letter from the camp 04-15-2018

While on my walk today I arrived at a quasi-theorem on a relationship with an animal that I dearly love---the canine, in my case my dog Blue. The theorem is simple, every dog deserves a camp, and every camp deserves a dog. The balance of this equation seems simple enough. Who could argue that this theorem is not true; yet often in my travels I see dogs chained to a house, a virtual prisoner to the lackadaisical owner. Often these unlucky canines rarely ever get a walk in the woods, or a run on a bike path. Yet, the feckless owner has time to sit in front of the boobtube and swill beer while the dog endures the vagaries of the weather without proper exercise.

Blue, my English Setter, and I manage to get a daily walk most of the time. Our only departure from this daily routine is when the weather outside is not fit for man or beast. Then we both stare out the window forlornly. It  seems to me that more than once I have known dog owners who go to health clubs, spending good money for what can dubiously be called exercise, while their dog whines at home for a chance at a go in the woods chasing a rabbit, or sniffing out a red squirrel among a grove of oaks.

My plea is simple. If you want a dog, care for it. Blue loves the woods, and the trails behind my house are always there. Walking a dog is open to the rich and poor alike. Hiking in the woods is cheap and doesn’t discriminate by any sociological test that I know of. A good pair of hiking boots will last you for years. and, exercise is beneficial for both the dog and the master. Time to sign off now and take Blue on his walk.


Till next time.

Hilton


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