Mike, I think you've got me right; although I didn't start out in shooting with a dog, once I'd got the bug I was never without a kennel full.
CZ The pics were taken some years ago before the present Duke re-established the old Buccleugh Springer line and employed David Lissett as his trainer and head honcho.
On the day in question the then Duke, a man as obsessed with gun dogs as any of us, spotted me handing "Chris" up a hillside at distance, after a runner, and asked if I'd mind standing with him in the afternoon when he would shoot as "back gun". Well, who was I to say no! A great memory of a lovely man.
Here's a snap of my one time Lab collection; the black feller was my go-to wildfowling dog, the others all worked on big time driven shoots in England, Wales and Scotland, plus occasional pigeon shooting and country show demos.
And a few more Springers ...
Echoing Mike's comment I often say that I enjoy meeting my friends in the shooting field, and the dogs love to meet their old chums too.
I've got a shed load of pics from driven shoots should anyone be interested.
Eug
