Today I made the decision to put Ted down.His kidneys where failing.We could have dragged his life out for a couple of months however it would be selfish of us and unfair to our wonderful and funny dog.Ted was my first English Pointer, a fine specimen of what that breed is all about.Born in Southern Alberta almost ten years ago he was sired by Miller’s Silver Bullet.His Dam was a dog owned by my friend David Pearson who is a very active Field Trailer.Ted did not make the grade as an “All Age” prospect however from the first time I put him on the ground and ran him he made the grade as a solid bird finding machine.At Six months old our Saskatchewan Clients where shooting Huns and Sharptails over him,at Eight months Ted and I where working the Southern Plains of Oklahoma,hunting bobwhites,I had a few offers from folks that wanted to to buy him…despite his quirkiness there was not a chance.
Ted was the perfect Guide String dog,when the chips where down Ted would produce,he learned fast,dealt with running birds perfectly and handled the paranoid Hun’s of the Northern Plains with kid gloves often pointing from a long way off.
Ted flat out crushed it,and as he grew older he became more confident and his range also increased.I became “cocky” also often telling Bird Hunting Clients that the next time you will see Ted he will be on point,or when running Ted with a Brittany I would comment that the Brittany was something for clients to watch because you won’t see Ted ,he ill be out there ripping it up and rip it up he did.
Over the course of Ted’s life he pointed birds in Alberta ,Saskatchewan,British Columbia,Montana,Oklahoma,Kansas,New Mexico ,Arizona and Sonora Mexico.The species Ted pointed include Valley,Bowhite,Mearns,Gambels and Scaled Quail,Gray Partidge,Chukars,Sharptail, Grouse,Lesser Prairie Chickens and Pheasants.
Preying on Lisa’s love of dogs,Ted managed to weasel his way into the house where in the Living Room he took up quarters sleeping on a dog bed.He would often bring Lisa “gifts” consisting of pieces of paper,Dust Bunnies, and very small sticks from the yard,weird?That was Ted.He would get very upset if another dog got onto his dog bed and would pester Lisa and I until we kicked the culprit off.
As much as I am upset about loosing Ted ,I am also amazed that he lived this long.He was “on the edge” while in the field,running off cliff faces and sometimes getting lost ..for day or two,Once tracking collars came onto the market I was relieved.Ted had a soft spot for Porcupines,setting record for the most visits in one week to our Swift Current,Saskatchewan Vet’s Office to have quills removed.Three visits and he never learned.
Although both Lisa and I terribly miss Ted,we had a lot of laughs and now share some great memories of him.We know he is in good hands. Zane,Roxy,Covey,Quincy,Cochise,Sunny,Clint,Jasper,Crash,Jamie,Okie,Hilda,Reba and Lucy will all be waiting for him and so will my Mother who thought the world of Ted and tried to spoil him rotten.
I was in the Desert guiding today,I stepped back a bit and took the whole scene in,watching the youngsters Tank and Squeaky gobbling up the ground,hunting the bottoms ,tops and the sides of the Canyons then going on point,Impressive to say the least.Every so often I would scan the far ridge lines looking for a White Speck on the Horizon named Ted.He was not there.Instead he was looking down upon us backing the Young Guns,who for whatever reason seemed to be hunting with more of a purpose,dialing it in ,just like our White Dog named Ted.
Thanks to Dr.Roberto Rojas and Companions Veterinarian Clinic in Nogales AZ for all your help with Ted.
