Back from ND and happy to report that the bird numbers have come back a bit. It's not quite like the good ole days, but there were enough roosters and sharp tails to keep us walking all day. Henderson followed Rocket for much of the time, but I also saw a lot of him behind me. He stayed close, too close. But it will click sooner or later. Here he is carrying a young-of-the-year bird that Rocket had retrieved earlier.  All of the legs and thighs were into the pot Monday for stock. If you're the kind of person who throws the legs and thighs away, we probably can't be friends. 

Henderson makes his debut in Regent ND this weekend. He's never seen a pheasant, but that will all change this weekend. There's a lot of debate about when to begin a dog. I have to confess, I haven't spent the time I should have with this pup. But he follows Rocket everywhere and my guess is he'll follow him right into the pheasants. Wish us luck.