May 2, 2003 Boys

My first litter to date was born May 2, 2003.  The litter consisted of two puppies, both males (pictured above).  I kept the orange and white boy, Garrett (Birdsboro Tom Sawyer), and placed the liver and white boy, Gavin (Birdsboro Huck Finn), with a wonderful family.  This is the first litter for Birdsboro, and it was co-bred with the help of Scanpoint Kennels and Tradewinds Kennels.

A week before Maya’s due date, we took a radiograph (x-ray) to see if she had puppies as you could not even tell if she was pregnant (other than an increased appetite).  Due to Maya only having two puppies, one of which appeared quite large, I elected to do a c-section rather than put her or the puppies at risk.  Garrett was a whopping 17.5 ounces at birth, and Gavin was nearly half the size at 8.5 ounces.  Gavin, albeit much smaller, did great gaining weight though; he managed to stay about one pound behind his brother every week.  A friend jokingly told me that when they grew up and Garrett weighed 65 lbs and Gavin weighed 64 lbs it wouldn’t matter. In the end, Garrett did end up being a bit bigger than his brother… but not by much.

Choosing homes for the boys was a simple endeavor.  By 5 weeks of age, Garrett seemed to have decided that he was staying with us.  He could always be found wedged right next to an adult dog in the household.  To this day, Garrett is always with another dog, usually his dad, Boone.  But don’t think Garrett is just a pack dog.  Garrett is Mr. Velcro and is always by my side, which makes him a great hunting buddy.  From an early age, it was also obvious that Garrett was a go-getter.  He tried anything and everything at an early age; he definitely seemed a bit bold for a pet home, but perfect for the field and agility.

Gavin loved the other dogs and his brother, but he definitely was more independent.  I often found him sleeping on the floor next to stuffed animals rather than right next to the other dogs.  Gavin was a perfect, middle of the road puppy that seemed like he would fit in anywhere.  When Gavin’s parents came to meet the puppies, my roommates let them in, and before I had even made it downstairs, Gavin’s parents had chosen him.  It was love at first sight.  Gavin’s parents have done very well by Gavin.  Gavin is a happy, healthy, sociable guy who loves his family. Gavin’s family now has a granddaughter about the same age as Killian, so Gavin will get to pal around with her too.

The Boys Together

Garrett and Gavin at two days and five weeks from left to right.

Garrett and Gavin at 11 weeks of age.

Birdsboro Tom Sawyer JH

“Garrett”

Garrett at two days of age.

Garrett at five months of age.

Garrett at seven weeks of age.

Garrett at 9 and 10 weeks of age.

Garrett at 11 weeks of age.

Garrett at 16 and 17 weekds of age.

Garrett at 16 weeks of age.

Garrett at 16 weeks of age.

Garrett still snuggles this close to Boone and he still sleeps on his back too!

Garrett still loves to do this with his dad.

Birdsboro Huck Finn

“Gavin”

Gavin at two days of age.

Gavin at five weeks of age.

Gavin at five weeks of age.

Gavin at nine weeks of age.

Gavin at 11 weeks of age.

Gavin at 11 weeks of age.

Gavin all Grown Up

Birdsboro Huck Finn

Gavin’s Statistics

DOB: 05/02/2003
Breeder: Erin Horan (Birdsboro)
Color: Liver and White
Color Genotype: bbEe
Height (at withers): 27″
Weight: 60 lbs
Breeding Status: Neutered
OFA Hips: Not done (radiographs done at 14 months looked good to excellent)
Click here for Gavin’s Pedigree
Offspring: None
Meaning of Name: Gavin means “little hawk”
Nicknames: Goofy, Pumpkinhead
Special Talents: Mr. Social at Doggy Daycare

Gavin takes after his dad Boone quite a bit in looks and personality.  Gavin is a neutered boy that lives the good life as a very-loved only pet with his family in Massachusetts.  His parents do a great job making sure that he gets to run out in the woods and the fields on a regular basis.  As a young guy, Gavin also got to go to doggy daycare twice a week, which he loved.  Now he thinks he’s too sophisticated for daycare though. Gavin’s parents were kind enough to let me show him and bring him in the field a few times when he was a puppy and Gavin did quite well.  However, since we have moved to Michigan, we do not have any plans to show or do fieldwork with Gavin in the future.  We miss Gavin, but know he’s very loved and living the life of a happy Pointer.  Gavin’s parents actually drove him out to Michigan once in the summer 2006 for a reunion.

Gavin the Show Dog

Gavin is in a phenomenal pet home and hence was only shown a few times by me.  His parents have been wonderful about keeping in touch with us over Gavin’s life with updates and pictures.

Gavin was only shown four days (two days at regular shows, one day at a regional specialty, and one day at the national specialty), and he did quite well.  At six months, he placed reserve winners dog to a major under a breeder judge.  At 12 months (and just a couple days after his first birthday), at the 2004 American Pointer Club National, he placed fourth in a class of 11 dogs in 12-18 Month Sweepstakes.

Gavin is just showing off his side.

Gavin the Birddog

Gavin was a natural born hunting dog.  With no introduction to birds outside of field events, he has proven himself every time in competition.  He was entered in two hunt tests and the national field trial.  He earned one leg towards his JH title and a fourth place trophy in the Derby stake of the American Pointer Club National 2004 field trial. Since I have moved out of Massachusetts, it is unlikely that Gavin will be entered in any field events.  However, he does get to go running in the woods with a Pointer and GSP friend almost every weekend, and that is what Pointers care about!

Gavin being a bird dog.

Gavin winning at being a birddog.

Pictures of Gavin

Gavin goes home.

Gavin enjoying his home.

Did I mention how much Gavin enjoys his home.

Gavin apparently likes to jump off of rocks.

Gavin like his brother Garrett loves the water.

There are two things that all of Boones children love. They love to run and they love tennis balls. Often as seen in the image above, they like to do both at the same time.

Gavin does like to relax on occassion.

I would like to thank Gavin’s parents who took many of the wonderful pictures above.