Going The Distance!

One of the issues I struggled with the most when I first started turkey hunting alone, was judging distance.  I still second guess myself from time to time.   A few seasons ago, I passed on a shot because I thought the tom was too far away.  I must have spooked him and after he got the heck outta there, I paced the distance to the tree he was next to, and discovered he was well within shot range.  No bird that day.  Lesson for me.  Lucky for him.

I’ve also taken a shot too close and missed a bird.  My more experienced turkey hunting friends tell me that is not unusual.

Several years ago, I was with my buddy Jan, hunting for the Florida Osceola.  We stalked a pair of longbeards with several hens for over three hours one day.  Back and forth along a fence line they went several times.  We followed them up one way to try to get in on them (sometimes crawling on all fours for lack of cover) and no sooner did we think we had them in range, we found they had already headed back the other way.  I swear those birds were playing tag with us that day.   Finally, mid-morning, we figured the hens would be ready to head back to their nest and we had found several tracks down a little two-lane the day before.  Our strategy was that those hens were traveling that dirt path several times a day and once they headed back toward the woods, the toms were sure to follow.  So we wandered slowly in that direction, and sure enough, it was “hit the dirt” because the hens were headed right toward us.  No time to figure out which tree to sit up against, no time to build a stick blind, no time to find a comfortable spot and put out my “butt” pad.  I had to get down, get my shotgun mounted and be ready to shoot.  The hens were in no big hurry and my arms were starting to burn from the ache of holding my shotgun up in ready position.  The toms came up right behind them, just as we predicted.  Problem was, someone started “putting” danger and I knew it was now pow or never.  I took the shot . . . and all hell broke loose!  One tom literally flew away instantly and the rest of the turkeys scattered every which way. 

What the heck just happened?  Jan got up and paced my shot off at only ten yards.  She picked up a wing feather and noted the nice tight pattern of #6 shot holes I left in the tree just behind the tom I just missed. 

That shot was too “up close and personal” and totally missed because my #6 shot didn’t have enough distance to spread out and hit the bird in the head or neck area.  Another lesson learned.  After I told my story to several of my sympathetic fellow turkey hunters, I was advised of two options in that situation.  Either put the shot lower on the bird – in the breast area, or just let him go by, give him a little distance and attempt to sneak in and come up behind him later.

When you are new to hunting, distance can be really hard to judge and takes some practice.  A quick solution would be a rangefinder.  There is a good selection of compact rangefinders on the market these days at prices generally starting at around $180.  They certainly take the guesswork out of distance to target.  But I’ve never been quite smart enough to figure out how to use my ”dumb” phone or my digital camera.  I don’t want to take the time to learn how to use all those gadgets, so I use a simpler method.  Once I’ve done some scouting and located some good spots where I’m pretty sure the turkeys are traveling through, I find my tree where I can sit comfortably, with good cover and keep myself hidden as much as possible.  Next, I pace my yardage at a few different distances from my sitting tree.  I’ve patterned my shotgun before season opens, so I pick out a few landmarks – a crooked tree trunk, a brush pile or a rock – or in some cases where every Oak tree looks the same, I set up a landmark by pulling a few dead branches across one another or making a small pile of leaves or stones at both the closest distance I can shoot – 20 yards, and the further distance – no more than 35 -40 yards.  Then I get ready and hope the turkeys will come through somewhere in between my landmarks.

To keep my distance judging skills in tune, I practice every day while walking my dog.  I look ahead to an object, guess the distance and then count the paces until I get to the object.

When you’ve been hunting for a while, it’s easy to forget about the things you know now, that you didn’t know then.

