Out of the mouthes of babes.

Maybe a lesson in faith, but definitely an eye opening conversation took place between our daughter and her son, our precious 4 year old grandson, Aden.

Some of you reading this may know, but for those who don't I will give a little background. Two years ago our 15 year old son, Izaak, was killed in a freak and tragic car accident. This loss has left a hole in our lives that will never be filled. Aden at the time was 2 years old.

Life has progressed and little Aden is growing up, like many young children he has a tendency to make up little songs as he goes about his day. Well lately he started singing bible related songs, songs about Jesus, God and Heaven. His mother noticed this and found it peculiar because Aden has not attended and bible schools or Sunday school yet. So finally her curiosity got the best of her and she asked him where he learned those songs. This is where the story got very interesting.

Aden told her that Izaak taught them to him, surprised she asked him when Izaak had taught him these songs. Aden calmly responded that Izaak talks to him everyday and that is when the teaching had happened. Our daughter then asked him what else Izaak had said to him, to which he responded, He tells me that God loves me.

Of course we were not surprised to hear that God loves our little Grandson, but the way that God chose to relay that info to Aden was a bit of a surprise.

If you needed a little reassurance or needed to add another stone to your wall of faith, maybe this is it.

That's all from the farm today.
Thanks for reading
Bill

Flood of 2009

My sister lives in Moorhead, MN. Thursday last week I headed to Moorhead to help try to save her house. It was touch and go for awhile and the two neighbors to the north of her did both lose the battle but so far it appears that we have saved it. The river is now going down but there is a winter storm headed there way and it will probably go up agan but I feel pretty good about where we are in the fight.

The Fargo-Moorhead area has really had an awesome turnout of volunteers from both within and from outside of the area. While watching this both in person and on TV I am moved to remember something that Muhamed Ali said "Service to others is the rent we pay for our room here on earth". Thank God for all of those who have to serve the FM area.

Izaak Holtan Walking Shooting Dog Classic

On Friday 4/25/08 the Classic was held. This was obviously a very emotional trial for me to attend and compete in. Long time family friends Rich Boumeester and Jim Tande braved the elements to judge this trial in the wind and rain. Our friend Don Dack build a beautiful trophy, carved out of a cherry tree that fell down in his yard...this trophy is a sight to behold obviously the work of love provided as a traveling trophy by Don.

The weather was terrible, 35 degrees rain and wind but we toughed it out and my youngest son Billy walked several braces. In the end Scott Berg won the classic with Lizzy and setter female with a strong race and one find on a quail, the runner up position was secured by Berg Brothers Hytest handles by Bill Holtan. Scott was generous to share the trophy with us for the year so it now resides at our house. In the companion derby I was fortunate to gain 3rd place with Maiden Pearl our young pointer who is a daughter of CH Sir Lancelot. In the companion puppy we were 1st with Winter Jewell a daughter of Billy Jackson.

On Sunday the 12 O'clock Field Trial club hosted a one day trial. Butch Cassidy bested the field in the Open Shooting Dog with 16 entries. Butch ran great race with 5 perfect finds, I was very proud of him. All in all a very good weekend, in spite of the weather.

I would like to thank Scott Berg for all the work he put into this trial.

Last Butch Dixie pup is sold.

Congrats to Bill Rountree of Georgia on your new puppy.

March 15-16th at the Farm!

Well we had a very nice weekend at the farm. We held our first field trial ever in the area. It was a very nice turnout, not a large trial but just big eanough with very quality dogs and great people.

Also this weekend 6 of our 7 Butch x Dixie Puppies went to new homes, Good Luck to all the new owners with their new puppies. That means we still have one female puppy left, in my opinion she is the nicest pup in the litter and will make someone a very good dog. This little orange and white pup is a fearless little fireplug who looks to be built just right.

Happy Easter From all of us from The Farm!!!

Butch/Dixie Puppies turning 6 weeks old!

Well on Monday March 10th the pups will be 6 weeks old. They have really been alot of fun and my son, Billy and Grandson, Aden have really had fun playing with them and I think the pups have enjoyed all the attention as well. There are still a few pups available, 1 male and 2 females as of now are available. These puppies should be outstanding wild bird dogs with the possibility of making trial or class hunting dogs. The last litter is now really starting to mature into very nice dogs.

Puppies Born on the Farm

Dixie has given us the gift of 7 newborn puppies. The 5 girls and 2 boys were born on January 28th. This is a repeat breeding of a litter born last January. The sire is RU Butch Cassidy mother and puppies appear to be doing fine. Unfortunately they were born on possibly the coldest day of the year. 20 below zero this morning with wind gusting to over 50 mph.

I will add pics asap.

Thanks for visiting the farm.