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-- A story about Charley Creek Junebug, House's Lipper and Gods ability to provide. (http://forums.ukcdogs.com/showthread.php?threadid=928544696)

A story about Charley Creek Junebug, House's Lipper and Gods ability to provide.

This story all started about 4 years ago. I recently was finishing up a project with a more modern bred pup. He was a tough project, and a late bloomer. He had several traits I would consider to be faults between being loose lipped, and obnoxiously hyper I was about to give up on the breed all together. Possibly even pondering picking up off of a cross of blue ticks a friend of mine Keel Johsnon had made. He had good stock and was throwing some real nice dogs. I know I know I can't believe the thought even crossed my mind.

I decided to try one more walker pup, because I knew there were good ones out there. After looking for something high and low, I found a cross being made in upper PA,Charley Creeks Big Mike x Houses Clean Female owned by Eric Gross. I gave him a call but unfortunately to my dismay all the females were booked males as well. So I kept looking. Fortunately a few days later he called me back as a buyer backed out much to my relief and a female at that!! Jumping Junipers !! I thought by golly this is gonna be the one!!

It worked out I was able to pick her up on our last day of summer vacation, right away I could tell something was different about this little female. She was a little ticked up which I didn't mind since Ive always had better luck with walkers with ticks, and I was catching a lot of bass on my new favorite color of worm Junebug. So we decided to name her Charley Creek Junebug.

She was a wild pup, smart and biddable and very affectionate but always had to be doing something the minute you would turn your back or leave the room she would be in the trash or up in the kids rooms stealing stuffed animals to rip there eyes out. After 4 months of here crazy antics I couldn't take anymore and we moved her out back. Where she begun her new favorite game of digging under the fence and escaping to go chase rabbits and squirrels. She had an endless drive, so I started getting in her the woods as much as possible.

Our first trip was a trip Ill never forget it, I didn't bother collaring her because she was so small and young, being her first trip I didn't expect her to wonder far. I took along my 22 to see if I could get a grey squirrel or two. It didn't take long for her to wonder off and find a few bedded does. Shortly after I heard some barking and off she went. Well if you know me I don't exactly carry the build of a marathon runner, but none the less chase was on, fully regretting the fact I was to lazy to get the garmin out. I don't think there is a better work out then running a pup down following a white tail. Keep in mind she was just over 16 weeks old. Up the mountain we went, down the mountain, up the mountain and down the mountain. Ill never forget the young archery hunters face as I came running down the mountain past him apologizing, as he tried to sneak into his stand, while my hound was trailing all over the mountain with me crashing behind him.

Anyways it wasn't a few weeks later with only a few nights in the woods she was treeing coon in style like a 5 yr old at very young age with little to no exposure to coon or drags. Fast forward a few more months, I knew I finally had the dog I could build a kennel on. She was treeing coon left and right. Independent, left on a dead run even more special would come back just as fast with a single touch of a tone, something much to be desired when hunting the north east. Wide hunting, beautiful accurate tree dog that cold trail or pop up the lay up. A few more months go by and 12 months came and went and not a single heat, 16 months still no cycle 2 years and still no sign. Oh boy the irony I thought.

"I finally had the coondog, that checked all of my boxes, and I won't even be able to breed her."

Anyways we had another great winter of hunting, and fast forward several months, and another moment I will never forget in our time together.

It was another hot and miserable summer day in southern pa. A few days earlier June had erupted in the kennel, which was abnormal. I ran out back and didn't see anything unusual but decided I better check on the chickens. When I got to the coop a few were out in the yard and I noticed one was missing. Right at the very moment, a hawk flew up not 4 ft from me, and chicken came flying out of the thicket looking like it had its bell rung. Mr. Red Tail perched not more then a few feet from me just out of reach not wanting to leave its meal of kfc. So I commenced to warming up the old pitchers arm, and picked up a few rocks. I found one that felt just about the right weight, round like a golf ball and took careful aim. Wound back my arm, taking careful aim, hurled the rock through the air and hit the hawk square in the head where it stumbled and fell off the branch only to regain himself as he fell and flew off. Guess I taught him a lesson and never saw the likes of him again. Ok maybe it wasn't the first throw but anyways you get the point. lol I was once again reminded how lucky I was to have a prized hound like June.

