Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/433799
S P O R T I N G C L A S S I C S 2 7 I n the entire human experience, few things are finer than deep and lasting friendships. It is a treasure and a privilege to share such a relationship with one of your fellow creatures—one who loves and trusts you without cause or question, and whose own spirit is always lifted simply by your presence. These relationships are the pegs upon which we hang the fabric of our experience and find true meaning and purpose. And if a friend happens to have four legs instead of two, it can be even more gratifying. F ollowing are two excerpts from Michael Altizer's latest book, Nineteen Years To Sunrise about the friendship shared by two average men and one great dog. finely honed hunting instincts of their old friend Crockett, Frank's big Australian shepherd, they probably wouldn't have found the buck until the next day when it would have been far too late to save the meat and cape. The second excerpt, though written in third person, is again about the author and Frank, and of course about Crockett and the last time the author ever saw him. The story pretty much speaks for itself. Michael Altizer a m b l i n g s R In the first excerpt, the author has made a perfect shot on a big mule deer at dusk along a lonely ridge that his surrogate brother, Frank Simms, had named Cerro Venado Macho, which translates into "Big Buck Hill." After being hit, the deer ran only a few yards across the side of the mountain, but somehow managed to dive into the thick oak brush just before he died. Without the keen nose and wAde wood Friendships give our lives meaning and purpose, even if an old friend happens to have four legs instead of two. The author with his old friend Crockett, Frank Simms' big Australian shepherd.