Best friend doesn’t begin to describe it. A best friend can occasionally let you down. Probably not intentionally but we all know life gets busy. Your dog will not. When you’re sick, they will lay by your side. They feel you hurting and lay their head on you just so you will feel comfort. When you cry, they want to be there to catch your tears before they hit the ground.
We all know that dogs have been used for hunting and tracking purposes for a very long time, they want to be able to use their nose. Sure they would like to nap on a comfy couch and eat in a nice warm home. Anybody would! However, they don’t want to be deprived the right to do what God created them to do. All dogs want to be able to chase game.
They are as loyal as they come. They want to make you happy no matter what the cost. You tell them to do something and they gladly do it. Anything to hear “good dog” and just see a smile on your face. I don’t believe there is a greater friendship on this Earth than a dog and their person.
This may be confusing to read so far but let me explain the point I am trying to make. Don’t ever tell me that it’s “just a dog”. If they belong to me, they are family. They are by my side more than any friend ever could be. I know that I can depend on their love and support no matter what situation I may be facing.
I know that everybody hunts differently but we choose to train our own dogs. We get them around 8 weeks old. Unless they come from our own stock. In that case, we have them from the day they’re born. We start putting them in the woods around 3 to 4 months old. We let them get fur in their mouth. We teach them to tree and the way we want it done.
We put countless hours in with our hounds. We praise them when they get it right and correct them when they’re wrong. They are our family and we treat them just as that. I know dog hunters get a lot of heat and I know there are dog hunters who do things I will never agree with. That’s okay.
Yes, we all hunt differently. The important thing is that we continue to use hounds and teach future generations to do the same. We can’t let this become a thing of the past. It’s too important. Not only to us but to these dogs who want to be able to do what they were born to do. We have to learn to get along and quit putting each other down.
Support each other. Lift each other up. Answer other hunters questions and don’t make them feel bad for asking. Especially our youth. We are all in this together. We are hound hunters united and united is the only way this tradition will stand!
So again don’t tell me that it’s just a dog, they are my best friends. I tell them more of my troubles than any human that walks this earth. They deserve my very best because they give me nothing less of themselves. God bless the tradition of running hounds and may it go on and on until the good Lord calls us home. Let your dogs hunt. I promise you will never see a more genuine glow in their eyes!
