Region 13

Jim Miller &

HRCH Goose's Magnum

Annie Oakley

   written by Jenni Miller

          There aren't enough words to explain how proud I am of Jim and, of course, Annie.  HRCH Goose's Magnum Annie Oakley is our second Hunting Retriever Champion following HRCH Goose's Magnum Jesse James.  Annie has certainly lived up to her name!

          After Jesse reached her HRCH, several years had passed and it was time to focus on another pup.  We heard of a littler in North Platte and by the time we found out about the litter, there was only one left --- a female.  We didn't get the "pick of the litter" or even a choice of any kind.  Annie was in a sense "chosen" for us.  She actually had been sold to another owner who had taken her home to try and convince his wife.  After two weeks, the answer was still "no" and he had to return her to the breeder.  Boy did we luck out!

          As some of you know, getting to 500 points is a huge commitment and a "sometimes" trying accomplishment.  I think what amazed me with Jim are all the challenges he conquered along the way.  At the time we got Annie we had just bought a new house together and our family had already consisted of two dogs.  Jim had also just changed careers and started a new job in which he traveled two weeks out of each month.  My career had changed as well and not to mention all the day-to-day stresses that life tends to throw your way.  I worked on obedience when he was gone (and some minor yard drills) and Jim would work with Annie every chance he could get on the weekends and after work when he was home.  The day we got her HRCH title was so momentous; the swim was awesome and the feeling unforgettable.  Unlike Jesse, who seemed content with just her HRCH, Annie was not ready to throw in the towel.  So, another test and another went by.

          Then came our wedding, honeymoon and immediately our little girl, Lacy.  Though these were great changes in our lives, and they were indeed CHANGES, Jim never gave up with Annie.  Still every chance he would take her out.... mostly by himself (my help as his assistant and bird thrower was less and less.)  His dedication was incredible and his passion was greater than anything I had ever seen.

         The thing that has amazed me the most is that he has never used an E-collar.  It makes me proud that he's been able to work through the issues by using the old fashion "Amish" technique.

          The other challenge behind this feat was Annie's litter of 10.  The two months of per pregnancy (along with mine) and the two months after with her babies, and ours, there was very little training and hunt tests, although she did pass a back-to-back when she was 26 days pregnant.  Inch by inch we crept closer to 500.  Our stomachs were in our throats with each test and finally on the last day of the season at Platte Valley's test at the Teal Lodge, we made it!  It couldn't have been a better finale to the season and her career.  Look for her son to follow behind her!