A little light at the end of the trail.

[high desert hounds]

Mike, you are probley feeling like hanging it up right now. you know, your inability to get it done and all. I would like to encourage you to do this and I will help you out by buying those dogs of yours. LOL Thanks again for the story it has kept me daydreaming for two days.

[Dads dogboy]

Mr. Mike,

Another great story! You are a true Wordsmith!

Watching and Listening to your Hounds, specially the Young Hounds work hard and not MESS up, is what makes all the COLD mornings, HOT nights, equipment breakdowns, and Sissoring Races, somehow seem not so bad!

When you have Bred them yourself, it truly is like watching your Children!

Hope to see you on the Blue in January!

CJC

[Mike Leonard]

Absolutley CJ I will be down there!

[twist]

I just hate the negative comments all the time this article was ment for everyone to enjoy and yet some how a negative remark has to be made, why just keep reading! I try and stay out of them but for Mike pulling the wool over any of us come on where has he ever said his dogs are the best or his theory is the only way? He just tells his stories and experiances with his hounds and why is that so bad. Maybe someone can learn from them and maybe not. As for being on the internet just because a person is does that mean his or her dogs cant catch game maybe and maybe not, but to each thier own. If only I could put my stories down on paper like Mike. I have come to the conclusion that all the negative responses are (PURE JEALOUSY). Keep your great stories and wisdom of hounds a coming I along with many enjoy it. later, Andy

[BigGameHunter]

Keep em commin Mike. Your way of putting things has a way of getting a mans mind where you are. Out in the outdoors.

[Mr.pacojack]

Mr. Mike,

Another great story! You are a true Wordsmith!


CJC

Perfectly said. Mike can tell a story like no other, Truely gifted and love to read his stories. Like someone else said, makes you believe you are there too. I hope he writes a book some day, I will for sure have one in my collection. Keep them coming

[2ndhound]

Guess the best way I can say what Im thinking of mikes stories,is that I woke up this morning dog butt tired and no intention of going anywhere,fired up the puter read this story,and said what the heck am I doing??? Loaded up the dogs and off we went!!So far as Im concerned I dig everyones hunting stories,the good and bad,the sucess and failures,Sometimes a decent story can lift a fellow out the doldrums,and light a fire under his backside,So my dogs say thanks Mike!! And from me I say keep em coming!!

[rzhounds]

Great story Mike keep them coming. You hit the nail on the head, somedays is just trailing and watching the dogs work with no tree at the end, but when you can see those young dogs like yours get better and better after every trip, its all worth it in my oppinion. I love to see the young dogs improve with every trip they go on, because one day those young dogs will be old dogs then dead and gone and the only thing you have left of them is the memories like the one you told us about, keep up the good work Mike you sound like a very fine houndsmen who can deffinatly get r done in the dirt lion business..

[spruce mountain]

Good story Mike,anybody that breeds there own dogs or trains there own pups knows exactly what your talking about.

[crusherscott]

Great story Mike, you and those damn boys of mine are the only motivation i have to keep me going, Thanks.

[Mike Leonard]

Hey Scott it's the least we can do. LOL!

Get that fancy looking pup out there and chase them longtails!

[Eric Muff]

Had great 4 day weekend,it is Thanks Giving in these parts.Wife skipped off to Mexico with the gals from the Vet clinic and that left me to my own devices!
Hauled a little hay and spent some time just looking around the country.Lots of snow around the hills and oddly enough all the leaves are still green and have not fallen yet,winter hit suddenly but the foreast is for warmer weather and rain late this week so the trick or treaters might get lucky.
Anyway I did manage a hike with the "team" and enjoyed the cool temperatures along with a clear sky,windless day.The dogs kept close as I like them to do while I am on foot and made me smile at their antics several times.It was a day free from the stress of everyday living and offered a new deep fresh breath of attitude on my behalf,I love that new day feeling.
We hear so often guys on here wondering about how to solve this issue or that problem with their hounds when really all it takes is time.
"Time in equals quality out".You do not need to hunt your dogs everyday to get dogs that will make you happy,you just need to work em anyway you can.

[B-N-Trees]

Sure like to hear other people who appreciate the outdoors, dogs and horses. Besides days like yours are what cat hunting is.

[Rockcreek]

[quote="Mike Leonard"]
I guess one might say that and old lion strike dog may be the eternal optomist. [quote]

That's the truth if I ever heard it. Great story Mike, I also felt like I was right there with you. Any day I have in the mountains with the dogs is a success for me. You can't win the game, if you never play. Dry ground lion hunting is my favorite game to play. Frustrating and sometimes downright painful, but when the dogs get it done... Oh so sweet is the victory. Keep on em!

Take care buddy.
Mason