My Thoughts on Big Foot. Are they real?

I started hearing about Big Foot when I lived in Louisiana.  I was a teenager when I lived in Rodessa, Louisiana and had heard many stories about the Faulk, Arkansas Monster. Since Faulk was just a hop and a jump from where I lived, I was very attentive when I walked in the swamps. I had been way back in the swamps and had felt as if I was being watched many times. It was one of those things where maybe a sound, a smell or just a feeling that something was watching me, making the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

I remember one night, I was walking to my friends house, who just lived about a half mile down the road. I was excited to be going there to play pool with my friends. Ervin, James, Leroy and Gary Humphrey. If you have ever walked along Highway 1 in North West Louisiana, you know how that the road is elevated with a ditch on each side and the swamp stretches for miles. So, I was walking along and it was almost pitch black. The stars were peaking thru the pines and then I heard steps to my right. Big Steps. Not four legged but two legged! I could hear branches cracking and breaking. I smelled a smell that was a bit sulfuric and musky. I couldn't see it but it was big! I could tell because of the noise that it was making. It was keeping pace with me. I was running but it was walking in big strides! Okay! To say the least I was scared! I turned down the road to the Humphries, who lived by the rail road tracks and made record time to their house! I was banging at the door with my fist! Hollering, "Let me in!"

Leroy opened the door with a smile and then saw my face! He ask me, "Dang, Ray, whats the matter? You look like you saw a ghost!" I was still trying to catch my breath. I answered him, "I think Big Foot was chasing me or the Faulk Arkansas Swamp Monster has come North!" He smacked me on the back, "Stop it! Your Bull Crapping Me!" He laughed and led me back to the Pool Table room in the back of the house. All the boys were there and I recounted my story. They, being all woodsmen and men of the world just laughed it off but suffice it to say, I had them drive me home when it come time to go.

As of late, I have been viewing the show, "Finding Big Foot." It does interest me.
                                                                http://www.bfro.net/
I have seen the video clips of Big Foot. I have seen the foot and hand prints cast that have been taken. I am a believer. If had just been the Gimble tap and that was it, then I would have put it off as being a hoax. There has been thousands of accounts of Big Foot. There are thousands of pieces of Evidence, Hair, DNA, Video, Audio tape. Even the Bible tells of Giants that walk the Earth.

This show though Finding Big Foot interest me but it also frustrates me. Renee, Bobo, Cliff and Mr. Moneymaker, all of them frustrate me. Renee, the skeptic, or is she? Her Father was a big foot hunter. She comes off as a skeptic but then when their are howls or knocks in the night, she doesn't seem like one. Bobo, who is just....a Bobo, stumbles and bumbles thru the woods which would scare the crap out of anything that is around that night! Cliff and MoneyMaker seem to be very knowledgable but also everything seems to be a big foot.

I have seen them use Guitars, Bands, Disco lights, Girl Scouts and Hill Billys to lure in a Big Foot. They use knocks and then they use Howls.

                                                      Now wait a minute! 

If you are a Big Foot, you have lived in the woods all of your life! You know every noise there is that is made in the woods. Don't you think that a big foot can distinguish between a Big Foot howl and a human trying to sound like a big foot howl?

I believe if I was going to find Big Foot, I would go into the forest about 12:00 PM when the Big Foots are asleep in a cave or in one of their little huts. I would have listening devices and movement sensors as well as cameras that circled the camaflouged encampment. We would be silent as could be with hardly a whisper.  I would put out a cornicopia of food that would be covered by cameras and movement sensors. Of course you will bring in other critters that are hungry but the word gets around that there is free food a Big Foot will show.