So when a few days later I heard a ruckus out back, my first instinct was to check on the chickens. The dogs were out in the back yard, I didn't see anything unusual, so I went through the back gate to check on the chickens in a out back yard. Nothing unusual there either. As I opened the gate to come back to the house. I couldn't believe what I saw!!! My old male Hayes, sneaking up behind June who was watching me coming through the gate, in one quick motion grabbing her from behind Hayes pounced on her and in one fell swope had her tied. I yelled and ran to them but to no avail that sun of gun had already tied her. Befuddled and knowing that there was nothing to do I went on about my day. They only stayed tied for 5 minutes, and she had no signs of being in heat, Hayes was pushing 10 , so I thought for sure she didn't take. Long story short, we had a litter of pups on the ground later that august.

Fast forward to this past fall, I was anxiously awaiting her swelling to go down and to get the pups weaned. Unfortunately most of the better hunting was missed that fall, due to her being filled up with milk and problems at work shortly after that. We had a few good nights before old man winter took his grip.
Only a few more short weeks and Christmas week was upon us, I was busy with the pups finding them good homes, Christmas and family stuff. It was a crazy week like most Christmas weeks, family functions, work etc. and this is where things take a turn for the worst.
A few days before Christmas I noticed June throwing up, and thought it unusual but wasn't to worried, the next day she quit eating and acting right. It wasn't long after that she dropped all her weight and she was in the house being attended to. June passed shortly there after, over Christmas weekend at the young age of 3. During this time I was struck with grief. I had never lost a "good one" before and never at such a young age. I suddenly felt guilt and remorse for not having more sympathy when speaking with hunters who have gone through similar periods. God taught me a lot through that period of grief, and chose to be grateful that by some miracle I had a pup out of her at least, and hopefully her genetics would be passed on.

Fast forward to present day, with winter breaking I have been able to get back to the woods and the coon are moving. The pup who my son affectionally named Wiggles. some how wiggled his way into the house. I think my wife took pity on my grief, and I could tell with hi being in the yard he wasn't developing mentally as quick as I hoped. Once in the house we began to bond almost instantly. He was house trained in a week, and took to the kids unlike any dog I have ever owned. Gentile but loved to play, Super smart, once again very biddable. Not stubborn or bull headed like many males I have owned in the past, calm, big and handsome. At first this worried me, wondering if he was to calm, and that he might not hunt or lack the power that June had. Further more to add to me worries he didn't look like his mother or his sire for that matter. He didn't have has his sire mouths, good but different, very familiar though. I wasn't sure where I heard it before. His frame was different then both of them, June was lanky and leggy, much like a running hound, Hayes was wide and bulky. I decided though it was to early to jump to conclusions.

As the winter weather broke I began to be able to get him in the woods over the past few weeks, after a few trips to the woods all my worries have been relieved. He is showing all the right signs, and may or may not have had a few hot races chasing the old "ghost coon" Showing plenty of interest in game, and boy is he quick!! The weeks following Junes passing, I contemplated selling everything and never owning a hound again, but now my excitement and enthusiasm to hunt has been refueled its almost in some weird way, with Junes age being young as she was, she knew I wouldn't be able to give the pup the time he deserved and trying to keep her primed.

Well this week his papers arrived. I got the 7 generation papers after looking at the 3 generations of the parents and at first glance it appeared on paper to actually be a very nice cross, heavy in house and rock river. Being that this observation was made after the cross was made, further stoked my curiosity.

As soon as the big envelope arrived, I eagerly put aside everything that was on the agenda for the day, and opened up the envelope. I couldn't believe my eyes, I knew the sire was line bred, but had no idea how similar the sire and dams pedigrees would line up.

