001 Old Trapper and the Lost Snow Dog

This week’s Tale of the Old Trapper is titled "Old Trapper and The Lost Snow Dog" by Shawn Henninger.

About Tales of the Old Trapper:

When I was a young boy maybe 5 6 or 7 My Grandfather would sit me down and tell me Tales of The Old Trapper. The Old Trapper was a man who lived many years before my grandfather was even born. The Old Trapper lived on the Land my grandfather had owned that we called the Old Place.

But, Before it was the Old Place it was called Home by the Old Trapper. This land is where he went on many adventures. Working with the woods for all the things he needed to food, clothing and shelter. The Old Trapper was not one for lavish things as he only lived in a single room log cabin he built himself. Through his adventures he learned many values that he passed on to the community and anyone who crossed his path through his journeys.

So join me as I re-tell the Tales of the Old Trapper just as my Grandfather told them when I was just a child.

Follow The Tales of the Old Trapper on Twitter @OldTrapperPod.

Email Tales of the Old Trapper at [email protected]

This Week's Tale:

The Old Trapper lived in a single room cabin out in what is now known as the old american frontier. The Cabin was the Old Trapper’s home that he had built with his own two hands. Each winter he needed to be prepared for the harsh weather. To Prepare the Old Trapper would store food, cut wood for his fireplace, and prepare for the shorter days.

This time of year caused the Old Trapper to feel lonely as the shorter days made it difficult to meet with the other settlers. On this particular morning the Old Trapper walked out his front door and the wind blew a bit warmer than normal this time of year. So the Old Trapper thought that this would be a good day to gather some more wood and check if there were any fish further up the creek.

As the Old Trapper walked the trails and fields he had been down numerous times he allowed his mind to wonder. There was nothing more enjoyable to The Old Trapper than being out in the woods with nature. He watched as he saw a couple squirrels chasing each other around some trees. There was a bird flying down and gathering some leftover seeds. Out of the corner of his eye do you know what the Old Trapper Saw?

The Old Trapper caught the tail of a fox. Letting his curiosity get the best of him he slowed his pace and began to follow the fox through the woods.

The Old trapper lost track of time and didn’t realize that the temperature was getting colder and colder. The first few snowflakes that fell on the Old Trapper’s Head felt good as he had been walking for a while and he was getting a little warm. But soon it was impossible for The Old Trapper not to realize the ground was quickly getting covered with snow.

The Old Trapper knew he would need to get back as the wind had changed directions and the snow was quickly piling up. As he tightened his Deer Skin Jacket and turned around to begin walking back to his Cabin he saw in the distance a small animal.

The Old Trapper just expected it to be the Fox he had been tracking for the last hour or so, but it wasn’t moving like a Fox. In Fact it was not moving much at all. The Old Trapper had a decision to make. Should he go and see if the Animal in the distance was hurt and needed help or to Hurry back to his Cabin.

If you know the Old Trapper he is not one to leave an Animal out in the Cold, let alone leave an animal that may be hurt. As the Old Trapper got Closer to the Animal it was clear that it was a puppy dog. When it saw the Old Trapper it was scared and took off in the field.

The Old Trapper moved slowly towards the puppy doing his best to try and have it come to him. He reached into his leather pouch and pulled out some of his famous Jerky. Holding it out he was finally able to get the puppy to sit in front of him. Petting the puppy the Old Trapper knew he had to get him inside. The Old Trapper knew that he needed to get inside as the snow was now up to his knees and piling up faster and faster.

The Puppy quickly found a warm spot inside the Old Trappers Coat and after walking past the edge of the field The Old Trapper realized he was in trouble. The Snow was so deep that each step was like climbing over the biggest tree blocking a trail. The Old Trapper knew if he didn’t find shelter he and his puppy friend would be in for a cold night.

The Old Trapper thought for a moment and remembered passing an Old Cave not too far away. After climbing through the snow piles The Old Trapper and His puppy climbed through the snow and found themselves out of the Snow and in the Cave. The Old Trapper found Numerous sticks and brush in the Cave and made a little fire for him and The Puppy.

The Old Trapper pulled out his last bit of Jerky as the puppy sat by ...