Last year, while volunteering as a mentor for a turkey youth hunt, I set up my young apprentice, Jenna, in a perfect spot.  We had been hunting the same area the day before, and I felt sure this particular morning that we needed to set up on the other side of a large pond, slightly up a hill.  I felt the birds may be coming in from the opposite side of where we had been the day before and knew they would head for that water first thing after fly down.  I sat next to her, to her left side.  As soon as daylight appeared, we started with just a few soft yelps and purrs.  It didn’t take much talking.  Two hens slowly came up behind her, to her right and then in front headed straight to that pond, just as we predicted.  Sure enough, along came the gobbler.  I stretched my eyes to the right as far as I could and I saw the bright red.  He was coming in right behind those hens, no more than 20 yards to Jenna’s right and he was a nice size bird.  I whispered to her that he was coming and to wait until he was in front with his rear fan in full view.  The two hens were busy drinking and eating while he continued to show off and strut his stuff.  She had to start raising her shotgun to her shoulder real slow . . . painfully slow.  She did a beautiful job.  Those birds never suspected a thing.  I had hunted with Jenna the year before and she took a huge tom.  She instinctively knew when to shoot last year, and I didn’t have to tell her “now”  -  she just knew.  So I figured she knew what to do this time too.

But this time . . . she didn’t shoot.  We sat there for several minutes, watching those three turkeys.  I never said a word and just let her enjoy the moment.   It was a perfect shot – from my view.  Finally, we just watched the turkeys walk away in the opposite direction.  We were both silent. . . along with her shotgun.  I’ve never been one to tell another hunter when to take the shot.  I had someone do that to me before and I found it nerve-wracking.  The shooter may not be seeing the target exactly the way the guide does, even if you are sitting right next to each other.  But that particular morning, I wished I would have whispered to Jenna, “go ahead and shoot.”

She put her gun down across her lap and we both took a deep breath.   When I asked her what happened, she said “I thought he was too far away.”

My mistake as a mentor.  I should have practiced the same method I used when I first began hunting, and I still use occasionally.  Now that the show was over, I proceeded to show her how to pace yardage - what was too close, and too far away and how to mark it.  We both learned something that day.  And we both enjoyed watching the turkeys and agreed it was a good hunt, even if she didn’t tag a tom.   

I have a feeling we’ll get another shot at it this season, and we’ll both be ready this time, to go the distance.

Happy Outdoors – Sue

Jenna with her Big Tom taken the year before.  

It took a second trip to tag this gobbler after missing the Florida Osceola the year before!

 

Turkey Talk and Yelp Help!

My First Wild Turkey Hunt!

I just got home from working the Deer & Turkey Expo in Lansing, Michigan and I have to admit, even though my feet and legs hurt from standing on cement for two days, it got me excited!  Hearing turkey calls all weekend got me all worked up for the upcoming season – now only a few months away!

I usually don’t start thinking about getting ready for  turkey hunting (my favorite of all hunting seasons!) until the temperature warms up, the snow melts and I start seeing signs of spring.  But March is almost upon us and April is right around the corner.  It’s time to start getting geared up!

What are some of the things I can do to prepare for turkey season?  For one, I need to buy my tag.  Next, I need to pull out my favorite calls and practice.  Even though I’ve been hunting turkeys for several years, it never hurts to practice my yelps, cuts and purrs.  I’m pretty good on the box and slate calls, and getting better with the mouth call, but I’d still like to perfect my purring and cutting with the mouth call.  There have been plenty of times when a nice tom has been out front but too far away for a shot.  Since turkeys can see 10x better than humans, movement on my part is not an option.  Having a mouth call ready for some soft purring might just lure him in a little bit closer, so it’s something on my turkey “to do” list.  The only way I’ll get good at it is to practice.  You don’t have to be an expert to call in a tom, but you do need to sound something like a hen.  As my friend Mike Kennedy (a championship turkey caller) once said during a seminar, “people make mistakes when they talk, so do turkeys!  Don’t be afraid you’ll make a mistake.  Just go out there and give it a try.  Sometimes you’ll be amazed at what goofy sound you made that brought that gobbler in.”  One good practice resource I’ve used often is the National Wild Turkey Federation’s website: nwtf.org.  There you will find audio of all the sounds wild turkeys make, and you can practice right along.  Another option is to purchase a dvd at your local sporting goods store.

