As most of you know, I pre-plan these weekly blogs/columns in advance. This week's column was going to be another dedication to ALL the Veterans. Especially those who surf. And Lord knows I've met more Surfers in the last 10 years who are proud Veterans who have served our country honorably. And make no mistake about it. I am still going to say Thanks to ALL Veterans. There are now too many to name. But for the sake of not thanking any of them, I did want to thank those who have become close to me over the years.

My dear and loving Step-father-in-law John Rastl, my fellow photographers Ed O'Connell, John Carden, and Tom Woods. And all the others who I see in and out of the water on a regular basis. Nate Schontag, Wes Osswald, Bill Morrissey, Chris Sullivan, Jeff Shapiro, Tim Baily, Mike Velstos, MSGT O'Shea, Jerry Anderson, Ron Sizemore, Joe Collins, Chris Nevins, George Masten, Phil Bean, Joe Kutt, John Holman, Jim Cushman, John Barvenik, Roger Knight, John Wheatley, and my good and close friend Jay Hammer.

I apologize to any other SURFER VETERANS who I inadvertently may have missed.

My mind is drawing a blank because I am hurting right now. I am a Pet owner. And
like a lot of you, our pets have become family members. We have dogs and cats in our home. We have always had dogs and cats. Our family dog Scout passed away yesterday. I was with him at the end. I held onto to him so he would not be alone. He heard my voice, and he smelled my scent as he slipped away. And I'd like to say that
I was strong for him at the end. But I was not. I wept uncontrollably.

Scout was 14 years old. He would of turned 15 in February. That's 98 in dog years.

But honestly? As a German Shorthair Pointer, he lived a good long life. He would of lived longer if he didn't have an incessant compulsion to eat socks. And that's what took him in the end. For the last 3-5 days we got most of it up and out, but the last remaining sock in his intestines did him in. Back in 2008 during the ice storm, this had happened before. The dog ate some clothing that he couldn't pass. Well long story short, we opted for surgery and $3,000 later, he was "sock free." The problem was now he was forced to wear a muzzle. So for the last two years he wore a muzzle. The only time it came off, was when he was eating, and out in the woods with me.

Last week I wrote about my Ode To October. Part of my love for October is being in the woods with my dog(s). I lost Scout's father Gunny in 2006 and we all missed him terribly. But Scout had come into his own. He was a bird finding machine and was an absolute pleasure to watch him work the bird coverts. I had him in the woods just last week, and he was finding and pointing birds like a young dog.

And as a result of that day, I had a moment of weakness.

I felt so bad for him, laying there on his bed, with that muzzle on, that I decided to
take it off. I mean for the last two years, I had used every "Hannibal Lecter" joke possible when friends and family would drop by for a visit. I used the "Don't mind the dog, he has Rabies..." jokes too. I did them all. But last weekend, looking at him with his muzzle off looking like a regular dog again. I started singing a parody of the
Richie Havens tune (Motherless Child) only I sang "Sometimes I feel Like a
Muzzle-less Dog..Freedom-Freedom...." oh you get the picture.

But Scout was a canine trash compactor. And he was very good at waiting for the right moment when none of us was in the room or looking. And he made his move. Two pairs of socks and a bowl full of Halloween candy. To look at him lying on his bed after the dirty deed, you would of never expected it. A few days later it all caught up to him. Thank God the whole family was home yesterday to say goodbye to Scout. My son Max was home from College. He had had a rough week as well. He broke his right leg in Football practice on Monday, and was now in a cast. We were thankful that he got to spend time with Scout in the woods just a couple weekends earlier. And it was a great day.

Just like the days of old. Out in the October woods with our dog.

I wore the clothes I wear in the woods for Scout, so he thought we were going to do something fun. I had a bunch of Game bird feathers doused in bird scent. I put them up under his nose and cradled his head. The Vet injected the serum, and I told Scout to "Go find the Bird", I told him to find his dad Gunny, and to look for my father and father-in-law. When I heard the Vet say "He's gone"...I broke down and sobbed. And just like that. Our pet dog was gone. My outdoors companion for 14 years, was gone.

And I felt so utterly incomplete and lost. My love for October has a hole in it.

I write these weekly columns and touch upon things that happen to me. And most
times I think you can all relate to them. Some if not all of you, have had pets. Whether it's a cat or a dog. We only have them for a short time and then they are gone. The unconditional love that dogs have for us, is one of life's purest pleasures. We need not reciprocate that love in a matching percentage. That's not what they care about. Hardly. A pet on the head. A scratch behind the ears. Some food and water in the bowl. A treat every now and then. And in my case. A romp in the woods.

Rest in Peace Scouty. I'll see you and Gunny again. Hold that point until I get there.

(Above) Gunny and Scout. Together again in Dog Heaven. Photo by RALPH.

By now most of you have heard the tragic news about Andy Irons. Losing a pet is one thing. Losing a husband, brother, son, and father to be, is something else. There's still too much speculation on Andy's passing but one thing is for sure. He was only 32 years old. And he could surf as good as anyone on the planet.

