Catchdog Heaven has another Assett

Today has been a hard one.

Thanks for all the kind words for Meaty. I had nothing to do with his training, so I'm not tooting my own horn in saying he was one of the best catch dogs I've ever had the privilege of walking in behind. You could count on him to have your back, and he never thought twice about catching no matter how bad things got.

Meat Head has been a constant in this sport for quite a few years, and I cannot imagine the list of people who caught hogs behind him (and who cursed him if they were the ones having to pull him off the hog). I know hog dogs go down in the line of duty, and I'm not going to whine and cry because I lost mine. However, I lost a friend today that has had my back since day one. This old dog has taught me and a good many others more about hog hunting than we care to admit. I always enjoyed seeing how happy and lively he got when his vest and collars came off the truck. I never thought I would dread vesting old "Meatball", but I assure you it was tough suiting him up for the last time this afternoon while Chris prepared a spot for him under that oak tree next to my roundpen. He is in all his gear, nameplates in place so there's no question in case I don't recognize him on the other side.

Thanks to Krystal for being his guardian angel all his life, to Matt and Derrek Ensor for entrusting him to me, and thanks to all the folks who have held his lead while I climb through the fence.

Cheers
M