I’ve collected a lot of calls over the years, but one of my favorites is a custom slate call made by a guy who lives right here in Michigan – Tom Jameson.  The other is a Paul Butski slate call which I purchased at the National Wild Turkey Federation’s national convention years ago.  Both of these slate calls go in my turkey vest each year.  I love the tone of these two particular calls and I’ve taken nice toms using both of them.  Even though I’ve managed not to lose these calls over the years, I always lose my strikers every year, so I picked up a few different strikers at the show this weekend.  Each striker (depending on the wood they are made of, and the length) produces a different tone on my slate call.  You never know on any given day which tone a tom will like.  If I don’t get results with one striker, I have a variety readily available to play with until I find one which is music to that longbeard’s ears.

Now is a great time to seek out a few new hunting spots too.  Since I live in Michigan, and there is still plenty of snow on the ground, I may take a drive next weekend and look for flocks of birds.  They are easy to spot from a distance in the snow.  I’ve learned it’s a good idea to have a few different places to go turkey hunting.  That spot I hunted last year was loaded with birds, but they may have moved to another area, so it’s always a benefit to have other places to go just in case they don’t show up in the same place this spring.

And if memory serves me right, those pants I’ve had for years were in pretty bad shape last year.  I may have to buy some new camo pants.  Comfortable clothing is critical to turkey hunting.  Since I don’t use a ground blind and like to move around a lot, I like the stretchy camo sweat pants.  They don’t cost much (I can buy 2 and have a pair to spare) and are easy to layer over with my rain pants or if I need an extra layer of warmth for those chilly spring mornings.  They tuck easily into my boots too, and keep the skeeters and ticks out.

Looking forward to turkey season gets me through these last weeks of cold winter weather.  Each year is a brand new experience and I learn something new.  No two seasons are ever alike!  No matter how long I’ve hunted turkeys, the back of my neck still prickles and my heart pounds when I hear my first gobbler in the spring.  I guess that’s why I love turkey hunting more than anything else I do outdoors.

I can’t wait!

Happy Outdoors – Sue

p.s.  Tom Jameson’s calls can be viewed and purchased on his website:  http://tomscustomturkeycalls.com

More turkey tips coming soon!

Finding several places to hunt turkeys is well worth the effort!

2012 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 4,900 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 8 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

Upper Peninsula Women’s Outdoor Weekend – Register Now!

snowshoeing is fun and relaxing, yet great exercise too!

Sharon Pitz has been organizing the UP BOW program for many years in the Marquette area, and she is one of those volunteers who trudges on no matter what the circumstances are, because she believes in the program and loves sharing her passion for the outdoors with other women.   Her leadership, along with her committee of volunteers do a terrific job of organizing this special weekend, just for women, twice a year.

The winter weekend will be held February 22-24, 2013 at the Big Bay Health Camp near Marquette and right on the shoreline of beautiful Lake Superior.  I have personally attended one of Sharon’s weekends and I can promise you – you won’t be disappointed!  The lodging is comfortable (comfy beds & hot showers ladies!), the food is excellent and the camaraderie and fun can’t be beat.  The cost is $180 for the weekend and includes your lodging, meals and your choice of (3) classes!  Classes include dog sledding, cross-country skiing, winter sheltering and ice fishing, along with plenty more.  Grab your family and friends and head up to the UP for a fun-filled weekend for women only!  You won’t regret it! This is a very popular weekend, and I would encourage you to register early as it usually fills up quickly! For more information and/or to register, go to the BOW webpage:  www.michigan.gov/bow.

Sharon’s contact information can be found on the webpage.  Please contact her directly with questions!

Happy Outdoors! – Sue

Winter camping and sheltering is just one of the classes offered at the UP Women’s weekend!

Nature Reminds Us To Be Prepared . . .

Fall is here!  According to the calendar, it’s September, so it’s no surprise of course.  Happens every year.  Days become shorter, temperatures drop, the kids go back to school and football season kicks off.  Duck season and rabbit season are right around the corner and I’m looking forward to both!

Pretty soon, the leaves will begin to change from green to a rainbow of red, orange and yellow.  While walking my dog this morning, I also noticed the squirrels are out in abundance, more active than usual.  I watched them scurrying here and there, darting up the nearest tree when my beagle appears to be a threat, and interrupts their task at hand.  Their foraging has officially begun, as Mother Nature signals that now is the time to start preparing for winter.

