has always hunted very close. I can see Belle is going to inherit this trait.

One thing Belle learned on this trip is those little raisins the deer left behind in the snow don't taste very good.

It wouldn't be winter without a visit to the canoe.



The beaver are back and the pond is once again flooded.



Looking forward to this view in October 2014 while gunning for Daffy with our brace of yella' dogs.

The best thing about the snow is the anticipation of a nightly shoe with the yellow dogs. Got the west side trail packed down Wednesday.

Last night we went east.



Tonight we connect the trails.

02-09-14
My son Shawn and his girlfriend Christine came over for a backyard snowshoe. Beautiful afternoon to be out and about.

02-11-14
Tonight we took the Garmin. This is the backyard trail.



The Garmin software allows you to overlay your track on Goggle Earth



Thank you to my neighbors for sharing their snow.



This is the start of a spring seep. It never freezes. American robins are bathing here.





We had some visitors last night. Eastern Coyote.



Bay is fascinated with her primal ancestors.



A February pair of coyotes. We had a litter out back a couple years ago. Repeat?

02-19-14
I saw these two aliens before our snowshoe hike Wednesday night.

Must be another "Incident at Exeter"

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter_incident

For years one of the residents in my parents neighborhood has been feeding the ducks. I can't count the times especially in the winter when I've been over to their house doing chores and have watched a sky full of ducks.

This year is no different. A couple weeks ago I was there clearing snow. From the porch I watched a never ending starling line of ducks coming to feed. Not far behind the flock I saw a red tail hawk.

As the ducks did their thing circling, circling and circling before they landed I watched the red tail soar, hidden by a point of tall pine trees, as it swept back and forth over the marsh.

Then came another line of ducks from the east bound for the creek. In an instant the red tail shot around the point meeting the arriving ducks head on and snatched one in midair. To say I was in awe is an understatement.

Yesterday I was back and was treated to another sky full of ducks. Looking up while raking snow off one of their outbuildings a huge bird soared by. I knew in an instant by the head and tail it was a mature bald eagle. That was a first for me in the old hood.

Both those sighting are pure proof if you feed the ducks the avian predators will not be far behind.

Something new this year to mom's back forty is the deer run through the back yard. Yup, her neighbors are feeding the deer. Wiley won't be far behind.

My two NASCAR buddies. Can you feel their excitement?





Rain delay...... bummer.

Haven't seen these guys in a while.



Good to see them back.



You can tell spring isn't far away. The brook has opened up.



The jump to the other side is getting longer each night.

This should be the best snowshoeing weekend coming up. I could walk right on top of the snow on unbroken trail.