It is surely bad enough when our relationships go south for one reason or another. Sometimes spouses get cross-ways. Often long-time friends become at odds over personal or religious or political views.
But when the relationship between a man and his hunting dog goes south…well we should all sit up straight and take stock of what in the world is happening to our society. After all, a dog is man’s best friend. That is until things go wrong.
The news story below should cause all of us to seriously ponder the consequences of neglecting the relationship we have with our dogs, hunting or not. As you read the story, ask yourself some very probing questions: What did this hunter do to cause this? How could he have understood his canine friend better? Did he require too much of his best friend? Did the poor dog feel too “fenced in?” Then, translate the questions to your own man/dog relationship and make whatever changes you feel are necessary.
And as you read, notice how the news article tries to spread the blame around. Notice the phrase “A pack of hunting dogs…” and “hunting dogs stepped on the gun…” You can’t blame the poor dog, so the writer tries to protect the identity of the trigger-dog.
No doubt the real problem here is the hunter and his neglect of the relationship!
Now the story:
CHICAGO (AFP) - A pack of hunting dogs shot an Iowa man as he went to retrieve a fallen pheasant, authorities said. James Harris, 37, was shot in the leg while hunting with some friends on Saturday afternoon.
The group shot a bird which landed on the other side of a fence, the Iowa Department of Natural Resource said in a press release.
“Harris reportedly went to retrieve the bird, placed his gun on the ground and crossed the fence near the muzzle end,” the press release said.
“When he crossed the fence, hunting dogs stepped on the gun, which discharged and struck Harris in the left calf at a distance of roughly three feet.”
Harris was treated at a regional medical center and later transported by helicopter to an Iowa City hospital.
May we all learn from this.
October 31, 2007 at 3:17 pm
makes you wonder what Millie may be plotting….after all of her “awkward face” moments and making her sit in chairs like the rest of us…..hhmmm, makes you think.