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Dog collars important tools

ESCANABA -- A hunting dog's collar is a badge of honor!

It is the dog's identity. It is the handle that keeps him safe on the other end of the leash.

A good dog collar means a good home for a working dog.

Dogs were bred to help humans. Thousands of years ago, canines were helping our ancestors hunt. Families around the fire ate well and their helpful dogs joy the bones and scraps.

What an amazing gift this descendant of the wolf was with wonderful genetic make-up. They could be selectively bred to produce dogs that could hunt by scent or by sight, dogs that could flush and retrieve, dogs that pulled sleds, herd livestock, protect territory and most importantly, dogs that made great companions.

A good collar is very important for all pet dogs. To people who have dogs that hunt ducks, birds, raccoons, bears or bunny rabbits, a collar is a precious tool.

I have shared my life and home with beagles for over fifty years. The collars that they wore, I'll never forget.

Spot, the cute little mixed breed dog of my youth wore a chain linked collar with a license tag dandling on it. Way back then Spot, like most dogs were free to roam the neighborhood, but he was never far away from us Rose kids.

Brandy was our first beagle hound. Dad fashioned her a leather collar in his shop. He riveted a nameplate for the collar with our phone number on it.

Our beagles hunted for snowshoe hares in the cedar swamps around our camp. There's nothing as fun as watching the cheerful, gleeful beagles circle a big bunny in the snowy woods.

Their collars and leashes back then were made of leather which got oiled with boot grease after they got wet and weathered.

Not very often, but occasionally a beagle would stray off near the county road. That tag on that collar meant a phone call and the dog safely returned.

Next came the center ringed plastic solar glow collars with imprinted brass name tags. These are great. Often our champion dogs got to wear the blue collars and pups and young dogs started out with orange, yellow and pink collars.

Today most people who hunt with dogs or do field trial contests use electronic collars like the Garmin collars with the GPS tracking abilities. These collars are a huntsmen's and women's dream come true. This tool can help us keep dogs safely away from roads and help us avoid wolves and help as call in the dogs after the day is over.

It may look cumbersome to see electronic collars, but they mean that that dog is truly loved and well cared for.

Dog collars too can be very sentimental things. You never forget that first training puppy collar with all of the chew holes in it from Duke. Or the smell of Blue's old leather collar or Lady's belled red collar.

Remember if you ever find a lost dog, check the collar. Chances are there's someone waiting up at home hoping for a phone call.

And check your pup's collar too. Make sure everything is fitting well and go for a walk in the woods.