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Soulmates!

6/12/2011

8 Comments

 
Picture
We are very excited to launch a new poster on Coonhound Companions!  (See our Posters & More page.) The new "Soulmates" poster focuses on the incredible bond between hounds and their owners.   As soon as I saw the pictures on the poster, it brought back memories of my soulmate who died just a few years ago.

Montgomery (left), my black and tan, was truly my once in a lifetime dog, yet I didn't know it till he was gone.  He was never the star, never at the forefront, and never my first pick to take anywhere or do anything.  He was my soulmate.  I talk to his grave, cry when I hear his recordings, and miss him every day.  When I brought him home as a clutzy pup, he didn't cling to me or follow me around.  He sat in the adjoining room and stared at me.  Yet, he grew in to my steady eddie, my rock, my buddy. 

The Weimaraners always stole the show.  Their ribbon box was overflowing.  But, when called upon, Montgomery would put on a solid performance, especially if it was necessary and not superfluous.

The Labs were the party all the time dogs out in the yard.  Yet, Montgomery ruled the yard.  With a glance, he could keep order in the pack and make sure all was okay.

I wonder that hounds don't get passed over at shelters because they don't automatically leap in to your arms and hand over their heart.  Just like my young pup staring at me and evaluating me, I think they hold off for a bit, but oh, when they give in and lean softly against you and gaze deeply in to your eyes with those beautiful hound eyes, its all over! When they decide that you are their "people," they will be your faithful defender, your soulmate, your best buddy, and hands down the best dog you've ever owned.  They will steal your heart and wrap you around their little toe without you ever realizing it.   

They won't necessarily put on a big show or do a victory dance the day they steal your heart.  It'll just simply happen.  You'll see a certain wiseness in their steady gaze.  

Hounds do put on shows, but not over the deep, intense bond they'll share with you.  They aren't the ones bringing big bouquets of flowers and screaming "I love you" a hundred times a day.  They are the steady, reliable beloved companions for us every day of their lives.  The goofy shows they will do for everyone when they feel like pulling a joke or being silly.  A hound in his element can make even the most dour laugh!

I think I need to go give the love of my life a hug.  The big goofy spotted thing has been waiting gently at my side for his turn for attention!

~Mary Beth Hall

8 Comments
Sandra morrison
6/21/2011 12:22:20 pm

what you have written is so true. I lost my Maggie May last Dec 11th. I still look for her and I am waiting to spread her ashes along her favorite spots on our numerous bush walks. Especially on Maggie's road. It is an old road that she always wanted to explore so it became known as her road. I miss my soulmate so much. I no longer feel totally at ease in the bush. With her I never worried as she always told us when there was something in the vicinity. And yet she never chased it. She would stick with me. I have had numerous dogs but she was my first hound, a Blue Tick. There is something about them and you have described it so well. Thank you for this.

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Nancy Linklater
6/21/2011 12:23:09 pm

Hey MB. I have never owned a hound and other than my Grandfathers Beagle, never even knew one till I met Gum. He made a big impression on me and I learned very quickly to love him and understand what a very special dog he was. Even after leading Nevada's Daddy astray!!! I still love that story.

I believe a lot of people found a big hole in their heart the day Montgomery left us.

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Mary Beth
6/21/2011 12:24:09 pm

Montgomery was so subtle about stealing my heart that it constantly surprises me how many people he touched so strongly. He was my first hound and oh so important to me personally. Even my non-dog family members miss him, my coworkers, and so many friends from all over the country. His fan club says so much about what wonderful companions our hounds make!

But, its not just Montgomery. Out of the thousands of dogs I've handled in the shelters in 15 years of animal control work, its the hounds who have touched me the most. I recently helped with a 367 dog rescue...and brought home a walker hound. An abused beagle with a happy tail still haunts my heart. And Trouble, a crippled Plott hound that I picked up one evening off the side of the road, is a dog who's pictures just hurt to look at. No question about it, I loved Trouble.

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Penni Lowery
6/21/2011 12:25:12 pm

What a beautiful tribute to Montgomery. Your writing touched my heart.

It brings to mind one of my favorite quotes: "a hound may be a dog but by no means can a mere dog become a hound."

I'm not sure where I first read this. It must have been on one of the Treeing Walker Coonhound sites that I frequent. The quote sounds a bit snooty unless you have owned or known a coonhound; then it makes perfect sense. I like to think that we coonhound lovers are members of a very special club. As members we share what I would call the "secret of the hounds". That secret is embodied in your description of Montgomery.

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karen
6/21/2011 12:25:52 pm

I was owned by 2 black and tan coonhounds that have passed on. i can only say one thing it was such a pleasure to know them, they will never be forgotten.

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Terri
6/21/2011 12:26:19 pm

Oh you made me tear up with that one! There is just something different about them. My B&T would crawl under my very skin to get closer to me! She's Mum's girl for certain :)

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Nancy
8/3/2011 10:13:44 pm

Hi MaryBeth,
What you have written is so true. When my first hound (beagle/harrier or foxhound mix) died in 2009, I didn't think I could find a better dog. Then I just had to let my Walker coonhound go last week, 7/27/11, and I miss her so much. Coonhounds are so goofy, yet so funny. Type in "Memories of our Coonhound" to see the video my son made of Tess. My condolences to you and the others who have had such beautiful soulmates.
Nancy

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Jen
8/7/2011 05:00:15 pm

MaryBeth:
Your words rang true when I read them. We adopted a Walker hound three years ago and she didn't rush to the front of her kennel or do tricks to get my attention. She simply sauntered over from her bed when I called her (after she took a second to think about it) and then melted against the cage where I tried to pet her through the chain link. After that, she would rush to the front of the cage every time my husband & I passed by (but not for anyone else) as if to say...I pick you. To this day she really isn't an overly affectionate dog, mostly preferring her own space much of the time. Regardless, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt when I look across the couch into her deep brown eyes that SHE chose us that fateful day at the pound to share her soul with. For this, I will be eternally grateful. Thanks for sharing your beautiful story.

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