NH WEEKEND
9/17/23
We all landed at Silver Lion Kennels in Acworth, NH with all paws on the ground running (literally). 22 dogs on campus and 8 lively women ready to do the weekend like a weekend should be done. Running dogs, shooting shotguns, and laughing. It was a beautiful September weekend as we watched the multicolored sunsets and cool nights reigning in the season, we all love FALL. The season we wait for, we prepare for, and we live for. Starting out on Thursday afternoon, the Pennsyltucky betches loaded up the 3 caravan train, in haul with too much camping stuff and 7 dogs. Thursday night we camped over at the Delaware State Park in PA where we departed early Friday morning for some grocery shopping, lil wayne rap parties (well at least in my truck). Getting through the “cultured” Walmart’s and alcohol isles was just the beginning of this adventure. The highways led us to 2 lanes and the 2 lanes took us to dirt roads as our 3 women caravan pulled into Silver Lion Kennels. Kirra, Kate, and Marie were standing at the kennels as I pulled in and the oh so famous quote of the weekend started it of right, “I found my people.” And who knew starting with these 5 ladies and the conversations we talked about on Sunday evening would get us to this very moment in time. It is a true saying that God works in mysterious ways. As more of the women and dogs arrived we continued to have those awkward moments of silence as you get to meet people (I live for these moments, it pulls people out of their comfort zone and I am here for it.) All dogs out runnin’ the beautiful property. Filled with tall pines, fields, and ponds. Literally within the first 40 minutes of being there we had Trigger on a duck and swimming after it. Little did we know that all setters were about to become the next duck dogs! And then came the shotguns… if you need a good ice breaker for an event I would suggest a round of backyard clays, did we ever hammer down. 2 boxes of clay and lots of ammo wasted I guess you could say we all knew the level of shit talking and laughter this weekend would bring after; and boy was I pumped. Saturday came and went a full day of dogs running, sitting around a campfire waiting for the next chukar, and pigeon to be planted.
Sidenote: to hear more about this story on your speakers. Follow us on “Huntin’ Dix” podcast located on these creative platforms:
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We ended Saturday with a family style dinner as we gathered around the pheasant engraved campfire ring. We shared stories that created an echo of laughter of the next hillside and memories that every dog owner could understand. Often people can only dream of moments like that, but I am here to see it through for the sake of the northeast region of the US. To spread this joy, from one side to another bringing like minded women together.
Sunday brought surprises as we threw all dogs of all breeds: (labs, GSPs, and setters) on duck search and retrieving work. Little did we know that we would make duck dogs out of everybody there. They showed up wide eyed and tails wagging. All they could focus on was Marie in the kayak and where that damn duck would end up next. It was cool to see and such a beautiful experience as all women stood shoreline rooting for the next dog in line. As we ended the weekend with a free for all play and we threw bumpers into the pond, all dogs running, hanging out before we all started to pack up, and hit the road.
This weekend hit different than any other weekend. 8 women, 22 dogs, breaking strides within themselves. Every one of us broke through some barrier of fear to do this trip. Rather it be traveling alone to shooting a gun for the first time. It ignited us all in some way to become stronger as an individual and to push ourselves in a way that only a woman could understand. Huntin’ Dix began that weekend and it seemed to be a bond that could not be broken. We only have a few weeks til the next adventure. The dogs and I are loading up for the mid-west trip of a lifetime.
Talk soon.
Xoxo,
AMY