 I would have a tracker on my team that could track a fart in a wind storm! I would have 24 hour surveillance on the food and on the trails leading thru that quadrant. I would be there, invisible for about a month. If I was going to do a howl, I would use an Audio blast of a real Big Foot. You could also do audio blast of a deer in distress. Do NOT go stumbling around in the dark, looking for a Big Foot. They will always see you first. They can smell you. Try and use a scent that smells like doe urine. That might bring them in looking for a deer. Fry up some bacon. Couldn't hurt. You will get their pictures! Not maybe but you will! You don't want to cage these beings or hurt them. They can hurt you if they want to! You are NEVER going to surprise them. If you did, I don't think that it would end well.

Here's an idea. Since they are nocturnal in habit maybe they are like cats, who can see in the dark as well? There have been stories of them making a fire. They make little huts to sleep in. They can climb a tree. There are videos of them climbing trees. They are primate you know. They can swim. Their sense of smell, hearing and sight are impeccable. They do communicate to each other in a language. They knock to communicate where they are. They howl to let other Squatches know of their territory or as a warning. That's the reason why that when the BFRO howl the Squatches go silent. They howl when the BFRO get close to their territory. They are saying, "Stay away!" The stone throws are a warning that you are too close. The branch snapping is also a warning. It's a territorial sign.

The BFRO will Never catch one or see one because they are not patient. They are too loud and they stomp around the woods like a herd of buffalo! They don't want to find a big foot because when they do....their show is over and they get no more funding!

                                             What are your thoughts? 

                            Have you ever seen a Big Foot? 

                                     Tell me your story!

                                 Happy Safe Squatching!

The Seattle Seahawks Verses The Boston Patriots....David and Goliath?

Last week, I watched the game between the Seahawks and the Packers. I was so amazed at the comeback of the Seahawks! Everyone had written them off as the losers. Even the Packers were doing early celebration on the side lines.
I told my wife, "Sonia, the only way for the Seahawks to win this game is to get the ball back with the on side kick." I was shocked to see them do just that!
I thought that they showed so much heart and can do attitude in this game. There was no doubt who the Champions were! Between Russell Willis's prowess at Quarterback and Lynch as a legendary running back as well as their front line to protect, they got the job done! There was no Inflate-a-gate just good hardworking football.

I also watched the Patriots slaughter the Colts. Inflate-a-gate or not, the Colts had no chance of winning.  Dropped passes a plenty on the side of the Colts. Tom Brady of the Pats was legendary as Usual. I am NOT a Pats fan but they are the real deal. I believe that Tom Brady has a photographic mind. He always checks the photos of the defensive strategy and positions. You will notice how he does a lot of options when calling his plays. His Front line is legendary in the way they protect him in the pocket. I don't care how good your quarterback and recievers are if you have no time to snap the ball and look at your options down the field you can not have any luck in the passing game.

If the Quarterback can run, that changes the whole paradymn of the game! That's what Russell Willis brings to the game. You have to have a "Spy" position on the defense to keep watch on the Quarterback to insure he doesn't make the run!

The majority of the readers are rooting for the Patriots but I really like the chances for the Seahawks to win this! I believe that it will be close but the deep seated heart of the Seahawks will prevail!

What are your thoughts?
#SuperBowl

How to deal effectively with the Police.

It seems as of late that there seems to be some problems between policemen and the public. I may be mistaken but I believe that it is not so much a race problem of profiling as it is with communicating effectively and to do exactly what you are told when you are told.

All that one needs to do is to watch a couple of series of COPS on television to see how things can go down hill quick. You can sit with a tablet and make a check mark for how the perpetrator or citizen in question gets there self into trouble. Soon you are setting with a tablet full of check marks.

Here are a couple of suggestions that can help you in the future.

