Yes I admit it I am a little defensive on that issue. In all the Rescue attempts my Dogs and I went on a greater majority were So called Country folk
who just weren't prepared for what they were doing.
I will share a little story with you of the last time My dog and I went out before I retired.
Strangely enough This happened a few miles from my home. About 8 A.M. on a Monday Morning I got a call up. The story I got when Thor and I got on
scene was pretty normal for this area except the way it ended. Some young adults and teens had a party. Lots of alcohol and I am sure more then a
few drugs. Most of the people ended up spending the night because they were to trashed to get out the door let alone drive home.
One young man who was very well known in the area as a real country boy attended the party. This guy was raised and lived in the area all his life.
I am friends with his Parents and his whole family They are your stereo typical country folk.
The story I was told was Chris attended the party but was not parting that night he was just getting over the flue and didn't want to push his luck.
He was only there because his faience was there. Her name was April. April was parting hard that night and took it a little to far. A dear friend
of There's took April home because she was the designated driver. and Chris and April had walked in from Chris's house about 4 miles miles down the
road or two miles as the crow flies.
As soon as April left Chris talked to the host of the party and told him he was going to take off. This was about Two in the morning.
We dont know why Chris did it but he decided at two in the morning with out a flash light or any warm clothes decided to cut across the woods in
between the two houses. Keep in mind Chris knew this area well. most of the trails in that little area of woods were put there by Chris and the boys
who grew up in the house.
Chris never made it home that night. nor the next day. Monday morning at Aprils urging Chris's parents called in a missing persons. We spent two
days looking for this kid. Thor wasn't the best tracker in open territory he was better suited for Collapsed building and enclosed areas, but he was
all we had at the time.
We had manged to track chris about a mile into the woods staying on a winding trail. Then for some reason wich nobody seems to be able to explain he
veered off. Even a few days latter we could clearly see the tracks in this area. He was turning in circles and stamping his feet in places. Like
you would when you are cold. Very Very cold.
My personal theory is he thought he could make it because the moon was almost full with out a cloud in the sky at that time. It was one of those very
cold near the end of summer nights when you get frost. He became very cold and started stamping his feet and turning circles in place to warm up.
After he veered off the steps became wider he was starting to jog. Keep in mind he was waring a Pair of khaki colored shorts and a tank top not the
type of out fit for a cold night under the stars. We figure at the time of the veering it was probably about three in the morning. he had been
walking slowly picking his way threw the dark for about an hour. About three in the morning it started to cloud up. the moon would have been going
behind clouds constantly. He soon reached a area ware we could not go. It was private posted land and the owners were adamant about us feds as they
called us were not going to trample there land.
So we went around and tried to pick up the trail on the other side. We latter found out that the reason we could not find the trail on the other side
was because there was no trail. he went into there land but never came out.
Before we could think about calling a judge to try and get a warrant. We got a radio call. Chris had been found, on the land we were turned away
from. The owners after turning us away had there own look around and found Chris floating face down in the there pond. The autopsy said Chris was
clean no alcohol no drugs. It appeared as tho Chris had run into the pond and couldn't get out.
As far as we know this could have all been avoided if Chris had been carrying a flash light and at least some warmer clothes. Mind you he was not in
danger of hypothermia it was cold but not that cold. but we figure the combination of no light and the cold caused him to panic. He had abrasions
all over his body the type you get when your running thew the woods half dressed in darkness.
He was a country boy from a family of county boys and girls, hard core red necks.
The one truth In all the world that can not be disputed is stupidity is every ware not just the city, and panic will kill you. Chris was a very
arrogant and cocky kid. he thought because he came from a family of rednecks he was invincible and wasn't shy about telling you so. He was also in
every other way a good kid who didn't deserve to die.
All I am saying is ignorance is all over.
On a side note His fiance April was so despondent about his death that two weeks after the funeral April ended her own life.
So yes I am a little OVERLY sensitive about some things. Please don't take it personally, and I will do the same.
Dan I always enjoy your contributions as well as Redneck and reluctantpawn. Now I am off to go wash the egg off my face.
One more thing. There is a difference between city and slums.
[edit on 20-7-2008 by angryamerican]