YOU NEVER KNOW...

            A few years ago I decided to take a hiatus from full-time newspaper work that turned out to last a bit longer than planned.

            I love airplanes and always have since I was a kid! Since I hold a commercial pilot certificate with single-engine, multi-engine and instrument ratings, I also held a certified flight instructor rating. It was then I thought I would take a hand at crop dusting and do some traveling.

            Even though I concentrated on this new adventure I still maintained my writing and photography competence furnishing copy and pictures for several weekly newspapers. Another advantage of this new experience was it gave me an opportunity to meet a lot of interesting people and garner feature material. One such person, who also became a close friend, was Karl Brauner.

            I met Karl when we flew together with a crop dusting operation at Tulare, California. We hit it off right from the start. With a shaved bald head he was a muscular man with a strong square jaw off set with a gentle voice. A generous man he would give you the shirt off his back if needed.

In the flying business his manner and appearance seemed incongruous to what you would picture an “ag pilot.” Most folks would think of a crop duster as a dare-devilish type who flew under wires and jumped trees with abandon. True, we did this but in reality every ag pilot I have ever known was a true professional who possessed an uncanny feel for an airplane. This was the mold of Karl—yet there seemed something familiar about him that at first I couldn’t put my finger on. Soon I learned the reason.

            In his former life Karl was a famous professional wrestler known nationally and internationally as Karl Von Brauner. His real name was Doug Donnan. It was later when he teamed up with Jerry Brawner as the original “Kurt and Karl Von Brauner tag team,” that he legally changed his name to Brawner.

            Born on a farm near Ontario, Canada, he and his brother “Red” grew up like most farm kids. Chores on the farm were the usual fare and they worked hard and it paid off. Karl at 5 feet, 10 inches and 215 pounds at the time, he and his brother were in exceptional physical condition, youth being what it is, they were ready for anything.

One day Karl said he and his brother were visiting a nearby town when a carnival was putting on a show. One of the exhibitions he said was a wrestler whose manager bragged that anyone who could stay in the ring with his man for three rounds could win $50. Both of the boys were gifted with athleticism and wrestled as amateurs. Recalling the incident Karl told me that his brother said, “…Hey, he doesn’t look that tough; go ahead and take ‘em, we can use $50 bucks!” So, peeling off his shirt Karl climbed into the ring. Smiling back to that time he said, “…I think it took 15 seconds for me to land on my back in the first row!”

            There are many stories about how Karl got into the wrestling business. He related to me that he and his brother were getting awfully tired of bucking hay bales and other farm work. He said he met a retired wrestler who told him that if he headed to Sarasota, Florida, he could probably find a wrestling job with a traveling carnival. Taking his advice he was soon on his way.

            “There was an old carnie wrestler who took me under his wing. He taught me very move and hold I would ever have to know,” I recall his saying. “If a guy stuck out a finger you broke it! Every dirty trick you needed he taught me. Wrestlin’ some of them farm kids in the mid-west were tough and if I didn’t win I didn’t eat that night!” And learn the business he did. It wasn’t long before he left the carnival life and teamed up with “his twin brother,” Jimmy Brauner. And the rest is history.

As a tag team they were the scourge of the wrestling circuit and quickly drew the hatred of fans. They used every illegal, nastiest, dirtiest dishonest method to won and won several world championships in the process. They used the gimmick of being the “dirty Germans” to full advantage and were “feared” by opponents.

            Their manager was a little slight man named Saul Weingeroff. Standing in the middle of the ring with Karl on one side and Kurt on the other he would bring the crowds to frenzy shouting in the microphone “his” boys could beat anyone with one hand tied behind their backs. These were just some of the outlandish comments he used to incite the crowd. Standing there bare-chested with folded arms in their black tights and leather boots embossed with the iron cross on the sides, the “boys” would just glare and snicker at the crowd. They never said a word.

Since their appearance followed World War II by a few years, the memory of the European war caused greater hatred and anger from the audience. I remember watching them on television years earlier and marveling on how despicable they played the game. Their gimmick was flawless!

            Were all the matches fixed? Karl would never say. But I do recall his saying that, “You don’t want to hurt a guy too bad—we all have to make a living!” Yet he admitted there were other times when he entered the ring with his heart in his throat. Not all wrestlers liked each other and now and then he said you would run into someone who wanted to make a reputation for themselves.

