CCJC Audio Podcast Episode 00038 Season 2
The Catahoula Leopard Dogs WorkForce
Here at Cajun Chronicles Podcast Corporation, a number of our global listeners aren’t familiar with what it’s like to live in Louisiana. Each week as we answer such inquiries, it’s easy to pick out the top questions on the listener and reader's minds. We had over 50 people wanting to know more about Catahoula Leopard hunting dogs. But surprisingly, more questions were also about how and why our staff and employees bring some of their pets to work.
As a pet-inclusive workplace, aka mostly a BYODW (Bring Your Dog To Work) for our company. it’s all about life-work balance and animal welfare. Currently, we have on any given day, at least 7 canines blessing our work lives. Of them, Etienne Forest’s Tchoupi and Laurent Thibodaux’s Beaucoup are the best of friends and both are beloved Catahoula Leopard dogs.
Recently, our writer/editor Emile Navarre and our advisory board member Gigi, joined forces and had us all entertained after a staff meeting. Their story telling started out with us listing the many benefits of a pet friendly environment in the workplace. We believe it is key to having a low stress, high morale place of business. Keep in mind that our pet friendly workplace includes a lot more than canine’s.
Emile Navarre’s remembrance of a dog named Maurice, that belonged to his grandson, T-Boy and Gigi’s added details to a hunting trip that she was witness to with Maurice, tells a lot about what it is like to own and love Catahoula Leopard dogs.
Sometimes in this upside down world, there are some real life characters that stick with us like the gum your flip-flops encounter in a Walmart parking lot on hot Florida summer day. You know who we’re talking about, those souls who haunt our dreams and make us question our life choices. But let’s not forget our canine friends who also make the similar lasting impressions.
This epic story is about one of them, a certain webbed-footed Catahoula Leopard cur dog and his showdown with a one-eyed wild male boar. It’s a twisted Cajun kinda memory movie that both Emile and Gigi have, but with more slobbers and snorts than any of you can imagine.
A Legendary Dog Named Maurice
Down in south Louisiana, just east of Lafayette on Interstate 10, a dog like no other was a local four-pawed Cajun legend. Maurice the crack-eyed wonder with webbed feet was a true force to be reckoned with. The pup had more courage than a Paw Patrol superhero drinking Red Bull for breakfast! Rumor was that wild boars would tremble at the mere mention of his name.
Maurice was the undisputed local champion of working hunting dogs. He had stamina for days, outworking, outsmarting, and outfighting his foes like it was just another day at the doggie park. Move over other hunting dogs! Maurice, the Catahoula Leopard was there to steal the spotlight and maybe your hearts! To quote, Emile Navarre, “I oughta know because he was like family, since he belonged to my grandson T-boy.”
Now T-boy (shortened nickname for Theophile), was prouder of Maurice than a male peacock showing off for his lady. So when Gigi’s husband, his best friend, and Gigi decided to pay him a visit. T-boy thought it would be a brilliant idea to take them on a wild boar hunt. This definitely wasn’t Gigi’s idea, just to make that clear.
Three burly men, one not-impressed woman (that would be Gigi), and not one, not two, but four Catahoula Leopard dogs heading out to an island swamp. Once in Beaux Bridge, we hopped into T-boy’s fancy aluminum pirogue, which he probably built in a Budweiser fueled DIY welding spree, that was our water chariot. Off they sailed into the murky Bayou Teche, eager and ready (all except Gigi, let’s also be clear about that).
The battle cry of the men and the dogs was something like: “We’re about to show those boars who’s boss!” It was like a crazy canine and country boys version of The Avengers, but with less spandex and of course more slobbers. Remember that T-boy was also a fearless crawfish hunter, focused on making pit stops to check his traps along the way.
Now, for those of you who aren’t familiar with Beaux Bridge, Louisiana, it’s the “Crawfish Capital of the World.” Gigi’s husband and his buddy were just as excited as the dogs, Marice, Onezime, Pierre, and Leonce. There were a whole boatload of guy moments, both human and canine, all leaning eagerly forward into the boat motor breeze, up for any kind of hunt. However, that’s exactly when T-boy, casually steered the boat around a bend and slowed down to a snail’s pace. And then out of nowhere, chaos erupted!
Four Catahoula Leopard curs, in a frenzy of paw anticipation, practically tripped over each other as they leaped from the boat, plunging into the swamp water, heading straight for a nearby island of knotty Cypress trees and Spanish Moss swampy mosquito and snake goodness. In the blink of an eye, the men swiftly tied up the pirogue, snatched their gear, and vanished into the murky depths of the swamp.
And there Gigi sat alone, thinking she was watching some Las Vegas magic trick, but instead of rabbits disappearing, it was her husband, T-boy, his friend, and a pack of eager dogs vanishing into the Cajun bayou wilderness. She sat captive, the least likely candidate for a hunting expedition, nursing her broken leg in full cast, fending off bloodthirsty mosquitoes with enough “Off” to repel an army.
