Attribution: Photo by Daniel J. Schwarz on Unsplash
By Bill Stokes
Kickass, the doorstop dog, reports that the keeper accepts his “predator” identification and recalls how he enjoyed exercising it over decades of hunting birds and animals, especially at this time of year when he wallowed in the beautiful transition of the seasons with weapon in hand and a predator mindset that was never questioned.
Killing lesser creatures was the object, done with respect but also with celebration.
The keeper’s killing equipment is gone now, distributed to the next generation whose members are out there hunting on this bright October Saturday.
In some ways the keeper would like to be out there with them. But an old predator who just sits around the campfire and thinks about past kills would tend to clutter up the natural drive necessary to hunting success.
Better for the keeper to walk with Phyllis among the oldest trees in their favorite woods, using a walking stick for balance and remarking on this year’s great crop of walnuts.
So, the “predatory” keeper still hunts, if only for more bright October days when he can walk with the old trees, the fallen nuts and Phyllis.
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