I'm very much a dog guy and used to run beagles at field trials. Our last two dogs were 'rescue' type mostly mutts that were great. Now that we're retired a dog just doesn't fit our lifestyle and we probably don't have the patience for raising a puppy.

So to get my 'dog fix' and some excercise I became a volunteer dog walker at a local shelter. I encounter some really cool dogs and enjoy playing a part in getting them socialized and get excited when they get adopted to their forever homes.

Not a bad idea Matt; working with the dogs and then still having the freedom to take off & travel when the urge presents itself.

I've heard second or third hand that Erica got her nose out of joint about something regarding hunt tests and quit participating. But I did see a few of her dogs over the years. I have a friend with two of her dogs; he would come down and run our hunt tests in New Mexico when I was there. And she bred one a number of years ago that was a heck of a field trial competitor as well as in hunt tests. If I think long enough I'll remember his name - I think it was Buck? She breeds some darn nice dogs, there is no question about that. In fact, my roommate was just looking at a litter that had a Quartermoon sire. I don't know her personally, but I do know some of her dogs. I'd be proud to have one.

It’s been almost 30 years since I’ve last spent time with Erica ( her first name at that time was Bobbie) I can imagine her “getting her nose out of shape” , that said, as a stranger to field trials/hunt tests, she opened her door to me and helped me with training my first Retriever that I purchased from her.

I remember first hearing about her as Bobbie, now that you mention it. It took me a while to figure out that Erica and Bobbie were the same person. It was always clear that she cared a lot for her dogs, and everything I hear tells me they are great hunting dogs.

I'd own one of her dogs without question.