Re-fueling

I woke up late this morning,

That's not something that I do,

I have a good internal alarm.

For some unknown reason

I kept on catching ZZ's,

Maybe 'cause I was all nice and warm.

The dogs were surely wondering

Why I hadn't let them out

But, they were being quiet and I am glad;

Now they're out there howling

At nothing I can see

And we had to get on to them like they're bad

When really, that's just what dogs do.

It's their job to bark and howl

At the things that don't belong --

It's the way they tell you they are hard at work

On their patrol about the yard --

It’s just them singing out their working song

While here I sit, just typing

On this nonsensical rhyme

As I get the coffee flowing in my blood.

But, now I've reached a point

Where I'm running out of words

So, I'll just go get another cup of mud.

A Reluctant Hero

I guess some dogs are like some people, they don't like to have their picture made.  This is Sadie, our Redbone Coonhound.  She had just terminated two rats that came out from under a cover and not only dispatched them about as quickly as I saw them, but laid them by the gate to be carried out to the trash.  I told her she was a good girl and petted her and then asked for a photograph, but she muttered something about no makeup and not having combed her hair and this is what I got; a hero hiding her face.

This morning she got me up just a little earlier than normal.  Her baying indicated that something wasn't right.  When I came outside she was waiting by the back door to tell me that the trash cans had blown over.  Oh, well, it was almost time to get up anyway.

Animals, like people, need gainful employment.  Sadie's job is to guard the backyard from invading critters such as squirrels, opossums, raccoons and yes, rats.  You don't normally see rats, but every place where humans live has them.  Sadie also is to let us know if anything is wrong outside the house.  We know when visitors come and she seems to instinctively know the ones she can trust.  Suspicious strangers need not apply for entry.  She probably would do well with the Border Patrol, or as Airport Security.

Sadie is sometimes a bit moody.  If you don't scratch her behind the ears when she expects it, she will go off and sulk.  Sometimes, it seems as if she is trying to talk to you.  She makes a strange ooo-ooo-ooo-ooo noise that literally sounds like she is trying to form words.  Sometimes I think she is explaining something to me, or perhaps complaining about something Jake (a very large mixed breed dog) did or, making sure I know it was him and not her that did something they weren't supposed to do - like digging in the middle of the yard.

Nearly every animal I've ever been around has a discernible personality.  Sadie's is the most unique one in my experience.  This post is in her honor as the Rat Catcher of the Year.  I don't think she's figured out this Internet thing yet so, she will need to have someone read it to her....

Didjereedoo

I was recently digging through the dusty archives of things written, not-written, ideas, etc. which have accumulated over the years. In it, I found the story below which I composed in April, 1990. The events are based in truth and occurred in the 70's and 80's.

Didjer

She sure looked scared all huddled up in the back corner of the kennel. It was hard to believe that someone would have such a beautiful animal put to sleep. she wasn't hurt all that bad, but the vet bill was going to be higher than her owner was willing to pay.

Ninety dollars to remove her eye and sew it shut -- but, what good could a one-eyed cowdog be anyway? Wounded in the line of duty by a young horse that didn't know better than to kick at the darting ball of fur nipping at that old cow's nose. A lot of good years left, even with one eye -- but not worth ninety dollars.

I had been working for Doc almost a year and was beginning to make a fair hand at patchin' up the critters that found their way into the clinic. Doc was determined to make a vet out of me, so he let me do a lot of things an assistant normally wouldn't have had opportunity to try.

I told Doc that I thought I could sew up her eye if he'd let me. Sew it up and take her home and not tell anyone that she didn't make it to her great reward on schedule.

She didn't want to be handled. I guess instinct said that this place was not going to be kind to her. Like a wounded badger, she crouched in the corner with her teeth bared and her good eye toward me. Sometimes you have to get a little rough to be kind.

The operation went well, with only a smidgen of guidance from Doc's experienced hand. During the week of recovery, every spare minute was spent in making her acquaintance -- and she became a friend.

Finally, the time to go home arrived and Didjereedoo was well on her way to recovery. A few more weeks of fresh air, green grass and a lot of attention and she was well in body and spirit. It soon became difficult to tell that she was only one-eyed. Her adjustment to the handicap was nearly perfect.

