Behind every hunting dog owner……there’s a great woman!

Monday, June 28th, 2010

Terri & Wolf: Hunters owe a lot to the wives (or vica versa) that help them with their "high maintenance" bird dogs.

We’ve all heard the saying “behind every great man is an equally great woman.” How true. It’s also true that behind every hunting dog owner there’s a great woman, and in my case, that woman is my wonderful wife Terri!

Wolf, our springer spaniel, has been my sidekick on the hunting trail for over 14 years now. He’s well known to Pheasants Forever members as he’s been in the magazine many times. In fact, members have asked to have their picture taken with this venerable hound on many of my chapter visits from coast to coast.

But Wolf’s pheasant hunting days left him a few years ago, and I purchased another springer, Hunter. In the calculation on deciding to get a second dog, I realized there was no way I could properly take care of a second dog without my wife. Terri, by the way, had never had a dog until she married me four years ago (we celebrated our 4^th anniversary on June 25).

Without even asking her, Terri volunteered to walk both dogs every day of the week (I run, swim, bike and train them on weekends and days off). She continues her commitment to Wolf and Hunter even in the rain, snow, Minnesota’s infamously cold days and even when she doesn’t want to – she’s that committed to their welfare and happiness.

Now mind you, my wife is just 5’3” and 135 pounds……..those two springers literally drag here down the road! And when they see a squirrel (dead or alive), they really pull her around.

Terri also takes care of Wolf and Hunter when I’m out of town (and not hunting). She bugs me when they have burrs or ticks to clean them up and pushes me to bring Wolf in during storms because he moans so when it thunders!

At first, I was reluctant to get another dog. I knew how much more work two dogs would be than one. I knew I would have to rely on Terri, who had never handled dogs, much less high-spirited, intelligent hunting dogs such as springers. Her help has allowed me to continue my passion to hunt birds, for you can’t really call yourself an upland hunter unless you have a gun dog.

So, here’s to Mrs. Terri and her newfound love of dogs and helping her husband keep living the life of a nomadic hunter-gatherer! Thanks so much honey!