Watching the squirrels prepare for cold weather reminded me today that I should be prepared too.

Be Prepared.  That’s the motto of the Boy Scouts.  “Be prepared for what?” someone once asked Baden-Powell, the founder of Scouting.  “Why, for any old thing.” said Baden-Powell.  But Baden-Powell wasn’t thinking just of being ready for emergencies.  His idea was that all Scouts should prepare themselves to become productive citizens and to give happiness to other people.  He wanted each Scout to be ready in mind and body for any struggles, and to meet with a strong heart whatever challenges might lie ahead.  (BSA Boy Scout Handbook, 1998, 11th ed., page 54).

I should have been a Boy Scout.  I think I could have learned a lot from them.

I can prepare myself for winter easily enough.  I’ve been doing it my whole life.  I just bought new tires for my truck and I’ll have it “winterized” next time I have the oil changed.  I’ll put a fresh filter in the furnace and stow my patio furniture away until next spring.  Soon I’ll be wanting my warmer blanket out of the closet, and on my bed.  The shorts and t-shirts which mostly make up my summer wardrobe will go back into storage and the flannel shirts and sweaters will come out.

But I wasn’t prepared for losing my job, and having to find a new one, especially in this dismal economy and job market.   When I moved back to Michigan, from Georgia a few years ago, it was an answer to my prayers.  I had lost my position in Georgia, eight weeks after I moved down there.  I didn’t get fired.  Corporate office just decided to eliminate the position.  So when I was offered a new job back home with the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program, I thought I had it made.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  I felt secure.  I didn’t think I needed to be prepared . . . to lose my job again.

Benjamin Franklin said “the only things certain in life are death and taxes.”

As I watch the squirrels prepare for winter,  nature reminds me that winter is coming, but I’m certain spring will follow.  I think there are other certain things in life that could be added to Benjamin’s list.    I’m certain of my faith and that God has a plan for me, and that this job loss is just part of his plan to lead me to another job, wherever he wants me to be.  I’m certain of the love, support, and encouragement my family and friends surround me with whenever my life is in turmoil.

I’m certain of my strength to get through this, because I have before.

I can’t help but believe that watching the squirrels today was simply God’s way of using nature to remind me that I need to always “be prepared” no matter how certain things may seem, and to never take anything for granted.

He also was gently reminding me . . . that everything will work out.  Spring will come after winter, and I will survive.  I will be okay.

Happy outdoors Sue

Size Does Matter . . . When It Comes To Shoes . . . And Shooting!

A firearm or bow must fit you properly for safety, comfort, and successful shot placement.

Like most women, I love shoes!  I can totally relate to Carrie Bradshaw, the main character of the hit show, Sex and The City!  I’ve never counted how many pairs of shoes and boots I own, but the floor of my walk-in closet is covered with them, along with one of those over the door storage bags with all the shoe size pockets!  Some are casual and some for business.  Cowboy boots, hiking boots and hunting boots.  Tennis shoes and sandals.  Black, brown, blue, red, gold.  Some with sparkles and some with beads.  I have a few I purchased specifically to go with only one outfit and have only been worn a few times.  Even an outdoors girl like me has a few high-heels stored in their original shoebox on my closet shelf.  These are worn only when putting on a pretty dress for a wedding, or a rare night out on the town for a special occasion.  My left foot is slightly larger than my right foot, and as a result, I often have a difficult time finding a pair of really comfortable shoes that I can wear all day.  I have to spend a great deal of time shopping and searching for a style that will accommodate both size 6 and 6.5 size feet.  Shoes come in pairs of course, and thus far, I’ve never found a shoe store where I can purchase two different size shoes for one pair of feet.  Many times, when I do find a pair I really like, the store clerk disappears and returns with a few shoeboxes in tow, and informs me that the shoes I want to try on are not available in my size, but “I do have them in a size 7.5 and 8 if you would like to try them on.”   I’ll bet every woman who has ever shopped for shoes, has had this happen to them at least once.

Now I ask . . . why would I purchase a pair of shoes that don’t fit my feet?

