The Good Old Days are gone. As all days they simply passed in the ever marching, ever onward progression of time. There really is nothing unnatural in this passing. It is the passing of the Good Old Ways that I find both sad and disturbing. Those ways were based on a foundation of common sense and a respect of ones self that was build upon respect for others. The Good Old Ways offered a hand up, over a hand out. They stated an honest days work brought an honest days pay. They were not only talking in the physical, but the spiritual rewards as well. Mans law was based upon Gods Law.The latter being most important to obey. People were different for the simple reason they had purpose. Dogs were different as well. They were seen, as dogs not people. Dogs that bit in provocation were an asset; dogs that bit otherwise were destroyed. Dogs were bred for a purpose, if accidents happened the pups were destroyed. It was a simple rule. Right and wrong. Black and white. No gray areas were permitted. Elders knew the way in which boys became men and girls became women. The two were never confused. In fact those old ways were really very simple. Children were expected to skin their knees and fight the school yard bully and try a puff or two from a ciggarette. The old people were stronger. They had purpose they taught their grandchildren history. Real history. Their history. They lived out their lives with their family. Not in a nursing home, with strangers. They smiled more then. The dogs also had no hip problems. No blood diseases. No blank looks. They were sharp and eager. They did as their breed implied. Retrievers retrieved. Pointers pointed. It was a common sense thing. The Old Days had to pass. We have no control of time. The Old Ways is another thing. It takes courage and conviction to stand against a crowd. We were taught that courage. Our elders taught us. In fact we are the last generation to be taught right from wrong. Remember Easter? What it meant? Remember Christmas? Even Sunday morning? Remember when ministers spoke with conviction, instead of appeasement? I remember those old days. Those old people. Those old dogs remember and I ask myself will I be strong enough to hold onto those old ways. The answer for me is yes. Without them I could not exist. It is time for all true Christians to ask GOD to bless America. To ask it from our hearts. To bless the President and to keep him strong. He is very strong. It is our time as Christians to remember right from wrong and to not falter in these times. The old ways must provide peace and knowledge. The old dogs few as they are must provide protection and service. These days too will pass, as they must. Our ways must not.

God Bless America and God bless us.

©Mike McConnery-Baden K-9 February 27, 2003
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