Happy dog flushing birds

As we always do at the cabin, we went on a nice hike in our favorite valley.

This particular valley is the valley where we play on getting married. We have spent many hours in this valley, hiked many miles, and seen much wildlife there. It is special.

On this occasion, we began our hike and noticed several ducks in the river. When we got closer, we quietly crouched down and crept around the bend. Moose mirrored our bodies, as he does when we are creeping quietly when we are hunting. 

With his duck in mouth, Moose followed us around a forest bend. Two ducks and a goose waited and we sent our happy dog after them. Off they flew, honking and quacking. A beautiful sound and a beautiful sight.

When we play with Moose at home, we make Moose wait outside while we secretly hide his duck behind the couch, in the bathroom, or in another tricky location. When we invite him in and tell him to "find your duck," it doesn't take but 30 seconds and he returns with the duck in mouth. His nose is amazing.

But when we sent Moose out for these three birds, he didn't catch their scent like he used to. He saw them, and crossed the stream to where they were, but he didn't follow their path. He didn't get a whiff of them until after they scattered. And he didn't get as birdy as cancer-free Moose did. 

We imagine that his medications and health issues have affected his ability to smell, maybe even his desire to hunt. But we will embrace whatever interest for birds remains, by exposing him to the things he loves, even if he has a lesser or different kind of love for them now.