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"DOG TALK" THE PERSONAL TRAINER, TRAINING & CONVERSATION PAGE |
This information is written to help and entertain anyone who lives with, trains and cares for their dogs. It is especially designed to offer information related to hunting hounds and how to handle them. Now and then, it may also contain some stories or my ramblings from past experiences but all is intended to help in some way, shape or form. No one has all the answers. It sometimes seems like there is no one their to help and in those instances, this letter might provide information that will help fill the void. It makes sense to take advantage of a resource that could save you money or maybe even save the life of your dogs at some point. I've spent a lot of my lifetime working with all kinds of dogs and have "been there", "done that". Let's put this experience to work for you and see if we can't take some of the work and worry out of owning and training a Coonhound. This page will be updated monthly so please drop back often and check out the information offered here. If you have ideas to share, email me by clicking on the email links and I can share those ideas with others in a future update. |
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The following is remembering the time right after my Father-In-Law passed away... Around this time and as this was all taking place, strange feelings were stirring inside me and I couldn't quite put my finger on them. I guess it had to do with the support of my family and friends. They helped me look ahead and see that the pleasures in my life were still intact and that I shouldn't dwell on the tragedies but rather the good memories of the past. We all can learn from the bad times in our lives and what we should learn is that life goes on and that all things happen for a reason and that the Good Lord in his infinite wisdom will show us the reasons in time. All that is required is that we just hold on and enjoy what we have and not be overcome by what we've lost. I must go back to the other night now because I had something happen that had me pinching myself to see if I was awake. Over the years I had seen my father-in-law lose many of his friends and coon hunting partners and I always marveled at his matter-of-fact attitude towards it all. He was a religious man and believed that if you lived your life fairly the Good Lord would treat you fairly in the end. Well, the other night I was sleeping and was awakened, I think, by the barking of my hounds. When I was awakened I made up my mind for some reason that I had to get up and see what the ruckus was all about. Usually I just rolled over and went back to sleep but not this time. I remember thinking it must be almost daylight but as I glanced at my alarm clock next to the bed I realized that it couldn't be because it read 2:00 AM. I realized then that it must be that the moon was full but even then it seemed strange that it would be so bright. For some reason I was drawn to the window, that looks out on my driveway, and as I looked it seemed that there was a truck parked there and it seemed vaguely familiar. I just couldn't make it out and yet it seemed that I couldn't drag myself away from that scene. Gradually, I realized what was happening and suddenly it was all perfectly clear to me. There in the moonlight was my father-in-law's truck and Dixie, my Red female that had been killed on the road, was tied to the back bumper. Her tail was wagging as she looked from where I was standing in the window to the path that led to where I had my dogs tied. As I watched, a familiar sight came into view. My father-in-law was coming down the path fighting to hold back old Rebel and Big Ben the two grade dogs that I had lost and about who I told my father-in-law all the stories. As he got to the truck I could hear faint laughter and for the first time realized that there was someone inside. The words were familiar as were the voices. Voices, from the past that sounded as clear and familiar as if it were just yesterday. As my father-in-law reached the truck and started to load the dogs the entire scene seemed to slow down as he and the dogs looked directly at the window where I stood watching. I saw them as clearly as if it were daylight outside and I saw them the way they used to be, strong, straight and happy. I don't know how long I stood there or if I ever even stood there at all because soon they drove away or the scene just faded before my eyes. Perhaps I had never even gotten out of bed. I can tell you this with certainty.... Every detail was in my mind's eye as clearly as if I had stood right there. The memory of it all was implanted in my memory and I realized it would never leave. I can tell you something else, that when I woke up the next morning the sun shown outside and in my heart because I felt certain that though there are moments in our lives that are dark and seem hopeless or without reason, life goes on and all those things in our life that we loved, never die but go on living in our hearts and memories forever. No matter how bad things seem, keep your head up, your loved ones past and present in your heart and your hounds in the timber. If you do this, your life will always have the foundation needed to carry you through. Of all the experiences I have had in my life this was the most profound. It all happened for a reason whether it had been planned by the Good Lord above or triggered by some emotion or need hidden deep within my soul. I don't know what it was, I only know that it was the one event in my life to help me open my eyes and learn to take things as they are and not put so much importance on every little event that goes wrong so that they rule my life. Remember that tomorrow is a new day and things will look and feel differently. It's like I said, everything happens for a reason in our lives. The reasons may not at first be evident but in time they will become clear and we will learn and grow from each and every experience. As you come to the end of this book, think back on some of what I have written. Some of the lessons were kind of funny to think about as they played out on the pages but in the end there was something to take away from each of those experiences. If, we take what we learn to heart and think about how we can avoid similar circumstances we will be stronger and better for what we have learned. There is no reason why every one of us has to learn life's lessons the hard way. When opportunity comes by and offers you a way to make strides in your life without having to take, all the small, painful steps in between, you should take that opportunity and go forward never looking back. I was fortunate enough in my life to know some people who helped to shape my view of the past and the present. To this day I can remember in vivid detail the experiences I have lived and presented in this book. My goal has been to help every one who reads this to learn how to train and live with a dog. It has also been my goal to try to help prevent some of those painful steps that can accompany a lifetime of learning. I won't say that some lessons aren't better learned from experience and I know that regardless of what has been written here there will be those who read this and will still insist on doing things that are going to hurt themselves, their dogs or their friends. When there is finally realization of what their actions have done and they see the results of their actions then perhaps the lessons will have been learned. Regardless of how a life progresses there has to be a well of experience to draw from in order to grow not only in stature and age but also in heart and emotional and moral depth. Take from what you have experienced, those things that you can grasp and, God willing, know will help you in the future. If you make mistakes in your life, then hopefully some of what you have learned will keep you from going so far in the wrong direction that you can't find your way back. Where dogs are concerned you will most times, get a second chance because that is the nature of a dog. He is born to forgive and put up with the foolish whims of his master and benefactor. In the end he will give back without question if you build in him the respect and skills necessary to do what he is bred to do. All he will ask in return is for you to give him a moment of your attention and to remember that he is there with some small acknowledgement, maybe a pat on the head or a "good dog". Don't be stingy with your affections and don't be afraid to "get down" to the dog's level so that you can give him what he needs. When you run into those situations in your life where you will have what seems like more trouble than you can bear you will always have your dog to give you unconditional love and attention. He doesn't care if you were right or wrong and he doesn't care if you did something to regret or if you were a perfect saint. He will give you what he is capable of giving without question. He will quiver at your touch and he will look at you with eyes of understanding built not on all the good things you have done in this world but simply because you are just you. Please take the time and go through the trouble to train your dogs correctly in obedience, for hunting skills and for all the things he should know to do his job. If you invest in your dog in this way you will find that there is something there, which can't be duplicated in any way or by any other living creature. You will learn what unquestionable love is and will learn and grow from the experience if you are willing to open your eyes and see what a dog is capable of. I have been with my dogs through some of the worst conditions and into some of the darnedest places that you could ever imagine but they never seemed to mind. No matter how many times I have fallen down, slipped on my butt or how many times I have stepped on their toes or kicked into them by accident they never seem to hold it against me...so simple and honest the relationship between a man and his dog... |
