Thunder

By Anthony J. Conte

My very special Brittany spaniel and my personal gun dog for almost 17 years died last April 19 in my arms at 9:45 p.m. He was 44 days shy of his 17th birthday. He arrived at my home in Manhasset, New York, when he was seven months old and we became instant buddies. During our time together, we roamed the uplands in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Minnesota and South Dakota. In Canada, we hunted grouse and woodcock in Ontario and New Brunswick. During his lifetime, he also pointed quail, pheasants, sharptails, huns and even a gobbler.

They say that each man is entitled to one good bird dog in his lifetime. Well, I have been blessed with three. Each one of my Brittany spaniels has their own personality, their own special talents and, of course, their own quirks. Thunder was the hardest worker, the most intense while hunting, but by far, the softest, most caring dog that I ever had the pleasure of hunting over. He wanted to please me, he wanted to be with me, he ached for praise and love. He was MY DOG. He watched intently whenever I did yard work by his kennel. When I went fly fishing the Battenkill River (a pristine trout fishery that runs from the Green Mountains in Vermont, through Washington County and empties into the Hudson River) he would watch my every cast. Washington County, in upstate New York, is where we spent many days hunting ruffed grouse and woodcock.

I could describe many wonderful experiences that I shared with Thunder in many places, but I would rather share the three stories that I have written involving Thunder and my other Brittany spaniels, Duke and Britt. The first story, “The Anniversary Grouse� is my description of an event that took place on my 48th wedding anniversary. The second story, “Reunion at Hart Hill,� is a fantasy involving all three of my dogs and the third, “The Last Grouse,� is a tribute to my departed hunting buddy, Frank. Together we roamed the uplands for half a century.

I hope you enjoy reading my stories, my memories of my three bird dogs and my tribute to my hunting friend.

Good-bye to all my hunting buddies, human and four-legged. You will always be remembered and never forgotten.