            Years went by and eventually Kurt and Karl separated. It was then Karl and Red his brother teamed up and continued working the circuit as a tag team. But he was getting older as all of us and “too many body slams,” was taking its toll he later confessed.

            By 1975 it was time to quit the game. Karl retired from the ring and headed for Texas where he resumed his love of flying. He sold airplanes for a while before going into the crop dusting business. And this nearly proved fatal.

            In the lower San Jaquan and Imperial Valleys of California, and the lower part of Arizona, most of the spraying is done at night time. There are several reasons why; temperature and wind drift are the two major reasons. Near Phoenix, Arizona, even near midnight, the temperature can still be as high as 90 degrees. In this kind of heat an airplane’s load and maneuverability is greatly reduced. All of these things, along with fatigue, had a terrifying effect and the result was devistating.

            The grind had been going on for almost a week. Karl was flying nearly all night and getting little rest during the daytime. He was near exhaustion. After putting out his last load of the night the sun was beginning to rise in the east and he was heading back to the landing strip. Flying along at about 50 feet fatigue took over and he nodded off. The next thing he remembered was climbing from the burning wreckage on his hands and knees in a pool of flaming gasoline. He suffered severe burns to his hands and legs but fortunately his crash helmet helped protect his head and eyes. For years after he flew with gloves with the fingers cut off because of the pain.

            Time and distance can be a cruel master. Even the best of friendships suffer separation. I continued spraying for a few more years in different states and Karl remained in California. We touched bases occasionally but then drifted our separate ways. I returned to full-time newspapering and flying only for recreational pleasure. Karl continued flying until he was 74. By this time he retired to the northern part of California where he suffered a stroke. On July 5, 2009, he died at a much too early stage at age 78. Like I say, he was a gifted pilot and a cherished friend and I miss him dearly.

 

 

MONEY ISN'T EVERYTHING

            It all started when John Ashworth was 10 years old he said. Now in his early 20’s he has spent much of his early years rescuing abandoned and stray dogs—sometimes leaving him with bite marks. But for him that matters little. To him every dog is important and deserves a home. They are more than animals; they are his friends. He has crawled under houses trying to coax a frightened pooch to safety, chased frightened dogs across fields and gone into areas where he was exposed to physical danger. Confronting a scared pup can result in more than a bite or two.


            After years of rescue work Ashworth now devotes his time in another facet of saving these homeless strays. Once captured and cleaned up and checked for diseases he now travels across several states delivering these fortunate pups to new forever homes.

 

Kathleen Macmillan holding her new pup Jake. At left is John Ashworth.

            In California where Ashworth lives he estimates that most of the canines captured are destroyed within days. The exact number is a mystery. But this is what motivated him to dedicate his time and energy in an effort to save and place as many of these mongrels as possible. As a consequence he now works for several rescue centers transporting all sizes and breeds of dogs to new homes where loving pet parents open their hearts and homes.

            Sitting at a roadside restaurant where he had just dropped off a pup to a new grateful owner, he reflected on how he got started in the delivery end of the business. “I first started delivering dogs with my mom’s pickup. Then I met Kevan Boston who operates a delivery service and went to work for her.” For the first two years Ashcroft was busy delivering dogs across the lower part of California. But now he covers all Of California, Oregon, Washington, Arizona and Nevada. Once he traveled all the way to Texas. As far as transporting being considered a business, “…it is and it isn’t. Kevan will deliver dogs to new homes for free if need be,” he clarified with a nod of satisfaction.

            But there are stipulations Ashworth jealously follows. “I only transfer dogs from proven, ethical sources and before the animal is delivered it has to be inspected by a vet for any problems,” he explained. And it’s a good thing. On one trip his van was stopped by the Douglas Sheriff’s Office at Roseburg, Oregon, and he had to unload some crates for inspection. Fortunately all the paperwork was in order and the dogs were deemed in good health and he was allowed to continue on his trip.

            “We have to comply with state laws regarding the dogs’ health. Before we deliver them they are checked for heart worm or other illnesses by a vet before we ever leave on a trip.” When the pup is delivered the pet owner is furnished with paperwork documenting all the shots given including certification for rabies for transporting across the United States into Canada, and signed by a licensed veterinarian who did the work. In addition, he said, all dogs are neutered.

            And there are dogs and there are dogs! Ashworth has seen them all. It is rare that a pure bred is caught running loose he said. Most of his “clients” are pure bred “mutts.”

