I was standing on a mountain for the second time this season listening to the sound of a barking hound. This hound has already treed more lions half way through the winter season than some hounds will in two or three full seasons.
Her owner is a young and let’s just say, competitive guy. This hound named Huckleberry often carries the day and has helped train my own young pups all season long. While there are times when her owner pushes the upper limits of braggadocious temperament I have to hand it to ‘Ol Huck, if she’s barking – there’s a cat at the end of her stare.
Somewhere on a mountain amidst the baying of hounds and snow flying a request was made to write the words “Huckleberry is Awesome” in an article someday. Well, after watching this hound perform track after track and season after season the statement isn’t just made from empty words, it’s an absolute fact.
Houndsmen couldn’t be houndsmen without hounds and good houndsmen can’t be good without good hounds. A lot of things must go right in order to bring out the best hounds can produce. Here’s a tribute to ‘Ol Huck – and I took some liberties there calling her that but it is after all my article…
The track is fresh and I know that it’s true
A beller just came from the throat of a walker that’s blue
The clip is let loose and she’ll make not a sound
She’ll follow that track in snow on the ground
She’ll keep the scent in her nose like sniffing a rose
Until the distance ‘tween hound and lion is closed
When from canyon walls her triumphant bark echoes
There’s no doubt this hound dog knows
The source of the scent is now in a tree
She’s telling everyone, that includes you and me
That tree is the place that she’s meant to be
The long race is over but she won’t want to leave
Her name is Huckleberry, a name you can’t weave
Into stories that disbelief cause
You’ll watch her run once ‘fore you take a moment of pause
Whether hounds you’ve seen many or maybe just saw some
I’m here to tell you that Huckleberry is Awesome –
Ode to Huckleberry the awesome hound – by T.L.Walrath