We figured we would keep testing while Kos (CH Derby's Read Em And Weep SH) is hot. Initially, our goal was to pick up 2-3 Master Hunter passes this Spring then finish up his AKC Master Hunter title in the Fall. With 3 passes out of 4 tests, we were inspired to up the ante and try to get Kos' MH title this Spring. However, with the Spring tests coming to an end, we realized we would have to travel in order to accomplish this goal. Memorial weekend...South Dakota...ROAD TRIP! We entered Kosmo in the South Dakota Pointing Dog Club Master level hunting tests and started charting our trip. While traveling 1340 miles (round-trip) in pursuit of another Master Hunter leg might seem like an incredibly odd thing to our 'non-dog' friends, our 'dog- peeps' never even blinked an eye or hesitated when we told them we were headed to South Dakota to test Kosmo. Their responses were "Very cool" and "Good luck--make sure to call with reports". :-) Good news is we achieved our goal and qualified in the Saturday test. Two qualifies would have been awesome but realistically, we knew one pass was more likely--especially after understanding the course. Considering the tests were basically 30 minutes of continuous bird field, we're thrilled to even have the one pass. A continuous course like this means a gunner follows you and your dog through the entire course and shoots every bird your dog points. This also means your dog must keep it together and do Master level work multiple times throughout the brace (honoring through the retrieve, retrieving to hand, steady to release for retrieves). T-O-U-G-H! The club was most generous with the amount of birds they put down (read: minefield). A handler's nightmare. A bird dog's dream. ;-)

Being the hard-worker our little guy is, Kos kept it together and proved he is every bit of the Master Hunter we know he is. With multiple points, retrieves, and an honor out of the way, we had a few minutes to keep our noses clean. Though both dogs were still down, Mel was a little uncomfortable with how closely Kosmo's bracemate decided to work to Kos. Wouldn't it figure, with two minutes left Kosmo went on point with his bracemate hitting an honor less than 3 feet from him--essentially breathing down Kos' neck. As Mel and the other handler moved in to work the situation the bird flushed wild. So subtle but so powerfully tempting were the messages they sent each other--a glance in the direction of the flushed bird...then a glance back at each other. Both dogs stood, muscles quivering, daring the other to move. "Stay with me Kos. Stay with me." is all Mel kept thinking. The judges, recognizing the situation had 'trouble' written all over it, asked the handlers to blank the flush and heel their dogs to safer ground. Both handlers gladly did as the judges asked and both dogs finished the brace having demonstrated their true Master Hunter level skills.

Another bright spot of the trip was Aaron's return as a handler (after his knee surgery/rehab). The club needed a Senior level dog to run as a 'bye' dog and asked if we would run Remus (CH Shakin' My Booty Rezzamatazz CGC SH). We were happy to let Remus run and excited that Aaron would handle his special Vizsla-boy. This was Aaron's first time handling again since January when he injured his knee playing hockey. Aaron had extensive repair work done with 6 weeks of non-weight bearing following his surgery. Having taken his physical therapy regimen seriously, he's healed up and almost 100%. He's BACK IN THE GAME! It was awesome watching Aaron and Remus once again working the field as only they can. Remus loves working for Aaron and Aaron, in turn, is an exceptionally talented handler trusting Remus to do his job while providing meaningful and subtle direction.

BTW--I DESPISE TICKS!!!! Nasty-disgusting-creepy little buggers. Ugh. Every time I'm tempted to consider a move into pheasant-country I'm slapped back into reality when I start picking ticks off of me and the dogs. YUCK!!