What did he say?

At Rest

What did he say? I believe he said that if I did it again he would shoot me. Take a look at that innocent face. I can't believe that anyone would threaten to kill me, but Dangerous did last week, and I believe he meant it! Well, I am lucky to still be here to tell you what I did. You will have to decide if I deserved the death threats.

Fremont Bob and Nature Dan

We spent all last week riding, hiking, eating, and drinking with Dangerous' buddy Nature Dan. Dan is a liberal, tree hugging pacifist without a mean bone in his body, so why did Dangerous lose his cool and threaten to kill me during his visit. Well, it had little to do with Dan and a lot to do with my herding instincts. From the picture, everyone looks calm and collected. "Hobby" and Little Guy are quietly plodding along while Fremont Bob and Nature Dan enjoy the High Plateau scenery. Too bad you couldn't have taken in the scene a few minutes earlier. While trying to give Dangerous an assist, I was jumping four feet high in the air trying to bite Dangerous' flighty mare Dottie at the base of her tail. I believe Dangerous' mood was adversely affected while he tried to board his spinning, bouncing horse. As you might know, a rider is most vulnerable while mounting up. Without a real firm seat and good rein control, a rider can easily and instantly get unloaded. If Dangerous had taken the time to explain that to me, I might have known better, but threatening to shoot me. I am not sure I deserved that.

Looking for Naked Escalante River Nymphs

Dangerous' recent attitude toward me night be explained because he thinks I may have lost my touch. While hiking along the Escalante River, Dan, Dangerous, and Utah experienced one of those outdoor moments that only happen a few times in an old man's life -- spotting naked women. Female voices alerted us to a group ahead happily splashing in the river. Little did we know that the four or eight, depending on how you count, were enjoying a lovely fall afternoon completely naked. My three hiking buddies are still debating the correct number. In the past, most women make a big fuss over me, but not today. For some reason, the four completely ignored me requiring Dangerous and his two buddies to move on without stopping for a chat. I am not sure it was the chat they were interested in.

A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

Well, whatever the conflict between Dangerous and me, I have to tell you fall is a beautiful time of year on the High Plateau. While the autumn leaves are just getting a good start, the lack of fall colors didn't distract much from the incredible views and scenery. So, if you have time, load up and drive scenic Highway 12. If you have time, stop in Grover for a visit. We will be there because it's time for our annual Walking Horse ride with Bill and friends.

The Doctor is In

Drop in visitors sometimes wonder how to tell if we are home. Well, the answer to that one is pretty easy. If the gate is open, we are there. If both gates are open, then Dottie and Little Guy are with us. Another way to tell is to check for the sign on the porch. Like all upscale professional establishments we have a sign that announces our presence and availability. Thanks to Mississippi Max, all you have to do to make sure Dangerous or Utah is around is to look for the sign.

As I mentioned in my last blog, I am now taking selected and pre-approved advertising at a reasonable cost. Again, thanks to Mississippi Max I received another prepaid advertisement that met with my approval. Max is trying to help Fremont Bob out by encouraging more sales at the Happy Chicken Egg Ranch. One of Fremont's specialties is homemade goat cheese. Makes your mouth water and stomach churn just thinking about such a tasty treat. Well, stop by the Bobarosa and try a slice. Get your orders in early for Christmas. Love to hear from you!

Nellie: A Tribute to a Good Friend

Last night we lost an old friend. Nellie was born 28 years ago on a cold, rainy April night. Dangerous knew her mother Molly was about to deliver, so he moved her to a stall at the large animal hospital. Every few hours, Dangerous drove to the clinic to check Molly's progress. For those of you who know horses, you understand how difficult it is to witness an actual birth. According to Dangerous, mares don't like company when delivering their foals, and will try to time the birth when no one is around. After a long sleepless night, Dangerous found a new palomino filly standing on wobbly legs next to her mom early that stormy April morning.

Newborn Nellie and Molly

Dangerous tells me that Nellie was the prettiest horse he ever owned. Even in death, the vet who came last night commented about what good shape she was in at 28, and how pretty she was. I didn't know Nellie until she was probably 22, but even then most everyone who met us on the trail would ask Dangerous about the tall, pretty horse he was riding. Besides being beautiful, Nellie could really travel.

Nellie was a tough old girl who survived a variety of illnesses and injuries during her long life. She suffered from chronic laminitis that affected her most every spring. Nellie was a bit of a pig when it came to tender, green grass, and once she was turned out to graze, she never seemed to get her fill. Her all too noticeable founder crest was a physical testament to her hearty appetite.

Nellie Enjoying the Spring Grass

Well, last night Nellie's luck finally ran out. She couldn't get up after lying down for a nap. Dangerous found her struggling to get to her feet, and knew it was time to call the vet. With the vet's help, she peacefully passed away in the pasture where she spent most of her life. We miss you old girl!

