Seeing the young beaters on our walked-up days always brings energy and fun to our shooting community. Watching them jump the ditches and streams as they beat their way through the countryside makes me think about the times when we have to take a ‘leap of faith’.
My regular training with my 22 month old Lab, Reggie is progressing well and he has an endearing personality. My inner voice has been saying he’s ready to join the shoot and take in the ambience of the guns and watch the established picking-up dogs in action. Last weekend I was ready to take a leap of faith with him. I have to admit the journey to the shoot was full of mixed emotions. I was scared and fearful of the unknown but also excited with a sense of desire for what’s to come with this young dog. My gut instinct about Reggie was something I trusted and had to follow. And with the support of like minded friends and the Guns our day was a success. Reggie was well behaved and soaked up the exhilaration of the shoot day. I was careful and considerate with his first experience. He was able to have one clean retrieve during the day which brought a tear to my eye and put a huge smile on my face!
I know our journey ahead will be a mixture of challenges and rewards. But my leap of faith assured me that it’s important to listen to my inner voice, enjoy my passion for country pursuits and trust that if I work hard and continue to strengthen the bond with Reg...it will happen!
My regular training with my 22 month old Lab, Reggie is progressing well and he has an endearing personality. My inner voice has been saying he’s ready to join the shoot and take in the ambience of the guns and watch the established picking-up dogs in action. Last weekend I was ready to take a leap of faith with him. I have to admit the journey to the shoot was full of mixed emotions. I was scared and fearful of the unknown but also excited with a sense of desire for what’s to come with this young dog. My gut instinct about Reggie was something I trusted and had to follow. And with the support of like minded friends and the Guns our day was a success. Reggie was well behaved and soaked up the exhilaration of the shoot day. I was careful and considerate with his first experience. He was able to have one clean retrieve during the day which brought a tear to my eye and put a huge smile on my face!
I know our journey ahead will be a mixture of challenges and rewards. But my leap of faith assured me that it’s important to listen to my inner voice, enjoy my passion for country pursuits and trust that if I work hard and continue to strengthen the bond with Reg...it will happen!
Reggie (the yellow) watching Ivy in her picking up role.
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