Being a Dogman ain't easy

[S_B]

There are so many stressers in these dogs that prove this job is a difficult one. So many goals that are almost reached but get snatched away at the last moment. Friendships bud only to wilt away leaving you regretting you ever met. Not to mention the shift in society and their furthering perversion toward animals. It's a battle one thinks he can not win.

But on the bright side the rewards are great, those friendships that do blossom turn into a lifelong journey of self discovery and badass memories. The goals you achieve that far surpassed your expectations, they may be few but they are great. The Bulldogs who forever stamp themselves in your heart where ever and whomever they may have come.

I'm glad I met my first Bulldog and hope I never know when I've met my last....

S_B

[BRICKFACE]

So much truth to this. Ppl I knew when i got into these dogs have past away, or are not even in the dog's anymore. I just talked to one of my mentors The other day and he said those tree huggers came and took away over 30yrs of hard work. He told me "risk vs reward, it ain't worth it anymore."

Keep a small yard, healthy hounds, keep em well fed, and an even smaller circle.

[bulldoghistorian]

shit got complicated right
every 7 years people dissapear they chase other objectives leaving you exposed
after a couple of these cycles u get tired , u get weary , u dont want to bother anymore


I feel ya

[SOUR-MASH]

There are so many stressers in these dogs that prove this job is a difficult one. So many goals that are almost reached but get snatched away at the last moment. Friendships bud only to wilt away leaving you regretting you ever met. Not to mention the shift in society and their furthering perversion toward animals. It's a battle one thinks he can not win.

But on the bright side the rewards are great, those friendships that do blossom turn into a lifelong journey of self discovery and badass memories. The goals you achieve that far surpassed your expectations, they may be few but they are great. The Bulldogs who forever stamp themselves in your heart where ever and whomever they may have come.

I'm glad I met my first Bulldog and hope I never know when I've met my last....

S_B

Well written S_B.



This is written from purely a historic standpoint and is in no way meant to reflect anyone of any action from a modern and present day standpoint.


The truth is, is that whether it's here on TPBB or APBTOP's or G-D's, the vast majority are what I call sporting dog enthusiasts.

The sporting dog enthusiast is a dogman from afar and far from a dogman. The sporting dog enthusiast has one, maybe two "gamedogs" bought from a wholesale peddler that live a good life of luxury as a trusted family pet. Before the sporting dog enthusiast has even picked up his new puppy at his local airport he will have created an online pedigree, given the puppy a cool sounding name (of course that is not the dogs pet name and the wife sure as Hell doesn't know about the other).

After getting his puppy home and having played with him some, the sporting dog enthusiast will add one of the following words for effect : "fire" , "mouth" along with "thanks *@*". Then there is the official announcement on his online forum of choice to which he is congratulated by his fellow sporting dog enthusiasts.

Another trademark of the sporting dog enthusiast is their ability to retain online factual game-dog information and in turn type those quotes as needed ie. "reboy dogs have a soft mouth but great air" uh huh and "eli dogs have hard mouths but are barn burners" uh huh. Last but not least they will defend the honour of the peddler whom sold them the dog as though they were blood kin.

In reality most sporting dog enthusiasts would shit their pants with just the company that gather for the larger shows. I would doubt very much if they have ever seen an actual match outside of some pictures or a grainy video found from searching the shit out of Google.

Ask yourself these questions :


have you ever stuck to dogs together for breeding ?

have you ever watched over a bitch as she was having her pups, ready to step in if an emergency should arise ?

have you ever had to nurse an entire litter yourself should the bitch decided she wanted nothing to do with her litter ?

have you put in the essential time during the 6th week to 14th week critical imprinting period with an entire litter ?

have you ever evaluated an entire litter and know when to cull and when to give the pups a little more time ?

have you ever schooled your own younger dogs ?

have you ever taken care of a yard yourself ? Provided a clan space for each dog to live ? Provide adequate shade in the summer and warmth in the winter ? Provided fresh, clean drinking water 3 times a day or more ? Provided the best possible feed ? Provided each with the right medical care ?

have you ever put a dog through a keep ?

have you ever handled your dog in a contest ?

have you ever had to show show the same grit as your dog during a contest and talk them through a tough spot ?

have you ever had to make the call as to when to pick ? Do you know enough as to when to pick up ? Do you care enough to pick up ?

have you the know how to provide emergency aftercare yourself ?

have you ever made a decision about when to retire and when to continue to campaign ?

have you ever been busted ?

have you ever had your entire yard taken and euthanized ?

have you ever faced your punishment and not snitched ?

have you ever had to start from scratch knowing the risks were now even greater ?

have you ever win, lose or draw conducted yourself as a sporting gentleman ?


Well sir, if you have checked of the yes box, you are an avid dogman and credit to the sport and your dogs.

[S_B]

Equally well written SOUR-MASH!

From a purely historical view of course.... Those are questions true dogmen can answer.

That is the meat of my post, and the bitter sweetness is that the MAJORITY of those, considered good dogmen fall short of answering most of those questions with a YES.

