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Afterword

Squirrel Dog Basics is well researched, documented, factual, and complete. It will be the ultimate source of information on hunting squirrels with dogs and the whole range of breeds and types used. The book’s greatest importance, however, is its contribution to a subject that I thought was disappearing from the minds of Americans. Why have small game hunting activities, so rooted in our nation’s rural character and traditions, almost disappeared from its culture? Is it because of urbanization, the creation of a "plastic" world, and because of urbanism? Urbanism is a way of looking at life that results from a profoundly urbanized environment--one devoid of real world, i.e., natural world foundations.

With this loss of ruralness has come the rapid disappearance of the working/sporting canine. Yes, Man’s "best friend" is affected. The largest dog registry in the country, the American Kennel Club, reflects this urbanism. It often promotes vestigial "facades" of real dogs--show forms of formerly working breeds that now become "champions" by standing on a bench and looking important. This is their primary function. This is what they do! To urbanites, this form of dog seems to have become acceptable or even desirable. One can hardly blame the American Kennel Club; they simply reflect their clientele.

I do not mean, of course, to belittle the urban dog’s significance to humans as companions. Dogs have served a role in that regard for thousands of years, and it may be even more important today. Urban dogs can do this well. But the activities for which most dogs were bred are largely gone from our lives and from their genes. Often, their original uses are known only from the dusty archives of history.

On the other hand, this book is about dogs that are vibrant, alive, and developing as breeds. Dogs that do something, whose reason for being is still to help us properly participate in the natural world. In a sense, this book is about ruralness and realness! Somehow, it is a return to frosty mornings, smoke drifting from chimneys, and the smell of smother-fried squirrel for breakfast. This book is about homemade biscuits and dogs that might get one tossed to them. For these reasons, I believe it is the best dog book I have ever read.

Larry Marchinton
Professor Emeritus
The University of Georgia
25 September 1998