Walk’n behind a bird dog
Is my therapy
For whatever ails me
Whether it’s bein’ broke
Or heart broke
Or just blue Read more
Walk’n Behind
Blog
The Luckiest Dog
Who was the luckiest pointing dog that ever lived?
His name was In the Shadow, call name “Buster,” and the story of his life holds many lessons and many joys. Read more
Three Men and a Dog
Billy Bowles arrived at the Ames Plantation Saturday at noon and took his lone entry to the Trapp Memorial Kennels where he had reserved a run and two stalls nearby for his mounts. He heeled the pointer Rip from his truck to the run after hanging his own water bucket inside the door and putting fresh hay in the plastic barrel. (Rip as always had traveled from Georgia in the truck’s front seat beside Billy). Read more
Blowout
He heard the blast and felt the lurch simultaneously, and knew in an instant what had happened. Trailer tire blown, no spare. He fought the wheel, not daring to brake, then grappled for control, avoid a jackknife, the ditch…he was stopped, ten feet off the left edge of the interstate pavement. He got out, confirmed the four horses were all standing. Using a flashlight, confirmed none of the four were bleeding. Read more
A Day Remembered From Summer 1952
I had just turned fourteen. It was about four in the afternoon on a sunny Saturday. I had finished my farm chores, showered and dressed in clean Lee blue jeans, a white T shirt and black Converse high-top sneakers for a four-mile trip to down-town Christiansburg. Read more
If You Ever
If you ever as a boy Shot at a grouse or quail Over a dog pointed You know the thrill For some that thrill persists And becomes a way of life An escape from countless worries A way to capture joy And for a few The connection with the dog Becomes the thing And bird dog field trials come to dominate The beauty of the country Where game birds live Read more
Burn or Bury (A deadly serious story)
Ike Slapp died after surviving two wives and leaving two daughters, one by each wife. Ben was fishing in Montana with Sam when Ike bit the dust, literally and figuratively. Ike’s older daughter took the bull by the horns and arranged Ike’s funeral and burial without consulting Ben or her sister. When Ben got home he found Ike snug in his coffin, buried in a local cemetery with (literally) his first wife. Read more
Big Good News About Tom Word Books
Tom Word books are again available in both hardback and paperback editions, from the Strideaway Store or their new publisher, LuLu. Purchasing from Strideaway helps financially support their Youth Field Trial Alliance project. Read more
Memorable Dogs and Men at Chinquapin
As we lament the loss of Ted Baker, we remember some great dogs that showed their stuff at Chinquapin and the characters who owned (or were owned by) and handled them.
We start with some of Ted’s. All know the story of Builder’s Addition, National Champion of 1980 and first winner of the Florida after it became a Championship in 1979. It cemented a bond between Ted and co-owner T. Jack Robinson and between them and handler Bill Rayl. And their love of the Invitational, which it won and came Runner-Up in twice. All three men and Builder’s Addition adorn the Hall of Fame. Read more
Remembering Ted
He was unforgettable
Indefatigable
Irrepressible
Unconquerable Read more