Over the Mountain Boykins

HR Justahomewrecker "Wrecker"

2008 Boykin Spaniel Society Upland

First of all, I would like to thank Bill Crites and the rest of the Hunt Test Committee for a great weekend and for the perfect weather (rain, snow, ice and finally sunshine) to simulate a true South Dakota pheasant hunt. This event is first class and you did a great job planning and keeping things moving. I would like to encourage everyone to attend the next BSS Upland. Each year the event and the dogs get better and better. If you have never hunted the uplands with your Boykin you are truly missing out.

This is the second Upland National that I have entered and my goal for the weekend was, as always, just to make it through the weekend without getting disqualified. This was Wrecker’s first Open test and I knew he had to have clean runs and sit to the flush and shot not to be eliminated.

The first morning we spent in the pine woods hunting chukkar and pheasants. That afternoon, we spent hunting pheasants in the fields and light snow. He made it and I am honored to have Wrecker selected as the Upland Open Champion of 2008.

From the moment I saw 11-week old Wrecker at Just Ducky Kennels, I knew he was special. Pam Kadlec tossed a bumper into some decoys in her lake. When he swam out there and got it, I was in love. From then on, Wrecker has been my constant companion. He is as comfortable at home as he is hunting. He goes to work with me and sits as quietly next to my desk as he does in a duck blind. When people who have seen him work come to our house, they are surprised to see the dog that was so focused in the field is now acting goofy and is truly part of the family. Although he has not been professionally trained, he loves to work and he maintains a high standard for himself. I believe that Wrecker is truly my once-in-a-lifetime dog and I thank Just Ducky and Rock'n Creek Kennel for the wonderful genes that they have passed along to him.

I also brought Wrecker’s 10 month old daughter, Reagan, to the 2008 Upland Nationals. She is a very enthusiastic hunter and I was really looking forward to see how she would do in an Upland Trial at her age. Once again, my goal was just to have her complete. Reagan was fun to watch as she covered the ground with gusto. She sat to the whistle and made her retrieves. When she came in second place in the Novice class I was thrilled. It was a joy to have the father/daughter team at the Nationals.

A appreciate all the help and support I have received from the Midsouth Group, Jowane Patton, Bill Crites, Aurelia Carter, and Millie Latimer along the way. This has really been an awesome journey.