Rusty's first Gotcha Anniversary

[Cappy_TX]

Yesterday was Rusty's 1st anniversary gotcha day. Hard to believe the eight week old 8 pound puppy has been in our family for a year already ...



We've been feeding him Iams Large Breed. At six months he went to 50% puppy and 50% adult. At 10 months he switched to all adult. He gets lots of exercise, minimal treats (unless he's alone or with our two other dawgs) and his weight hasn't changed from a static 67 lbs for about 4 months now. However, he's grown an additional inch and is almost 29" at the shoulders. He now runs like a graceful deer rather than the awkward pup that he was.



Rusty's goal in life is being a companion to our two yellow Labs and to become as accomplished a "duck hunter" as his genetics and desire takes him. We spent a lot of training time in his first year and the results were better than we had hoped for.

Don't view the link below if images of hunting and dead ducks might bother you.

[Bill C]

Congratulations on the one year anniversary. Yes, time sure does pass quickly. Only yesterday we brought home our Golden, and now she is 5 and our Labradoodle Murphy is now 6 months old (yes, a bit awkward). We've been feeding Murphy Chicken Soup For Dog Lovers Soul and she has been doing great on that.
I don't see the link you referenced. I used to hunt, so dead ducks don't scare me away
Regards,
Bill

[Cappy_TX]

Originally Posted by Bill C

I don't see the link you referenced. I used to hunt, so dead ducks don't scare me away Bill

The pic at the bottom IS a link. Click on it.

Kinda slow loading so be patient.

[deepnite10]

if one picture is worth a thousand words..then you ve got a ga-zillion ,
GREAT PICTURES..

i think if Toby was as busy Rusty..he d eat more..instead he just nibbles at his food, even the home cooked meals i prepare.. as a result i ve had to feed him a variety of high protein and fat kibbles..

recently he s taken to a new kibble, Diamond Natural Extreme Athlete..the nutritional values are nearly as good as EVO..but, half the price..

Toby s has grown to almost 27 inchs and i think that s as tall as he s going to get, being 3 yrs now..and he s fill d out to nearly 90 lbs..when summer arrives it s our goal to get him back down to 80, a more ideal weight..weird since he s eating less than 2 cups a day..and no, he does nt have a thyroid problem..

i can see Rusty filling out another 10-20lbs now that he s attain d his maximum height..

[lindamarie]

Holy mackerel! That little dood is now a really huge dood!
Soooooooooo CUTE!!! I can see your life filled with doggie love!
I can't get the link to work either.

[Cappy_TX]

Hmmm ... don't know why some of you are having trouble opening the link by clicking on the pic on the bottom of the first post above.

Try using this one ...

Nov 2010 forward :: Rusty's First Year as a Duck Dawg slideshow by NevadaJim - Photobucket

[Bill C]

Originally Posted by Cappy_TX

Hmmm ... don't know why some of you are having trouble opening the link by clicking on the pic on the bottom of the first post above.

Try using this one ...

Nov 2010 forward :: Rusty's First Year as a Duck Dawg slideshow by NevadaJim - Photobucket

The problem for me was that I was looking at it at work (shame on me ) and they blocked the pics and links. All is well now that I'm home.
He is beautiful, and those are great pics. He sure looks happy!
Kind regards,
Bill

[Daisy'sMom]

Wow, Rusty is one beautiful doodle!!!! I'm not personally into hunting but your pictures are really amazing, truly! I'm impressed, Rusty is one cool dude, very sporty and fun and looks so kind and loving all at the same time. Congrats on your 1st anniversary

[Cappy_TX]

DM ...Since you show Daisy's pic at Xmas time in your album, I thought you might get a kick out of seeing Rusty's first Christmas with us ...






BTW ... I was born in Highland Park MANY moons ago.

[lindamarie]

Thank you! Thank You! THANK YOU! i'm Linda's husband, Walt, and you, sir, are living my dream! What you've done with your new duck dawg is more than amazing. I love to see an animal doing what he loves and pleasing his owner. You tapped into the talent of labradoodles that many people don't realize exists. Too many think they are just big, loveable clowns, which, indeed, they are, but there is so much more to them. Our Bogart is Linda's service dog for PTSD and a therapy dog at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. He also works with autistic children at our church's religious education program on Saturday mornings when the sister allows me to bring him. She is afraid of dogs and that interferes with regular Saturday visits. So, I have the doctor/counselor version of labradoodle and you have special forces/navy seal! I love it. I'd still like to introduce Bogart to the world of duck hunting, but you guys are a special breed of hunter, and I would have had started collectiong equipment years ago. Best of luck to you and your hunting buddy!

[Cappy_TX]

Originally Posted by lindamarie

Thank you! Thank You! THANK YOU! i'm Linda's husband, Walt, and you, sir, are living my dream! What you've done with your new duck dawg is more than amazing. I love to see an animal doing what he loves and pleasing his owner. You tapped into the talent of labradoodles that many people don't realize exists. Too many think they are just big, loveable clowns, which, indeed, they are, but there is so much more to them. Our Bogart is Linda's service dog for PTSD and a therapy dog at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. He also works with autistic children at our church's religious education program on Saturday mornings when the sister allows me to bring him. She is afraid of dogs and that interferes with regular Saturday visits. So, I have the doctor/counselor version of labradoodle and you have special forces/navy seal! I love it. I'd still like to introduce Bogart to the world of duck hunting, but you guys are a special breed of hunter, and I would have had started collectiong equipment years ago. Best of luck to you and your hunting buddy!

Walt ... first of all, congrats for the job that Bogart does ... a very important and needed mission.

As far as you needing to have started years ago is concerned, au contrare! If the genetic instincts are there, they can still be brought out and enhanced. Are any of these locations/folks near you?

49

Central Michigan HRC
Club Web Site
Owosso, MI
Jim Thompson(810)266-6885
take_em5@hotmail.com
7

50

Great Lakes HRC Club Web Site
Montague, MI
Chad Miller
(269)370-3498
cmiller2@hamiltonschools.us
7

51

Michigan HRC Club Web Site
Howell, MI
Scott Pennington
(24888-8529
sfpenn@ameritech.net
7

52

St. Clair Flats HRC
Club Web Site
St. Clair Flats, MI
Dwayne Miles
(586)242-9748
chip.miles@scfhrc.net
7

53

Southern Michigan HRC Club Web Site
Jackson, MI
Mark Jusick
(517)416-6775
mark.jusick@yahoo.com
7


I'd urge you to give one or more a call and ask if you can come out for their next "training day" or "Hunt Test". You and Bogart can look at the type of work the "started" Retrievers (novices) are doing and ask one or more of the members if they would be willing to spend a few moments with you and Bogart one day to see if he has some potential. It wuld add just one more dimension to your boy and ... if he enjoys it ... a whole new aspect to your life.

In case any snicker at the thought, tell them that you've seen pictorial evidence what can be done with a pup in less than a year from puppyhood to an accomplished waterfowl retriever.