I'd like to tell you a little about Dread. It was my good fortune to be able to share the friendship of a most remarkable dog, a dog who was able to - with a not too serious trainer - go out and show the world what the pit bull breed can accomplish. That dog was Bandog Dread, and he was my soul-mate.

Dread had gobs of titles, but if he had never so much as earned a TT, our relationship would have been the same. I pity anyone who has not had a chance to be as close to someone (human or canine) as I was to Dread. Dread was an ADBA registered pit bull who competed in AKC events with an ILP, which are given to non-AKC dogs. Dread's first time out at an obedience trial was at an AKC show at the Sammamish Kennel Club, the state's largest show. Competing against the area's best competition obedience dogs at the tender age of 16 months, he earned High Score In Trial with 198 points out of 200 over 135 other dogs of all other breeds. That woke a few people up! He went on to win High Score In Trial again and tie for it a third time while earning his three C.D. legs. His scores were 198/197/197.

A painting by renown wildlife artist Dee Dee Murry.
This painting of Dread appeared on the hardback cover of the novel The Dog Who Spoke With Gods.

Dread went on to earn more High In Trials in UKC events. He also earned a High In Trial earning his SchH III, and was High Score Protection Dog while earning his SchH I, and IPO III. He earned the German "Watch Dog" title. Dread earned High Scoring Dog In Trial on Ducks at his last herding trial, and usual placed in the top four spots while competing on ducks and sheep. He earned both duck and sheep herding titles. Dread also earned an AKC tracking title on the first try, and the International Weigh Pull Association's highest title, Working Dog Superior. Dread did all this while also working in several movies, and many commercials. Dread worked with such stars as Marlee Matlin, George Wendt, MacCaully Culkin and the boys from Simon and Simon.

In his working life Dread traveled extensively, from Bermuda to Canada, Florida to California, working hard in the Canine Aggression Research Center's workshops. He did bite work on over 3,000 utilities workers, police and animal control officers, government agents and other public contact workers. He was much loved by participants of these workshops, and developed quite a following, complete with "Club Dread" T-shirts which sold out constantly. He even received votes to become president of the Kansas Animal Control Association! He was always the life of the party, and a very real 'ham". I received many touching and sad cards from all over North American and the UK when I announced his passing. He is missed by many, but none more than me. Dread lays now, not ten feet from where I write this, in a beautiful and peaceful enclosed garden. Little Thriller is buried there with him. I sit there often.

Dread, MaCaully Culkin and myself take a break during
the filming of The Good Son. Bad movie, good dog work!

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