Excerpt from On Eagle's Wings

Chance meeting with a legend

Along the way to raising start-up funds for Eagle Ranch, founder Eddie Staub was able to secure a meeting in the fall of 1982 with the head football coach of the University of Georgia, the legendary Vince Dooley. The encounter on a practice field ended with a handshake and Eddie's first friend in Georgia. Dooley went on to become a key vocal supporter of Eagle Ranch and still serves as an emeritus member of its Board of Advisors.

Below is an excerpt from On Eagle's Wings that recounts the Dooley meeting.

Excerpt from On Eagle's Wings: The True Story of the Founding of Eagle Ranch

 

"Let me make sure I heard you right," Coach Vince Dooley said, his arms still folded as he cocked his head slightly and studied Eddie Staub's face. "You want to start a boys' ranch, but you don't have any land yet?"

"No sir."

"And you don't have any money either?"

"No sir."

"And you don't have any friends?"

"No sir, . . . unless you're interested."

Dooley chuckled. "It sounds like you have your work cut out for you. . . . What exactly do you want from me?"

"Be on my board of advisors. Make a few phone calls and open doors for me."

Dooley paused, as if to reflect. The seriousness had returned to his face. Finally, he extended his right hand. "It's Eddie, right?"

"Yes, sir." They shook hands.

"Eddie, anything you need, you just let me know."

Eddie smiled back sheepishly. He'd just made his first friend in Georgia.

Excerpt from Seasons

Conner

When the Ranch first started in 1984, I found myself alone on two-hundred, sixty acres, sleeping in the administration building, which also served as my home. Eventually, close friends in Atlanta, the Robert Watt family, decided I needed a companion and gave me a beautiful golden retriever puppy I named Connor.

 

Over the fourteen years Connor was alive, he became a dog legend at Eagle Ranch. Some of the children even commented that it seemed he was an angel sent by God to watch over them.

 

One day a boy ran away from the Ranch, and as this child was walking down Union Church Road, Connor walked right beside him. The boy kept trying to get the dog to go home, but Connor persisted in staying with the child. Finally, the boy felt so guilty about leading Connor so far away from the Ranch that he turned around and came back.

 

Another time Mark, who had an explosive temper, became so upset that he grabbed a baseball bat and started hitting his bike. His anger overflowed as he slammed the bat against the metal again and again. Connor came up to Mark and nuzzled him with his nose. Mark gently tried to move the dog away with his elbow, but Connor continued to snuggle next to the distraught boy. The dog would not go away, and Mark's anger began to melt in the presence of such devotion. Eventually, Mark's hands loosened their grasp on the bat, and he began stroking the dog's head.

 

Whenever a child went on a long and sometimes lonely walk, he often found Connor walking beside him.

 

Connor died of old age and debilitating diseases. My six-year-old son went with me when I buried him in the woods. It wasn't an emotional time for me until I placed Connor in the hole I had dug. I said simply,"'I'm going to miss you, buddy." A flood of memories washed over me as I thought about what a gift this dog had been, not only to me but to so many children and staff over the years.

 

When I look at all the dogs we have at Eagle Ranch now one for each home, I try to remember that, beyond the food and vet bills, they can truly be a gift from God and an important part of the healing process for our children.