Today I said goodbye to a very special Dog -Zane.it was his time, he lived to be 16.He was my first bird dog and he is also the reason why I am where I am at in both my personel and business life.Afterall without Zane there would not have been Bird Hunts being offered by Dave Brown Outfitters and I am sure would not have met my Wife Lisa ..as there was no excuse for me to go Patagonia AZ.Zane was one of those examples on how good things fall into your lap then guide you .. yes he guided me through the last 15 years of my Life’s journey.When I received the “dog goes or you both go ” we both went and never looked back, I went from owning just Zane to over a course of time owning 25 bird dogs.Together we went from Zane kissing fish in a drift boat to when Fly-Fishing Bird Hunters asked about bird hunting Zane and I would guide them throughout our Southern Alberta Gray Partridge haunts.The writing was on the wall and I needed more dogs.Zane of course was “in”.
Early in his life Zane was entered in some Derby Stakes and although not the biggest running dog Zane had a nose and was strong contender, he even won a few.He was also a show champion,as he was a great specimen of what a Brittany should look like.However where he shone was in our old Alberta and Saskatchewan stomping grounds, hunting Huns,Shaprtails and Pheasants ,he rocked it.He was the master on dealing with running birds, pointing them then hooking around to cut them off and if a bird was missed he would bark letting you know he was pissed.For the 13 years that Zane hunted we covered some ground,Huns, Sharptails, Pheasants,Sage Grouse ,Ruffed Grouse,Chuckars,Bobwhite Scaled,Gambles,Valley and Mearns Quail all where pointed by Zane in some very cool places namely Alberta,Saskatchewan,British Columbia ,Montana,Wyoming, Kansas,Oklahoma,Nebraska, New Mexico and here in Arizona.
Zane was also an awesome boat dog ,the front seat was his and he was not moving.Most clients liked the fact that he stood his ground as that was his spot ,the few that didn’t where out with someone else.He really got into the fishing, the reward was an ear scratch , a piece of a sandwich and licking fish.Once he figured the game out he started to point rising trout, a feat I have never heard of a dog doing.From his position in the front seat Zane saw a lot of rivers, he floated the Bow,Elk,Columbia,Waterton,Oldman,Saint Mary and Missouri River’s.I used to tell clients that they where getting two guides for the price of one.
He got along will with the other dogs, welcoming the newbies and showing them the ropes.He even got in on the training sessions with our new puppies Squeaky and Tank.Around the house he was great , low key and and always at my feet.
On the drive down to the Vet’s office he road shotgun,I thanked him for all the good times and for holding on until I got back home ,In the office he slept at my feet he was snoring when the purple needle was administered ,then died with his head in my arms.We will miss him but at the same time I am so grateful to have such a wonderful dog in my life,giving me direction by pointing the way.
Zane now joins Cochise,Sunny,Quincy,Clint,Jasper ,Crash,Jamie,Okie,Covey,Hilda and Reba in the land of 1000 bird coveys ,my Mother will be there to spoil him and the others.If the birds run he will like that,and they won’t get far because Zane has the moves.
Thanks to My Wife Lisa for all her help and keeping him going so I could be with Zane for the last time.A big thanks also Dr.Roberto Rojas and the staff at Companions Veterinary Clinic (Nogales AZ) for all your help.
R.I.P. Zane