Over the years she was a joy to my family and to me. She never was any good at chasing cattle again. She was too cautious of flying feet. For companionship though, she couldn't be beat.

During years of college and then a new marriage, she and I were often apart. She did just fine living with my parents, but I knew that someday she would move in with my new family -- and so she did.

When we moved to our little country place near town, I knew that Didjer had found the place she had been waiting for. It was her fifth different home since I had rescued her, but the gray frost on her muzzle indicated this would probably be her last.

Still lively after surviving years of puppies, snake-bite, occasional sickness and many a highway pizza, Didjer decided she was still young enough to chase cars. I guess it was the influence of the younger dogs that we had kept to give her company. She was an expert at crouching in the ditch and approaching at just the right speed and angle to make an off-side intercept at almost any time of day or night. I didn't like her ways, but she was beyond convincing that car-chasing wasn't a sport for old dogs. I was concerned that the results would be fatal.

Her end was sudden, and I guess appropriate. It was a pickup that got her -- the sad part is, I was driving. She approached on her blind side and I guess she stumbled. I knew when I felt the bump that her time was gone. Not even a whimper. I stopped and ran back, but she never moved.

It's been about two years now since I buried her under the big old elm tree out back. She was a good friend. Her pup that we had kept got to chasing the neighbor's cattle and found her end very shortly afterwards. I haven't owned a dog since. I guess I know that another dog could never replace my one-eyed cowdog, Didjer.

Note: I have since owned a number of dogs.

Country Dogs

Dogs have been called man’s best friend. I’ve never really figured out why unless it is because of their devotion and loyalty – even when treated like a – well, uh, a dog.

Dogs are a part of living in the country. Rarely do you drive by a farmstead where there aren’t one or two dogs present. Sometimes they just lie on the porch or the yard and watch you drive by and at other times they chase you.

Country dogs are frequently treated very differently than city dogs. They are often left to roam about the farm with little impediment. Their city cousins are usually impounded within a yard or kennel or even more frequently, in the house. This difference in treatment must have an impact on their personality.

I have owned a number of dogs through the years. The first that I remember well was a Bassett/Beagle cross that used to accompany me as I trekked the pasture as a youngster. My father insisted that I always have the dog with me as protection against the occasional rattlesnake that I might stumble upon. She proved herself more than once in that capacity. Eventually she was bitten on the jaw by one of the snakes – although not while in my company. I was amazed at her recovery after a few weeks.

Some years later I acquired another dog while working as a Veterinary Assistant. She was a young Australian Shepherd who had been kicked in the eye by a cow. The owner gave her to me rather than “putting her down.” I removed the eye with the assistance of the Veterinarian and enjoyed her company for many years. She was a very intelligent and very gentle dog. Apparently, she also had a long memory. She never would go near cows again.

My one-eyed cow dog gave me a litter of pups one year. The father must have been a coyote – literal, not figurative. I kept one of those pups for a few years. She was one of the best hunters that I have ever seen. That hunting instinct was also a failing. She thought the neighbor’s cattle were game and had to be destroyed.

One of my favorite dogs was a Redbone Coonhound named Beauregard. He was a beautiful dog when grown, although extremely awkward as a pup. We lived near the Republican River in Nebraska and tried keeping him and our Chocolate Lab in a pen when they weren’t hunting. Beau was a master at escape though. If he got a scent in his nostrils he became obsessed with pursuit and would manage an escape. We always knew when he was out because he would start baying as he pursued the scent. I thought it was some of the most beautiful music in the world. He would take the Lab on his hunts. They made a great team. He would chase down the game and she would retrieve it. They constantly provided us with “offerings” left on the porch.

My newest dog is a tri-colored Australian Shepherd. He is extremely “intelligent” as far as his ability to learn tricks. That intelligence makes him a handful as well. He seems to have a mind of his own and requires constant vigilance to keep him out of trouble.

