Age 88 months
Some of you may have picked up that Sporting Gun has been bought by Fieldsports Press, and this issue is the first combining it and Sporting Shooter.
When I heard the news, it got me thinking about how long I have been sharing the highs and lows with the readers of both magazines about my dogs, especially as I began writing for the Shooter over 20 years ago. At that time I was writing a diary about my first cocker, Sweep. I had many happy times with that little dog.
Back then, I was doing the show circuit with our photography unit, and it never failed to surprise me what a following of fans she had. There were always plenty of visitors coming to the trailer to say 'hello' to Sweep and it was nice to hear that people enjoyed reading about our exploits.
Tilly the lurcher featured in a series on ferreting that I was commissioned to write and then there was Harry and Fuss, followed by my dog of a lifetime, Ted. Then came Percy, followed by Dott and my latest, young Twig.
Next
The question I now find myself asking is: "How many more will there be?" I was going through some images for this article, and it was as though my life flashed past me. I am not sure my grey hairs are due to ageing or from owning spaniels for all these years.
Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
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Denne historien er fra August 2023-utgaven av Sporting Gun.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Thermal spectrum
Paul Austin explores both ends of the thermal market with latest high-end release from Zeiss alongside a surprising entry-level offering from Xinfrared
Roe, rucks and new ground
Jon Snowdon and his team have much to keep them busy and a new tool to help them
Tales from a lifetime of foxing
Join Mike Powell as he explores the evolving world of fox shooting, drawing from a career that spans seven decades
Fox rot about Charlie
Patrick Hook responds to claims that fox numbers are dangerously on the wane
The sniff of success
Join Ryan Kay as he navigates the fascinating dynamic between a handler and their canine companion
Adventures of Nick & Ted
A new chapter in the histories of Sporting Gun and Sporting Shooter has Nick Ridley reflecting on the dogs he has trained over the years he has been associated with the magazines
The problem: Inflammation in the nervous system
Vet's advice
Gundogs Q&A
No problem goes unsolved as Sporting Gun puts your questions to the gundog experts
Stop-start!
Fran Ardley continues her training tips on disciplining your dog to the stop whistle and the exercises you need to do
Gundogs at the Game Fair
Organising the Game Fair's prestigious gundog competitions: behind-the-scenes with Francesca Prentice