1. When you hear a siren behind you and see flashing lights in your mirror, PULL OVER! Nine times out of ten, it's NOT you that they're looking for. They will just pass you by. If you are the one that they are looking for here is the next suggestion to follow.
2. Sit quietly in your car and wait for instructions!
3. Do exactly what they say, when they say it! If they say Roll Down your window. Do it. If they say put your hands on the wheel or outside your window, Do IT, NOW!
4. If they say to unlock your door, Do it, NOW!
5. You do have a Civil right to know: Why they pulled you over. If you are being charged with a crime. 
6. If you are being handcuffed you ARE being arrested. If not then they are needing more information.
7. If they ask for your drivers license, give it to them. You should NEVER be without your License! If you don't have your drivers license then it is illegal to be driving!
8. If they DO arrest you, They MUST read you your Miranda Rights, which we all have seen in every Police Series or Movie. "You have the right to remain silent, anything that you do or say will be held against you in a court of law. If you do not have an Attorney then one will be provide for you. Do you understand your rights as this has been read to you?" You must say, Yes.
9. Even if you have NOT participated in a crime it is my personal opinion that you still say, exactly nothing until your attorney is present with you!
10. One thing to be cognizant of is if they come upon you and they are plain clothes police officers and they show you a badge, you need to tell them that you will be driving to the nearest police station to insure that they truly are police officers. There have been many who have been murdered by murderers posing as police with lights in or on their cars and a fake badge.
11. When they cuff you, do exactly what they say. If they say to step outside of the car and kneel facing away from them then do it. If they say to put your arms behind your back do it to the best of your ability. Do NOT resist them.
12. Your ability to defend yourself as to your innocence will not be judged on the side of the road. 
13. You will be given a chance to call your attorney or someone that you know once that you get to the confinement area or jail. This will be a short call. Tell them your name. What Jail that you are in and that it is important that they defend you in the court of law.
14. Do NOT talk to anyone about your case unless your attorney is present!

When speaking to the Police you should be addressing them as Officer or Yes Sir or No Sir or if it is a female officer, Yes Mame or No Mame. Do NOT be rude with them. Do NOT yell at them or be disrespectful.
When in Doubt, Comply. You do NOT have to talk with them other then your name, address, telephone number. You have the right to be silent.
If you have any other tips or advise please share with us.

To Venice and On to Greece!

In May of this year we took. Trip to Europe, which consisted of flying to JFK then on to Venice, Italy.  We made it to Venice and what a beautiful city! We were picked up by Limo and whisked to the water taxi port. We took a leisurely ride on a water taxi to the Molino Stuckey Hilton. I loved being in the back of that taxi! It was like in the "Tourist" with Johnny Depp and Angolie Jolie! Cruising down the canals and under bridges seeing the sights and watching the boats and people going by was so exciting. We got to the Hotel and upgraded for 125 Euros to the 6th floor overlooking the canal! This also upgraded us to the Executive Lounge where there were free snacks, bread, meats, fruits and wine! We totally took advantage of this perk! The Vino was so amazing.

The next morning I woke and looked outside to see our ship, the Norwegian Sky passing by! I grabbed the camera and started taking pictures. I waved at the people who were viewing from their balconies and they waved back! My wife, Sonia looked at me while shaking her head and said, "You know you are in your under wear right?" I smiled back and said, "But we are in Venice!"

We went down to the executive lounge and enjoyed breakfast and an Italian Cappuccino, which was so delicious! Afterward we gathered our things an a contact from Norwegian helped us get our transfer on a water taxi going to the ship. We unfortunately had to ride with another family. It was a Mother, her Son and his girl friend. The Son and girl friend were fine it was the Mother! She was what I like to call the "Ugly American!" Oh my God! She complained about everything! The airplane ride, the water taxi, the hotel everything was terrible! I could tell that her Son and Girl friend were not comfortable with this as they sat there in silence smiling nervously. So for the length of that short trip, she raped my ear with her complaints! I was so glad to be rid of her once we got to the port and checked in.
We finally were on board and got settled in so grabbed a bite to eat and returned to our cabin. We shoved off and Sonia turned on her smart phone to play Italian music while we slipped down the canal. We met our neighbors and introduced ourselves. The people to our right were from Australia and the people to our left was from Iceland. That was delightful since Sonia's Mother is from there. We learned that about fifty people were on board that was from there. We totally enjoyed this cruise! We  went to Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini, and Olympia. It was so wonderful to enjoy the history, the culture, the food and music!