So, what do dogs have to do with agriculture? I think they are so deeply entrenched into the agrarian world that we overlook their usefulness. First, they keep us company. Often the lonely workday is eased by the company of a faithful companion riding along in the pickup. Second, they provide protection. Their alertness acts as a sentry for things that we often fail to notice – such as snakes or approaching strangers. The sometimes isolated nature of country life occasionally attracts individuals with malicious intent. Good watch dogs are important when you live a good distance from your nearest neighbor. Third, they work for us. If you have ever seen a good dog work cattle or sheep you know exactly what I mean. It is amazing to see the obedience as the dog responds to the commands of his handler.

I guess after reflection that it certainly is true; dogs are man’s best friend --especially out in the country.

Discipline, Patience, and Prayer

Have you ever watched "The Dog Whisperer" on the National Geographic Channel? I have always thought it fascinating how some people can get animals to respond so readily while the majority of folks have difficulty. He says on his show that about 90% of the problem is usually the dog's owner. They let the pet become leader of the pack rather than taking on that role themselves. The owner usually wants a loving, fun-filled, playful companion and so they act that way with their dog. They don't set boundaries or provide discipline. The dog becomes spoiled and misbehaves or develops intolerable habits. I've seen the same thing with horses. Horses can quickly become dangerous because they are so powerful.

With Duke, our new puppy, I am reminded of these things. He is very smart and pushes the boundaries continuously. He also is male, obviously, and that adds to the dominance issue. We will work through this though. I promise I haven't been praying for patience! Usually that's what happens. I'm sure you heard about the woman who kept praying for patience. God gave her twins.

Of Dogs and Kids and Obedience

Every dog has
A unique personality.
We now have two
And they are as different as can be.

Our chocolate lab is the older of the two
And she has a personality like a cat.
She can be aloof and jealous
Or demanding on her own terms.

Our Aussie puppy on the other hand
Is a people loving dog.
He wants to be with you constantly.
He needs lots of reassurance.

It's amazing how much
Dogs can be like children.
Perhaps that is why so many people
Treat them like babies.

I know some folks who treat their dogs
Better than they treat their kids.
Maybe it's because the dogs
Never talk back.

Dogs need a firm but loving hand.
They need to know they will be cared for.
They need to know where the boundaries are.
They need to know disobedience brings penalties.

Children need a firm but loving hand.
They need to know they will be cared for.
They need to know where the boundaries are.
They need to know disobedience brings penalties.

It seems that anymore,
Folks are not inclined
To teach their children these basic principles
But will send their dogs to obedience school to learn them.

Then when the dogs come back home
They spoil them until the dog establishes dominance.
They expect the schools to teach kids obedience
But allow them to dominate their home.

Is it our Socialist-steeped educational agenda that has caused this?
Or is it the societal inculcation of moral relativism?
Is it perhaps the capitalist focus of me and mine?
Or could it be a failure of personal responsibility?

I think it is a failure to recognize God as Creator, Sustainer, Counselor and Father. We are to model after Him.

Update on Duke

Yep, it was broken -- in 2 places. Fortunately the one on the femur was hairline and the other wasn't all the way across on the tibia. Duke is now limping around on a "quick" splint. Prognosis is for recovery in 3-4 weeks. Meanwhile, semi-confinement to reduce opportunities for stressing the breaks before they heal.

Judging from the bill I'm happy it didn't require surgery!!!

Some Days Are an Adventure

New puppy. Yep, you saw the other posts. Well, today he was going to go to work with me but that got changed -- about 2 miles from the house. I decided to take the day off and renovate the canine accommodations to accommodate the puppy. I worked my tail off.

After making a list of needed items (and checking it twice by the way) I headed to Amarillo to pick them up. It was an uneventful trip and I had no problems getting what I needed. On the way back home I took an alternate route and about 3 miles before I made it home I saw a little old lady standing anxiously beside her car on the shoulder of the road. The hood was up and the doors were open. She was looking back up the road, straining as though she was trying to see something. I pulled over to help.

