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  1. #1
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
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    Summer Camp Not Just For Dogs

    Aye Mates,
    Our daughter Shannon plays soccer for the University of New Haven where she is studying forensic psychology. UNH is an NCAA Division II University playing in the Northeast 10 Conference. A major philosophy of NCAA Division 2 Athletics is that those participating "give back" to the local communities with community based service initiatives. Needless to say, we are proud of Shannon's academic and athletic achiefements and for her generosity in service to others. Shannon carries many of these personal attributes over to her day to day living. The Women's athletics programs at UNH are highly supportive of each other reaching across team sport lines for each other. As a soccer player, Shannon has made a number of great friends on the UNH Women's Basketball Team inclusive of recently graduated Senior standout Aquillin Hayes.

    Shannon and Aquillin (we call her Q) are from two very different worlds, Shannon growing up in rural Connecticut and Q having lived her entire life in Harlem, NY. Shannon asked us if Q could spend some time this summer as a guest in our home as she had virtually no family support before or after graduation. Me wife and I have joined with Shannin in providing Q with some semblance of family structure and support and she is currently living with us, plenty of room as our oldest daughter Meg is living in NYC. The clash of two very different cultures is really quite entertaining and both Q and we are enjoying our time together. Her perspective and ours are often foreign to each other, based on our rearing in very different environments. Example, Q was near deathly afraid of dogs upon first coming to our home which pretty much revolves around dogs. Why??? Q only had ine exposure to dogs growing up and it was a negative experience. That has all changed tremendously and Q has become very close buddies with me Labrador gundog TRAD. In that regard, ye might say that TRAD has been much like a therapy dog in quelling Q's fear of K9's.

    In preparing to train with both TRAD and REV recently, I asked "the girls" (Shannon, Q, and me wife Lisa) if they might like to join us. They all said "YES" and we ended up sharing a very special evening together. Q confided in us that she had NEVER held a puppy, a thought that actually brought tears to me eyes. In a perfect world, every kid should have a puppy (but we don't live in a perfect world). With a litter of 8 GSP's on the ground and leaving this week, Q was granted the opportunity to hold a puppy.


    This eager litter of German Shorthair Pointers were more than willing to serve as K9 Ambassadors to the Harlem Hoopster.


    Having grown up with hunting dogs in a "hunting home" all of her young life, Shannon was happy to facilitate a very special moment for Q in her first holding of a puppy. For a tender few minutes, one could see Q (a total terror to the opposition on a basketball court) revert back to the giggling little girl that had never be granted the chance to hold a puppy intil now at age 21.


    What did Q think of her new K9 buddy? That smile tells the whole story!


    A bonus for Q, me bride Lisa taught her how to shoot popper rounds for the dogs asmwe were doing some "SIT TO SHOT"'drills during the training session.

    It was great to see this young lady that has grown up in one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world and who had experienced athletic stardom first hand, take great delight in time spent with training of gundogs.

    Aquillin Hayes is a UNH Hall of Fame Athlete, has joined the elite few that scored over 1000 points during her college athletic career, and is currently trying out for positions with professional women's basketball teams in Europe. Q has overcome many obstacles in her young life and I am proud to call her me third daughter!

    Slainte,
    Irishwhistler
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  2. The Following User Says Thank You to IRISHWISTLER For This Useful Post:

    Scoutpout (07-05-2015)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    What an awesome opportunity for Q and your family. I dare say she really enjoyed her stay with you and the family, of course including TRAD.

    Good luck with your future endeavors Q. You've set your path and I see success paving your future.
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  4. #3
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Your story brought tears to my eyes. Bless you for showing this young lady the joys dogs can bring to your life.
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    Tammy
    Maxx and Emma Jean

    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

  5. #4
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    How fantastic. Hmmm... wish there were ways to introduce more kids to working retrievers (or GSP's).

  6. #5
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TuMicks View Post
    How fantastic. Hmmm... wish there were ways to introduce more kids to working retrievers (or GSP's).
    There is! My HRC club sponsors a "KIDS DAY" each year with that very objective in mind. Your club can too!

    Iriwhwhistler & TRAD
    TEAM TRAD PRO STAFF
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    Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, Adrea Coor, and Nuala Kennedy, each an Irish whistle goddess in her own right.

  7. #6
    Senior Dog Georgia's Avatar
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    What a touching story! Imagine never having the opportunity to hold a puppy! Bless you and your family for sharing your family's love and providing a supportive family opportunity for Q. I'm sure her experiences with you and your family (and your wonderful dogs) will stay with her all of her life.
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  8. #7
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    That's awesome!!!!

  9. #8
    Senior Dog Scoutpout's Avatar
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    very cool! her face as she's holding that puppy, well, wow.

  10. #9
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
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    Q departs this weekend for exposure to the European Pro Scouts in Las Vegas. We wish her the best and know that she would be a grand addition to any women's professional basketball team.

    Cheers,
    Irishwhistler
    TEAM TRAD PRO STAFF
    DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY

    Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, Adrea Coor, and Nuala Kennedy, each an Irish whistle goddess in her own right.

  11. #10
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Sending good wishes for her future!
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    Tammy
    Maxx and Emma Jean

    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

 



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