The Kings And His Killer Dogs

Sometimes during the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, one of the kings of the time came up with the idea of using killer dogs to punish those whom he decided to put to death.  He would put his prisoner in the dog pit and release the dogs.  The King wanted them to always be hungry.  Doing so, he felt, would serve two major purposes.  One, it would serve as great arena entertainment, (he sold tickets to this spectacular).  Second, it would serve notice to anyone that disobeyed his or crossed him in any way.  The dog trained was told to only feed the dogs the minimum food required for survival.  The King wanted them hungry.  This was to be a show of world class stature.  

As the story goes, the King had nine very close advisors.  However, one of his advisors seems to be more honored and respected by the King than the other eight advisors. This situation became a concern for the eight advisors.  They felt cheated.  They decided to try to change the King's feelings and trust in this one particular advisor.  They began spreading rumors and lies about him, and over time, the King came to believe them.  

This action was very painful for the King because of the long time and the honorable advice that this man had provided him.  But the rumors and lies continued, and they had finally worn the King down.  The King finally decided to put this longtime and trusted advisor to death.  He informed this advisor that he was going to put him to death.  The advisor responded, "My Great King, you have honored me by allowing me to be your advisor for so many years, and I have advised you as honorably as I could; however, if you decide to put me to death, I have but one last request.  State it, the King replied.  Please allow me three weeks to get my affairs in order.  I have a few bills to pay and a few friends and family members to say goodbye to.  Granted, the King replied.

This trusted advisor to the King of many years went out to begin making final preparations.   He paid a few bills, visited with his family for a few days, and then went to see the dog trainer.  He approached the dog trainer and said, "Mr Dog trainer, you have been providing a great service to our King for many years now.  And we have not shown you the appreciation you deserve.  I have come today to try and correct that.  I want you to take a vacation for the next two weeks.  

The dog trainer, having never received any attention at all, must have been on vacation and was elated.  He grabbed his hand and was off.  Moments later, this wise advisor began caring for the dogs. After just one feeding, the dogs began to respond to this very wise man.  Dogs, as you are the most forgiving of all life forms.  As the days passed, the bonds between these killer dogs and this advisor grew stronger.  He fed them, brushed, groomed them, and loved them.

But the day he was to return to face the dogs was rapidly approaching.  The dog trainer returns, and the King's top advisor hands him the keys to the dog pit and returns to the castle to receive his punishment.

The following morning, he walked into the dog pit.  The King ordered the dogs released. The dogs rushed over to this wise advisor, licking his legs and jumping around as if their mother had returned.  

Neither the King, the dog trainer, nor anyone else could understand.  The King rose to his feet and said, "I have been a fool, even my killer dogs know that this man is honorable and worthy of being my advisor".  From this day forward, the King said, you will remain as my top advisor, and everyone in my kingdom will give you due respect.  

My way of treating soldiers was my way, very personal and immensely rewarding for me.  After getting to know me, all my bosses except one accepted my style, as they knew I would be hard to retrain and that it was very effective. They also knew there was no other way for me.  Personal dam right!