Leader of the Pack

(Page 4 of 4)

In his teaching and writing, Denny emphasizes the fact that Dog Brothers offers a sense of manhood and community that has been all but lost in our society, although the threat of violence remains quite real.

The “Dog Brothers Gatherings of the Pack” are the place where the tribe of men comes together. Unlike spectator sports, where fans gather to be entertained, everyone at a Gathering has trained and fought.

“It’s not like boxing or cage-fighting where people are the mob at the Coliseum. We’re the tribe that comes to witness its warriors prepare themselves. We are preparing ourselves to stand together to defend our land, women, and children.”

For Denny, another major difference from contact sports exists in the attitude of the participant. In boxing or mixed martial arts, if you hurt your opponent, you go in for the kill (or at least a knockout). With Dog Brothers however, the man you are fighting is not the enemy; he is a brother. Fighters are guided by what Denny calls their “watcher,” an inner presence that keeps a fighter grounded and centered.

“In a weaponry fight you can’t expect the referee to jump in and stop it because you just can’t control yourself. You have to know when that guy can’t handle the next shot and you’re going to leave him lastingly damaged. The values are of the warriors of the tribe preparing to stand together, and you don’t want to damage someone you need to fight beside you.”

There are no judges, no referees, no trophies. “It’s a celebration of what each man has accomplished for himself,” Denny says.

To him, the man who comes out of that experience is transformed. He’s learned to connect his adrenal high with his inner self, his watcher. After the fights the applause is for both men. In those moments, the sense of community is real.