My old Tess was was long past her prime and no longer the lightning striker she had once been...but she still squalled to go, as I loaded dogs on the truck.
I would let her out more or less as an extra, and she would hunt close while the other pointers ranged out.
We were half way thru a morning near Norias that had not been overly productive, when one of the dogs went on point. We flushed the covey,
and I put Tess on the ground to walk with us while we worked the singles. She locked into the best point she could manage (her once proud
tail hung limp) just downwind of a tangled bush, no larger than my kitchen table.
I positioned the client, then began to beat the bush for all I was worth....No bird. I kicked I rattled the bush...No bird, but I could see the old fire in Tess eyes, and see that she was huffing the scent by the movement of her jowls.
The client asked me, "What do you think? False point?" I pointed to Tess and replied, "Robert, there is 15 yrs experience, and centuries of breeding telling you there is a bird in that bush!"
I did what I should have done in the first place, and called to my driver to release the English Cocker. The little cocker dove into the thicket like a whirlwind, and out flew the bird which was promptly dispatched.
My client grinned broadly as he commented, "Well Done".

My point being, there is most certainly something special about old dogs still getting it done....and Well Done to Dixie

Thanks Pointer! I have heard the “let the Cocker out” a few times. It’s like release the Kracken.

Exactly!