A paycheck away from poverty.

I use to drive down the streets of America and see homeless people sitting in the doorways and on the corners holding out the hands for someone to give them money. I was one of those that would look at them in impudence or disdain. I would say to myself, "Why don't they just get a job!" 

In 1992 I found myself in the same predicament. I went thru a divorce that had left me destitute! I had been accused of abusing my wife and beating her with a shotgun. I found myself in jail for something that I had never done! Upon my arraignment, I thought that it was a big mistake and that I could just talk my way out of this with a little understanding. My parents were there and they looked at me knowing that I could never do the things that I was accused of doing. I was amazed that my then wife stood in a court room, took an oath on the Bible that she would tell the truth and nothing but the truth, so help her God. Then she made a scene that would or could have landed her an Oscar nomination. She lied thru her teeth. She lied about me stating that I beat her with a shotgun and tormented her. Afterward my Mother went to her and said, "Can you show me the cuts and bruises?" Of course, she couldn't show anything because it never happened! 

In the state of Ohio, if a woman feels threatened, she can call the law, have her husband arrested on her testimony alone and he can be arrested!

After being arrested on her testimony alone, without witnesses or without pictures I was sentenced to two years of probation and was banned from the state of Ohio other then to visit my parol officer. I continued to fight for my rights as a father of my infant son. After much ado I had all of that expunged from off my record. It cost me my job and I had been living in Indiana in a tent! 

I remember my first tent, which was actually two army ponchos clipped together and stacked to the ground and held up with connecting poles. Those were days filled with opportunity! I slept in the mud. Jobs were scarce to come by but I found one, working as a mud man on a plaster/sheetrock team. I worked very hard. My job was to keep a team of 10 or more men supplied with mud as they prepared sheet rock or plaster board. I worked long hours. I bought my tools as I could. I purchased an old 1974 International scout that was a 4x4 but the two wheel drive only worked. You could look down thru the floor boards and see the road below. I graduated from two ponchos clipped together to a tent then to an Iranian Military tent. I was now off the ground sleeping on two wooden skids, with an inflatable mattress and a mummy sleeping bag. I bargained with a farmer to camp on his land but in exchange I would protect his cattle from coyotes and trespassers. His name was Francis. He was a good, humble farmer who always kept his word. 

I had enough money so as to buy clothing and tools for my job. I started going to Kentucky to the Neon  Cactus! It was a great place to blow off steam, have a beer and dance with the girls. 

One night, I walked thru the door and the manager handed me two tickets to see Bosephus live in concert that night! I went thru the place and I must have asked 50 girls to go with me and no one excepted my invitation! There was one girl though that told me that she was waiting for some friends to show and that she couldn't go but if I came back after the show she would be waiting for me. In the back of my mind I was like, "Sure! That will happen!" It was an invitation to come back though! 

I went to the show and sat with me and an empty seat to my right. The show was great! There was Besephus who is actually Hank Williams Jr., Aaron Tipton, Charlie Daniels but my mind kept going back to the one girl that told me she would be waiting for me. So I left before the show ended. I drove that old '74 Scout like a banshee back to the Neon Cactus. I parked the Scout and hustled inside, showed my stamp on the back of my hand at the door and started my search for this one beautiful girl! Sure enough! There she was waiting for me where I left her! I asked her if she wanted to dance? She was delighted and we went on the dance floor and two stepped for about a half hour. Then came a slow dance. We were slow dancing to the music, I believe it was "The Dance" by Garth Brooks that was playing. I said, as I looked into her beautiful brown eyes, "I don't even know your name. What's your name?" She smiled and said, "Sonia, Sonia Goodwin." All that I heard was Sonya. Sonya was my ex-wife's name! I excused myself, saying that I needed to go to the restroom. I quickly made my exit to my Scout and speed into the night back to Indiana and my tent! Oh my God! Another Sonya! They were all out to get me! I was frightened by this prospect and very suspicious. About a month later, I met her again. She said, "Hey Stranger, where have you been?" I him and hawed around and finally It dawned on me. She's not the enemy. She's not my ex-wife. She doesn't want to hurt me. She is genuinely interested in me! So, I asked her how that she spelled her name. She replied, "S-o-n-I-a." I smiled and said that's great! She asked me why and I replied, "Because my Ex-wife's name is spelled S-o-n-Y-a!" She started laughing! She understood why this would be a bit of a problem but then she said, "At least, you will never get my name wrong in the heat of passion!" That made me smile.