            Thousands of dollars are spent by people interested in the dog show sport. Here breeds are guardly protected and champions can demand high fees. But on the other end are the “mutts.” These are the ones that capture Ashworth’s heart.

“I don’t know why people are willing on spending $1,000, $2,000 or more for a pure bred when they have no interest in showing them. You can get a non-pedigreed dog for anywhere from $100 up. What is the difference between the two? Dogs bred for a particular breed and trained for competition is one thing,” he stressed. But for the average person who isn’t in the dog show sport there is nothing to offer other than the ability to brag that they own a ‘pure bred whereas a “pure bred mutt” offers a special relationship of love, loyalty and companionship. It may only be his opinion but it makes a lot of common sense.

            Now and then Ashworth will take part in a dog rescue but now his primary time is spent driving all across the western half of the United States. His van now has over 320,000 miles and weekly trips add to the mileage at an exhausting rate. With this type of driving his 1995 Ford van has proven a problem with more frequent breakdowns. And these expenses can take a large “bite” out of operation costs he noted. “We charge by the crate and transport as many as 30 dogs or more at a time. If I have any problems the money comes out of the fees. Awhile back I had a water pump go out and after getting it fixed I was really running short.” And that is where cutting back on travel expenses comes in. Staying in motels or eating at restaurants is usually a non-existent luxury.

            Starting out at San Diego, California, Ashworth heads north. His route stops at many smaller communities where the new pet owners anxiously await their new family member. Time is a factor and the further north he travels the more care and concern he has for his charges. “We try to deliver the dogs as clean as possible,” he explained so frequent stops are necessary. There is the need for the animals to be able to relieve themselves and not mess up their cages. Exercise for the animals is difficult since the trip from San Diego to the Canadian border can take up to four days. Weather can also be a factor. In the summer time the trip is usually pleasant he related. But winter time can be something else.

            “When I’m on the road I sleep in the van with the dogs. When the cold weather hits its usually not too bad since the dogs generate a lot of body heat,” he said with a chuckle. But one thing for sure—the accommodations are not the Hilton. Another factor in transporting is the need for rest and eating. Rest consists of brief breaks sleeping in the van and the food isn’t found included on a gourmet menu. “I eat a lot of fast food stuff but now and then after I deliver a pup the new owner will buy me breakfast or lunch.” When this happens it is greatly appreciated. But the real joy for Ashworth is to see the expression of the new owners’ face when they first see their new pup.

            As far as the actual delivery is concerned all arrangements are made in advance. Now and then there is a missed communication and that is where his cell phone comes into play. He said everyone his number and he also has theirs. Fortunately, he said, it’s very rare that the connection is missed.

            But if anyone thinks delivering dogs as a career they should first be motivated by love. Tabulating time, which can run to 80 hours a week, it may not seem worth it. Ashworth figures he is making anywhere from $2 to $4 an hour! Once the trip is over and he is back in San Diego, his first goal is a hot shower, a good meal and a soft bed. He can be satisfied that he has endeared himself to several happy pet parents and his pups have a new forever home.

            Sometimes money isn’t everything.

FROM COURTHOUSE TO DOGHOUSE

By DELL ARTHUR

            Life is full of twists and turns. Just when a person thinks they have things figured out there comes a curve ball from left field that unexpectedly changes everything. Such was the case with Kathy Vetter.

            Following her graduation from college with a master’s degree she spent the following 25 years working in the mental health field and 18 of those years in the criminal justice system. In addition she also taught two college criminal justice courses. She was a very busy lady.

            The area that drew her interest from the earliest start was the criminal justice field—a field that was challenging, exciting and at times dangerous. Her clients included incarcerated convicts and recently paroled prisoners who required close supervision. Her charges included murderers, rapists, thieves of every sort including con men. Some of these people were for the most part violent, aggressive and whose responses were unpredictable. She found the work stimulating and exciting. But after working so long in this atmosphere she reached a point where she needed to take some time off.

            “A lot of factors made me want to take a break,” she recalled as she sipped a cup of coffee at a local restaurant. “I had to attend a couple of murder trials and it took a lot out of me. It was the perfect storm and that was when I decided to take break.”

            Reflecting on the past she admitted there was a certain excitement in counselling. But after many years working in the field she felt it was time for a younger generation to take over. The constant stress had taken its toll. Trying to help released inmates adjust to the “outside” and find a job was especially difficult she said. She noted the recidivism rate was over 50 per cent and many of the people she tried to help used the jail system as a revolving door. They seemed just as happy behind bars as on the street. It was then she decided to take a year’s leave and relax and recharge.

