Alma Bottom Apple Brown Betty
b. June 15, 1997
p. February 29, 2012
Chocolate Female
AKC# SN 461792/06
OFA: LR-105241G33F-T
OFA: Elbows LR-EL10564-t
Patella: LR-PA47/33/F/P/P-T
Thyroid: LR-TH55/33F-T
Cardiac:
CERF:
IPLA: NP
Now this dog was amazing. She came from unlettered stock completely, but what instincts. The breeder fought me for her when I picked her up. I got there early and started working with the pups and she went head over shoulders immediately.
As she realized her abilities, she did acquire an air of distain for ‘those two-legged aliens who THINK they are hunting”. She quickly learned that dogs are smarter than people and iff you missed the first two birds of the day, she’d sit and stare at you until you apologized. If you didn’t, she’d be gone hunting on her own. If you missed three, don’t bother to apologize, she’d be gone… all day…
In her mid years, she’d grab a couple of her daughters, climb an electrified fence and be gone for two to 8 days living in the wild. You’d get worried, then you’d find a rabbit, pheasant, grouse, turkey, raccoon, or even a skunk that she’d dropped on the stoop in the middle of the nite and then gone back hunting cause you weren’t up and ready…
One year during our annual 30 day field competition, hunting 6am to 6pm, we got blizzarded in. Between she and ‘Doc’ another foundation dog, they found and live caught 18 birds for two of us over three days. I didn’t carry a gun on the third day…
Her temperament was wonderful around the house. 5 years ago, I came up from the basement late at nite and found my 2yo daughter curled up in Betty’s kennel, both asleep. I pulled up a blanket and slept on the floor there that nite.
I’ve personally lived with 300ish dogs and she’s right up in the top three even after you wipe the ODW sheen off her lamp. She won’t be hard to replace tho, as her genes sprouted over half of my breeders and the apples aren’t falling far from the tree.
But she will be dearly missed. The mold was broken. We’ve got 15 candles lit for a 24 hour wake. When the candles burn down, I’ll go back to work carrying the sweet times.
On the wings of angels! I’ll see you on the other side. Find a good duck blind for me and some great CRP!!! I won’t bring a gun…
(Picture to come)
