Wrigley-A Dog

This is an old photograph of an old friend whose breed is even older.  According to the American Kennel Club, the term bloodhound is a reference to the extensive lengths to which the breed was crossed in order to produce the desired traits for its incomparable tracking and trailing ability:  Thus, it was the first “blooded” hound.

It is unfortunate that such a noble dog possesses both a high “cute” quotient as a puppy, and a boundless desire to pursue its engendered career as an adult.  Blood hounds are a lot of work for their human companions which, sadly, leads to many of them being abandoned by their owners once full grown.

It is the mission of Kayak Mississippi and the Phatwater Kayak Challenge to bring some relief to abandoned pets.  We do this, as many of our members are aware, through our charity partner, the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society. Each year for the past five years we have commissioned the Phatwater Bowie Knife, a custom piece of cutlery designed and constructed by Terry Vandeventer, Mississippi’s only Master Smith as recognized by the American Bladesmith Society.  We raffle off the knife, which is sponsored by local businessman Mike Worley, through the purchase of Phatwater Bowie Raffle Tickets.  The purchase of a raffle ticket is in actuality a contribution to the NACHSociety, and is tax deductible.  Please consider making such a contribution, payable to the Natchez Adams County Humane Society, either now, for $10 per ticket, or when you arrive to register or volunteer for this year’s Phatwater, Friday, October 9th, at the Under-The-Hill Saloon in Natchez.  The race is on Saturday, October 10th and will begin at 0800, at the Claiborne County Port.  Please see the web site or contact us for details.

The Phatwater on the Natchez Gauge, today, is  23.8′, less than half a foot below the level a year ago today.