I always enjoyed reading and watching videos on AI and his battle with Kelly. And his sibling antics with his brother Bruce. Mostly in part because we all knew that as much as he wanted to beat Kelly, they had a deep love and respect for each other. And the same with his brother. I have two brothers and we've had some battles over the years. But I love them both. That family bond is pretty thick. Like my son's tattoo reads: "Densoir Est Sanguis Quam Aqua..." which is Latin for "Blood Is Thicker Than Water."
My guess is that Bruce and Andy loved each other.

There was talk about Dengue fever from a Mosquito bite. While the autopsy will reveal the actual cause of death, we can't overlook the real threat of that disease and others like it that are airborne carriers through the Mosquito. Those who know me well, know that I have a deep rooted hatred for the Mosquito. And if you have ever been on a tropical trip with me, you know how I take every precaution in killing all mosquitoes within a 50 yard perimeter of where I am staying. Including spraying the actual rooms
I am staying in. I would rather risk the toxic illnesses related to the bug spray than to deal with the Mosquito. There is only one bug I hate more than the mosquito and that is the Green Head. But that my friends, is the subject of another column later.

But if it was in fact, a mosquito that killed AI we need to step up and take precautions.

Again, regardless of how he passed, for Andy Irons to die in a hotel room in Dallas Texas hardly seems like a fitting end to such a great surfer. He earned more than that. And I know that from every surfer around the Globe, you all send your condolences to his wife Lyndie, his brother Bruce, his parents Phil and Danielle, and the thousands of friends he undoubtedly had.

Rest in Peace Andy...I hope you make the transition to the next world as smooth as possible. And may you surf an endless barrel of your choosing and may those who are left behind find peace and comfort in your loss. And if I may quote myself here again..."Surfing Heals All Wounds"

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
So the people have spoken all across America. Last week's vote was a pretty telling vote. Most Americans are not happy. Now let's see if the other guys can deliver. They better or things will change again in two years. It's all there for the changing Victors. Now go and get it done.

Hurricane TOMAS just kicked the snot out of Haiti. Not exactly what they needed. They are still stinging from last year's earthquake. There must be a reason why these natural disasters happen to those who are already suffering. There has to be. I can't imagine these storms and other nature's destruction just being random. Or maybe I'm reading too deep into all of it. Maybe it is just random. Maybe the unlucky villagers who die in these terrible natural disasters just happened to be living in the wrong spot at the wrong time.

I know I'm not alone when I say that I wish the world suffering would end.

So the Patriot who tackled Brett Farve last week got fined $7,500. Everyone I know
who saw that hit said it was legal. They are turning Football into Field Hockey. A whistle every other play. The Pats beat the Vikings. And Randy Moss came out and gave another crazy press conference. He praised the patriots players and coaches and said how much he missed them. His team just lost and he's saying all of this? Next thing you know ole Randy is NOT a Viking anymore. There was a brief window when we all thought he was coming back to New England.

Thank God he didn't, that would of been crazy, even for Randy.



ANNOUNCEMENTS:
KELLY SLATER WINS 10th WORLD TITLE on Puerto Rico's Sand! Our OWN EAST COAST SUPER SURFER Does the unthinkable! In spite of the recent tragedy with Andy Irons, Kelly Slater accomplishes what would seem an impossible task. 10 WORLD TITLES. Is this a dynasty in Surfing? Oh hell yes it is. The question is now...what's next Kelly? Should Kelly retire? Should he coach the US Team? What do you think?

NEW SURF FREE OR DIE MOVIE to be released on NOVEMBER 20, 2010.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Get well soon super Surf Mom Kim Grondin. We ALL Love you!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY George Masten November 9th!
HAPPY 235th BIRTHDAY to the United States Marine Corps November 10th.
HAPPY VETERANS DAY November 11th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mitch Hargraves November 12th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Peter "Salt" Irelan November 13th!
REST IN PEACE Andy Irons. November 2nd, 2010.
REST IN PEACE Scout (family pet) November 6th, 2010.
Don't forget to Check the DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click
On the Banner on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDS July 26, 2011. A Wave
a day for 365 consecutive days. Just click on the banner ads on this page.

CHECK OUT THE NEW/Old YESTERDAY PAGE! ALL OLD New England and
beyond Surf Pics! *NEW PICS added each week!

*Check out the NEW updated DROPPING IN ON RALPH blog Section.
I will have ALL of September and October up this week. *This is the blog section of
this website where you can write in and comment. The only downside of this blog is, you actually have to use your REAL Name. No hiding behind some fake handle and name. If you want to comment, you have to man up, and be yourself. I will post all comments, both
good and bad. You just have to be yourself.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week
every week for the last 7 years. **Think about BUYING a Photo from any of the weeks
on RPOTW as a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer!

Remember my friends...Surfing Heals All Wounds....
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph