Good and bad day

Where to start..............

Ok, with the bad

.
Poor Mugi got lost today, in total he must have been lost about 40 mins on a partridge drive through a large field of asparagus. Poor boy can't hear a whistle now and so he got him self very disorientated. This was just before lunch so after the drive had finished (I had already cried off to hunt for him) all the beaters joined me and we hunted the field - he was found safe and well, had a snack and a good drink and after a short lunch he was fit to beat the two afternoon drives. I will be taking cake to thank everyone who helped me today on tuesday when we beat again. He is well loved on the shoot and no-one was 'funny' about delaying lunch, the shoot captain/owner is also happy that I leave Moo in his Range Rover if the terrain is not suitable for him so from bad comes good - Mugi can still beat but not when it will put him at risk.

The good now....................
Piper worked all day off lead, his heelwork both on and off lead is really improving, he sits off lead even when birds are flying at the beginning and during drives. He does not chase when he flushes birds even if they get up very noisily from under his paws, he jumps fences on command and he hunts closely (although perhaps not the most tidy patterns but he is effective). He can be gobby and he seems very fixed on dead birds which may mean a fair amount of work but for a dog who was kennelled from March - August and who has an unknown life before he has certainly settled into his new role better than I could have hoped for.

Oh god Sue you must have been so worried !

But good lad Piper

Welcome back Mugi glad you were found safe and well. And Piper - Way to go - out there doing what you are made for. We start with Hilda at the end of the month and are even going to try GUH on a drive or two as he is very steady to the flush. Poopie Edgar will have to wait until he is ready and steady as I want to get it right with him but will come along to get used to the atmosphere! Max would love to but his wheels mean he can only have a go on the last drive which is less rough and we can see him! I am going to try Stanley at the end of the season to see if he can possibily flush live game without chasing - shame if not as everything else he does (all trained as no innate drive to hunt/retrieve - city bred dog me thinks!) is spot on.
Keep on doing it Piper!!

Poor Mugi, hope he wasn't too stressed by it.....although I'll bet his mum was more stressed

And Piper, way to go lad, that's just wonderful, especially when you consider (as you say) that it's only a month ago he arrived not so fresh from a long stint in kennels.
You must be so pleased & proud of him

you've done a great job & given him a wonderful life

I bet Mugi didn't even know he'd got himself lost! Hoep you've got over the stress, it must be a ncie feelign to be surroudned by people who will stop what they're doing and help, makes thinsg that bit more relaxed for you.

And well done Piper, what an amazing job you're doing with him Sue, I'm sending Marls down for lessons!

Poor you and Mugi, glad he's ok.
I'm so very impressed with Piper's story, it's enthralling. Can we have some photos on your new camera?

Oh God Sue, what a fright, having a deaf dog I really felt for what you were going through, we made the decision a while back that ollie always stays on long lead unless in a wide open space where we cn see him at all times because he did a disappearing act for about 5 minutes once and I thought I was going to have a heart attack so I can understand what it must have been like you for today.

Don't worry to much though Mu will probably kep a closer eye on you now and you're all the wiser for it

As for Mr Piper, way to go that boy, well done Sue!!!!