Meanwhile, all hell broke loose, at least from the sounds of it in the distance where she didn’t dare investigate. As Gigi squinted through her binoculars, hoping to catch a glimpse of the action, she spotted something darting through the wilderness. Lo and behold, it was a Godzilla sized wild boar, followed closely by a pint-sized piglet, both sprinting like their bacon was on Tabasco hot sauce fire.
But that was just the beginning. A massive herd of mini boars stampeded past, like a parade of porky rebels. In the midst of this wild boar pandemonium, there was Maurice, the lone dog, bravely chasing after them. No sign of the other dogs or men.
Gigi strained her eyes, but all she could see was a dense swampy overgrowth mess, while the soundtrack of the day consisted of hyperactive hounds baying and barking their heads off. Oh the joys of being a disabled spectator on a hunting escapade. Who needs Hulu when you have Mother Nature’s own reality show?
What Goes Around Comes Around
Suddenly, an eerie silence fell upon the scene, only to be shattered by the thunderous pounding of hooves, the snorting of a monstrous boar, and the now labored panting of Maurice. To Gigi’s astonishment, they zoomed past her in the opposite direction from where they had originally gone. It was clear that something was amiss. This time, Maurice was the one being pursued!
Gigi couldn’t believe her eyes. This was not the fearless afraid-of-nothing Maurice we all knew and adored. His tail, usually held high and proud, was now tucked between his trembling legs. She felt utterly helpless as she watched the boar toss Maurice into the air like a playful child with a ball, before vanishing into the dense foliage. Something was definitely wrong, and there was still no sign of the men or the other dogs.
History Repeats Itself Even In Hunting
Just when Gigi thought the chaos had subsided, about thirty minutes later, history decided to have a good laugh and repeat itself. Out of the Cypress trees and Spanish Moss, a grand entrance of the big boar, followed closely by what appeared to be its baby mini. Now, Maurice was hot on their heels. He was the one dominating the battle of the wild boars.
Gigi felt such relief! Maurice wasn’t wild boar gourmet dog chow. But, then she grew confused when they all vanished into thin back into the thick of the swamp. Maybe Maurice’s victory was short-lived? Before she could even comprehend what was happening, Maurice came zooming out of that same patch of swamp soup vegetation, his tail tucked between his legs again in a classic “I’m scared” position. And who was in hot pursuit?
None other than a ferocious wild one-eyed boar, hell-bent on revenge. As if that wasn’t enough, a posse of smaller boars trailed closely behind, ready to back up their fearless leader. And bringing up the rear, the tiniest wild piglet, probably just trying to keep up with the big boys. Oh, Maurice, what have you gotten yourself into this time?
Feeling Lonely On The Bayou
As the hours ticked by, Gigi’s concern grew like a weed in this year’s climate changed heat wilted garden. She could faintly hear the howls of the other dogs, but they might as well have been on another planet for all the help they were offering poor Maurice. Who knows, he could be in the midst of a wild boar buffet as we speak! Don’t these dogs understand the concept of teamwork? It’s called hunting in packs, fur family people!
The absence of T-boy, Gigi’s husband, and his friend only added to her mounting worry. The sun was slowly sinking, casting eerie shadows across the bayou. She couldn’t help but think, “Great, if they don’t come back soon, I’ll be spending the night alone in this creepy swamp.”
The only source of light was a solitary kerosene lantern, which, you guessed it, was conveniently in the boat with her. It suddenly dawned on her that matches or a lighter were probably tucked away in one of the men’s pockets. Had a few naughty words slip from her lips at that thought.
To make matters worse, Gigi noticed a couple of red eyed male alligators lurking nearby. And then, like a twisted magic trick, more glowing eyes appeared. The swamp darkness closed in, swallowing everything around her. Even the daddy bullfrogs and birds had decided to zip their lips.
Most native Louisiana residents that lived in remote areas long enough to know that silence in the wild is about as golden as the fake gold chains sold to tourists, and being alone is about as comforting as a cacti hug.
Gigi wasn’t alone exactly. Visions of alligators were not imaginary, nor were the water moccasin snakes, cottonmouths, or rattlers. And let’s not forget the bloodthirsty mosquitoes!
In The Sealed Envelope Of Swamp Darkness
In the depths of her quite reasonable worry and despair, she found herself in a dark abyss, surrounded by alligators and the suffocating humid silence. It was nearly ten o’clock at night, and the only sound that echoed through the air was the ticking of her heart pounding panic. But just when she thought all hope was lost, like a hero emerging from the shadows, my grandson Cousin T-boy appeared.
“I was starting to get a little worried,” Gigi casually remarked, trying to play it cool. T-boy, always a man of few words, shot me a look that women often receive when they say something mansplain deemed stupid. He snatched the lantern from her grasp and stomped off without uttering a single word. Well, that certainly put a fire in her belly. Clearly everyone was alive and not the least bit concerned if she was OK. Hmm. . .