            “It took about four months to wind down. My dad said he hadn’t seen me so calm in years,” she mused. Stress was slow to wear off. Two of the major helps in her adjustment to a “normal life,” was her Shih Tzu pups. Vetter had been involved in breeding this line of pure-breeds for some time and it was then she came up with the idea of doing something with animals. Exactly what she didn’t know but the idea tugged at her.

The hiatus she originally planned hadn’t taken into account that nothing was going into the bank account. Now that she found herself “unemployed” she had to do make a living—and quickly. Breeding was a selective process and she wasn’t interested in becoming a “puppy mill!” Her love of animals was too great to do that. Then she came up with the idea of pet grooming.

“I had a friend who was a groomer so I told her what I had in mind. I also thought if I learned grooming I could save a lot of money just on my own two dogs,” she said with a laugh. That, she quickly learned was wishful dreaming!

So under her friend she began her apprenticeship. Some junior colleges offer courses in the grooming profession but usually offer only the basic training. There isn’t a state in the union that requires pet groomers to be licensed but that doesn’t subtract from the high quality of professionalism needed to be successful. Apprenticing under the direction of a quality groomer teaches the student all aspects of the profession and here Vetter had an advantage.

The first thing she learned was how to wash animals, clean cages, sweep floors and all the mundane essential areas of dog and cat care in the grooming environment. She learned that washing pets was more than simply putting them in a tub and adding soap. She learned how to work with different coats, what type of shampoo to use, to identifying skin problems and much more.

            And there was the cost! When she started actual trimming she needed to purchase the necessary implements--shears, combs and brushes. None of these items were cheap; in fact the cost could put a healthy dent in anyone’s bank account. You don’t pick up these things at the local department store she noted.

            Shears alone could cost over $100 for just “shop” usage. For show quality styling a pair of shears can easily cost $700 or more. And then there was the necessity of purchasing dryers, nail clippers, nail files and grinders, different combs—some constructed of steel or carbon fiber depending on the need for different length and types of hair. And then there was the learning process of how to use these implements.

            As far as products, ranging from shampoos, conditioners and dyes, Vetter found that the quality and cost of these items matched those found in the most expensive beauty salons. But all was needed; a pampered pet is the goal.

            Finally she had an opportunity to learn the actual trimming and styling end of the business from a master groomer.

            The biggest benefit of her new career was “turning a high pressure job to a low pressure job,” she recalled. Now she wasn’t confronted with midnight calls from the jail, no more threats from a mentally disabled criminal, no more heartbreak at the failure of one of her former “clients” being sent back to prison because he simply couldn’t adapt to “the outside.” This new pressure was a joy in comparison.

            Sitting back in the booth she reflected, “You have to read your emotions. This isn’t a job for someone who doesn’t love animals.” And that she dearly does. Once she had advanced to learning how to groom and trim she was more than eager to practice her new skills.

            Working under a master groomer she was introduced to the different styles fitting the subjects. She learned the complex Continental cutting style for poodles, the English saddle, Dutch and German trim and much more—all of these special styles enhanced the beauty of the animal’s breed. She then learned how to dye; some customers had special requests about color and she learned how to master these needs. And working with “mutts” she said is especially delightful. After going through her shop these so-called non-pure breeds come out looking like winners of the world’s most famous dog show.

            As her experience expanded she tried her hand at creative styling. “The great thing about this type of cutting is if you make a mistake at least it will grow out!” she said with a laugh. And mistakes were made but it all added to her education in becoming an artful groomer. “What I learned with specialty grooming was trying to create a style reflecting the owner’s personality.” And here she excelled.

            Then about eight years ago she decided to open her own business. She settled in the small town of Ferndale in Northwest Washington, where her business quickly grew. Clients were attracted to her shop not only for the high quality of her work but also her personality. Vetter is a member of the Chamber of Commerce Ambassador program, the Old Settlers’ Festival, the town’s annual Street Festival and other community organizations. She also joined several professional grooming associations and spearheaded many community projects. But here her altruistic feelings had other unexpected ramifications.

 

            “Now and then when I’m downtown I will come across a client who I haven’t seen for a while only to find out the reason they haven’t been in was because their pet had died.”  When a pet parent loses their priceless pet, Kathy grieves with them. And, if later, this former customer comes in with a new” family member,” it’s a joy shared by all.