Anyone who has ever owned a dog can appreciate the immense sense of loyalty a canine friend provides. This bond may be intensified when dog and man spend countless hours together in the great outdoors. Perhaps there’s no better example of this than upland bird hunting, when this finely tuned duo work in tandem to tag team their winged prey.
This story is about Joe, a beloved German Short-hair Pointer (GSP). His owner, Barb, cared for him, or more likely spoiled him, and graciously allowed her husband, John, to be his hunting buddy. She said, “You can take him hunting, but you have to bring him home to me!” Joe and Barb say that Joe chose them from the start. They’d gone for a spontaneous drive, thinking they’d like to check out a litter of pups, not expecting to come home with one just then. But how could they refuse, for it was fate. They were chosen just as they’d chosen his name before they’d ever met. This revered canine would have a home fit for royalty, as kennels go. Trees would be removed, excavation done, and concrete poured for this woodland home. And of course, there would be a big sign reading, “Joe’s Place.” And all this was done before they ever met Joe. It would be a good life indeed.
The Big Scare…A few weeks after his arrival, he ran off causing great concern. When it got too late to continue their search, they left the box he’d come home in out in the field along with their coats so Joe could catch wind of their scent. John got up at 6 a.m., went back to the field, and there, safely in his box was Joe. Thankfully, a happy ending to this search has made for many fine memories.
Joe’s ‘show-n-tell’
Over the years, Joe took his hunting role very seriously. He was known to show outward dissatisfaction with John if he put up the bird and John, on rare occasions, or course, missed his target. If dogs could do eye rolls, Joe would have been the first to exhibit this outward sign. Or maybe he’d have flipped him the bird for missing the bird. Or even blurted out a verbal… “What the!”
Joe doing what Joe does
Joe liked to live on the edge and sometimes in the middle, if you count the times he got on the track of a bird and literally risked life and limb while in hot pursuit. This boy took to thin ice on more than one occasion. John recalls not knowing whether to call him back or just let him go, as both options were equally treacherous. In the end, he decided to let him go, and thankfully, he made it safely across the pond where he skillfully pointed out a bird. John eventually made his way around the pond to where Joe proudly displayed his prize, no thought for what might have been. Now that’s laser focus!
Joe giving full approval of John’s harvest
Can a dog bring people together? Gary Morgan and Tom Lounsbury were out scouting a favorite turkey roost in anticipation for the next morning’s hunt. They were struggling to find roosting gobblers. The bugs were intense, especially the mosquitoes. They unexpectedly spotted a man on a walk about searching for morels. Tom says, “Oh great, there’s a guy over there and he’s got a dog, too.” Gary grumbled, “Yea, that’s all we need.” At that moment, Joe barked at them, which caused a turkey up the hill to gobble. Now their hunting destination for the morning was determined. This encounter led to a conversation with John, who being a polite southern gentleman, didn’t want to admit that he too had his ears finely tuned for the ever so familiar gobble. In the end, Gary and Tom learned that they were in the presence of a professional turkey caller, and shamelessly asked him to accompany them in their hunt. A friendship blossomed and the rest is history.
Joe lived to the ripe age of 14 years and enjoyed many good years of hunting, along with the affections of his human family. Even into his later years when it was obvious he was often in pain, Joe’s love for hunting remained. Video here shows footage of what would be his last pheasant hunt. His joy and pride are evident. It seems the lives of most dogs are short lived, but they certainly leave a lasting print on our hearts.
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- ODE TO JOE – A Faithful Companion and Friend - January 3, 2025