The Dog Blog: Holding out for Hunting

Removing a thick square of raw aged cheddar, Macye slipped the chopping block out from the cabinet. Sliced the cheddar thin and fanned them onto another cutting board. Added Nutthins, and afterwards looked for a reward. The week had been arduous, and she opened a cupboard for a stemless glass. The wine Plum had been filled recently. Selecting the white she stood with her hands on her hips, eagerly waiting for the pour to finish. 

Meanwhile, she wondered how much longer plans take to come together to breed their yellow lab. What had started out as a journey could actually “come together.” Pinder’s hips and elbows checks went off solidly like a firework on the Fourth of July. It would have been nice to test Pinder back then in the summer, but the pandemic curtailed many laboratories from doing these types of tests. It was September seventh, and Macye still needed for Pinder to clear EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse). There had been good news from the local vet, the Animal Care Clinic (ACC). They’d discovered that USC in California offers many genetic tests for the labrador breed, and the ACC had taken the initiative to order a kit for Pinder. It was going to show up any day. 

However, the day before, Pinder had gone into heat. She’d started bleeding. After retrieving the Simple Solution dog diaper from a cabinet in the corner of the garage, Macye gently pulled Pinder’s tail through the hole and latched the velcro tabs. Pinder wiggled to try to shake off the teal-colored cloth.

            “We aren’t ready, girl.” Macye said to her. Feeling forlorn for the both of them, Macye scratched her head and looked deep into Pinder’s chestnut eyes. A little while later she brought Pinder over to her bed in the living room so she could start dinner. 

The cell phone rang. It was Glen, Pinder’s trainer, and he helped put things in perspective. 

            “Glen - nice timing.” She filled him in about the heat cycle and the fact that the EIC test hadn’t been done yet.

            “Ahh, interesting.” Glen paused, thinking. “Better to shoot for spring puppies, not snow puppies.” 

Macye realized something, “Yeah, besides hunting season is knocking on the door.”

Over dinner, Macye and Alex discussed the fall. The family gathered around the long dining table. 

Alex spooned a bite of elk chili and paused, “Thanks for the hearty meal.”

Macye turned and smiled at him, while the three kids talked about their day. 

Then he said, “We won’t miss the hunting season but we need to get this going.” Alex crossed his arms, his brow pinched below his forehead. “Pinder is five. We don’t want to wait too much longer.

The next afternoon, Macye entered the kitchen with an armload of groceries. Beckett hardly waited for her to set them down before he spiralled the football in her direction. The newer pendant lights over the granite countertop hung so low, she didn't want to break them. Before she returned the catch, she took a half dozen steps into their living room, all the while Beckett backed away so they could throw farther. Pinder looked up and she also readjusted her position, interested in the football game. She laid down on all fours but looked up and moved her head as the ball flew from Macye again and back to Beckett. They were throwing over the couch. Pinder’s position was midway between them.

It was Beckett that marveled at her interest first. “I think she wants to play.”

            “Sure appears so!” Then Macye caught the football and looked at the lab. “Want to catch it?” 

Pinder separated her forelegs or the paws slid out by themselves at just the right moment, but either way, she looked “ready.” With surprise Macye and Beckett turned to each other. 

Macye launched it to her son and watched what Pinder did. Her head turned to Beckett, the receiver.  

He walked towards her. He held out the ball. “You want to catch it, girl?”

Pinder’s eyes held his. 

He threw it lightly. Aiming for the 8 inches between her paws and below her nose. The ball hit the hardwood and before it could bounce away, Pinder captured it by lowering her chin. She just did it.

Macye clapped and Beckett wanted to do it again. And then the ruckus was joined by Leisel and their other dog Gunner, a German wire hair. Macye saw Leisel love on Gunner since they were loving on Pinder. It was cute the way she tackled him and hugged him, but she knew Gunner shouldn’t linger nearby since Pinder was in heat. Gunner didn’t miss much. 

Beckett rolled his shoulders back. “Leisel did you know Pinder caught the football? She did so freaking well.”

Pinder may have enjoyed football from that day onward, but historically, one of her favorite activities was marking the dummy. The family usually took turns in the backyard, on sunny days in Jackson Hole training Pinder. They made her be steady and wait at their left side, and they would throw a cord with a dummy attached. Pinder’s job was to wait for her name and a hand signal showing her the direction. Once released Pinder sprinted to the dummy with Chariots of Fire going off in her head. This prepared her for the field, the duck retrieves with Alex on their hunts. 

On this warm afternoon, Macye forgot to take Pinder to the bathroom, so on the first retrieve Pinder stopped and squatted, relieving herself, not even looking guilty. Then she meandered back. Oh, boy, Macye thought. “We are out of practice, or you’re just lazy because you’re in heat. We’ll try again. Heel,” Macye demanded. 

Winding up Macye circled the dummy around and let it fly. It went out of sight. Pinder began to tremble. “Exactly!” Macye cried, finally, she’s into it. She counted to ten in her head, then inverted her hand and pointed it down the lab’s nose. “Pinder.”

            The lab darted to the ditch and scrambled briefly, emerging with the dummy. She came in a direct line back, and what do you know held the dummy and kept her face straight, her mouth still. 

            “Give.” 

Pinder released the cord as Macye took the dummy. 

Ten more and Pinder was huffing, eyes lustrous and alert.

            “I’m happy you’re happy, Pins.” Macye and Pinder...a training team. It was a good feeling. 

In a few weeks Macye packed up the quiche for Alex and said goodbyes.

            “I love you!” She wrapped her arms around him. Next, she leaned into Pinter and rubbed her girl between the eyes. The blond hair was short and rippled slightly. 

She kenneled Pinder in the back of the truck, and Alex and Pinder pulled away in the dark. Macye whispered, “Bye girl. You go get those wild birds…”