It is unfortunate, but accepted by most. I like the road less traveled....it may be lonely but I don't have too many regrets.

As for the "enthusiasts" they can have their place. The problem lies with the evil minded folks on both sides, that's when all the good sours for everyone.

S_B

[SOUR-MASH]

Equally well written SOUR-MASH!

From a purely historical view of course.... Those are questions true dogmen can answer.

That is the meat of my post, and the bitter sweetness is that the MAJORITY of those, considered good dogmen fall short of answering most of those questions with a YES.

It is unfortunate, but accepted by most. I like the road less traveled....it may be lonely but I don't have too many regrets.

As for the "enthusiasts" they can have their place. The problem lies with the evil minded folks on both sides, that's when all the good sours for everyone.

S_B

Yes, I couldn't agree more. I have nothing against the sporting dog enthusiasts, what I have a problem with is when people become angry with very petty disagreements on online chat-forums and begin to incriminate others regardless if it's intentional or not or cause dogmen to incriminate themselves in anger. Dogmen come from all walks of life but in many cases they come from hardship, where reputation is everything and where talking the talk could have serious repercussions. Keep this mentality in mind when a person is trash talking them from a comfortable home in a good area with their "gamedog" asleep on the couch next to them. It's only to easy for a real dogman to type incriminating information about themselves in an attempt to defend their reputation by some armchair dogman.

[S_B]

Yes, I couldn't agree more. I have nothing against the sporting dog enthusiasts, what I have a problem with is when people become angry with very petty disagreements on online chat-forums and begin to incriminate others regardless if it's intentional or not or cause dogmen to incriminate themselves in anger. Dogmen come from all walks of life but in many cases they come from hardship, where reputation is everything and where talking the talk could have serious repercussions. Keep this mentality in mind when a person is trash talking them from a comfortable home in a good area with their "gamedog" asleep on the couch next to them. It's only to easy for a real dogman to type incriminating information about themselves in an attempt to defend their reputation by some armchair dogman.

These dogs are just competitive, whether you're pulling, showing, hog hunting or breeding everyone wants to be the best to ever do it. Add the dynamic of anonymity and it makes some go from meek to freak. lol

I myself have fallen into the online "trap" of saying things I shouldn't have or provoking someone to do the same. Hind sight is always 20/20.

Something you said made me think of a good friend of mine. Someone who became a dogman in his teens and will die one. Hardship is his middle name. The man will give anything he has to a stranger. There simply isn't any value in anything other than a dog to him. He's a very special man, and I love him like family, I want things to be easier for him, but his personality will never allow it. He's certainly not a criminal or a theif, and he's been tested hard and he's no rat.

It's like we as humans never actually grow up, when we were kids we'd get into riffs with our friends, next thing you know it's off to the principles office because your friends told on you. Same situation much harder lessons or consequences.

Good discussion, it's been lacking here lately, I think most here forgot how to communicate. lol Hopefully more folks will chime in. Glad to have you here SOUR-MASH, keep the conversation coming!

S_B

[EWO]

I agree with the posts above. It is hard to talk about dogs and not talk about dogs at the same time. If that makes sense.

I was turned onto dogs as a kid by a loud and obnoxious man. Very few people liked him but he was much respected because of his dogs and he may be the perfect definition of 'open to the world' (way back when). He was a man of action, which in the dogs, is how it should be. If he were involved in one of these spats he would show up at your front door with two dogs in hand. You could put up or shut up at that point. Problem solved.

In todays climate that would put you in the slammer in a quick minute.

I liked the reference to the guy with the 'gamedog' asleep on the couch. I think that is where a huge disconnect develops. The guy that just checked two or three of his young dogs can't and should not be on top of the mountain shouting their praises. Some do. The disconnect is when the guy with a dog who has never had bumps and bruises shouts from that mountain.

The competitive nature of people will always call him out. The exchange starts and before you know it there is enough information out there to fill a cell block. Happens all the time.

It has happened before, it happens in any and every competitive endeavor but the kicker is the internet. We put it out there for all to see, even when we do not intend to do so.

The fact one pays a subscription to this site, and others, can get the ball rolling.

I have read many a feat on the internet and wanted to go snatch ol
Spot off the chain and set things straight. Read things and have had things said to me on the internet that made me want to grab Spot and go. The I take a deep breath and say, "Don't let a dumbass make me into a dumbass".

EWO

[SOUR-MASH]

Two great posts guys and definitely food for thought to anyone reading.

[EWO]

I liked your questions. I was answering as I read, yep, yep, yep, yep. At some point I was going to have to admit I have a problem.

The guy that turned me onto dog back then ran with Mr. Edwards, Mr. Stephenson, Ms. Marlowe, Mr. Bass, Mr. Colopy, Mr. Brewer, Mr. Jackson and the guys of that era in and around the Carolinas. He use to tell us kids that if we did all we wanted to do in these dogs and at the end of that time, however short or however long, and no one knew you name. That is called mission accomplished.

On the flip side he would say.. "people know, people find out, you can't hide from good dogs and you can't hide behind good dogs".

Those were different times.

EWO