Billie the Cav Spaniel found her way back

[slightlv]

5. That's how I felt about Blackie... a miracle on 4 legs.

As a young toddler, I was told not to bother a friend's cocker spaniel. Pup did NOT have the temperament to be around kids. And of course, like the girl in your story, I found him and kept trying to pet him. He bit my eyelid of my right eye. Mom said I cried for a few minutes and then just kept yelling, don't hurt the dog. It was MY fault. The two families had been friends for generations, knew the history and medical condition of the dog, and we all let it slide and I learned a very valuable lesson at a very young age. I still bear the scar on my eyelid to remember that blonde cocker, tho. (LOL)

I was such a soft touch, that one time my grandfather took me and my brother fishing with him. I didn't want to go, and sure enough the first fish he caught I gave him a hell of a scolding for one my age... for causing that fish to hurt himself on that sharp hook, drag him out of the water, and then throw him back in like he meant nothing. Worse, he'd come prepared for squirrel hunting, as well. And he did get a squirrel. My grandmother said it took months before I'd even go into a room if he was in it... and more than once I called him a "murderer." I'm not totally opposed to hunting, if there is no other way for a family to feed itself. I just feel like it's cruel in today's world. I'm all but a vegetarian... and I -still- don't eat fish! because the cruelty of taking a gentle life kills a bit of humanness in us, IMO.

Don't get me wrong! I'm not opposed to guns or afraid of them. I was the American National Sharpshooter in my teen years in the 70's, and retained a sharpshooter title throughout my time in the Air Force. Of course, today I couldn't hit the broadside of a barn. But a gun is a tool of last resort, to me. Don't ask me about magas, lol.