Today is Annie’s second birthday.
She was seven weeks old when we picked her up from the field trial grounds in Hoffman, North Carolina. I’d spent the night camping in the truck in mid-November and woke up to the sound of an old pick up rumbling down the dirt road and weaving through the pines. A few minutes later, we got to meet our girl for the first time.
We started with two male dogs and received endless comments on how brave we were for having male sporting breeds. They are more difficult to train, stubborn and much harder to live with, or so they said. But a female dog. They’re the best. Effortless almost. You should have gone with female dogs from the beginning.
We should have known something was up from the minute those comments came rolling in because our experience with Ernie and Willie was the complete opposite. Quick learners, eager to please, tenacious in the field and the calmest at home. I guess we just thought we were the lucky ones or that maybe female dogs were somehow even better. Leveling up didn’t seem possible, but if the rumors were true we had to find out.
From the moment I met our Annie girl, I knew she’d prove them all wrong. She tumbled out of the truck as only a clumsy puppy could and made a bee-line for the pines. Bouncing around quicker than I thought possible, she had a cactus spine in her pad in seconds. She shook it off and kept at it. I knew we were in trouble.
As we’ve gotten to know her, it’s only become more clear. She’s as stubborn as they come. Hell-bent on running off and getting into whatever she sets her mind to next. She’s the one I find belly-crawling under our deck, chasing the neighbor’s chickens up and down the fence line and deciding she’s perfectly capable of hunting all on her own without the partnership (or supervision) we have to offer. The toughest puppy by far to train and the most fiercely independent of our crew. She loves to test me and has almost broken me a time or two.
But somewhere along the way we created the kind of trust that can only be built with time under tension. She’s made me sharper, more observant and much more patient. Although I’ve by no means reined her in, I’d like to think we’ve both met our match. As soon as she’s good and ready, she’s the one I can count on to melt next to me on the couch or curl up by my pillow in the middle of the night.
Two years in and my advice on female dogs hasn’t changed. Don’t do it if you’re not ready for the stubborn will, the attitude, the restless nights or the hard-won trust. But, if you can make it to the other side, you may just have the most loyal companion of them all.
From My Kitchen
Roadtrip Greek Pasta Salad
I spent the better part of four hours last night prep-cooking for our week on the prairie. Our drive west typically takes about two full days and there is nothing better on the road than having light, home cooked meals instead of stopping for fast food along the way. For the past few years, I’ve been making this simple greek pasta salad for every big roadtrip and it’s been one of the best things I bring along with me for the drive.
1lb Fusilli Pasta
1 cup tomatoes diced
1 cup cucumber diced
1/4 cup kalamata olives
1/3 cup Feta Cheese
1/4 cup Greek Dressing
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Drain water and set aside to cool. Meanwhile dice the tomatoes and cucumbers. Add tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, feta cheese, and Greek dressing to your pasta and toss. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simple and delicious, this recipe will keep for several days on the road.
I add in a little something different every year. Grilled chicken and salami make a great protein, while banana peppers and sun-dried tomatoes add a great burst of flavor, too!
This Week’s Find
I’ve never been one to enjoy energy drinks or pre-workout, but these honey packs have been a game changer for me on long roadtrips and on mornings before we get out in the field. They’re boosted with green tea caffeine and lion’s mane for natural energy without the artificial additives from most energy packs. I usually have one in the morning with a very light protein bar and a sip of coffee before heading into the field.
I used them all last year and I felt like they made a big difference in my mental clarity and alertness on the morning walks and my overall energy throughout the day.
On the Calendar
We’re planning to start our roadtrip to the prairie tomorrow! The truck is almost packed, the food is prepped and we’re antsy to get on the road. I can’t wait to share more about the trip. Who else is getting some time out in the field this week?
Until next Friday,
Kait