Thanks

Today was my first day back on the hill with Riley. It's been 10 weeks since his second knee operation and he is free to hit the hill again, at moderate rates. He did very well covering 3 miles of fairly steep terrain. Needless to say I was very excited. The swimming he's been doing really advanced his recovery. We even got a couple of points on chukars and huns. We went to a favorite spot of mine. The place where Tucker pointed his first chukar. It was a good time to take a water break, so Riley and I sat on the shaded hillside and took a break. A lump built up in my throat and tears dripped off my cheek as I thought of my old friend. My heart got even heavier as I imagined some day that Riley would be gone also. In five short years we have sure been through a lot. I again pondered the thought of Dakota and Riley being my last canine partners because each dog in my life has taken so much of my heart with them. Then I remembered a saying a friend sent to me one day. Carol Barton sent this photograph to me. It helps me realize what each dog in the past has done for me and that there is still a lot of room for improvement in my heart.

Nothing more needs to be said except that maybe by next spring I'll be ready for a new addition to the family. Thank you Carol