George

George watching for wildlife

Often when I go out exploring, I bring my "bird dog" or shall I say, "nature dog." He's technically not what one would think of when a bird dog image comes to mind. But he is one in his own way.

He has learned to move quietly, sit patiently and wait with me. From his perspective, I like to think he doesn't mind. His ears are up and alert, his eyes are watchful and kind.

George on the Prairie

We've both learned a few things, like a smooth collar without tags and a supple leather leash are the best options - no jarring jingling in the woods to give our presence away. The leash not only protects him, it also respects nature spaces, like the day we found a blue-winged teal duck's nest on the ground. We left it alone; we didn't linger so that the hen would come back. Leashes are not a bad thing for a dog or their human.

Blue-winged Teal Duck Eggs among the leaves. Copyright 2026 jean@jeanmaher.com

George may not always understand or may not know exactly why I'm crouched on the ground to capture a different angle of a mushroom or flower, or why we are standing motionless for a time. The odds have remained relatively high (20% of the time I'd estimate) that we can do this and not startle the creature we see or wait to see better - a swimming bird or one perched on a branch above, hoping to get a clearer view. Or maybe wait so I can study a bee, a butterfly, a dragonfly. He just remains still. He's not perfect: sometimes there is a whimper if he feels we've stopped moving for too long. Sometimes he sinks into a sit. He's game for what's next. Without expectations.

George watching a mallard duck family on the opposite shore.

He is more patient than me, seems to enjoy my company and is always ready to go to wherever the destination is. He sometimes finds his own things to explore - as a terrier, he might have seen a chipmunk or a mouse and put his nose down to check it out, pushing away the brush a little, or might have found an interesting smell or two that demands a closer look. We are tethered together, sometimes he leads the way, and sometimes me. I like to see if he can find the way back to where we started from.

I know that there are times I need to leave him home. I know there are times if I left him behind that I may see more wildlife, but as long has his big heart is good to go and his tail is wagging, he will be my nature loving bird dog.

Happy George (and yes, he is on a leash)