Hawk Dawg Kennels was started in the early spring of 1999 with the purchase of Mike Gibson’s first mini dachshund, FC Blackhawk Kansas Bullet MW, known as Bullet. She proved to be an exceptional hunting dog with good trainability, outstanding stamina in the field, and fantastic hole work. Bullet became an AKC Field Champion at 18 months old and was Absolute Winner at the trial in which she finished. Her daughter, FC Hawk Dawg Wild Thang MW, was equally as good and earned her Field Champion title at the tender age of six months. Bullet and her offspring were the backbone of Mike’s breeding program.
Mike made the decision to limit his breeding to wirehairs. This was mainly because of living in the cold North of Michigan. A good wire coat is waterproof and offers a greater degree of protection than the smooth. And Mike did not like picking burrs out of longhairs so the decision was an easy one to make. Mike also had to admit that he simply liked the looks of the wirehairs! He did occasionally have a smooth puppy that he offered for sale.
His breeding goals were to maintain hunting conformation, hunting ability, coat quality, and the loving disposition of his dogs. He strove to maintain their optimum size and performance. Mike Gibson was, after all, a Master Falconer with over 20 years of field experience.
I was fortunate to meet Mike and it very quickly became apparent that we were meant for each other. Before long I became Mrs. Gibson, better known as Mrs. G. Mike and I both had a passion for animals. I had three horses and he had Maggie Mae his Harris Hawk and, well, the wieners.
I am not certain this Master Falconer knew what he was getting himself into but, before long, all his “Hawk Dawgs” were inside the house and in our bedroom at night. I was not accustomed to dachshunds and found them to be quite snuggly. I remember telling Mike that he should breed them and sell them to old ladies as bed buddies.
Two weeks later, we drove to Indiana to meet August Ziener. Mike did not tell me just why we were meeting this gentleman but Mike was always on a good mission. So we met August in the parking lot at a truck stop and he had four young puppies. Mike pointed to a little male. He picked him up and handed this adorable puppy to me and said, “Here is Hawk Dawg Momma’s Bed Buddy”. My own little BUDDY!
Mike loved this pup! He told me Buddy had what it took to be a Field Champion and he taught me how to field a dog. Mike took Buddy to his first field trial in 2006 and Buddy won First Place. Unfortunately, that was my husband Mike’s last field trial. He was diagnosed with cancer in June, 2006. I took a leave from work and cared for him. Many of the falconers and dachshund club members came to visit. I will never forget the courage of these folks to bid their farewells. I especially want to mention Bill Boler who was one of Mike’s best hawking buddies.
Charles Michael Gibson died at home on August 30, 2006.
Before his passing, we spent all the time we could together, talking about life and such. It was so difficult for us both really; we had not even had a first wedding anniversary. He talked a great deal about how fortunate he was to have experienced the things that he did, his hawking and his dogs. He said he wished he could have finished Buddy.
I made a promise to my husband on his death bed that I would finish Buddy’s Field Champion title. And in Roscoe, Illinois at the Badger Dachshund Club field trial on May 17, 2008, Hawk Dawg Momma’s Bed Buddy became a Field Champion! I know Mike was in the field that day. I saw the hawk soaring high in the sky. All I can say is “A better man I will never know…”
Kudos to Buddy. May Mike rest in peace.
Shalom,
Mrs. Karen Gibson
May 20, 2008
