By Bruce Ross, Executive Director bruceross@wi.rr.com
This article originally appeared in Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s June, 2021 Newsletter edition.
This year, to “eliminate unnecessary taxpayer anxiety associated with a compressed filing period,” the Internal Revenue Service delayed the due date for taxes until May 17th. Apparently, Tax Day Anxiety is a real thing – google it. Which may explain what my wife Pam was feeling as we approached that date — since that was also the day we were to drop new pup Tack off at “retriever boot camp” for the summer.
In anticipation of our own Tack’s Day, Pam had begun to fret about the impact on our pup (not to mention Pam) of parachuting him into the disciplined world of Jessie Richards’ Full Throttle Kennels for the summer. Although we’ve previously been through the routine of sending our dogs away for training, Pam has bonded more closely with Tack than she had with Callie and her older half-sister, Tar. As a result, Pam has been far more anxious about Tack’s imminent departure than she had been for those two dogs.
I look at Tack’s Day a bit differently than Pam. Based on my three months of time with Tack, I’m confident he’ll be a perfectly fine hunting dog, and in some important ways, better than his predecessors. But it’s already clear he doesn’t have the strong retrieving drive or focus that his step-siblings had at the same age. I’m not worried at all. He displays a well-rounded interest and nominally, early competence in all the things that will make him a good companion afield. But I also know my own schedule and experience will not allow Tack to reach his full potential as a hunting retriever. So while I will miss his wet greetings every morning, this is an important investment in our shared future.
In fairness, Pam knows that too. But when Tack is not tearing around the neighborhood looking for a new friend… he is a sweet, soft, loving guy who curls up on your feet, wants to be your buddy, and exudes just enough mischievous energy to convey a lot of joy into our days. Particularly those three hours after evening meal, where he’s awake, but his “switch” is off, well, they are just precious.
It should be no surprise then, that drop off day was a bit of a bummer for Pam. After handing the leash to Jessie (“No, you can’t leave his favorite comfort blanket” and “Let’s wait for at least a couple of weeks to visit.”), Pam needed a boost. So, on the way home, we went to our favorite taco joint for dinner and margaritas. After one drink, Pam couldn’t resist texting Jessie to check on the baby. Not surprisingly, Tack was “doing great, and settling in”.
Pam lasted almost two whole days before the next text to Jessie, which yielded: “Hi Pam, Tack is doing well. Getting used to the routine and he loves all the other dogs! Working on obedience and retrieving. He’s having fun! He is a wild man! Lol this is a good time for him to be here to get consistent training“.
While you might choose to read into those few words some commentary on the inadequacy of my early training of Tack, I’m choosing not to see it that way… and I’m ignoring those people who might, so don’t bother calling me.
Pam’s sipping another margarita and working on her next text.
Stay tuned for more Tack Report Cards.