Why do you do it???

I was raised running dogs. We always had hunting dogs till I got in my late teens and running deer lost favor in our areas. We kept a few for a while running where we could. Eventually the last few died and we was out. I then started duck hunting and used retrievers to fill that void. I enjoy watching them work and messing with them but it just wasn't the same. Once hogs became a problem on the farm I started getting guys to bring dogs. Now this was more like it. I had lots of guys come and saw how the different styles of dogs worked. I started to hunt regular with folks. Watching the dogs learning from them. Seeing what I did and didn't like about some dogs. After a while it got to the point I couldn't get folks to come run the farm cause it was to hot to dry not enough hogs or whatever reason. So I decided to try to put me a rag tag group together as I could. My dogs were barely started and not worth much beings most were culls to the ones I got them from but I saw potential in each. After lots and lots of work. Many dry runs and races that they lost the track I have a group of dogs that will find and stop or catch hogs. This made me proud because now the same guys that I got the dogs from want them back. The farm was sold and I no longer farm but I still have my dogs. Now my 3 year old has spent her life so far with dogs and going with my wife and I when I go. Now she ask when we are going again. Now she says let's go hunting. Now it's better than ever. I still get to work and train the dogs watching them turn on but I get to do it with my family and watch my lil girls eyes light up the way I know mine did as a child when daddy said load the dogs up. So I guess the reasons have changed slightly over the years to a degree but the love has never faded. Seeing that love pass on to the eyes of my lil girl is enough to tickle my soul. That is why I do it.

Sorry so long.

Shotgun
Arkansas