Thunder’s turns eight years old today. He is officially a senior although most of the time, he doesn’t act it. The above picture was taken last Saturday as he jumped a snow pile to retrieve a bumper.
Eight years can sure fly by. It seems like just yesterday he came to live with us.
Was he ever this small?
We have had so many firsts with Thunder.
He was our first puppy.
The first dog hubby trained to hunt pheasant
and then ducks
and then grouse.
Thunder was the first dog hubby entered and showed in a dog show
and handled to a Championship.
He was the first dog we trained to run hunt tests.
Thunder earned his Junior Hunter title
and then we took a long break from hunt test training. In late 2010 we got back to it and in 2011, Thunder earned his AKC Senior Hunter title (passing 4 of 5) and his HRC Seasoned Hunter title (passing 3 of 4).
He also earned his Working Dog Qualified Certificate from the American Chesapeake Club.
We were total novices to training dogs to run hunt tests. We trained mostly after work and in local parks so a lot of what Thunder accomplished was because of his ability rather than our training.
He is an AKC Canine Good Citizen
and sired two litters of his own.
We have traveled to hunt tests
and the Nationals.
He runs hard
and makes a big splash.
But most of all, Thunder has been hubby’s best duck hunting buddy.
Happy 8th Birthday Big Boy!
I have a little party planned for him so come back next week for pictures.
Have a nice weekend!
That’s a lot of firsts and alot of memories. Happy Birthday, Thunder! Don’t worry about the Senior title big boy … you still look awesome 🙂
Happy Birthday Thunder, I hope you have many many more. That is a whole lot of first, made me tear up as a lot of them were my first with Norman. Something about those boys and their firsts with you and as they get older they mean so much more and you just want to hug those senior dogs up. I wouldn’t consider Thunder a senior out in the field he looks amazing!
What a lovely birthday tribute! Happy birthday, Thunder!
What a great and fun post! Happy birthday, Thunder! Keep up the good work, you are a role model dog!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY THUNDER!!!! You look great.
Blessings,
Goose
You guys might have been total novices at the training you did with him, but clearly he’d decided to help you out and take you along for the ride 🙂 Have a fun bday celebration!
Happy Birthday, Thunder, from Callie, Shadow, Ducky, and their blessed Mom (blessed to have them in my life!). Enjoy your party, big boy!!
Happy Birthday, sweet, handsome Thunder!! Fabulous pictures! Enjoy your day and we hope you get special treats and treatment. : ) Hugs and nose kisses
What great memories of Thunder you have. He’s such a handsome guy…right from that puppy picture on. I can tell he has a special place in your hearts – I hope he has a great birthday today and many more to come!
Woohoo! Happy Birthday, Thunder! They sure know how to keep you busy for the last eight years! 😛
Happy Birthday Thunder! I loved seeing your photo as you grew up. The one with your first bumper retrieve is absolutely adorable. 🙂
Happy birthday, Thunder! Love from Rolo, 11 and Annabel, nearly 10 ( chocolate Labs in London, UK.).
Sweet memories and so much achievement we are impressed. Happy Birthday Thunder and we hope you have a wonderful special day.
Best wishes Molly
Happy 8th birthday you handsome dog! Love seeing all of his accomplishments! I bet you are very proud of him as you should be!
Wow Thunder – way to blaze through the world leaving a wake of accomplishments and good memories 🙂 What an excellent representative of the breed!
Happy happy birthday! Wooooowooooooooo!
Hey beautiful Thunder! Happy Happy Birthday you sweet thing! Huggies from all of us!
Happy Birthday Thunder!!!! Have a pawesome day!!!!
Awesome!! Happy Birthday Thunder!! I wish I was there to give wish you HB in person. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday! What a lovely life full of memories.
Happy 8th barkday Thunder! He definitely doesn’t look 8… such cute baby photos of him too! He’s got lots of great accomplishments under his furry belt 🙂
Happy Happy Birthday Thunder… you’re one amazing dog!
Happy Birthday, Thunder!! What a fun and full life he is having! He doesn’t look like a senior at all….he looks great. The baby photos adorable.
Happy Birthday Thunder. Love your pictures. You are definitely a top notch show dog as well as a beloved pet.
Happy Happy Birthday Handsome!
Happy birthday, Thunder! We hope you had a super special day!
Happy birthday Thunder! What a great years he’s had!
Wow, what an amazing 8 years Thunder! Bentley is seven and i refuse to think of eight as being a senior dog. That makes me too sad to consider what the title of senior means. I hope you and your husband have at least another with years with your boy! Have the happiest of birthdays. I love his camo!
Wow! Happy Day to Thunder!!!! He is my hero! Thanks for sharing all those extraordinary pictures of your extraordinary boy!
What a great ode to Thunder! Happy Birthday!
So many barkdays today! Happy, happy barkday to you, Thunder!! Much love, The Scottie Mom.
Happy birthday, handsome boy. You have had eight fabulous years. Here’s to many, many more. Cheers!
Happy Birthday Thunder! From a precious puppy to a handsome boy! Love the pictures and we hope it was a wonderful day!
Happy 8th Birthday Thunder hope your birthday was fantastic 🙂
Happy birthday Thunder! Bless ya.
Earl and I.
Happy Birthday, Thunder! What great firsts you have had with him! He sure is one accomplished Brown Dawg; I bet you are very proud of him.
Happy Sunday,
Oz
Great journey for all of you! Many more happy days. No way a “senior” dog, except in household rank :~) The bed
story tells it all!
Aww sorry I’m late but I hope you had the loveliest day Thunder! Being a senior, just means you’re extra awesome…which we already knew anyway!
Hugs, Carrie (Myfie, Ellie and Millie) x
Happy birthday, Thunder! Wow, what a lot of firsts! And those precious puppy eyes!
Hi Y’all!
Happy Belated Birthday Thunder! That was a wonderful tribute to you.
I turn 8 in a couple of weeks. Eight is way too young to slow down! You Go Thunder!
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Happy belated birthday, Thunder!