"All things must pass....." (Matthew 24: 6-8)

The seasons come and go; nothing new there. Except now we know there are five not four: spring, summer, autumn,winter and ...............

'shooting'.

Which came to and end last Saturday (actually, there is still some time for wildfowling and pigeon but the 'season' is most popularly taken to mean that for game birds).

Now we must wean ourselves off the habit which has become almost an addiction in just four short months. Before we pick up the reins of the routines which were gradually eroded from October onwards, perhaps a few moments of reflection on The Bestest Gundog in All the World's first 'season in the field'.

Despite all the aggravation of the tail - not least having to take five weeks off in the middle of the season - the shy apprentice who started his work such a short time ago has grown, in just 24 working days, into a confident, dependable, eager, steady and accurate fully fledged gundog. He has been nothing but brilliant and has won nothing but admiration and respect across all three 'shoots' we've worked with: whether hunting or retrieving, whether in the beater's line or 'picking-up' he has proved to be an absolute gem. He has not once mis-behaved or let the side down. (Which is not to say there are not areas to polish and hone during the long months between now and the next season..... ) All those who have come into contact with him say that for a spaniel in his first year he is quite unusually steady....... And that includes the Gamekeepers .. who are never usually known for their praise of young dogs........ or much else for that matter.

It's also been the greatest fun: regardless of weather (mostly fine, often sunny, almost never very wet) or terrain (very hilly, parts very overgrown , parts extremely heavy underfoot) there has not been a single moment when we would rather have been somewhere else. The dog has accurately retrieved runners, persevered to find 'lost' birds, flushed partridge and pheasant from holes under, and branches in, trees; he's bashed through the thickest briar patches, charged relentlessly up and down hills, bounded boldly through bush, bramble and bog, cast across plough and stubble, burrowed and bounced (often on his back legs) through kale and similar cover crops: all the time listening for, and to, command and whistle. I'd like to meet the person who has had a better companion to share a new country pursuit with.

The refrain: "If it's there, Gunner'll find it" became almost commonplace among our regular beaters gang (some of that motley crew seen sharing their lunch break with our star); frequently a Keeper would ask for Gunner to do a special or difficult job. One of them has even volunteered to teach us to shoot - pigeon and clays - between now and next season....... honour indeed. (Doubtless we'll pay our dues in finest Malt....).

Other plans for the interval? We'll return to Rory-the-trainer for some help with, and tips for, polishing and honing. We also thought perhaps some agility training might be interesting... certainly we'll have to do something ---- even after just a few days without 'work' the dog is looking at me with that: "Well?.... when are we off again? look. What we need is Focus. So - we will focus on developing the dog into a potential Field Trial winner - or maybe even Champion.

Now.... there's a challenge.......

Meanwhile, time to pick up the reins of routine......