We are all limping into October

September’s come and gone, and everybody’s limping.

It must be bird season.

By the time we got home yesterday Ace was carrying a hind leg. I’d pulled a cactus ball out of his foot earlier in the day and he seemed fine. I hope he just has a sore foot.

If not, Jem’s ready to go. But Jem’s always ready to go even if he’s limping. I don’t hunt him every day anymore and he hates that. When I leave him at home he just stares at me and while I know it’s for the best I still feel guilty.

Spot used to make me feel the same way. She’d wait eagerly at the door, ready to load in the truck, and then I’d tell her to stay. Her expression would change instantly from anticipation to disappointment. Now she just heads for her bed when I load the other dogs.

At the age of 12, she’s adjusted well to being the house dog.

I started the season hunting Ace and Jem together. I didn’t know if it would work. I was concerned that Ace, who quarters closely, might follow the example of Jem, who doesn’t. I didn’t need to worry. Until he picks up scent, Ace, who’s a bit of a chicken, stays very close to me. He has no desire to follow Jem, who works the prairie from horizon to horizon.

The whistle seldom sees use when I just take Ace, but I’ll run through the entire scale hunting with Jem. He really seems to enjoy the sound of a persistent whistle.

I’m probably limping less than my dogs and that makes me feel a little guilty. I guess I’m not covering enough ground. By the end of the day, however, my knees still announce their presence.

And hobbled or not, sometimes it all comes together for us.

Jem flushed a sharptail out of range two days ago, but he was coming back to me when he put up the bird and it flew right at me. I shot as it passed and it dropped in the creek. Jem made a fine water retrieve.

An hour later, Ace, working right in front of me, got birdy. All of a sudden the short grass exploded with grouse. I shot two. Ace found them both, but being a reluctant retriever, he left it at that.

It didn’t matter. I only expect so much from my dogs and hope they feel the same about me.

Limping or not, we’re all pretty happy this time of year.

Parker Heinlein is at [email protected]