Thanks Krystal.
Meaty took some bad hits on a hog last night. The bay dogs stuck with the hog, while we doctored on Meaty. About that time, Thomas and Krystal called to see if we were doing any good, and we told them about Meaty being down, and Annie and Brandy were on the hog about a mile out. They offered to bring in some extra catch dogs, so worked on Meaty while they drove through two counties to get to us. Dogs were still showing treed, so we went in with the fresh dogs, and the dogs had a dang ole sow bayed up. I guess the boar dropped them on a sow, and they bayed her. We got her killed,Annie rolled out, but Brandy stuck around, we checked her and saw that She had taken a hit too. Got her to the truck, and doctored her. Everything looked to be going okay... Left the dogs on the box overnight, then we let them out to do their business this morning, Brandy is fine, but Meaty was peeing out of a cut in his scrotum, and one of the other bad cuts.... Rushed him to the vet, they worked on him to see if they could repair the damage. It was decided by the vets, that they could not repair him. Unfortunately, he had to be put down.
To those of you who were fortunate enough have hunted behind Meathead, then you understand how significant this loss is to us. He may have been slow and ugly, but damn he was all heart. Once he was caught, it was easier to wait for it to thunder, than it was to break him off.
He lived everyday to catch a hog. Never once did I hesitate to go in after a hog when Meaty was on the ground, he had your back no matter how big and bad the hog was. He was a fine teacher, when we got him, we were new to hog dogging, but we were told he would take care of us in the woods.He did just that, and he taught us what a true catch dog is...and with him gone, it leaves a huge hole in our pack...he will be buried at our place wearing his cut gear for his final journey.
Our very first hog with just our pack.
Poor dog even had to put up with having his nails painted...
Taking a break from the action during TDHA contest weekend.
Goodbye Meaty, you will be missed dearly.
