I get the Gun Cranks video every Friday and the topic this past Friday was Hunting Humor.
After my last two careers, I no longer hunt. I don't mind those who do, I have just chosen not too any longer. I did hunt as a youngster with my family. When I lived in Florida, we hunted a lot of squirrels and this often led to humorous encounters. Today's story involves my Stepfather's Squirrel Dog, an excellent Basset who was very skilled. She would spot a squirrel and stop and look back so that YOU knew she was locked on. When YOU came to the ready gun position and nodded she would run to the tree, as the squirrel had invariably run to the back side. One last look to make sure YOU were ready and she would dash to the back side and bark bark bark, the squirrel would run around to YOU and BOOM. The squirrel would fall to the ground and as gentle as a mother, she would retrieve your squirrel and bring it to the shooter to be put in the game pouch at the back of the shooting vest. She would sit at attention at your feet and receive her praise and pat on the head. (At the end of the shooting day, when the squirrels were cleaned, she got the leavings.)
My stepfather had gone out as first mate on the charter boat, and I had taken the dog out for squirrels as he wanted squirrel stew for dinner. I had two in the pouch and wanted a couple more. Hup, she was locked on and gave me the LOOK. Ready gun, and she confirmed. Off she went, bark bark bark. Squirrel appeared up came the 12 gauge double and BOOM... I rushed the shot. Hey, I was twelve. I missed now and then.
Around the base of the tree, a Basset Muzzle appears, and two disappointed Sad Eyes. The head disappears back behind the tree. Then slowly the head appears back around the tree with two disbelieving eye staring at me for about a minute, as if to say: "How could you miss?"
I was insulted, by a foot tall dog.