We talked the night away. I went home and told my Mom who lived in a camper close to my tent. I met this incredible woman Mom. She will probably call in a day or so. While I was at work, Sonia called and left a message from me. My Mother still hadn't made the connection and was very angry that Sonia had called. She thought it was my Ex. I explained to her that It wasn't Sonya but Sonia! Mom, calmed down as I called Sonia back. I apologized for my Mom's coldness and explained to her about the spelling and we had a good laugh. 

A week or so went by and I was staying the weekends with Sonia in which I slept on the couch. We would take wonderful walks and we would barbeque out or eat at a little Italian restaurant or go to Subway to get a sandwich. 

One week, I went to work and my boss said that he was going to have to let me go. I was crushed. How could I survive without a job? Many didn't want to hire me because I had been to jail. I called Sonia and she asked me where I was. I told her in Indiana. She said where at because she wanted to come visit. I was ashamed. I hadn't told her that I lived in a tent. She drove up from Kentucky and pulled into the lot where my tent was. She was astounded that I lived there. She asked me why that I didn't tell her and I responded. "I didn't want to lose you. Here I am living in a tent and you are a Sales Executive for Comair Airlines." She hugged me and said, "Honey, I love you and none of this matters!" At that moment, I felt all warm and gooey inside. She loved me! She looked around and said, "Get your things, you are coming home with me!"

I moved in with her and her room mate Stacy Moan. She went out and bought me new clothes, a suit and books to read. These books were master pieces of self help! The art of closing by Zig Ziggler. Awaken the Giant within by Anthony Robbins. How to win friends and Influence people by Dale Carnegie. I read those books and I went out and landed a car sales job at Mazda Towne. 

We have been together since 1992. We married in 1995! My Son, Ben was the ring barer. It was a small wedding with my Mom and Dad, Dufa who was Sonia's Mother, My Son, Ben. The Preacher and his wife, the organ player made it a grand wedding. We went to Rafferty's for the reception and we went back to work on the next day. 

Of all those days that I was in poverty, I never begged on the street and I never went on welfare. 

I do know some secrets to surviving though. Did you know that Macdonalds after they have their hamburgers under the light, will count their hamburgers and throw them away in a plastic bag? At least they use to. I use to go thru their trash and find good hamburgers to eat after they threw them out! They were delicious. Fishing is a great way of sustaining your diet. Gardening is another way of sustaining your diet if you have a place to do it or may have some milk jugs and some dirt. You can go to the restrooms of gas stations or fast food restrooms to use the restroom and take a whore bath out of the sink.  Stop smoking and drinking to save money for food. You must have clothes and shoes to wear. Rich people throw out a lot of good things to wear and furniture. If you can purchase an old truck you will never go hungry. You can go junking once you find the rich areas of town and be totally surprised at what they throw out! I have picked up TV's that just had a nob missing or a vacuum cleaner that just needed to change the bag! I once picked up the pieces of a desk. I brought it home put it together and had an $800 executive desk! One of the things that you will lose if you want to survive on the streets is your pride! You do what it takes to survive. Dumpster diving will surprise you of all the cool things that people will throw away and toss. 

