My Dad was a "Great White Hunter"...

And as his son I've come to hate him with every fiber of my being. I mostly grew up with my mother- an artist type with the inherent eccentricities. My dad was a redkneck from Texas made rich by his fathers Ice Cream franchise & real estate.

Of course when I was young I guess I idolized him. After he died in England-as a guest for a fox hunt- I was informed the my 2 siblings & I had been written out of his will. Our stepmother to this day lives on his trust and has almost depleted it while managing to keep her house & assets separate. Rich folk get to be such asses & legal at that.

Back to my dad.

When he was alive he traveled to Africa in 1961. My uncle shot an elephant & I have super 8 film of the natives trying to hack it apart with an axe. My dad had lots of "trophies" and pictures of him with dead animals in pose. He had 2 water buffalo heads-one he used as a hat rack & many other displays of his "manhood".

After I stopped drinking myself to death about 20 years ago I had a lot of "developments" emotionally. One of the realizations was about my father.

I realized I was not at fault for his behavior. He was an ASS. A capitol bully with money & of course Republican.

----------------------

And after I was sober a year I remembered something that happened when I was about 5-6. We had a beautiful house 14 1/2 acres in Portola Valley Ca. 2 Dogs were in our family-Ruffie & Harry.

Ruffie was getting older & my dad deemed him too sick to have around. despite being very wealthy he never considered seeking a veterinarian to assist or help. he drove Ruffie of 35 miles away & dumped him.

I must say that for my Dad he must have chickened out. I expected he had shot him.

Because the day before Christmas-our driveway covered with a slim layer fost from the cold-Ruffie came walking up & I ran out to him to greet him.

I don't remember the exact details but I was dragged off & my Dad shot Ruffie. I'll see you in heaven dear friend.
-------------------

Somehow after that I still loved & respected my father. Kids are amazing that way. And even after drunken tirades where he took a riding whip-almost a bullwhip-and snapped at us for punishment-getting close enough to sting but not leave a scar. We still loved our father.

Then of course like I said-he threw us away heritage wise. Dis-owned by the "rich" side of the family was probably a blessing in disguise I now realize.

-------------------

I know these people-I was raised by them. They have no love for anything but profit & animals are a resource to be used as they damned well please-don't you poor beggars get it-They are "better than you".

Like hell they are.

Thank you for releasing me from your dystopia. I'm just glad I survived and lifted the emotional veil.

I am a good father & a caretaker to animals. Enough said.