Stan….Washington 1980

batchWICKUM-NEGFRAMES-NEGHR-AA002

A dog is good to have around. Best warnin’ device a man could have. No one’s about to get near me when I’m sleepin’, not with a dog on the lookout. Travelin’ with a dog er two’s a smart idea. Even if it ain’t a big dog, it’ll wake you up when somethin’s comin’. A dog’ll growl at the least little sound in the dark. They do it fer their own protection, but you hear ‘em growl, ‘n it gives you time to ready yourself fer what’s comin’. I’ll tell you somethin’ else, I don’t keep the dog jus’ fer protection. I keep him ‘cause it gives me somethin’ to look after, to take care of.  Lookin’ after the dog might be the only thing keepin’ me in my right mind. Prob’ly go actin’ like a crazy man ‘thout him. Me an’ the dog get along fine. I’m good to him. Prob’ly treat him better ‘n I do myself. It’s a good life fer him. He wouldn’t like bein’ cooped up in civilization either. Hobo was born in a boxcar. Born ridin’ over the bridge on the Columbia.

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