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I Never Told You but…
The crisp air was fragrant with the smell of pine smoke from a nearby home. Sounds from the ocean rushing to shore echoed a reminder of continuous movement. The two friends, who had walked for a while, sat down in companionable silence, enjoying the deserted beach.
Smiling at his friend and walking companion with his hair ruffled by the breeze, Trevor says, “I never told you, Simone, but Boss used to take the hound dogs he and his boys trained out bird hunting. He once showed me a picture of all seven he’d raised, from pups to full-fledged bird dogs. In the picture, they’re all sitting down waiting for his command.”
Simone’s scrunched up her flawless face with her bright eyes wide in thought. Nodding, she questions, “I can understand squirrel dogs or even cat dogs, but what are bird dogs? You’re making this up. Do these animals have names?”
Trevor chuckles. “You don’t have to train any dog to detest squirrels or cats. But, you can train a pup to alert their owner when in a field, not on a leash, that a tasty fowl is resting in a thicket ahead waiting for their master to shoot.”
Simone’s face looked horrified. “No leash? How did Boss control them? Dogs love to explore, and any I’ve had are gone over the closest hill in a flash. You’re teasing me with a children’s story. Make-believe, right?”
