A hard winter for illness, which puts a lot on hold. Influenza, then a few weeks later food poisoning, and gout right after that - all while trying to continue Beaufort's training. His intuitive response to my incapacitation is touching, however - he raises himself on his hind legs and rests his head across my chest. And lately when he felt that wasn't enough, he jumped up on the bed and rested alongside me, head again across my chest. Fortunately my Wife didn't catch him - she rather frowns upon animals up on the bed. But when she learned of it, was good natured about it - though she would rather it didn't become a habit...
   All things come through in their own time and we were outside again, my limping along only slightly slowing the pace but fortunately still allowing us the distance. The winter season brought a beauty to the scenes around our bay that we couldn't resist - and the water dog in him just had to play...

   

And the geese only added to the temptation...

He continues to grow, filling in, leaning down and maturing into the magnificent companion I could have only dreamed of working with before. I couldn't ask for better.

At seven months old and 70.6 pounds;

At eight months old, weighing in @ 75.6 pounds;

And the country boy relaxing in the kitchen where it all happens...

with the straw hanging out of his mouth as a reminder that we will need a new broom relatively soon...

Love this pup to tears. - WKD