Your Dog Is Not Disposable Posted By: Jake Theron

You dont need to be Saint Francis of Assisi to know that some things just aint right when it comes to how some jackasses treat their gun dogs. Not everyone, but there are a rare few, total puckerholes that treat what should be a partner and best friend like a broken toaster when the animal doesnt perform up to their blasted redneck attitudes.

If it seems like were mad, multiply furious by 20-trillion and youll get an idea of just how steamed we are when we hear about a jackanape mistreating any animal. But there is a special place in hell for hunters that think their gun dogs are disposable.

Every once-in-a-while you hear about some pencil-necked geek bragging at his local watering hole about how he ditched his animal in the woods because he just aint no good no more.

Say Its Not So

One final rant. There are actually some total idiots thank god not too many that will cut loose their gun dog at the end of the season so they can get a new puppy ready for next year. To send these fools to become target practice for some equally moronic al-Qaeda jerks would be too kind a punishment.

Think about this: To turn that furry little ball of love into a faithful cohort takes a lot of sweetness on your part. That and the training, money, time and other resources is not a walk in the park. When visiting a breeder (or, better yet, your local pet shelter) look for a mutt thats first going to fit in with the family. Unless youre rescuing an Afghan hound, most dogs are trainable.

Disposable? Its like a kid. Its a responsibility and an investment. The vet visits for shots and check-ups, basic training, advanced gun dog training, food, toys, leashes this stuff isnt plucked from pet gardens.

An efficient hunting canine needs time to snap to your wishes. That takes a bag of silliness on your part. Puppies love to play. Who cares if you look appear to be a goof at the dog park because youre hamming it up as a clown with the little one? Lets put it this way: If youre acting like Prince Charles when you and the dog are playing youre going to appear to others as even weirder.

The baby is not just having a ball. The two of you are bonding. This could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for both of you. So dont blow it. And if the animal doesnt have the right stuff, dont take it out back behind the garage and blow the poor things head off. You may not have a brain, but dont you at least have a heart, right?

Act Your Age and Species

A small fraction of hunters give everyone a bad rap. But they represent one hair short of 100%. Lets say you and the dog need to part ways. Could happen. As an adult who uses their cranium, its your responsibility to find the mutt a good loving home. Dont simply drop them off to get euthanized at the pound. Be proactive and either sell or give the dog to some loving folk. We have these things as human beings. Theyre called ethics, morality and compassion. Exercise the big three. It makes for a string of good night rests, especially with your pup curled-up at your feet.

Your Dog Is Not Disposable Posted By: Jake Theron