So how was your 2020? I suspect the answer is pretty much the same, the world over.

It sucked.

Hard.

But just in case you are wondering about my year and how the various projects I’m involved with are going, well, thank you. Read on….

First up, the elephant in the room: Pointing Dogs Volume Two or, how to spend a decade writing a follow-up to a book that took a decade to write.

In a blog post I wrote in March of 2011, I listed several things that stood in the way of me finally getting Volume One to the printers. When I re-read the post today, I was reminded that history may not repeat itself, but it certainly rhymes. Back then, I wrote that technical issues caused some delays. Ten years later, a new set of gremlins wreaked havoc on my computers and forced me to give Apple another chunk of my soul. I also mentioned a bit of drama that occurred back then and how it affected my hairline. Ten years later: more drama, less hair.

And there were also health issues to deal with. Ten years later… same thing. Turns out, when friends, family and/or your own aging carcass need care, you drop everything. Then weeks go by without a single word being written on the new computer you just sold your left nut to purchase. On the other hand, when an entire planet locks down for a year, it does free up a bit of time to write a book you hope everyone survives to read.

Ok, so where do things stand at the moment?

I am on track to have all of the written content for Pointing Dogs, Volume Two: The British and Irish Breeds done by late spring or early summer. The book explores the origin, evolution and current situation of the English, Gordon, Irish Red, Irish Red and White setters and the Pointer. I start in each breed’s homeland and then move on to America, Europe and beyond, with particular attention given to its hunting style and capabilities. I also include a chapter on field trials and hunt tests and offer my own thoughts on what I’ve learned over the last 20 years studying all the various breeds of pointing dogs.

What may end up causing a bit of delay are the photos and artwork. You see, in Volume 1, about 99% of the images are mine. And that is also part of the reason it took so damn long to complete the project. I wanted to include only pictures of genuine hunting dogs of each breed, in action, mainly in their native land. And on my budget, you don't just jet off to Spain or Slovakia every second weekend to take snapshots of dogs. You take a trip every couple of years and then wait till your credit card gets out of the intensive care ward. And Lisa and I have already travelled a bit to photograph British and Irish pointing breeds for Volume Two. But the photoshoots we’d set up for last spring and summer in Italy, France, Scotland, Ireland, England and the US fell through.

Damn plague.

Right now, I have about 80% of the photos I need in hand, but all the shots I had planned to get this year are still just figments of my imagination. And since there is no telling when I will be able to travel again, I've adjusted the plan. I will now include a good number of photos from others. I've already received some fantastic shots from amazing photographers in various regions of the world, but I am looking for more. So if you have some brilliant photos of Pointers or Setters in action in your neck of the woods, or if you know a talented photographer with great shots, drop me a line at dogwillingpublications@gmail.com. I don't have a massive budget, but I do pay for usage rights for all photos that end up in the book.

So, do you have any other irons in the fire?

Yes. Thanks for asking.

I became a podcaster. The fine folks at the Northwoods collective invited me to host a new podcast called Hunting Dog Confidential. Every two weeks, co-host Jennifer Wapenski and I record a new episode. We look at the history and current situation of everything from Labs to Laikas, pointing dogs to Podengos. Next week, we start recording season 2!

I also became a magazine editor. The Hunting Dog Confidential podcast became so successful that it spawned a magazine of the same name. So between podcasts and book writing sessions, I get to work with a bunch of super creative writers and photographers on a twice-a-year coffee table magazine about hunting dogs. The first issue was launched in October. The next one will be out in April.

And best of all, we got a new puppy!

Pros: Rooster is a heck of a good hunting dog who had an excellent first season even though we missed our annual trip to the Dakotas and Saskatchewan. Oh, and he's a handsome devil as well!

Cons: Having a super cute, energetic, naughty puppy while an evil plague rages outside is not fun. Some days it felt like being locked in a closet with a Tasmanian devil who had one too many shots of espresso. Fortunately, he's starting to calm down. Just last week, he only stole and ate half a Xmas cake instead of the entire thing. Progress!

Looking ahead to 2021, like everyone else, I just want to get back to something resembling a normal, maskless, free-to-hug-a-friend and travel kind of life. Fingers crossed, Pointing Dogs Volume Two should be at the printers by early summer, and since Volume One is almost sold out, I may also publish a revised and expanded second edition in the fall.

Happy New Year!