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Surprise Me

Posted on April 24, 2015

A few days ago, when we moved some cows, I took Lucas along.  Always my “short go” dog, I hoped it wouldn’t be too much for him.  We did some work on foot, turning the cows through the open gate, encouraging the last few lost calves along, hoping for momma to come back and retrieve them.  Finally, Vernon sent me to the barn to grab a horse, but when I did, I locked Lucas in my car, knowing that extra two miles would wear him out far too much.

With all the windows unrolled, he leaned out and woofed mightily as we turned into the field yards from his prison.  Good boy that he is, he *did* stay put though!  I freed him as again we went through the process of letting the cows sit and bawl and look for their calves, though the majority were simply interested in the lush field, and not their babies!  It wasn’t long before a delivery truck came, and we lost Vernon, Daniel, and Brandon to a different job.  Johnny and I sat and visited, and I heard more tales from the past… always fascinating to me!

Six miscreants edged around the stack yard, knowing in their bovine way, that momma was back a mile, and could not be one of the cows grazing hungrily a few yards away.  Lucas and I were on the job!  In 2006, when Lucas was run over, he was supposed to do water therapy.  They did it at the vet clinic in Billings, but it was wintertime here and the creek was frozen!  I tried putting a stock tank in my kitchen with warm water to make him swim, but it wasn’t deep enough and he was NOT impressed.  He’s not a water dog except for laying in it, and pretty much the only time he’ll ever swim is if I’ve crossed a creek myself and he must follow.

I never thought when I tried to send him across the creek to chase the calves back that he actually would go!

swim creek

But, holy cow!  look at him!  He’s focused on the calf in the water, right at the edge of the creek in the shadows.  The calf knew he was there, and before Lucas made it to him, the calf was inspired enough to climb out on his own.  Lucas, though, couldn’t climb the steep bank, so back he came.  Then the calves tried to cross the creek again.

It was shallower here, but there he goes again!  Good dog!

second attempt

Not so steep nor slick with the long grass, he was ready to shove them back through the fence and return them to their mothers.  A little encouragement to slow him down, and with the pressure off, the calves squeezed back through the fence and returned to the herd.

think about it

Well… how about that?  Sometimes, after all these years, that dog can still surprise me!

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5 thoughts on “Surprise Me”

  1. Kris says:
    April 27, 2015 at 4:47 AM

    Good dog Lucas! It must make him so happy when he can work.
    Kris recently posted…gunning itMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Marilyn says:
    April 25, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    What a wonderful surprise! I bet the water was a bit cold, but if Lucas
    enjoyed it this ready-made water therapy might be one of his new joys in life!

    Reply
  3. ginger says:
    April 25, 2015 at 6:19 AM

    Good job Lucas. What a great cow dog.

    Reply
  4. Kris Hazelbaker says:
    April 25, 2015 at 5:21 AM

    I like that you still need to slow him down a little. I’m not sure his brother would swim a creek even for cattle work. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Molly says:
    April 25, 2015 at 1:31 AM

    They’re wonderful little beings, always ready to help us out, wouldn’t be without my best friend…

    Reply

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Carol, Wyoming rancher

Since 2008, I’ve kept this photographic journal of life on our working Wyoming ranch.  I share ranch work, my family, crafts and DIY, my English Shepherds, Bravo and Indy, and a love for this land.  Enjoy this red dirt country!

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