HollyWritten By: Cora Parker
The first time I got to go coon hunting, I believe I was 15 years old. I didnt know what I was getting in to. Once those dog leads were unclipped, my heart was racing like a wild pony. Chills were running down my spine when they first struck a track. I could not believe I had waited so long to try this new sport.
I met my husband in 2009 and started coon hunting with him quite a bit. We decided to get our first coonhound puppy together in 2011 and he was born exactly one week before our son Levi was born. Those two have grown up together! He is a bluetick cross hound and better than the finest gold!
Ruger
We started training him at just a few months old. We took him with a finished bluetick that Josh’s daddy has named Walter. The first year or two was rough because Ruger loved a deer. There was just something about this hound. We knew he was going to break loose and burn down those coons one day.
Happy to say, he did just that! Ruger was a finished coon dog right around the age of 3. He would no longer mess with deer, possum or any off game. He still doesn’t to this day. The older he has gotten though, he has been known to chase a coyote once or twice if he crosses their path.
Bonnie Lou is my first hound I really got to train on my own and mess with. I had a bluetick cross boy named Marshall but he died young unfortunately. That was a hard loss but then again losing a hound is never easy. Bonnie has already learned so much from Ruger. She even treed her first coon from start to finish at 8 months old at the end of this past season.
Ruger’s Love
Ruger has taught me so much about coon hunting and about myself. I have never met a more humble or gentle dog. He loves like no other unless you are a raccoon. Haha. He is so good with training puppies as well. He is patient with them and don’t put them on wrong tracks. He handles them jumping in his face real well.
Walking roads behind Ruger over the past 9 years have been some of the best and most peaceful memories I have. I pray for many more. A dog like him don’t come around very often but when they do, you will thank God for every time you can unclip their lead. He has taught me to be humble in life and appreciate the little things.
As hound runners, we build such a strong bond with our working dog. We know every sound they make and know what move they will make next depending upon that sound. We know their strengths and their weaknesses. We know how to read their next play on the ground.
One of a Kind
Ruger is a one of a kind dog! He is a blessing in more ways than just hunting. He is by my side no matter what. I have cried many tears with my arms wrapped around him. He just let’s me get out the sadness and frustration I need. He has given me a new definition to the phrase “man’s best friend”!!
