Gun Dog Forum

I set here typeing this with a heavy heavy heart. I lost a very very close friend, trainer and mentor this morning.



To me being in his presence was like being in the presence of Greatness when it comes to Training and Breeding Outstanding Quality Birddogs. There has not been a day go by that he hasn't taught me something . The days we work long and hard in the Field and then go out and have dinner are the times I think I learn the most. Being able to ask him questions and learning about dogs and people from the past has given me a Priceless knowledge about the Birddog world.

Lou had been a Pro Trainer for 65 + years and got his start through the Hall of Fame Trainer / Handler Herman Smith from Alabama. Lou had successfully handled and trained many dogs to Field Championships. He handled dogs in both A.K.C and American Field Trials. Many of the dogs he trained were handled by clients to Field Championships and Wins as well as thousands of class gundogs for the most demanding hunter.

Please have the Foehrkolb family in your thoughts and prayers.

God's Speed my Friend, God's Speed

My condolences to all. You know how much I thought of Lou.... he'll be missed but he'll be well remembered. CR

Thanks Charlie , He will be missed Greatly.

Robert

Please give my sincere condolances to Barb, Margaret and Melissa... I met Lou many years ago when I lived in Maryland. He loved a solid liver bitch I had at the time. I would see him at the horse auctions in Westminster and Thurmont from time to time. I still see Melissa alot at the dog shows and always ask about Lou. .... he was quite the character and a hellava good dog man. My prayers to the family. Donna

Thanks Ted and Donna,
It has been a shock to us all. This was something that you can never be prepared for. Guys like Lou just don't come along every day, He was special . He would have been 84 next week.

Robert

Really sorry to have heard of this Robert. I know he was a great friend to you, as well a great Mentor to you and that you have a heavy heart. If you must cry, cry for yours, Barb's, Margaret and Melissa's losses.... not for his.
Lou is training great bird dogs in Heaven.

Bruce,
Thank You so much. It is very hard but I know he is in a better place now. He will be watching over us. If you would do me a favor if possible , take a moment of silence to remember him at the Hunt Test this weekend. I am unable to be their but he is a honorary member of the club and really thought alot of the club. Thanks again Bruce.


Robert

I will do that Robert. Gladly.

Fieldmaster wrote:Bruce,
Thank You so much. It is very hard but I know he is in a better place now. He will be watching over us. If you would do me a favor if possible , take a moment of silence to remember him at the Hunt Test this weekend. I am unable to be their but he is a honorary member of the club and really thought alot of the club. Thanks again Bruce.


Robert

Robert sometimes the best medicine for a loss like this is a good laugh.

About three years ago Schyler Benson brought Lou a pup to train he got from me. He had her for a few weeks and Schulyer called to ask about her and Lou said she was very frustrating. Schuyler came out that weekend to watch him work her. Lou got pretty frustrated with her again.

He told Schuyler in that "voice of his" that she was either the smartest, or the dumbest, or the most hard headed dog he'd ever worked with... he just wasn't quite sure which. He even called me up and we spent several hours talking about her over three or four calls spaced out over as many weeks.

She came out and spent the fall with me on the trip up north, Stayed around till Schuyler came out Quail hunting and took her home in January.

Schuyler took her back over to Lou for some work in the spring and Lou insisted that I'd switched dogs on him while she was in Texas, because she'd gone from being either the smartest, dumbest, and most hard headed dog he'd ever trained to being an absolute pure pleasure and a joy to work with!

They both had a really big laugh.

Lou called me again one last time after she went home just to tell me how much he'd enjoyed having her out there and especially seeing how she developed over those first 18 months or so.

Be sure to pack his blank gun, whistle, and check cord because you know he'll be needing them when he gets done with his nap and goes back to work.

Pass along my condolences to all. CR

Robert,
Sorry for your loss.....Lou was a kind ol' gent. I was wondering if you would write a small memorial for Lou that I could post in the Mason-Dixon GSP Club's newsletter. Actually Robert, I would really like to do a tribute to Lou & his life. I know you all were very close, to say the least, & if any one knew Lou well, It's you. PM me if you would be willing to do something like that with me & we'll talk more. Again I'm very sorry for your loss.

Jennifer Shaffer

I am so sorry for the loss of your friend. You will remember, for the rest of your life things he said or did working dogs each time you go out to train. That is the worst, and best part. When one of my best friends and mentor died we went to the Memorial, then got together at a restraunt for our own memorial. We told stories for hours and laughed til we cried on each one. But, there was nothing better, for us.......

Thanks everyone,

Bruce, That would be great if you could do that this weekend. Tell Jen I will contact her about doing a tribute to him in the newsletter. I will talk it over with his family and friends as we don't want to leave anything out.

Charlie, I remember that dog very well. Had my hands on her first hand , Schyler is a very very nice guy.

Thanks to everyone again. Each day will get better and better from this point.

Robert

Bobby,

Please pass along our condolences to the Foehrkolb family.

Lou was a nice man and was instrumental in my earlier bird dog career. The knowledge gained and the lessons learned from Lou will not be forgotten. He taught me how to bring out the true ability in each dog.

He will be missed.

Take care,

Donnie

Thanks Donnie

My condolences to the family...what a loss to the bird dog world. I would have liked to have met him.

Bobby, I was shocked and saddened by this news. My condolences to the family and those like you who were very close to him. This is a true loss to the bird dog world. He was a true dog man. He knew what he was doing with a bird dog. If I had something puzzling me about a dog, he had the answer. I will never forget the day I spent up at his house a few years back. He was something to see going through yardwork with a dog. I bought a pup from him later on that day. I asked him which pup he would choose out of two pups. He said, "close you eyes and pick one, both of them will be bird dogs." And he was right. God Bless Mr. Lou and his family! He will be surely missed.

Robert, So sorry to hear of your good friends passing. I know from when we last talked over the phone a while back, how much you respected him and valued your friendship. As a consolation though, it’s nice he took the time to share with you his training knowledge and experiences. Perhaps down the road you’ll help someone out the same way. Again, my condolences.

Rodger