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Buck and Booty by Tom Word
Buck was handling and Booty scouting for Bootjack in the opening prairie championship of the season. The dog's owner Fred Gray was riding in the gallery for his first prairie trial. He had bought Bootjack as his first trial dog in April and put him with Buck on recommendation from a friend.
Advice on a Dog Sale - By Tom Word
Ben Reach religiously followed a policy, preached to him by his father, not to get involved in law suits involving dogs. But ironically, he was asked for advice on bird dog matters constantly. This was because Ben had many friends in the bird dog world and was trusted. He had judged trials over many years and never shown favoritism. Nor did he ever decline to try to help a bird dog professional trainer-handler in distress, and there was never a shortage of them. The profession was by its nature highly risky.
Shadow Oak Bo Remembered by Tom Word
I treasure many memories of Shadow Oak Bo, the first and clearest (I can watch it like a movie in mind's eye today) at Coney Lake in the Lee County All-Age when Bo was a first year. I was riding with Luke Weaver in his pickup, following in the course path. Bo had a pretty find just ahead and we both said, "Wow, that's a handsome setter." A couple minutes later he had another and got too close, bumping the bird. Luke stopped where we could watch Robin after judges and gallery moved on. Robin administered a stern correction with a rein to Bo's chest, and an instant after, Bo, undaunted, was licking Robin's hands, with tail wagging, happy as could be.
Two Heroes - by Tom Word
They are two heroes , both Pennsylvanians, both Vietnam combat veterans. Both are pointing dog professionals. One is a Marine, one is Army. They both saw much combat, and that has had its inevitable consequences, physical and mental.
Gundog Central Announcement
I can't tell you how excited I am to be able to bring you some brand new content from two super talented and respected individuals of the bird dog community. I really admire their work and I think you will too. Later today I'll be uploading a short story written by legendary Bird Dog and Field Trial author Tom Word, accompanied by art work contributed by bird dog and wildlife artist, Leah Brigham.
The $10 Million Bird Dog - by Tom Word
Ben Reach had for five decades followed his father's admonition, " Do not get involved in a divorce case....unless a lot of money is involved and you can be assured of being paid." Ben had long since ceased involvement in divorce cases, even lucrative ones, except occasionally as mediator. His involvement in this one would be uncompensated, except non-financially, as an act of friendship toward a man he admired and respected, or perhaps as an act of revenge on a woman he didn't much like.