What I'm trying to say people is that it is possible to go from riches to rags and from rags to riches if you know what you are doing.

If you were to lose your job tomorrow, how long could you live on your savings before you lost your home? A week? A month? A year? I have met people that use to be Vice President of major corporations and industry living in squaller on the streets. Think about it people. The next time that you see someone on the street, don't be so judgmental. That could be you. Just say with me, "But for the Grace of God, Go I."

How can you help? If you see someone on the street that looks homeless and are begging for money. NEVER give them money. Always ask them, when is the last time that you have eaten anything?

Why? Because you don't know if this person is a drunk or a addict. If you give them money, they will probably spend it on their addiction. If you offer to feed them they probably will comply if they truly are homeless and haven't ate in a few days. 

Also remember that there are professional beggars that will beg all day downtown on the street but at night will go to a nearby parking garage and take out a key from their pocket and open a Mercedes take out a bag. They will go to a nearby restroom, change into a nice looking suit or dress. Clean up and walk back to their nice looking car and drive to their six figure mansion.

Just be conscious of this.

We have millions of people that do sleep on the streets and on benches every night. We have millions of children that starve right here in the good ole U.S. of A. I'm not saying to help foreign charities but lets help our country first!

Here are some places to start.

www.feedingamerica.org/‎

http://www.transitionalliving.org/

I hope that you do live long and prosper.

Whatsoever One Thinks in Their Heart So are They!

Today, I'm blogging this not to anger but to make one ponder on why? Why? I believe there is a balance that should be in one's life. The Chinese call it the Ying and Yang.  For over twenty years we have seen atrocities across our land in regards to public shootings. This is where some one is not content with themselves or those around them and they believe that it is alright to pick up a gun and go to a public place and shoot everyone in sight until they are either out of bullets, turn the gun on themselves, shot by police or captured.

Many would say that it's the NRA's fault for them having a gun! Should everyone not have a gun? Many would say yes! No one should have guns! That would work if no one had a gun today even the lawless but that's not true. The Outlaws do have guns and that's a fact! If we all registered our guns and they took all of our guns away...guess, what? The Lawless people still have their guns hidden in their hiding places and will use those guns to do harm if they wish to!

A question that my wife has posed to me is, "What has happened in the last twenty or so years that has changed the thinking of people to use guns in such a fanatical way as to harm so many people?" I pose that same question to you. What has changed our way of thinking?

Now, I confess, I have been a gun owner almost all of my life. I was raised up with them. My family has always had guns in their home. I was taught as a young man about how to clean, disassemble and reassemble, fire and store my guns. To be honest with you, I haven't picked up a gun to hunt in almost twenty-five years. I have picked up a gun to move it from one side of the room to the next and that is about it. I think of my guns as tools. I use them, when I need them. I have not needed to use my guns in that length of time but I have it, if I need it.

Currently, in my humble opinion it would be more dangerous to gather all of the guns in the country and burn them or melt them. Why? Because after we melt them the murderers that are hiding in the shadows now will be able to come out with their weapons and destroy us with no hinderance. We would be like shooting ducks in the barrel!

Okay, Okay! Let's say that we DID take every weapon off the street, even the criminals weapons! Which is extremely unlikely! Would that end the blood shed? No.

People can be killed with some of the most unlikely things that you can think of. A belt, a scarf, a newspaper, a rock, Your thumb is a dangerous weapon! Do we start outlawing all of those items as well as cut everyones thumbs off? Where does the madness end?

My wife, brings up a notion that makes sense. One of the things that has changed over the last twenty years is that we get immediate gratification now with the internet, social media, cell phones.

We use to have to rely upon the mail service. If you wanted to contact someone, you would have to write a letter, put it in an envelope and put a stamp on the envelope to place it in the mail box. Three to five days later the party would receive that letter and they would have to do the same thing. Three to five days later you would receive a letter back. Something else is that you have to stop to think what you are writing when doing a letter. You can't just do a couple of scribbles then send it as we do in a text or email. You had to think about what you were saying and how it would be received! We had to slow down and think about it.