Top to bottom almost every tree branch goes back to lipper. Multiple uncle niece crosses and aunt and nephew crosses on lipper. Then it occurred to me where I had heard that mouth before and I pulled up
the old you tube clip to listen to old lipper again, and by god this pup even sounds like him. Pulled up pictures, they look identical. Long and tall, same square muzzle and red head. I can see his ears match more of his sires then lippers, but other wise fairly identical. I thought to myself could it be? Did I somehow strike the one in a million genetic freak, only time will tell, I sure like thinking so!!

As I right this I can't help but be filled with emotion, gratefulness and thankful to see Gods hand in this. I knew at the time of Junes passing, there was a lesson to be learned. Today 3 months later, I think I finally see it. He will provide. A story that started with a female pup, that grew into an outstanding hounding with an untalented handler. A gyp that wouldn't cycle with an old country hound that never saw the hunts to make an accidental cross, just before her passing to produce an outstanding litter right before her passing.

Over the past few years there have been many sleepless nights, lately more again as I worry about the geo political events and lack of leadership our country has. Seeing the cause and effect on our retirement plans and other daily expenses. So many sleepless nights, so many concerns. In all of this, I have found God working in my life, bringing me back to my roots. Little by little he guides me along, the perfect teacher. Always waiting to pick me up after my failures. He is there looking down at us, happiest to see us pursue our passions. It occurs to me that all the material things in this world that we pursue, can not much that satisfaction that a well bred pup can bring, and the peace knowing that God is faithful and will provide.

Just thought I would share my story and that this could be a friendly reminder amongst all the turmoil we have seen over the past few years, months and weeks, that no matter what the future holds we know who holds the future. And its ok to forget that from time to time, but try to take the time refocus and spend a night in the woods being grateful for all that we have. Friend, family, and the wonder of all walkers. Charley Creek's Mr. Wiggles...lol I know I know I reallly shouldn't let my kids name my hounds. TREEE WIGGLES!!!

__________________
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
Mark Twain

What an incredible story. Thank you for taking the time and effort to type it ou!!

For those of you skipping over the post because it is long, your only hurting yourselves. Take 10 minutes, kick back and read a great coonhunting story.

__________________
The fun is over once you pull the trigger

Ron Ashbaugh
CROOKED FOOT KENNELS

Sometime we have to remember who is in charge

__________________
Richard Phillips
Home of Dual Gr. Faith

Thank you

Enjoyed the story a lot, Thank You. Hope Wiggles keeps bringing you lots of enjoyment. If we trust in Him and be patient it all works out. God is always good.

__________________
Darrin Gher
Elbridge Redbones
Home of
GRNTCH PR' Steve-O and Chili's Red Flow
NTCH PR' Twisters Musical Red Huey DNA-VIP Perf Sire 06'07 Deceased 11/07
Former Home of
NTCH 'PR' Swann's Lonesome Red Music/ Kitty
NTCH. CH PR' SawBlade Red Reckon
NTCH. CH PR' Gher's Timber Mt. Brandy
Breeder of
GRNTCH PR' Daugherty's Red BUBBA
NTCH CH PR' BA'S Tree Top Rockin Griddle
NTCH PR' Lickcreek Backwoods Lil Red Annie

quote:

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Originally posted by Ron Ashbaugh
What an incredible story. Thank you for taking the time and effort to type it ou!!

For those of you skipping over the post because it is long, your only hurting yourselves. Take 10 minutes, kick back and read a great coonhunting story.

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__________________
"If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you; that is the principal difference between a dog and a man."
Mark Twain

This is great! My drifter female shoukd get snuck up on by him!

Soon!

This is great! My drifter female shoukd get snuck up on by him!

Soon!

Great story…

__________________
Training dogs is not so much about quantity, it's more about timing, and the right situations...After that it's up to the dog....A hunting dog is born...