Switching October winds are moving into place taking us from balmy autumn to the steel gray skies of November. Dried maple and oak leaves swirl on blustery breaths of air. From low circles on the ground they spiral up, floating gaily on the currents and drop to the ground again.
In the upper Midwest Great Lakes area seasons move slow then fast and back again. Summer is a transition to autumn. Autumn a transition to winter. Winter transitions to spring, and spring into summer. Dynamic and powerful in its capacity to shake humanity out of its groggy, grey numbness of mediocrity.
The puppies Ricky, Adam and Danny are 17 months old now and are playing outside in the run. The winds are high, and the air is warm. The puppies watch leaf action, good for their minds. We are to have snow by the end of the day, they say. For now, the early morning blue sky is dappled gray.
The puppies' maternal grandmother Crystal, who is over 14, perks her ears and tail alert to chase the pesky flighty leaf-birds. She catches them and stands pleased with her mouth full of red and brown leaves. Her dark eyes sparkle with the challenge.
Cockers live to chase up birds, even when they are only dried leaves. Crystal's grandsons reflect that bred-in-them trait with their excitement over spinning leaves. Crystal doesn't hunt anymore, but she was a fine gun dog into her late middle age. She earned her first AKC hunting title when she was over 9 and wowed the hard nosed sportsmen with her courage and persistence. She'd find birds, put them up into the air and bring them back without a feather ruffled. Her daughter, Molly, dam of the rowdy boys, was more gentle. So much so that sometimes her bird would fly out of her mouth. Ricky has his mother's soft mouth and disposition. He is a thoughtful, calm dog where his brother Adam is goofy and happy go lucky, much like his sire, Brewster. Danny is my little clown who is content to play with his toys. Ricky already is a fine retriever. Adam is a quick study but is easily distracted. Danny is learning to track when he focuses on the work and isn't smiling at me.
Their sister, Christina is with her handler working on finishing her AKC championship. She has three major wins and only needs one point. We're hoping she earns it soon so she can come home. I bought her a little harness for the car when she went away. I hope she will accept riding in the seat wearing the belt.I've always crated my dogs to travel for their safety, but people say the little harnesses are secure. I'd love to have her ride with me when I go home for holidays, or run short errands.
Christina is named for her grandmother Crystal, and will be the third puppy from Molly's litter of four to finish their AKC championship title. Ricky was the first to finish in June to become, Ch. Kindred Star Studded Samba. Adam finished next, quickly and is now Ch. Kindred Rumba Dancin' Star. When he came home in August, little Christina went and is now one point away from being Ch. Kindred Cheeky Cha Cha. Danny, Kindred Jive Dancin' Shoes is on a different path as a tracking dog.
Transitions... young to old, season to season framed in the heartbeat of gentle dogs.
Posts