I may be able to get away with the wrong size shirt, or even a pair of jeans, but my shoes have to fit properly in order to be comfortable and serve their purpose . . . whether hiking, hunting, or dancing the night away, my shoes need to feel good in order for my feet to be happy.

One of the questions I hear most often from women attending a Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) shooting or archery class is “how do I know what to buy” when it comes to purchasing a shotgun, rifle, handgun or bow?

Since the question has come up so often, here are a few very basic tips I have to offer to women, who are considering buying a gun or bow for the first time:

The first thing to consider when purchasing a firearm or bow, is what you primarily want to use it for.  Are you going to use it strictly for recreational shooting, targeting or plinking?  Are you thinking of buying a handgun for personal protection?  Are you considering hunting at some point?  If so, what type of hunting are you most interested in?  Answering these questions will help you narrow down your field of choices, whether you are purchasing a rifle, shotgun, handgun, or bow.

Once you have decided what you want to use your gun or bow primarily for, do some research and make sure you are familiar with purchase laws.  Then find a few FFL dealers to shop around and compare models and prices.  When it comes to making an investment in a gun or bow, ask if the staff is knowledgeable and experienced with proper fit and will sell you equipment you will ultimately be happy with instead of selling you a model that needs to be moved out of inventory.  No matter where you decide to shop, if you are just getting started in your sport, I would strongly encourage you to take along someone who knows about firearms or archery, to help you make a good decision.

Secondly, size does matter!  A firearm or bow has to fit and feel comfortable.  Like a pair of shoes, or another great example . . . like a certain lingerie item we women wear almost every day, if it doesn’t fit your unique body shape and it isn’t the right size, it will be uncomfortable and you won’t want to keep using it.  Your purchase will stay in the drawer or in the closet, neglected and hardly used, and you will have wasted your money.

I’m always amazed at the number of women who show up at my beginning shotgun classes, with their husband’s or boyfriend’s shotgun.  I know they mean well, and I’m glad they are excited and supportive of their women learning how to shoot and join them in the field, but let’s face it guys . . . we are not built the same as you!

Women are shaped differently and we are most often smaller than the average guy.  Average women have proportionally longer necks, smaller hands and do not have the strength of an average man.  So we need equipment designed to accommodate our size, shape, and strength.  The good news is, most firearm and bow manufacturers have now learned that more women are becoming interested in recreational shooting and hunting than ever before, and they have recognized that we need properly fitting equipment to be successful at it.  They have come out with more choices as far as youth models and models designed specifically to fit women. Walk into a gun or archery shop these days, and chances are you will find pink .22 caliber rifles, compound and crossbows which the younger female generation also find appealing.  The manufacturers and retailers have finally figured out that women have money to spend on this stuff, and they have stepped up their marketing efforts directed toward the potential female customer, in hopes of increasing sales.

Finally, try to avoid, if possible, making your final decision on what to purchase based solely on the price tag.  Buying a shotgun or bow that doesn’t fit you properly in order to save a hundred dollars is not a wise investment.  Even the best deal is no deal at all, if you can’t use it safely and comfortably.

My first shotgun was a youth model 20 gauge Remington 870 pump-action.  It was a gift from my husband.  I still love that little shotgun and still use it for rabbit hunting.  But as I quickly became more interested in the sport of hunting, I knew I wanted a 12 gauge semi-auto for waterfowl and turkeys.   A few of the features that were important to me when figuring out what to buy for turkey hunting, were weight and recoil.  I’m just over 5 feet and weigh about 125 pounds.  At the time, I planned to do a lot of turkey hunting in different terrains, and I knew I’d be doing a lot of walking with this shotgun over my shoulder.  So I didn’t want a shotgun that was going to feel like it weighed more than me at the end of the day.  I also didn’t want a shotgun that would knock me on my butt when I shot it.  Once I had some idea of what I was looking for, I went to a local gun shop and visited with my friend, Mark, who owned the shop.  There was one shotgun in particular that made me go “ahhh, that feels nice” when I mounted it to my shoulder.   It felt like that shotgun was made just for me, and I really liked it, but it was well beyond what I intended to spend.  So I didn’t make a purchase that day.  I continued to gun shop,  consulted with my hunting buddies, and got advice from guys who I knew - they knew a lot about guns.  After more looking around and gun hugging, I ended up right back to that local gun shop and Mark.  I’ve done a lot of turkey hunting since buying it nearly ten years ago, and I’ve never regretted my purchase.  The extra money I invested was well worth the light weight, semi-auto, soft shooting gas operated design of my Benelli M1 Super 90.  I’ve missed some turkeys for sure, but my shotgun has never let me down. It’s my shotgun for life, and I have no desire to purchase another one.  By taking my time, doing some research, attending some gun shows, and going to a local gun shop where I knew someone I could trust, I made a smart investment.

