The Original O'l Farts Club.

[Putembk]

Even at the remote lakes we fish, we try to only keep ONE sizable breeder these days, if at all. And the eaters we keep are more often 25" to 29" for the lakers.

Otherwise, the youngsters and others we've talked with about our old-time fishing missions, 20 years from now, will either call us liars, or demand pics, because all of those fish will be dead..

Wish more people thought the way you do.

 

[moose eater]

Wish more people thought the way you do.

I'm old enough now to see the lakes like the one that 42" hen came from completely lose its kokanee population (in my opinion, due to unintended consequences of the Territorial Biologists' conservation-oriented slot limits intended to preserve the lake trout), and to be told this last year by an older Yukoner and fishing aficionado that there are literally few to no trout that size In Kathleen Lake anymore. A lake we once routinely caught both eater size fish and giants like the one in the photo, which is far from the largest fish that used to come out of that lake.

An older First Nations woman in Haines Junction, Y.T. had reportedly pulled a 75-lb. trout out of that lake not too many years back.

Lake trout can take decades to get that big, and the feed in a lake has to be available for them to get there and support a healthy population.

 

[Boo]

I'm a hardcore GSD convert.

Ivan is my 13 GSD, Dutch my 12th…if I live long enough I’ll have my 14th… there is no better companion, man or beast that can rival a German Shepherd, when trained properly…

 

[Janborrego]

My sister has a german shepherd she calls Sarah. Biggest heifer I ever saw. She is a beast. Next time I swing by her house I will get a pic. She is beautiful too

 

[moose eater]

Ivan is my 13 GSD, Dutch my 12th…if I live long enough I’ll have my 14th… there is no better companion, man or beast that can rival a German Shepherd, when trained properly…

I've already begun the conversation with our oldest son, the greater dog person of the three children, about his not immediately replacing his older male dog when he passes in the future, with thoughts of my mortality and his mother's abilities in mind.

I've insisted our pups not ever go to a shelter, or be euthanized, or go to someone who doesn't understand and work well with their damned-near human perception capacities and loving qualities.

I have cancer and a half-dozen other maladies or challenges, and while fighting the Cosmic forces to a degree, have not bought into the whole 'life at any cost' line.

So, the jury's out at the moment re. whether or not I live long enough to see the life span of the younger shepherd I just acquired. but if I don't, there's at least 2 really good safety nets built in.

 

[Putembk]

Ivan is my 13 GSD, Dutch my 12th…if I live long enough I’ll have my 14th… there is no better companion, man or beast that can rival a German Shepherd, when trained properly…

@ Boo....Was wondering when you would chime in.......bwahahaha

 

[SubGirl]

Thank you!!

Our three children are all grown and gone, and all took the path to one degree or another of roller-coaster hostilities, intermittent peace, and distancing off and on, as though life and love are a revolving door or some shit. A common failure of youth (and much of humanity, in my opinion) to perceive life as though infinite in some ways, failing to address sleights, resolve conflicts sooner than later, remedy broken commitments or love, etc.

The dogs? I've had them around me since I was 2 years old, shortly before John Kennedy was shot, and many different breeds. Hitch-hiked North America for years with an AKC registered Norwegian elkhound who dealt with bears and cops alongside me, and only one or two 'mentally defective from birth' pups had anything other than a relatively dependable, loyal, loving, even-keel, steady-as-she-goes honest, in-depth relationship and mutual adoration (most of the time).

I used to tell folks (and as of now, I guess I still do) that if a dog steals something from you, they're either enjoying a game with you, or you really pissed them off, or it tastes good. And I've never had a dog steal my dope or my wallet, and never had a significant other go for a cop's throat.

Of all the pups of many different breeds I've had or affiliated myself with, German shepherds have impressed me beyond belief; loyal, gentle, loving, bonded, able to hold their ground when needed, and sometimes just as funny as can be imagined. Great senses of humor in the three we've had.

Loved your story and I love GSDs too. I like you have always dogs in my life. They have provided unconditional love unlike any human being can match imo. Most of my dogs have been shelter dogs usually large strong ones. We are Now retired, older and can’t take the chance being pulled down in the street by a strong dog that maybe sees a rabbit to chase. We now have two golden doodles Maryjane and Arlo. They are still pretty large but are much easier to manage and equally love us unconditionally.

 

[Boo]

Dutch, the Red German Shepherd, who is now 11 years old, found a heart condition in me after my wife died, and then he discovered my liver cancer, and the surgeon insisted my dog being in the hospital for the three days I was there. I’ve never loved the creature like I love Dutch, it’s easy with a German shepherd breed. Dutch will be fading soon and with his passing my heart will go. After seeing the life that Ivan brought into our lives, I know it would be a mistake not to get another male dog directly. I’m hoping I have if I’m lucky 10 years, but I have someone that can take the dog from that point on… as I tell people who come over looking for cars and tractors that I have for sale, everything is for sale, but the dogs…

 

[moose eater]

Loved your story and I love GSDs too. I like you have always dogs in my life. They have provided unconditional love unlike any human being can match imo. Most of my dogs have been shelter dogs usually large strong ones. We are Now retired, older and can’t take the chance being pulled down in the street by a strong dog that maybe sees a rabbit to chase. We now have two golden doodles Maryjane and Arlo. They are still pretty large but are much easier to manage and equally love us unconditionally.
View attachment 18948052

I've had mongrels, rescues of pedigree and not, and various purebred pups of different breeds. Few have been anything but tight family.

