Ellensburg Blue was his name and the best dang retriever I have had the honor of training. He was 12 when I had to put him down on 6/20/11. He achieved his Junior Hunter title September 2000 and would have gone on to win more titles if my ups/downs in life hadn't gotten in the way. We trained under the mentorship of Russ & Mary Hallowell, owners of North Bend Retriever Kennel. Blue sure was purdy to watch from triple retrieves (with a 4th blind retrieve up to 200 yds.), or bringing back a mess of honkers to a blind full of my buddies, or bustin’ a rooster from a ditch bank in the Palouse. He was an all-around gun dog, one any man (or woman) would be proud to hunt behind. I would like to thank my wife Patti and neighbor young Willie Banks for their hours of training help, without it Blue's achievements would have been much more difficult to attain. Blue, thank you for your friendship you are forever in my heart, you taught me self-discipline and what it means to be humble. Your pal forever.

Mark M.