Up Front with Sara Parker Pauley

My family still tells stories about old “Jinx,” the ornery yet amazing English Setter we had when I was a child. When Jinx would grow impatient awaiting his next outing, he would jump the fence and take a few laps around the neighborhood. My dad would get in our station wagon and race to apprehend the escapee before our neighbor could call the dog catcher. Dad swears that if he honked once, Jinx would turn left; twice, he’d take a right. When Jinx was ready, he would come to a stop and jump in the old Ford Country Squire.

But these unsanctioned runs were just to bide time until he could do what he loved most — quail hunt. Once, Jinx ran so far and wide looking for coveys that he toppled over in sheer exhaustion. After a good rest, he was ready to go again. When Jinx grew older my grandfather took him in as a housemate and companion. My grandfather swore that sometimes when they were both sitting in front of the TV, he would raise his hand in greeting, and Jinx would raise his paw in return.

Jinx was legendary in our family, as all good hunting dogs are in theirs (meet four such families in David Stonner’s fantastic photo essay). Life would be different without our hunting dogs. The house may be cleaner and the neighborhood quieter — indeed, life would be simpler. I’ll take the dogs.

Sara Parker Pauley, Director

SARA.PAULEY@MDC.MO.GOV