Three Needful things: The question of Survival

If you were going to be dropped off in a Random "inhabitable" spot on this earth.... and were only alowed to choose One of each: A book, a tool and a Pet... what would you choose for each of the three categories to bring along with you? (Price is not really a part of this question)

What would you choose to bring along in each catagory?

Three People responded initially and each of them Got at least 1 of my 3 answers.. and one of them by the name of "ANN1Az2" actually got two out of three!!! (Congratulations!!)

For General and Inspirational reading. (I do not leave home without it). While a book on Survival sounds great at first... When you need survival tricks in the field, is not the time to stop and read a book to learn how to do it... Read that book in your spare time NOW... before you need it.

I also want to present you with the thought that your reading time in a survival atmosphere should not be spent learning "How to survive" but rather to relax after having survived. Wisdom you see, is from the Lord.. and he gives it freely to whoever asks him. Spare time during survival would be a great time to spend talking with and walking with the Lord.

A Leatherman Charge TTi is like a Leatherman Wave, only its a little better in my oppinion as it has a main blade that is 4x harder than the otherwise best stainless steel that the Wave is made of... Has tools for about anything you need to do including Saw, two types of files (Diamond and Normal) Screw drivers and scissors, bottle opener and several types of Plyers all rolled into one very small tool... (I also do not leave home with out this item which is kept on my belt at all times). This item is so much a part of my being that reaching for it, is about the same as reaching for my keys... or turning on a light switch when I walk into a room... its not something that needs thought.. it just happens. In survival your Survival tools, and instincts need to be fluid... a thought becomes an action.

Last Item 3) Was a German Shepherd. I do not have one at this time... My kids want a pet... and I may indulge them on this one some day...

But I have had many dogs over the years and just one stands out above the others when it comes to the needs presented in This potential Survival situation.

In my mind was a complex question of:

"What type of a dog is not only ferocious against any foe... but also has tremendous qualities of Loyalty... and ... Last but not least... a tremendous amount of Common Sense?---- My answer: German Shepherd (by a landslide)

My thinking about a few other Dog Breeds

While a Jack Russel Terrier would probably win hands down on the brains category.. their size eliminated them from my list.

Dingoes and Red or Blue Heelers are very smart like Jack russels and just as loyal.. but still lacking in size.

Duhbees??? Duh... what??? Need I say more??? :-) They do violent reactions to quickly and leave the thinking to their master... this may be good for a junk yard dog but in survival you may need to rely on your dog figuring things out... I would not want to rely on a "dopey doby" in this type of situation... (Yes I have owned them in the past)

Wolves: (I have owned several) Wolves are great loyalty animals and are extremely shrewd.. but can be very hard to train and strong willed to the point of doing it their own way when it needs to be done by the command. Could easily become more of a nuisance than a help...

Labradors are great dogs... Loyal as all get out. But may lack in ferocity and Brains. To one Labradors credit... it recently saved my Dads life by attacking a large Cottonmouth Water Moccasin... the dog was bitten several times in the face and frontal area but killed the Snake and tore it in pieces. Very Loyal but lacking in smarts... Dad carries a gun... the dogs know this... but that dog will not wait for dad to kill the snakes... She attacks first... also does not mind too well.. Possibly a product of some training issues... or lack thereof..

There are other dogs that may fit my criteria better than a German Shepherd... maybe ... But cost of exotics and the troubles of feeding them something other than leftovers might eliminate them as well...

My thinking about a few other Dog Breeds

Rottweilers... At first I was thinking of them as Dubees on steroids but then I got to thinking more about them... Their resemblance of Doberman Pincers is mostly only Color... I did some more research on Rotts.. and their intelligence factors... they are probably allot more suited to the task than I originally thought.... and I remembered something long forgotten. In my distant memory... there was a Rottweiler that I saw one time... Who had a very nasty scar on his shoulder and back (about 14 inches long and very deep) and seemed to take forever to heal.. I talked to its owner and she told me that the Dog had received that massive Cut from an intruder that attempted to rob their house / apt... and attacked the dog with a Machete.. The Dog however won the day and the house was kept safe till the people arrived home... the intruder left in questionable condition, but when the owner arrived, The dog greeted the owner and then finally collapsed having almost bled to death. They rushed it to the Vet and got it stitched up and the Dog eventually recovered.. One thing I can say for Rotts.. they are VERY TOUGH and according to what I have read more recently.. May have the same intelligence factor as German Shepherds... If so??? Possible another great choice.

Wolves: (I have owned several) Wolves are great loyalty animals and are extremely shrewd.. Very highly Intelligent... So intelligent that they think they know more than you do!!! They can be very hard to train and Very strong willed to the point of doing it their own way when it needs to be done by the command. They Could easily become more of a nuisance than a help...

Labradors are great dogs... Loyal as all get out. But may lack in ferocity and Brains. To one Labradors credit... it recently saved my Dads life by attacking a large Cottonmouth Water Moccasin... the dog was bitten several times in the face and frontal area but killed the Snake and tore it in pieces. Very Loyal but lacking in smarts... Dad carries a gun... the dogs know this... but that dog will not wait for dad to kill the snakes... She attacks first... also does not mind too well.. Possibly a product of some training issues... or lack thereof..

There are other dogs that may fit my criteria better than a German Shepherd (or Rottweiler)... maybe ... But cost of exotics and the troubles of feeding them something other than leftovers might eliminate them as well...

Those were my Picks... feel free to comment and throw in your two bits:-)

Mr Maranatha