cressy
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A good dayToday Mugi and I though have been out beating again and he has been so fab.
First drive we didn't do a thing  , the ducks and geese got up on their own and I think Mugi felt cheated to get out of the van just to go back.
Second drive we were again waiting a while
Click to see full size image
Click to see full size image
We worked through asparagus and Mugi did well but nothing spectacular.
Next drive was on open ground and I kept him off-lead this time, no pushing on just lovely steady hunting.
Click to see full size image
The final drive before lunch saw Mugi encountering upwards of a hundred duck about 15m in front while we had to stand firm approx 10 mins while the guns were moved, he quivered and soooo wanted to move but stood steady (without lead). Once we were released he still managed to stay steady and the birds flew well.
Lunch, can I share Mum?
Click to see full size image
Final drive of the day and Mugi and I had to work through a pheasant pen, he was putting up birds so well and working well even into dense cover (I trod on a bunny the ground cover was so thick). We again though had to wait just on the side of the fence....
Click to see full size image
He has again worked really well, his hunting is steady but very committed and he is not chasing, even when the birds almost take off from his gob (one hit him in the side as it got up  ).
Next week he can do three full days but I have said I will play it by ear - at his age he may not manage to do all of that as he will only have a single recovery day each time. Mind you he is playing in the garden at the moment with pup so obviously not shattered as he has the option of kennel or crate or settee at his disposal tonight and the others will be evicted from wherever the worker wants to be!!
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Mike
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Sounds like a greatday Sue 
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windem bang
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I'm really pleased for you and the old fella Sue, he is having a great life!
Bill T.
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josie
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Great news Sue.
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Helen S
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Bless him. 
He must think that he's already died and gone to heaven!! 
Helen S
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Helen
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Brilliant Sue! Rosie, Rob's old springer can only manage a couple of days a week beating, with a couple of days rest in between. You really just have to see what they are capable of. Mugi may surprise you!
Helen
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Liz
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Sounds like the old boy had a super day, Sue.
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cressy
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The shame...................... 
Beating yesterday and Mugi was really keen. There are so many birds he is spoilt for choice and his pointing on pheasants has gone by the by although he pointed his first woodcock very steadily.
Keeper was worried by the fact the birds were very spooky and so most of our beating was on lead (all dogs not just Mugi) and we had a good bag.
Lunchtime came and my humiliatilon was almost complete. Imagine the scene, nicely refurbished lodge with outside seating and indoor space for the workers, lovely tables and sofas for the guns. Kennel for the beating dogs to go in so all set up well. I have permission not to push Mugi in with the other dogs (a bit unfair at his age) so he is tethered by the beaters entrance to the lodge.
I went in for lunch, lovely steaming hot game pasty, sandwiches, crisps, homemade cake, wine, beer or coffee. What is that noise someone asks???? An awful dread comes over me as I realise what is about to happen.
My elderly Brittany is about to make his presence known in no uncertain terms. WHY IS HE OUTSIDE?? WHY IS HE NOT FED?????
I have never heard a noise like it but he starts a rumble which winds into a chainsaw imitation to which he adds a hound of the baskerville howl and it ends up with a squealing yell like a stuck pig .
Guess who ate outside, in the rain with a self satified dog??
Beating now tomorrow, sat, mon, thurs and sat next week - I may be a popsicle if the weather doesn't warm up!!!! Guess he may learn to behave at lunchtime by the end of the season but I doubt it .
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münstermanager
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Well done, Sue. Today's noise sounds quite spectacular. Muensters can make a horrible noise like an old fashioned whistling kettle, so I can imagine the squealing pig. I hope you both have good days the next week. It's brilliant that Mugi is enjoying himself.
Sue
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Greyghost
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Oh Sue Muji is certainly having a second chance at life and living it to the full. You have made his life complete and I am sure he has gone way beyond his expectations for you.
Big pat on the back for you both.
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windem bang
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Here, here, Lesley, I couldn't agree more!
Bill T.
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guy
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Well done Sue and Mugi.
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cressy
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He excelled today .
Still loads of birds but he did so well. First drive was on partridge and this is his forte I think. He moves the birds really well and plods on steadily.
Next was a mixed partridge, pheasant and duck. He worked crop beautifully and initially in the woods too but then we hit a huge number of pheasants and he lost it a bit. Once he was back with me (he did no harm but was a bit too keen ) I popped him on the lead to calm himself.
Final drive before lunch was another woodland drive but easier for him to be free as the cover was very dense so he was picking his way through, moving birds well but unable to run at speed.
Lunch was delicious as seems to be the norm and Mugi had outdoor company as we were all hot and sweaty.
Final drive of the day was very good, he was sitting and waiting well off lead and again he was steady on the pheasants until we got into an area were they were teeming, I got him on lead as soon as I saw him start to quiver . We were moved into position at the side of the drive and asked to wait, we did but then a dilemma. I was asked to move in 20 yrds but Mugi was solid on point, I allowed him to point for as long as he was able then he moved in to flush and the bird got up then he went straight on point again. I could hear the keeper calling but let him have his second point/flush then we had to scurry to catch up.
When I got to the end of the drive the gamekeeper was fine about me allowing him to point and said in future I can let him, as long as I don't let the line go totally as he feels pointing the pheasants will slow him down!!!!! He thinks Mugi will be a real asset later in the season when the birds are fewer and harder to get up.
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cressy
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Oh, and home with a brace of pheasants for the pot once wings are off and a brace of partridge of which one will be eaten and one will be for training. I am doing so many days beating this next week I will be overrun with birds.
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Greyghost
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Umm if you don't mind me asking Sue, just when do you get time to go to work
Life's for living - go girl 
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cressy
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Although I work full-time Les it is long shifts over two days and one night a week. As long as I am sensible about getting to bed I can cram a fair bit in and as you probably can guess I am no domestic godess .
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Greyghost
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guy
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Sue - I get the impression this beating stuff is getting addictive- if not for Mugi for you!
I know it does for me - the more I do the more I want........
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cressy
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| guy bagshaw wrote: | Sue - I get the impression this beating stuff is getting addictive- if not for Mugi for you!
I know it does for me - the more I do the more I want........ |
Err, yes Guy , I am learning so much by listening too about gundog work, some I can use and some I won't but all good experience.
I think Mugi is addicted too, I put my breating clothes on this morning and he was at the car before me  . As long as he is keen and fit he can carry on and I always have the option of putting him the car for half a day but he would hate me I think.
Tis a shame Freddy is so noise phobic as I could have had him out on lead too and swap the boys but Fred would be catatonic.
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