I’ve since purchased a pistol from Mark as well.   He knows what to sell me, and I trust him to help me make the right decision when it comes to purchasing guns.

Unlike a pair of shoes purchased at a sidewalk sale, which can usually be returned to the store with a receipt if they aren’t yet worn, a gun or a bow is a significant investment and firearms and ammunition sales are final – they can’t be returned.  It’s very important that you make the right choice, before you make the final purchase.   Ask around and get references from family, friends and co-workers like you would if you were looking for an accountant or insurance agent.  Get to know a FFL dealer or someone who knows firearms and archery at your favorite sporting goods retailer.  Find someone you can trust to sell you what you want, not what they think you should have.  If possible, shoot the same model shotgun or rifle you want to buy, before you buy it.   If you are purchasing a handgun, it’s a good idea to find a certified concealed pistol license instructor, who can give you options and help you choose a handgun that’s just right for you.  Once you purchase a handgun, it is registered to you by law, so make sure it’s what you want, fits well, and suits your needs as far as what you are using it primarily for.   Most archery shops have a shooting lane where you can try shooting various bows to help you make your decision.  Be sure to ask about the store’s return policy and manufacturer’s warranties on accessories and other equipment before you make your final purchase.

A few months ago, I held a BOW beginning shotgun class in northern Michigan.  One woman who signed up, arrived with her brand new shotgun.  She had never shot a shotgun before, but she had gone out and purchased one.  I won’t mention the name of the store where she bought the shotgun, but it was not from a store that I would recommend anyone purchase a firearm from.  Groceries, clothing, or toothpaste perhaps, but not a shotgun.  As soon as she removed it from the case and I examined it, I took one look at her and knew . . . someone had sold her the wrong shotgun, for what she wanted to use one for.  This particular shotgun was designed for someone much bigger and stronger than her.  It was too heavy, too long, and was not the right type of shotgun she would ever comfortably use for trap or skeet shooting.  We had a little chat about her options, put her gun back in the case, and I suggested she borrow one of BOW’s youth model shotguns we use at all of our beginning classes.  She did very well, and at the end of the class, she had not only learned how to successfully bust clay targets, she also knew a lot more about shotgun design and mechanics.  She learned what to look for when she went shotgun shopping the next time.

These suggestions are very basic and are only intended to help you get started.  There are a lot more specific tips for buying a shotgun, rifle, handgun or bow.  For instance, shotguns come in various gauges, actions and barrel lengths.  Handguns and rifles come in various calibers and actions.  Archery includes recurve, compound and crossbows.   There are a lot of choices and it can be very confusing.  Start by determining what activity you are most interested in pursuing.  Do your homework, ask questions, and shop till you drop.  Don’t be shy to ask someone you know, who knows about this stuff, to come along and give you advice.

If you haven’t yet done so, sign up for a basic beginners shooting or archery class through the MDNR BOW program (www.michigan.gov/bow), or your local gun club, before you buy.  The National Wild Turkey Federation (www.nwtf.org) also offers their Women In The Outdoors (WITO) program and many NWTF chapters offer weekend events for women to try shotgun, rifle, and archery.  The Great Lakes Outdoors Foundation (www.grloutdoors.org)  is another organization that teaches basic handgun shooting classes to women and provides the opportunity to shoot several different types of handguns.  All of these introductory classes for women provide the opportunity to try various types of firearms and bows, before you buy, and the instructors are happy to answer questions and offer suggestions not only as to what you should shop for, but where to go shopping.

