14/12/2023
It's with sadden hearts and dearest sorrow we say goodbye to Drummer I just wish we had another summer together.
So My precious giant this is all for you, its not much, and it's been a roller coaster of emotions, wish you were here for my normal commotion. You were my big bear, a climb up your door to definitely ensure that a snuggle was coming, we shall miss you boy.
We watched you from a pup, lanky legs and a goofy smile, you travelled all those miles to have us as a home, soon you had taken over with your love, filled our hearts and stole our gloves, your quick uptake of a ride on the bike was extreme, although it didn't half make my mother gleam. You would hear the engine come to life and fly on the bike, in a drum or have a good run with those 4 wheels of fun, the wind blowing your ears back from your head and that goofy grin is something we will miss... not to mention that very silly quiff.
You stole mum's heart and became her favourite from day one, she fed you all the bones and treats nearly the cupboard and let's not mention the ones she hid when dad came along, she turned you into a complete giant.you were spoilt rotten and it was often said you would never be a gun dog with all that glutton but my boy, you will never be forgotten.
For a dog so big your personality and softness shone, you let my little girl Imi lead you up and down and all around, brought her birds on the shooting ground, covered her in mud and slobber and was soon off for another runner. Whether is was a good cuddle or you were trying to snuffle ice cream you were a complete dream my little girl an I thank you for making her part of your team.
You were the first one out of the door on a shooting day most of the time leaving me on the floor, you would hear me grumble and generally gave me a look of why would you stumble, get up we have work to be done, you knew the days and couldn't wait, up you would go on the tailgate, we got to the first drive you would barrel out from the crate, once or twice I would wonder if my fingers were still in place, you had to go on every drive, no way were you being left behind, birds to be found, you couldn't be stuck in the background, but now my boy I shall fall, not through a push or a shove from your whirlwind rush, no today it's from heartache, sadness, tears and a gush of memories. So my bear, the hardest part, shutting the door to the kennel but never my heart.
With tears in my eyes I write of all the highs, you and dad worked as a team, you worked hard and covered ground, always finding what was missed, you marked the birds and travelled true not even missing a few. You often went self employed, for a bird no one knew had come down, travelling a vast quantity of terrain with my dad's uproar of your name, DRUMMER!! Was all that the shooting team would hear, we all would smirk and laugh knowing you were on a trail of a bird that dad couldn't get near.
The start of the drive there you are, I see you boy, you are like lightning, hear those guns that's got your attention, they are shooting just for you, Mark those birds as they fall, you see them near and far, keep up now son don't miss none! Finish your sweeping, nose to the ground, tail wagging keep on hunting.
Few more drives to go my precious boy, you have got this Drum, you were never one to fail, did you hear that gun remark on a retrieve well done! Did you see that partridge come down.... don't run into that gun!
Through the water on the other side there is a bird, take that steady and in your stride, don't you falter, swim strong and come back true, still got the bird and another one too!
Get in that cover, im sure one went there, where are you going, I marked it fair... oh.... I see.... yes my bear.... I see... you need to follow that scent over there, go on then, get up over that bank, go over that stream, up that hill, I can't see you now, it must be right at the end on the brow.....
Go on then my boy, you see that last gun, that's just for you my son, one last shot for the bird on the horizon. You head that way and mark the bird well, dont mess up now, don't worry your head, I will come, I will be there when my last drive is done.
You were some dog!
