A Walk With Mick

Mick turned 11 a week ago and in his subtle but persistent way had been trying to get me to let him go to the field every time I'd get ready. He's a proud dog. He was first to the household and claimed me early on along with his spot at my side whether in the house or riding shotgun in the Jeep. Now arthritis makes it difficult for him to get around but his nose works just fine so I walk fence lines with him or the edge of pot holes if the grass isn't to heavy. We stop frequently and he just sits or lays down for a couple minutes looking at me with those big brown eyes. A look that makes me remember all we've been through and done together.He's one of those special dog's that come along once in a lifetime. A natural you might say. A beautiful Setter and affectionate companion. He's the Setter on the cover page of the Blog at age 5. These walks now are what I owe him for having been so lucky to have had him in my life. He has a playful attitude even at this age rolling on his back as we take time out as if to say "There's no hurry R just enjoy the day!" And so we do as we walk along together once again. Just the two of us.

Yesterday I had planned to guide a relative of my neighbor and his 10 year old son on a hunt but at the last minute they cancelled deciding to hunt as a group with a few other people. I was relieved actually as I prefer to hunt solo and value every day in the field with my Setters. So I exhaled somewhat puzzled about the short notice but dismissed my thoughts as an opportunity to have the morning to myself. I had run Beau hard the previous day on a great run and Molly the day before that on an evening "Magic hour" run at the end of the day so I now was conscious of a constant stare coming from Mick as he followed my every move. I laughed to myself that he knew very well that it was his turn! And he was right it was. It was time for he and I to have our run together. Actually I was pretty tired out from the previous day having gone a couple miles beyond my comfort zone so a slow walk with Mick would be perfect to start the day. So I gave Mick the nod and put on his collar as he wagged his tail in approval as the other Setters rallied around him.

I use a step stool now to help the Setters into the Jeep and Mick crawls up with a little help then makes his way to the front seat beside me. His spot forever. I could tell he just loved being there once again as we pulled away. I love it too. "You're my boy" I tell him and he returns the comment with a look that says "You're mine as well". I know I'll always remember and think about that look long after he's gone. We then make our way out of town heading north. I take my fly rod along as well planning to maybe stop at the lake for a while to catch some pike. I thought maybe we'd walk a pasture in that area. But as we rode along a secondary gravel road we drove by a familiar area and I thought about an edge along a pot hole maybe twenty feet wide that would be perfect for Mick. It ran for about a quarter mile and was right across from a section of sunflowers. Looking at this from the road no one would bother to hunt it as it just doesn't look like it would hold birds. But actually I've learned to find these spots with so many hunters competing for places to hunt. And more times than not they do hold birds. The places that don't get pressure. The birds learn it as well. Little pieces of heaven I call them.

 I parked the Jeep at the north end of this long pot hole and let Mick out. It'd be an easy walk for him with water available for him to cool off a great part of hunting in North Dakota. He headed into the road ditch right away thick with heavy grass just surveying the area. Then he turned south and started working the short grass adjacent to the water. Mick's a laid back dog but not to be fooled he's smart and as intense as they come when he finds scent. He won't leave an area if there's birds there and once on point won't move!
 I was really enjoying this unexpected time with Mick on such a beautiful fall morning. There were ducks moving around and geese flying over head as we walked. Mick worked along slowly about 40 feet ahead of me going in and around the edge of the grass when suddenly he turned to the west in short cover and froze! We hadn't been on the ground more than a few minutes about 150 yards from the Jeep. I looked at Mick and said 'Well what have we got Mick". I looked at the grass and then back again at Mick. This was the real deal! So I approached and a  big flush of 6 birds took flight simultaneously! 4 roosters and 2 hens! I picked out a bird and fired bringing down a nice rooster at 10 yards. What a surprise Mick!

Call it what you will, coincidence,luck,or karma, but Mick's magic is what I call it. Take an old dog for a walk and sometimes it just happens. A perfect moment you'll never forget. We continued on for quite a while walking easy cover and laying down in the grass together from time to time. I'd pull the bird out of the bag for Mick to smell along the way giving him a scratch behind the ears. It wasn't long then before Mick couldn't stay in front of me anymore as we headed for the Jeep together ever so slowly. But that was just fine as I had nothing better to do than give this dog my time for having given me so many incredible moments. Another "Walk with Mick" I'll never forget

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