Alex Burch
Rome, GA
My full name is Alexander John William Burch. My middle names are for each of my grandfathers. I was extremely close to William, my mom’s father, until he passed away in 2005. He taught me the meaning of hard work, to always be humble and polite, no matter what situation you are in, and how “not to be a dumbass”. Bill, as he was known, was born in Scotland, and immigrated to Canada for work. Grandpa was an actuary and a good one too. I remember visiting him as a child and he would have to fly half-way around the world to some big city that I had never heard of, but he would always be back the next day. He, my grandmother, and my mother all immigrated to Atlanta in 1960. This is where my grandparents really started their family. My other grandfather John is still living and one of my greatest role models. Pops, as I call him, also taught me the meaning of manners, as well as how to survive in the “country”. I learned everything from how to mow a lawn to how to clean a deer from him. However, according to Pops, neither I nor my father have learned the proper way to dig a hole. Pops grew up poor on a farm in Fayetteville, Georgia, fought in World War II, and would go on to have a successful career working for Gulf Oil. I am currently attending Valdosta State University. My plan, once I graduate, is get my masters in Animal Behavioral Science. I hope to learn and help develop the science of dog training. My dream job is to train dogs for the military, but I would like to make more than $35,000 per year. While I am interested in almost everything under the sun, dogs are my true passion. I have three back home. Frank who is a boxer-beagle mix, Delilah is a purebred black and tan coonhound, and Sparky is a mutt. Sparky, the smallest by twenty pounds, is the clear alpha. Delilah is still puppy, but the other two are full grown. They are all very sweet and very well trained. My dream dog is a Doberman Pinscher, they are my desired blend of trainability, loyalty, and aggression. Dogs are my passion, but I have not met an animal that I do not like. I also have two cats back home, Jack and Baby. People often ask me weather I like dogs or cars more? My answer is “neither, I am just an animal person”. Although it is a long way off, my plan for later in life is to build a house and a kennel on Pops’ property in Kingston, Georgia. I will go to a shelter and adopt most of the dogs, train them, socialize them, and sell them.