Over an hour later, the men emerged from the swamp, dragging behind them two of the most colossal wild hogs Gigi had ever seen. One of those fat hairy porkers must have weighed over a hundred pounds! They weren’t the ones she’d seen Maurice battling tho. The men wore expressions of triumph on their weary faces as they dumped the hideous beasts along the bank where she sat in the boat.
Then, without missing a beat, they went off to retrieve yet another smaller hog. Suddenly, T-boy let out a sharp whistle, and like battle-weary dog soldiers, his pack of Catahoula Leopard dogs emerged from the tree line, exhausted yet victorious, as they leaped into the boat.
Maurice, looking none the worse for wear after his protracted boar war, stood eagerly and patiently by Gigi’s side, his eyes fixated on my backpack, drooling with anticipation. Gigi didn’t even have to tell him that she’d had packed sandwiches for our journey back home.
She realized she may have forgotten to make any for the dogs, so that night, Maurice got to enjoy her own sandwich because he had undoubtedly earned his place at the head of the pirogue dinner table.
A Wild Boar Hunt To Remember
On the boat ride back to Breaux Bridge, the men were as quiet as a preschool class during nap time. It was a sight to behold, considering men are usually bursting at the seams with “You won’t believe what happened!” stories after such adventures. Yet, they silently munched on their sandwiches, occasionally only mustering up enough energy to pat one of the fur warriors on the head.
But amidst the silence, Gigi couldn’t help but overhear T-boy muttering to himself about the sanglier (wild boar), using a few curse words mixed with Cajun cherchi inutile (wild goose chase). It wasn’t until the next day that her husband would spill the beans. Apparently, they had spent the entire day and night being outsmarted by a one-eyed, grizzled and mean boar.
Yes, the very same boar that had been relentlessly chasing poor Maurice for hours on end had them treed. It seemed like every time they dared to descend from hastily climbed tree perches, Maurice and the boar led army would tag team their way back below them.
That day tree hugging took on a whole new meaning in full hunting gear with guns and wild boars waiting below.
None of them could take a shot at the boar without risking turning Maurice into canine dead dog food or accidentally hitting one of their fellow hunters. It was a real country boy and Cajun boy conundrum. But then, in a moment of sheer bravery (or perhaps temporary insanity), T-boy decided to abandon his tree and sprint after Maurice.
He managed to divert the boar’s attention away from the pack, like a heroic matador luring a bull away from the crowd. It was a glorious moment, a true triumph of the hunt. But that heroic feat was short-lived.
The elusive one-eyed hog slipped through their fingers once again off into the swamp, not to be seen again. Maurice and this boar had a long-standing rivalry, again, the boar emerged victorious. There’s always a next time!
It was a guy tale as it got told and retold over time, a classic battle of wits between
men, dogs, and beasts. In this particular chapter, the boar had the last laugh, leaving our brave hunters with nothing, but a wild tale to tell, three smaller wild boars, and a newfound respect for their Cajun nemesis.
Still More History Mysteries and Myths To Be Told About Our Fur Babies
“While this one story we just shared is a Cajun classic, we want our listeners and readers to know that this breed of hunting dog has its own tail tales to tell. The dogs can trace their roots to almost 500 years ago to when Hernando De Soto was exploring southeastern Louisiana in 1541 bringing with him both Mastiffs and Greyhounds. It’s believed they mixed with Native American dogs and later the French Beauceron dogs.
Now both myself and Gigi have outlived the men and the critters who were there on that wild boar hunt so long ago. While at the time, Gigi questioned her sanity for even being there at the time and after . . . maybe the grand plan all along was to at least have someone still living be around to still tell the wild Cajun tale one more time.I do know that I’m proud of grandson T-boy who I spent many hours with when I was young and not blind how to respect the laws of nature and outrun a wild boar. I’m also proud of my sons for training their hunting dogs not just to hunt but to also be loyal and loving members of the family. Family doesn’t get left behind all alone, at least in this Cajun family.” – Emile Navarre © 2024
Remember: Numerous studies have shown that having pets in the workplace can reduce stress levels and increase productivity. The presence of animals can create a more relaxed and calming atmosphere, allowing employees to focus better on their work.
Additionally, pet owners often take short breaks to care for their animals, which can actually boost their energy levels and creativity. This is one of the many reasons Cajun Chronicles Podcast Corporation who among our many causes we support consider ourselves lucky to lead by example when it comes to animal rights and proper care of our pet friends.
Our tales are inspired by real Louisiana and New Orleans history, but some details may have been spiced up for a good story. While we've respected the truth, a bit of creative license could have been used. Please note that all characters may be based on real people, but their identities in some cases have been Avatar masked for privacy. Others are fictional characters with connections to Louisiana.
A Word of Wisdom:
As you read, remember history and real life is a complex mix of joy, sorrow, triumph, and tragedy. While we may have (or not) added a bit of fiction, the core message remains: the human spirit's power to endure, adapt, and overcome. — Jerilee Wei © 2025 All Rights Reserved
Note: This particular Cajun family story actually happened as told. Previously published elsewhere in 2023 by Jerilee Wei
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