On Saturday, July 30, Kaia and I took part in one of the Hunting Retriever Club’s oldest traditions. When a dog has successfully completed all the tests in one level and they are ready to advance to the next level, they receive a title. Kaia got her Started Hunting Retriever (SHR) title last year. This summer Kaia completed 3 tests and earned her Hunting Retriever (HR) title.
The next level for Kaia will be the Champion Hunting Retriever title. There are still a few tests in our area before the hunting season begins, but we will probably wait until next year before we pursue the Champion title.
At the awards ceremony following a test, each handler whose dog has succeeded in passing the test receives a ribbon and a certificate that documents the points received that day. For those handlers whose dogs have accumulated enough points to win a title there awaits a special award that is a Hunting Retriever Club tradition.
The judges for each class read off the names of the successful dogs. As a dog’s name is called out, the dog’s handler steps forward and receives the point-certificate and ribbon and thanks the judges. If the dog has accumulated enough points to earn a title the other handlers who are present will begin to chant (loudly) “Title, title, title…”
At this point several members from the audience of handlers appear and the newly awarded handler is asked (or compelled) to sit in a chair facing the audience. Several more handlers appear as if by magic and each of them has a large bucket of the coldest water they can find. (Yes, ice cubes are permitted).
A judge may proclaim, “Your dog took the water for you; now you take the water for your dog!” Then the handler gets several buckets of cold water dumped over their head and anywhere else the helpful co-handlers deem fit to drench the hapless “winner”.
I can tell you from my own experience that the amount of water and force with which it is thrown is usually proportionate to the number of friends the handler has in the audience. It seems the friendlier you are, the wetter you get! A rough estimate of the water I took would be somewhere around 20 gallons, but honestly, after about the fifth bucket I lost track.
Kaia was watching the whole thing from the door of our camper. Most of you who are reading this will agree that dogs definitely have a sense of humor. If you had any doubts about a dog’s ability to laugh; I can tell you right now that they can. I know of at least one dog that can actually do a real belly laugh.
Her name is: Hunting Retriever Tri Labs Kaia Kaboom!
