AUBREY'S KISATCHIE BILL

I remimber when we bought him for you son,
it was the Christmas you was seventeen,
and I'll tell you now boy
you was about the proudest fellow
I'd ever seen.

For a long time you had talked
about a ' coon dog"
one that you could train.
You just wanted a puppy,
you wouldn't mind the sleepless nights ,
the cold, or the rain.

You said you would take him
hunting everytime you could,
and it wouldn't take you long
to know if he'd be any good .

Well you was happy to get started
and everything worked out just fine,
so you set for yourself a goal,
you wanted to make him a
' Nite Champion, in time.

I've seen you getting around in the evening
to leave and be gone all night,
only to come in laughing
to tell about the "coon fight".

When he started treeing his own coons,
my how you was thrilled
You really loved that dog
that you named "Aubrey's Kisatchie Bill"

So around my heart is woven some
of the fondest memories a mom could ever know.
about a little boy, who grew up too fast,
and a registered "Treeing Walker Coon dog",
that he loved so.

Well, you decided the time had come
to see what he would do,
so you started making plans
to take him to a "competion hunt", or two.
Then the night finally came
when you and Bill won first place,
and I bet them hunters could have seen
the coon by the light on your face.

That big old trophey was beautiful,
to us, it sure looked fine.
It was a symbol that
Bill would make it,
it'd just take a little more time.

Well that time wasn't
to be long in comming,
because Bill was already in the race,
and just two weeks before you
and Dad left us,
Dad and Bill won first place.

But then one evening
this terrible tragedy happened,
and an angel came
for Dad and you.
So we purposed in our hearts
to make your dreams, come true.

So with broken hearts,
these things we just couldn't understand,
we tried to pick up the pieces,
and carry out your plans.
Oh Aubrey I remimber
how that dog missed you,
your leaving sure made him sad.
Ever time your truck would drive up,
he'd howl, and look to see
if it just might be,
you and your dad.

So your leaving handed
down the job to another,
and who was to try
to carry out your plans,
but Audie, the only man
you had ever known as a brother

So we followed your dog
in the creeks, over the hills,
and through the briar patches.
We didn't mind the cold nights,
the tired feet, and all the scratches,
and if there was any,
we didn't hardly feel the pain,
because we were doing just
what you would have wanted,
taking Bill hunting again.

So Audie started hunting Bill,
and with him ,
ninth and fourth places
were won and at last, second place,
brought the points that
made the job well done.

Now I know there is higher goals
that some dogs attain,
such as "Grand Nite Champions",
"State Champions" and
"World Champions" too,
but there is just no telling where
"Aubrey's Kisatchie Bill" could have went
with just a little more help from you.

By the way, he"s already won
first place in a "Nite Champion" cast.
his trophey from that hunt calls him
"Champion of Champions"
and that is more than you ever ask.

I tell you I"d give all I had
if you could go hunting again with Bill,
you"d be my little boy once more,
and you and your puppy could roam this hill.
and oh, how happy my heart would be
if I could just hear you
hollow one more time
"Bill get on that tree"

But it seems like I've always lost
some of the things I loved the best,
still I know heaven won one
of its greatest tropies
when you won first place among the blessed.
But now if you could just look down
from way up there on high
and see your "Coon dog"
you would be so happy you would cry.
But I guess you can't because
there not suppose to be any tears
in that place of rest,
so just leave the crying up
to Shielda and mom,
we could always do it best.

Yet you know our home will never be
the same sence you and Dad have gone away,
still life down here goes on
and so we have to face each day.
But knowing you had to go,
I'm glad that you and
your dog both have won.
You have won first place in Heaven,
(and tho you are not here to
see your dreams come true,)
your dog, " Aubrey's Kisatchie Bill"
is now a "Nite Champion" son.

Written by:..Mom

Decitated in memory
of my son
Aubrey

P.S. A short time later
"Aubrey's Kisatchie Bill" died also.

Sence this Poem is a
true story, I would ask
that you only
use it by permission.