A guy trying to sell me Medicare supplemental insurance the other day (hard-sell type stuff) asked how I could have a German shepherd with my spine condition being what it is, as though it's impossible to have a GSD and not have them pull like a giant malamute (and we've had GSDs pull harder than malamutes sometimes).

Answer: at some point our GSDs had to realize that their eagerness stood to cause us injury. They're not perfected yet, but they seem much more sympathetic now. Choking up on the leash when descending the stairs helps a lot, too. They hate to have their front ends (or probably any end) be suspended off the ground, and if the leash is short enough when going down the stairs, they can only get ahead of the handler so far before their front legs are off the next lower step, so they address and amend their 'lead' to a a degree.

 

[Boo]

Years ago, a friend of mine brought an artist over to the house to do a painting of Dutch. It took her forever to do it, but when I got it back, I was stunned at the quality in the detail of her work. Her name is Dianne Richardson Hal, and she has a gallery in West Palm Beach. This painting is one of my most treasured possessions…

 

[moose eater]

Years ago, a friend of mine brought an artist over to the house to do a painting of Dutch. It took her forever to do it, but when I got it back, I was stunned at the quality in the detail of her work. Her name is Dianne Richardson Hal, and she has a gallery in West Palm Beach. This painting is one of my most treasured possessions… View attachment 18948059

That's a beautiful portrait.

We have lots of photos, both digital and old-school 35mm film. and even ancient 110 film, of nearly every dog, if not every dog we've ever had. But no painted portraits I can think of right now.

Some adorn the walls, others scrap books, photo albums or photo collages, with still others stuffed into cardboard filing boxes or shoe boxes.

 

[mike-or-ozzy]

Years ago, a friend of mine brought an artist over to the house to do a painting of Dutch. It took her forever to do it, but when I got it back, I was stunned at the quality in the detail of her work. Her name is Dianne Richardson Hal, and she has a gallery in West Palm Beach. This painting is one of my most treasured possessions… View attachment 18948059

beautiful dog and portrait. Thats why it took so long, lots of depth and attention to detail, the numbers on the tags stand out.

 

[Boo]

beautiful dog and portrait. Thats why it took so long, lots of depth and attention to detail, the numbers on the tags stand out.

I agree, that’s more of a portrait than I ever thought I’d have hanging on my wall. She told me that the on the wall in her studio price would be 25K but for some reason she was compelled to give it to me for $1800… I would be fortunate to ever have another companion like Dutch, Ivan has a tall order in front of him, in order to be the dog that Dutch was to me… I’m confident that he will get there. I am going to train Ivan to be my service dog for balance and stability. At my age it’s an easy way to travel with your dog and have stability, especially with my back…

 

[jokerman]

Quote of the Day: "Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief."
Marcus Tullius Cicero - Orator, Electrician and Statesman (106 - 43 BC)

 

[jokerman]

Coming soon

 

[Africanna]

Very nice dogs you guys have.

We have 3 dogs on the property - one Rhodesian Ridgeback and two Ridgeback X Boerbulls. Fearless yet loving animals that enjoy taking on the babs

The terrible twins weigh around 120 pounds each

Edit: All the images I posted on this and other threads have disappeared

 

[moose eater]

Very nice dogs you guys have.

We have 3 dogs on the property - one Rhodesian Ridgeback and two Ridgeback X Boerbulls. Fearless yet loving animals that enjoy taking on the babs
View attachment 18948144
The terrible twins weigh around 120 pounds each
View attachment 18948145

Beautiful pups!

 

[buzzmobile]

A friend gave me one of these years ago, exactly like the one in the image.

It's heavy wool, no snaps or buttons, 2 sets of ties (one at the hood and one at the waist), a Darth Vader meets Grim Reaper hood and sleeves, and as a shrinking, shorter aging man, it hangs all the way down to the tops of my bunny boots, so the neighbors hardly know I'm nearly naked.

It sat in the hallway closet on a heavy-duty hanger for years, until my wife figured out that a person could put it on over underwear and take a dog out at midnight with undies and bunny boots with no socks, and remain relatively toasty down below -20 f.

The trend caught on, and I now use it in similar fashion, especially now that we have a 3-1/2-month-old German shepherd puppy that sometimes wants out every half-hour, but somehow manages to remain accident-free for most of an 8-hour night once she's tucked into bed with me.

However, riding a snowmobile with one of these, and risking the long garment getting stuck in the idlers/bogies and track drive might be a bit dangerous.

The 'capote' was used a lot during the Civil war, made from military wool blankets (for which you can find patterns online). It supposedly dates back to the 1400's through 1500's, though, depending on whose history one reads.

View attachment 18947806

I saw you at the Prancing Pony last night.

 

[buzzmobile]

Ahh - here it is -

That's exactly how it felt!

 

[buzzmobile]

Jack is the coolest guy in the room.

"Cool as a moose and twice as hairy", is what the cool kids used to say.