Counting Our Blessings

Iroquois huntsman Lilla Mason and the hounds during the 2010 Blessing of the Hounds. Photo by Dave Traxler.

the Iroquois Hunt’s annual Blessing of the Hounds on Nov. 7 was as beautiful as always, maybe even a little more than usual, because the weather was cool after a frost and that meant … scent! The pack promptly took advantage of the bit of moisture frost provided and took the field on a good run after the blessing ceremony.

But the houndbloggers know that what you really want to see are pictures! We don’t blame you. Our neighbor Dave took most of the ones in the Smilebox slide show below as he followed the proceedings from breakfast at the Grimes Mill to the blessing itself to the post-blessing stirrup cup and on to the hunt.

You’ll see some familiar faces in the crowd, and not just human ones. The group of hounds who represent the larger pack at the blessing each year includes some of our working hounds, like the giant woolly Sassoon, as well as some of our retirees. The retirees particularly seem to enjoy attending the blessing ceremony, possibly, we assume, because it allows them to go back to the retired pack at the kennel and sit reminiscing over their hunting days of yore.

Bright eyes at the Blessing of the Hounds

As you look at the hounds in the blessing photos, you’ll see a lot of bright eyes and happy, proud faces. Please help us continue to provide our noble retirees with the peaceful, dignified Golden Years they deserve by making a donation today to the Hound Welfare Fund. Your donations are tax-deductible, and 100 percent of your donation goes directly to the retired hounds’ veterinary care.

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