Whether you enjoy plinking with a handgun, shooting skeet with a shotgun, or decide to go deer hunting with a bow, size does matter.  Properly fitted equipment is the most important beginning to a lifetime of enjoyment, no matter what your sport.

Happy Outdoors! – Sue

Before you buy a bow, you must decide whether you want to use it for target shooting, or for hunting.

Taking a basic handgun course, before you buy, is always a good idea for safety reasons, and will help you make the right choice when buying a handgun.

Take your time, shop around, and seek advice from a certified handgun instructor, before you invest in a handgun.

BOW handgun and archery classes for September are now open for registration!  For more information and to register, please visit www.michigan.gov/bow

An Ode to Otis – a Birthday and a Beagle . . .

Today is my youngest son’s 27th birthday.

Today should be a happy day for him.

But today, David’s heart is full of sadness.  He had to say goodbye to his best and oldest friend . . . his dog Otis.

Otis lived a good life.  He was seventeen years old.  We brought him home, as a pup, when Dave was only ten.

He picked him out from a litter of beagle pups.  He named him Otis.  He grew up with him, and he watched him grow old.

Even though he was loved by the whole family, Otis was Dave’s dog.  He was a good dog.

I’m sure there are a thousand memories of Otis running through my son’s mind today, as he grieves for the loss of his ol’ buddy.

Like all dogs, Otis had his own personality and little quirks.  He wasn’t the most handsome, or the smartest of all dogs.  He begged when he wasn’t supposed to and he barked at things we never could see or hear.  He liked to hunt, but he wasn’t the best rabbit dog around.  He wasn’t allowed on the furniture or the bed, but I know there were many times when Dave managed to sneak him under the covers, thinking I didn’t know.  I’m sure there were times when Otis seemed like the only one in the world who understood all of the things that Dave went through as a boy and a teenager . . . sitting on the bench instead of playing the game,  the girl who broke his heart, and all of the other disappointments we all go through while growing up.

Our dogs have a way of sensing our moods.  They snuggle up close when we are sad, and wag their tails with wild enthusiasm to share in our happiness.  They listen when no one else will, forgive us quickly when we make mistakes, are always happy to see us, and love us unconditionally.  They provide a kind of loyalty and friendship that many humans fail to do.

This is how it was with Dave and Otis.  They were always there for each other, through thick and thin.  Even after Dave went off to college at Western Michigan University, Otis was always there, on the weekends when Dave would come home.  Somehow, that dog always knew when Dave was coming home, and would wait patiently by the door.

Before Otis, there was Buddy, and Lucy and Belle.  We had to say goodbye to each of them.  Otis had a lot of birthdays, in dog years.  He lived longer than any of the other beagles we’ve had.  But Otis was Dave’s dog.  He knew the time was near.  But no matter how inevitable the end, it’s never something we can really prepare ourselves for – saying goodbye to our old dog, our best friend.

I can’t provide any happiness for my son today, even though it’s his birthday.

As Gene Hill, Brown Dog, Tears & Laughter said . . .  “We never really own a dog as much as he owns us.”

To Dave . . . as sure as the world, there will be other birthdays and there will be other beagles.  They too, will become your best friend and find their way into your heart, just as Otis has.

I love you – Mom

Dave (11) at left, with Otis (1 yr.) Older brother Aaron, poses with Lucy.

Happy Birthday Dave!

Dave, the camera man!

Celebrating Mother’s Day at a WMU Basketball Game!

I think we are drawn to dogs

because they are the uninhibited

creatures we might be if we weren’t

certain we knew better.  They fight

for honor at the first challenge,

make love with no moral restraint,

and they do not for all their

marvelous instincts appear to

know about death.  But being such

wonderfully uncomplicated beings,

they need us to do their worrying.

         -  George Bird Evans, Troubles With Bird Dogs -

My beagle, Ruby, at 11 weeks old.

Whoever said you

can’t buy happiness

forgot little puppies.

- Gene Hill -