first off welcome to the site
and I can agree, not much better in life than watching a good dog do what nature wanted it to do
However, I never did much tree dog hunting, be it squirrels, coons, or other things
as to be honest I don;t care to eat any of that stuff, and don't shoot things I don't eat, or have others that want

But I have many many many great memories of my bird dogs over pheasants and other upland game in some picture perfect places over the yrs, that I will cherish till the day I pass on!
and still miss them dogs that passed on!

its a joy that those that never hunted over there best friend/dog, will never understand I think and a its shame too!
there missing out on something pure and natural and amazing at times to watch them work with there noses
NO toy or play time will ever compare , to seeing them do what they were made to do! IMO!