A Story of a Cowboy and His Cow Dog

Twelve years ago a black-eyed girl met a tall, skinny cowboy with a red and white cow dog named Chuckie. The girl didn't really like dogs but wanted to give him a chance. Before too long, she joined the tall cowboy and his red cow dog and they became a family. The cow dog loved to play fetch and could catch anything before it hit the ground. The local kids loved it when they saw the red dog coming up the street to the park. Eventually one young son was added to the family, then two, and then three. There was never a problem with barking, jumping, or chasing cars. He did like to chew on large rocks and leave them on the lawn, though. The black-eyed mom and tall cowboy never had to worry about the furry red dog around the kids. The red cow dog loved his cowboy. When the tall cowboy left on his horse, the furry cow dog was right there with him. He loved his cowboy buddies, too, and never left them even when the frigid winter came and the warm, inviting barn was calling his name. He stayed right there on the front porch by his family. He was a great cow dog and would bite cows all day. The tall cowboy said this was a good thing and that he was the best cow dog he had ever known. Many years down the road, the lovable red cow dog was showing his age. He loved to bask in the sun and would lay there for hours...until his cowboy came home, that is. Eventually his hearing went, his teeth wore down from all the rocks, and he didn't have the energy he once had. The family loved the red cow dog but knew that he would not be with them much longer. One fine summer, the tall cowboy got the job of a lifetime...the kind of job where you need a great cow dog. Unfortunately the furry red dog was no longer able to participate. He would look longingly at his cowboy as he would leave the barnyard, horses in tow. The tall cowboy wished that he could take the red cow dog with him and so he decided to take his companion up into the mountains with him, just to camp and enjoy the serenity of a mountain summer. The cow dog loved being with his cowboy and wanted to go push cows but he had to resign to the fact that he just couldn't. Still, he was content to just be with his cowboy. Then one day after a long day's work, the cowboy came back to camp and found his cow dog paralyzed from the waist down. After looking into his big eyes, the tall cowboy made the impossible decision and decided to do for his cow dog what the cow dog couldn't do for himself. It was very hard for the tall cowboy for the beautiful red dog had been his companion for fourteen years. The beautiful red cow dog was buried in a lovely grove of quaking aspen trees in cow country. The girl was heartbroken, for she had finally learned to see the joy and grace in the beautiful red cow dog. However, she is comforted because she knows that all good cow dogs go to heaven.

Should Have Been a Cowboy

Kevin started work on the mountain last week. That is his new cowdog Dixie. Kevin feels really bad that he finally has a job where he can use a good cowdog and Chuckie is too old to go.

We finally got his trailer arranged so it would fit three wild coyotes. We went up and spent a few days. They had a blast and wore themselves right out.

Kasen had so much fun he needed a high country bath. I was just going to wash him right off...an in and out job...but he had other ideas. He stayed in that pot for about 15 minutes.
One of Kevin's wilder training horses...I call her the {Hell Bitch} in secret. Anyone a Lonesome Dove fan? Kevin calls her {Royce} after the owner. He calls all of the horses their owner's name so he knows what horse to talk about when they call. I think it's ingenious and kind of funny sometimes. Anyone ever think of naming a horse Brenda?! He has 6 that he rides and wears them all out every couple of days. It's hard work but he is loving it.

We're Goin on a Scat Hunt

The boys and I went to the bird refuge last weekend. We were on a mission to find owl cough pellets (the fur and bones that an owl can not digest...so it coughs it up.) We only found a few cough pellets but Jackson and Dixon found and identified many different samples of scat! Jackson got a book "Scat of the Rocky Mountains" for Easter (very appropriate when honoring our Savior, right!) and he is an expert.

Here is a cough pellet.

Kasen finally woke up and is ready to join the party. It's a good thing he slept through the bird walk or he would have scared them all off.

This is a "carcass" the boys found.

Once we got home and the boys were telling Grandma and Pa about their adventures, Grandma said that there were tons of those cough pellets under their big pine tree but she didn't realize that is what they were. Sure enough, there must be a large owl family roosting in that tree because the place is covered with them. She will never be able to go in the hut under the tree again!

Hot Hair

I hate pictures of myself but I love hot hair!

Burnin' hair

"There's nothin' like the Wasatch in the spring time. Nothin' like the freedom in the air. There ain't nothin' better than draggin' calves to the fire and there's nothin' like the smell of burnin' hair." Brenn Hill

Kevin and the boys attended the first of many brandings on Saturday. Kevin waits all summer, fall, and winter for branding season.
Jackson loves reuniting with long lost Park Valley friends. He had a great time playing, roping calves, and basically being a wild Comanche. He is in his element in the out of doors.

Dixon likes to have a job. He manned the gate to make sure the babies stayed away from the mommas until it was their turn.

Kevin will be working for the Cattlemen's Association up Logan Canyon this summer watching over the cows. He is counting down and so am I because it will mean summer vacation! He is really excited and the boys can't wait to spend some serious time camping. They will all be in their element. I'm excited because they are excited.