Canine Companion Tribute

Rosie has Fun

Get him started and Dangerous will put you to sleep offering up his home spun philosophy and words of wisdom. Your eyes will glaze over as you fight to stay awake, but I hope you pay attention to one colloquial phrase he repeats often. "Never trust a man who doesn't like dogs!" In my opinion, he is absolutely right.

As you probably know by now, I am the latest in a long line of canines. Dangerous has always had a dog or two around. When you have a personality like Dangerous, sometimes you have to buy your friends. I don't mean Dangerous pays people to hang out with him, but he did pay $400 for me and drove over 400 miles round trip to pick me up. I didn't know most the dogs that preceded me, but I have heard all the stories and tales about their personalities and adventures. All of them have been an important part of Dangerous' High Plateau travels, so with the backpacking and riding season starting, I thought you might like to hear some of their stories. There have been so many dogs I can't tell you about them all, but I will share with you what I know about a few. Their High Plateau adventures will have to represent all those who willingly and unknowingly followed Dangerous, Utah and Fremont into the backcountry.

Rosie's New Home

Years ago, Ole' Dangerous loved to hunt game birds. At that time, he kept German Shorthair pointers which he used to hunt pheasants and upland game birds. He tells anyone who will listen about the many birds he shot over his pointer Lady Bird. After he gave up hunting, Dangerous started giving herding dogs a try. "Pants" was a female blue healer given to Dangerous' wife Trea over his objections. Dangerous didn't think much of "Pants" at the time, but soon found out she was tireless on the trail and always wanted to go when no else was interested in riding or hiking with him. "Pants" had one serious behavioral problem that caused Dangerous unending grief. While she loved people, she was deadly with other dogs. Dangerous always had to watch her closely when hiking in the Wind Rivers. She liked nothing better than setting ambushes for unsuspecting Golden Retrievers, Black Labs, German Shepherds, etc. Unless Dangerous caught her, she would attack anything on four legs which left Dangerous apologizing to the crunchy-granola types whose dogs "Pants" attacked. Serious retribution was never demanded because the stunned hiker couldn't believe a 35 pound spayed female just kicked their 50 pound dog's butt.

"Pants" and Ernie

Murphy was Dangerous' first Aussie. She joined the High Plateau riders and hikers a year or two before "Pants" died. From what I have heard, Dangerous spent a lot of time keeping "Pants" from killing her. Eventually, an accommodation was reached even though Murphy and "Pants" were never friends. While "Pants" was all bite and no bark, Murphy was just the opposite. She was always starting something, but wasn't interested in finishing what she started. Maybe she knew that backup was readily available. Murphy would frequently get herself in trouble with other canines knowing that her daughter Abbey would finish what she started.

To call Murphy intense is an understatement. Dangerous tells me that while hiking him and Utah would frequently find a spot with a wonderful echo. Even I like to sit and listen to the whistles and yodels bouncing off a distance cliff wall. According to Dangerous, Murphy wasn't content to sit and listen. She joined in barking continuously at her own echo. Murphy's intensity was obvious in everything she did. Dangerous tells me that she was constantly chasing, catching, and retrieving her Frisbee. She also gave birth to a litter of nine pups on the bedroom floor with Trea serving as midwife.

Abbey and Murphy

Dangerous kept one of Murphy's pups. As Trea tells the story, Abbey was weak and failing. Supposedly, Dangerous promised her that she had a permanent home if she lived. When Dangerous wanted to renege on his promise, Trea held him to his commitment. All the "show quality' pups found other homes while struggling Abbey lived sixteen years with Dangerous and his family. Murphy and Abbey were constant companions until Murphy died at fifteen.

Unlike most sheep dogs, Abbey wasn't long on smarts, but boy was she tough. I actually came along a year or two before she died. Even in old age, Abbey was one tough, old girl. Dangerous tells the story regularly about the day his horse Molly kicked Abbey's teeth out. Any other dog would have given up the chase, but not Abbey. She picked herself up out of the ditch, spit out two broken teeth, and continued the chase. Abbey also could sense anyone Ole' Dangerous didn't like. If she picked up even a faint hint from Dangerous that he didn't care for a visitor, you had to restrain Abbey. The visitor could try all the sweet talk they liked, but Abbey was never taken in. According to Utah, you had to physically restrain her or the suspect visitor might get attacked.

Callie, Abbey, and Me

Abbey had a little sister Callie who needs mentioning. Callie was Utah's dog who was very much like her mother Murphy. Callie was intense like her mother, and even after suffering a serious stroke still carried her Frisbee with her. She didn't hike much with the High Plateau bunch, but spent her last years lying on the porch in Grover. After her stroke, she could only turn right, but she maintained that sheep dog attitude until the end.

Well, that's my tribute to our canine companions. I am sure all you dog-people have stories to share. I would love to hear them!