It seems that her 80 year old husband had trekked down to Palo Duro Creek to try and get some water to refill their radiator that had boiled over. She was worried about him because he had been gone a long time. It was only about 150 yards down a steep embankment, through head high weeds to the creek. I couldn't see him so I headed off to find him. About the time I got to the creek, he came climbing out. No, he hadn't fallen in, he had been hunting for something to get some water in. He had a trash bag with a couple of gallons of water in it. I helped him get up the hill while I carried the water. He was fine but winded and definitely tired from his climb.

We got the water into his radiator and everything seemed to check out but I suggested and he agreed, that he needed a mechanic to look it over. So I led him into town to a mechanic. Everything seemed to be fine when I left him.

So, back to my canine accommodation renovation project. It took all day. About 4:00 I realized that I needed one more item to complete things, so I headed into town to get what I needed. Of course it wasn't to be found, so I headed toward Amarillo.

About a mile north of the Canyon city limits, in heavy traffic northbound to Amarillo, a deer decided to cross the highway. I saw it coming across the southbound lanes and slowed. It bounded over the concrete divider just in front of me and right into the grill of the SUV that was travelling in the right-hand lane. A high school kid was driving. The glass flew, his grill flew, his hood flew up in front of his windshield, the deer flew -- in fact, I thought it was going to land in the back of my pickup. He made it to the side of the road and I pulled over to see how he was. He was shaken up but OK. Another vehicle stopped and checked on him while I called 911. The local police were there in less than 5 minutes followed a few minutes later by a firetruck and emergency vehicle. A little overkill on the response but impressive anyway. The local police officer was concerned about touching the deer without gloves so I drug the little 4-point buck in the velvet out of the highway while he watched. They just took my name and phone number and I headed on to Amarillo to get my part.

Dark-thirty and project virtually completed. One minor detail that must wait until daylight. Tired and worn out, I took young Duke (new puppy) out for his evening stroll and relief. I was leading him on a leash. He decided to run circles around me. I tripped and stepped on his leg. Tomorrow he goes for his cast. I felt sick. Just the thing to top off this day of adventure.

For those of you who seem to be interested:

This is Cocoa, our chocolate Labrador Retriever.

This is Duke, our new Australian Shepherd.

Now, aren't y'all impressed.

Labor Day of Labor and....

Labor Day. I've never celebrated it but always took it off when offered. Our industry (agriculture) is not known for taking Labor Day as a holiday. Animals still need to be fed, fields need to be plowed, biological cycles continue unabated. Since I'm the "boss" of an agri-business it was my decision to work today. The phone started ringing before 8:00 a.m. with customers asking, "are y'all open today?" It turned into a rather busy day.

Tomorrow the kitchen renovation begins. We just finished unloading cabinets and clearing things out because tomorrow the demolition team comes. Well, that might be a little overstated. We're not totally re-doing everything -- just counter tops, sink and fixtures and some appliances. We will keep the cabinets and the tile on the floor. We will be re-painting and putting in a new back splash but not moving any walls or anything like that. I guess that means we will be eating out for the next week or so. My wife will like that but I'm spoiled to her good cooking. I definitely prefer it.

We also had a new addition to the family today. A tri-colored Australian Shepherd pup. He is "The Duke." No, he won't be a working dog. He will be a family dog. I'm not sure how well he will get along with our chocolate lab. She definitely put the "dominant" female whup on him. It didn't seem to phase him though. He seems pretty sharp.

I did spend a little time working on my other blog, Common Sense Agriculture, Conservation and Energy, today. I "begged onto" a few blog rolls and added a few links. It's an interesting challenge to introduce a new blog. How do you "politely" introduce it to folks? How do you generate traffic? How do you find other bloggers who are likely to be interested in it?

The new blogger tool with links in the profile for common interests is helpful. I've used it to hunt for other sites that list agriculture as their profession on the site profile. I've not found many sites that are truly agricultural in nature though -- at least not blogs. There are many, many agriculture related websites, just not that many bloggers. Of course, I'd be happy if I was proven wrong.

The Common Sense blog is where I am posting articles that I have written that our local newspaper is publishing. But, since they are only using one article per week, I am trying to post other items of interest during the rest of the time. The articles that get published will have "published" in the labels. Since they are going on the Agriculture Page of the newspaper, they will all be agriculture related.

Well, so much for the rambling this evening. I need to do some research.