Sometimes we just need to slow down, take a breath and think about the repercussion of what we are about to do. I remember making a lot of mistakes in my youth because I didn't do those simple things. We believe that the hole is too big that we have dug our selves into and we don't have anyone that will listen or understand. Trust me! There are people that will listen and that will help! If nothing else, I found that it was helpful to say in a low voice, "God, I need you." You will be surprised what will happen if you will just call on him.

Another thing that she brings to mind is the fact that we have changed what we teach our children in school. Yes, we taught the ten commandment in school! I know, I know you are probably thinking but this is against the separation of Church and State but it worked! There was that teaching that there is a consequence to your actions! If you kill someone you will be judged and there are consequences that come with that judgement!

Whether you believe this or not, I'm a firm believer in my own mind that there is a Heaven and a real Hell. I believe that an almighty God, judges us after that we die for the things that we have done on this planet during our lifetime. Whether you execute a murderer for their actions or not doesn't matter because when they die, I believe, that they stand before a Judge without mercy and are judged without any representation but only the facts of their innocence or their evil.

I believe that if we still taught those simple things be they true or not we would have a better society. Why? Because of the Heart.

It's a changing of the Heart! If we can change the heart and minds of people to let them know that if they do these things that there are consequences beyond the courts of mortal man that will change them for eternity.

Again, I say to you, I'm a gun owner. That gun is a tool to hunt or to defend my home. I have not used it in many years but I have it should I need it. The gun sits in the corner and it is loaded. Because that I have it doesn't make me a good or bad person just prepared. Because I own it, it doesn't come to me and whisper in my ear to do bad things with it. It's just there. It's inanimate.

It comes down to me, the person to do what I will with it if I choose to.

So, think about it.

Here are some helpful links:
www.stopbullying.gov
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

If you are Military or PrioMilitary and believe that you may have PTSD:
http://www.ptsd.va.gov/

I hope that this helps in some way. If nothing else, please reach out to me and I will help get you help.
                       
                                           You Must Talk To Some One!

My Mans Best Friend, Sampson!

In the summer of 2011, I had just gone thru a horrible time of which I lost two loves of my life. Butterscotch and Oreo were my baby girl dogs that were like sisters to each other. Butterscotch was a Golden Retriever Mix and Oreo was a Bird Dog/Beagle Mix. Butterscotch, I believe was poisoned and Oreo died two weeks later of a broken heart. I was done with having dogs. I was going to live out the rest of my days with out a dog. It had pained me too much and I had no intention of having that pain again.

One afternoon my wife had been talking about getting a cat. Ugh! We had a cat and he died of old age, but for her sake we went to Petsmart and let her look. I heard barking in the back of the store and just wondered what was going on, so I meandered my way back to the sound of the barking. I saw three cages. In the first cage was a slobbering hound and every time he woofed, slobber would expel out of his mouth and shoot about three feet in front of him! Yuck!

There was a quiet dog in the middle and on the other side a Labrador Retriever barking his head off! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark! Bark!

My attention went back to the silent dog in the middle. He was a brindle. He was big. He was miserable. He looked at me and the look he gave me  was so sad. It was as if he said, "Look Mister, I don't know you and you don't know me but do me a favor? If you don't take me, just shoot me and get me out of my misery! Please!"

I put the back of my hand up to his cage and he licked me. 

I heard a voice behind me say, "He likes you." My wife chimed in and said, "Can he take him for a walk?" The Lady quickly answered, "Sure!" 

Before I knew it we were out of the store and he was walking by my side. I wanted to know if he knew any thing. I stopped and said, "Sit!" He sat right down. I was amazed! He was intelligent. I brought him back inside after letting him relieve himself and my wife had already signed his paperwork and purchased the items to take care of him. I was a bit humored that she had taken the initiative to do so.

