Amber....

I had anticipated drafting a "Happy New Year" post with a complete review of the year's most exciting and entertaining events, however, "Amber" has come along and become the focus of my attention instead. "Amber" is a hunting dog that has been separated from her group. Judging by her body condition, she was either separated quite a while ago, or her owner has half starved her to death. Regardless, she's been welcomed with food, water, and a warm place to rest until her owner (as identified by her collar) can come get her. Wishing her lots of love in 2011. Her and all the other dogs out there working for a living this hunting season....

I wish I could say that "Amber's" arrival during this hunting season was not something we have experienced before. It is unfortunate that we normally have several hunting dogs in similar conditioning show up each season that take refuge with us until their owners come to claim them....I wish I could say they are normally in a lot better condition than "Amber", but they aren't....I've bathed more encrusted hides, medicated more infected ears, and filled more empty stomachs than I can hardly stomach myself....

The practice of hound hunting—using packs of dogs, some equipped with radio transmitters—to chase and hunt deer, bears and other wildlife has become an increasingly controversial and hotly-debated issue in many areas, particularly in Virginia.

These pictures have not been doctored in any way....

PLEASE feed your dogs, and hunt responsibly....

Leah