EDITOR’S NOTE
Ripley, the editor’s nephew pup, is relentless when retrieving balls and other toys. Who knows, maybe he’ll race through the marsh for downed waterfowl someday. (CHRIS COCOLES)
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hose who know me understand – and have to put up with – my love of dogs. On many of my European adventures I’ve encountered lots of stray pups hanging around storefronts and restaurants. I have to pet and snap a pic of just about each, so that usually attracts a few eyerolls from travel companions, even ones who also are dog people. But I’m even more obsessed! So when our From Field to Fire columnist – and fellow duke of dogs – Scott Haugen contributed his piece this month on whether hunting pup ownership is for you, I predictably geeked out. Haugen, who also writes a monthly dog column for ASJ sister publications Northwest Sportsman and California Sportsman, has enjoyed watching his dogs perform in Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. “I just love watching a good dog work, and it all starts with discipline the moment they come home as a pup. What I love about Echo, my 7-year-old pudelpointer, is her high level of discipline and natural drive, which, when combined with her urge to please her human (me), it’s like magic in the field,” Haugen told me. “We share a tight bond and efficiently communicate in the field, which only enhances her ability to achieve points and retrieves that continue to amaze me. She’s one of the best hunting partners I’ve ever had.” My canine partner in crime, Emma, won’t have gun dog on her future resume despite likely having some Labrador retriever genes. She’s a fantastic best pal but has zero interest in chasing any ball, stick or toy I’ll throw in her direction. But when I visit my niece Ashley, she and her husband David’s pooch Ripley, a cattle dog mix, plays the part nicely. Ripley can literally spend all day with you and a tennis ball and not miss a beat. He looks more like a shortstop or center fielder on four legs, catching line drives and popups on the fly and knocking down grounders without a glove. When it was time to leave on a recent visit, Ripley, er, hounded me to keep playing catch. Ashley is convinced that with some training Ripley, despite his herding pup DNA, can be a skilled duck retriever or upland bird super dog in the field. But whether hunting companion like Echo, ball hawk like Ripley or lap dog and exercise partner like Emma, I love them all. -Chris Cocoles aksportingjournal.com | NOVEMBER 2021
ALASKA SPORTING JOURNAL
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