I asked, "What is his name?" The lady with SAAP said, "We call him Big Haus." I told Sonia, my wife, that doesn't fit him. What about Thor?" She shook her head and said, "No, that sounds too much like, Whore! What about Sampson?" I thought about it and said, "Yes, We will call him, Sampson!" 

So, Sampson it is!

As you can see, Sampson is a brindle. A lot of folks are afraid of that but that is just the way God made him. I'm a Bengals fan and as you can see he has his stripes too!

They tell me that he is a Bull Mastador, which is half Bull Mastiff and half Labrador Retriever.

We took him home and I took him to the fenced back yard. I opened up the gate and released him. He loved the back yard because it was so big. He ran and sniffed and come back to me and licked my hand  as if to say, "Thanks!"

I took him inside and showed him around. I let him know in no uncertain terms that he was not to pee or poop in this house. He looked at me as if to say, "I get it. This is not my first rodeo." To this day he has not had any accidents in this house! 

His vocabulary is phenomenal! He certainly knows the words potty, treat, go, sit, stay, down, Doggy Day Care, and Dog Park! 

He loves going to Doggy Day Care and the Dog Park! He loves to play with other dogs! He is more like the peace maker! If there is a fight between two dogs he will usually wind up in the middle of it to break them up! I have only seen him growl at one dog.

This dog was a little Schnauzer and it was a yapper. It was on the other side of the fence but what ever that dog said, Sampson didn't like! So we moved on.  There was a Rottwieller that tried to attack me. Sampson bowled him over like a foot ball player.

 Another problem was that when we took him to the Dog Park he would climb the fence. The Dog Park was divided up between Large Dogs, Medium sized dogs and small dogs. Well, Sampson would get bored of the big dogs and he would jump over in the small dogs to play with them. Of course there were owners there that were horrified and thought that he was going to eat them when he would just lay down and let the small dogs play with them. My concern was that he would hop the fence and go toward the road to be hit by a car.  Finally, I took him home. I was a bit peeved about his action and was telling him so. I remember unleashing him in the kitchen and he sit down and watched me as I gave him the tongue lashing that I thought he deserved. Then he nodded at me as if to say, "I understand, Thank you for bringing this to my attention." I stopped and said to myself, "Oh my God, I'm talking to a dog and he understand me!"

His eyes are so beautiful but in this light he looks more like demon dog! How would you like being a burglar and upon entering a home to see this staring at you? A little unnerving, huh?

He is an inquisitive dog but his coat is the perfect blend to make him almost invisible in the woods.

Sampson, thinks that he is a lap dog. He loves to share the couch with us.

Because he is half Labrador he loves to swim!

One night, I let him out in the back yard and to my surprise, Up and over the fence he went! Again, it was dark! I couldn't see him. I called for him and he didn't come. I ran into the house and called for Sonia. We got into the van and for an hour and a half searched for him diligently calling his name! "Sampson! Sampson!

We came home and I was so dismayed that I was about to cry! I know, a grown man crying over a dog!

The windows were open in the house as I sat in front of my Mac putting out an all points bulletin to my Facebook Friends about Sampson's escape. The wind blew through the windows and cooled my neck. As I was typing I heard the faintest of tinkelings coming from the window. I thought to myself, "That sure sounds like the dog tags on Sampson's collar." Could it be? I ran down the steps and threw open the front door and there was Sampson setting on the porch waiting for me to open the door! He walked past me as though nothing had happened. He nodded at me as he passed me as though he said, 

"Hey, what's up?"

He loves to play in the water! He can do this for hours!

He loves to retrieve as well!

Sampson, is the most unique, incredible dogs that I have ever had the pleasure of being with. Yes, He sleeps with me and wakes me when he needs to go out. He truly is my friend. I hope that you have a dog that gives you this much joy.  If you do, share some photos with me as I have with you. Tell me about your awesome friend!