Today I felt the need to give a shout out to my other little girl, Miss Pearl Louise. Pearl is the sweetest, funniest, craziest, little bird dog you ever met. We got her from the OKC pound back in January. I was totally against getting another dog. We had 2 and I like even numbers, life was just great in my eyes. I was not about to spend $500.00 plus on a bird dog from a breeder just so Ben could (possibly) hunt a few months out of the year. I love pound puppies and will forever and ever have them. So Ben knowing this and knowing I would never go for a dog priced like that especially since he had never trained one before, found little Miss Pearl on OKC's pound website. I, like a fool, agreed to go with him just to "look" at her. Ya right, he knew damn well I can't say no to a puppy, especially in a pound setting. So we went and looked. She was in a cage with about 7 other "Toto" looking dogs. She was shaking and scared to death. He gave me the look and I said "Pick her up, shes coming home..." So just like that had stolen our hearts and we had dog #3! So over the past few months Ben has been reading books, picking brains of fellow hunters, and working mostly everyday with this dog. My Dad's good friend and long time bird dog trainer has been helping Ben out free of charge and has been so wonderful! (Thanks Larry!!!) She has been doing really well with the obedience part and Ben has been SO worried she wouldnt do so well with the birds just because she is SO laid back and doesnt get excited over much unless she is playing with her brothers or us. So last night was a BIG night for the Daves
"dog" family. It was Pearl's first lesson with quail. I didnt go just because I knew I would feel horrible when the birds, who were just sitting on my porch in a box, started to bite the dust...I know, I have a bleeding heart for animals of all shapes and sizes, even birds. So anyway, he took her out to Mitch park last night and apparently (Thank to good LORD) our little pound puppy that could, loves birds!!!! I could see the relief on Bens face when he walked through the door. I asked "Sooo how did it go?" with a crooked grin he replied "O it went ok." In Ben language that means "It went really well, I'm just trying to downplay it a little bit because I dont want to jinx it." She still has a ways to go but we saw the bird dog come out in her last night which is really encouraging! Not bad for a $50 gamble :) I was a proud Mama and proud that my husband has done such a great job with her. I gave him a lot of hell about her in the beginning, but I am now publicly retracting all previous statements made and giving him the "Atta Boy". Great job babe and great job baby Pearl!!!!!
Now how could anyone say no to this face??
Pearl at 10wks
Proud Papa! The night we brought her home
And even a proud Grandma. Ol' Les LOVES this dog! Proof...Pearl is on the furniture and in her lap. No Pet has EVER been allowed on furniture let alone inside the McVay house. So big props to Pearl for breaking down that pet barrier :)
Snow puppy! Her first encounter with snow
Just pitiful...They are quite the pair though, love at first sight
Pearl also loves Maggie, Maggie...well, didnt really care too much about Pearl :)
She also loves to wear her Dad's hats
The Big moment!!! Pearl with her first quail!!!! It blends in pretty well but I can assure you there is one in her mouth! Way to go baby girl!!
Pooped out!! Hunting was WAY too much fun!!