Pennsylvania Game News - October 2011 - 7

finally caught up to him, tail wagging like it was on fire as we heard the rooster cackle and fly toward another group of hunters, who later thanked us for helping to get their only bird. What a day. We all hunted again over Thanksgiving and several times during the Christmas holiday season. Blazer’s last hunt was at the Four Seasons Game Bird Farm near Mars. It was early February and Blazer and I were hunting with some business friends. We hunted with a beautiful German shorthair that was just three years old and got along well with Blazer. On one bird Blazer stood as if on point, imitating his young shorthair rival. I had never seen this behavior before. I could not see the pheasant, only three feet in front of his nose, until it exploded from the grass. I killed the bird and Blazer located it. Little did I know that would be Blazer’s last bird and last hunt. Bill and I went hunting one more time up at the Flying Feather in late February for quail. The snow was deep and the cover was sparse, so I left Blazer behind. I regret that now. In mid-March I was away on business when Maureen called and told me something was wrong with Blazer. That morning he did not greet her at the top of the stairs in his usual manner. My wife went down and Blazer was having difficulty standing. She called me and I came home as quickly as possible. After the vet confirmed that Blazer had a brain tumor we decided that we would just make him as comfortable as we could and make his last days special. My oldest daughter, Erin, who was living in New York

decided to come home to say goodbye to the little dog who had become her best walking partner; the cute little dog that amazed all her friends with his ability to count and do all sorts of tricks. Mike wanted to come home but work and time kept him away. In reality, I don’t think he wanted to have to say goodbye to the little dog that he had grown up with and learned how to hunt birds with. Blazer had several massive seizures in early May, and as much as I hated to, I made the dreaded decision to take him to the vet one last time. I buried Blazer in our backyard. When I told Mike that Blazer died he wrote me a letter that I will cherish forever, extolling the virtues of Blazer and how he someday would be honored to have a dog with half the heart and determination of our Blazer. Bill called me not long ago and invited me to go hunting with him and his dogs. At first I was reluctant to go, but he told me about a new litter of puppies that a neighbor had. He mentioned they were cock-a-poos, and he thought they looked like good hunting stock. 

MORE INFORMATION
Visit the PGC ring-necked pheasant page at bit.ly/pvZPoT. You’ll find references to natural history information, as well as information on the day-old chick program, wild pheasant recovery areas and junior pheasant hunting. OCTOBER 2011 7

http://www.bit.ly/pvZPoT

Pennsylvania Game News - October 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - October 2011