Hello from PNW

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MLBbreton

MLBbreton

Well-known member
B of B Supporter
Joined
Sep 30, 2024
Messages
89
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599
Location
Washington
My apologies I just realized that I didn't do an introduction.

My name is Michael and I just started smoking a pipe a few months ago. I needed a ritual to ground myself.
I had to retire during Covid and was a couple years early from the plan.
I have had two parallel careers most of my life.
I worked in high tech for 40 years and retired from the State of Washington as an enterprise architect. Before that I was a pen tester that specialized in physical access. (I break into data centers and businesses)
My other job has been a K9 trainer for about 50 years. I'm a consultant and contract trainer for agencies around WA. and I used to train with the 75th Ranger BT. I've also been a stuntman for high risk or difficult to perform dog stunts. Was on Saving Private K9 where I did a throat bite and a head bite dragging me out of a trash can.
I'm now retired and starting a farm with my brother. We bought 44 acres of clear cut and we're pulling stumps and planting pasture. I also have 120 chickens.
Still training a few dogs. I have a beautiful GSD I'm training for a NFL player's family right now Azula the Fire Princess.
The pipe smoking has saved me. I have raging ADD/ADHD if there's an A or a D I'm probably all in on it. The ritual of prepping, smoking and cleaning slows me down. I love it and I'm able to eliminate my meds.
The fact that I can collect pipes and tobaccos is a bonus. I consider them consumable art.
I have a few milestone pipes I want to collect. The rest just enjoying the craftsmanship and history of the pieces.
I'm always open to tobacco reviews.

Chez my dog. Cool story.
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Azula the Fire Princess.

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Welcome to BoB Michael. Lovely looking puppies, I've a soft spot for German Shepherds, having grown up with one since I was a baby.

She was police trained but didn't pass the final evaluation so dad got her cheap. Best behaved dog in the world, would let toddler me climb all over her and she never complained once. Our back yard opened onto a laneway with no gate, she'd herd us boys into the backyard and not let us out. Good girl Heidi.
 
Michael, welcome from Arizona high country. Appreciate dog trainers almost as much as horse trainers. Lol. I have a friend who's wife trains Belgium Tervurins for cadaver dogs. Extremely smart dogs. Glad to have you with us. I'm not a trainer but I have taught our dogs to be lap dogs, lol.
 

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Ranger107 said:
Michael, welcome from Arizona high country. Appreciate dog trainers almost as much as horse trainers. Lol. I have a friend who's wife trains Belgium Tervurins for cadaver dogs. Extremely smart dogs. Glad to have you with us. I'm not a trainer but I have taught our dogs to be lap dogs, lol.
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They look like experts at it. Looks like a perfect stay too.
My ex girlfriend was a dog and horse trainer. I learned so much about training from her even after 40 years of experience. When your "dog" weighs a 1/2 ton muscle and compulsion don't work. Horse trainers make good dog trainers.
 
MLBbreton said:
They look like experts at it. Looks like a perfect stay too.
My ex girlfriend was a dog and horse trainer. I learned so much about training from her even after 40 years of experience. When your "dog" weighs a 1/2 ton muscle and compulsion don't work. Horse trainers make good dog trainers.
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Probably because horse trainers and dog trainers have a certain compassion for animals. Every horse trainer I know has dogs. To be a good trainer, horse or dog, takes skill, knowledge of animal psyche, and patience. I follow the Buck Brannaman training philosophy. A horse should do what you ask him to do because he wants to do it to please you, not because you are forcing him to comply. Same with dogs. But, you are right, tying to force a 1000 lb horse to do something he doesn't want to do usually results in you and the horse parting company, lol.
 
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