| |
|
|
Outside the Arena
Counter Canter With
Garry Stauber |
|
 |
| |
Bear Dog |
by Garry Stauber |
| |
I told this story a few years ago in the magazine, but I have to say, this story is a keeper. You know, one you tell again and again. Here is how the story goes... |
|
| |
|
|
A good friend of mine gave me one of his dogs. This was a genuine, heartfelt gift. My friend is a real cowboy and his dog is a true cow dog, a working border collie.
|
|
|
| |
He told me this dog had not bonded to him and he was having trouble getting a handle on it. He said that the dog often just ran off, ignoring when he called his name, so I had better keep him on a leash. I said, "No problem. I can fix that." |
| |
We happened to be on a |
|
horse camping trip with some hard-core packers from the Backcountry Horsemen of California and some Wilderness Riders. Our tents were scattered around a small area tucked in a canyon just under the shadow of Lassen Mountain in California. |
| |
I had been slipping small chunks of tri-tip to the dog all day (unbeknownst to the camp cook). The dog had gotten pretty quick to come when I called, knowing what was in my hand for his reward when he arrived. I decided to let him sleep in my tent with me and I soon learned he was a good tent partner who seldom moved during the night. |
| |
 |
Cowboy Jack Sparrow, Bear and Garry. Photo by Julie Green. |
|
| |
When he woke me by licking my face, I realized I had a smart dog here. He was trying to tell me he had to go outside to relieve his bladder. So I got dressed and out we went. It was very quiet and everyone was clearly in a deep sleep around me. |
| |
Suddenly my new dog was running in a straight line as far from me as he could go, and it was at that moment, as I started to yell his name at the top of my lungs, that I realized what a bad name he had been given. I froze as my lungs were about shout into the dark, still night, with all my might, "BEAR!!!!!" |
| |
I have told this story many times and it is always good for a chuckle. Well, here is an update on Bear. I have had him two years now. He has become my best friend. I have written about him often. During my hardest times, he has always been there to lick my face and tell me he loves me in his own special border collie way. But before I get too sappy (which we all know I can do), let me tell you what happened today. |
| |
Bear and I went outside together. I turned around and went back inside when I realized I had left my keys on the kitchen table. I went back outside only to find Bear was gone. I yelled "Bear" and he didn't come. I walked to the back side of the barn, to see the farrier was there. And I looked to see the farrier's Australian Shepherd, who is a female. Okay, now you know where this is going. Yes, Bear is intact and the farrier was saving the Aussie for a special breeding to a fellow Australian Shepherd. |
| |
The farrier was not very happy with Bear. But who knows . . . we may soon have cubs. |
| |
| |
Read comments or post your own comments to this article at the bottom of this page. |
| |
| |
Garry rode the length of California on horseback with a packhorse in 2003. The trip took 3 1/2 months and covered 1350 miles. Upon completion of this trip, Garry became a member of The Long Riders Guild. Now he is President of the Ohlone Riders Unit of the Backcountry Horsemen of California. He is a horse trainer and NARHA Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor. As a member of the Wilderness Rider Program, Garry is a trained and certified instructor and spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, National Parks Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Game Department and Backcountry Horsemen of California. He is an equestrian writer and has had over 100 articles published in 15 magazines. Garry is Chairman of the Board of The DreamPower Foundation, which provides equine therapy to children and adults with mental and emotional problems. In 2004, Garry retired from a 20 year career as an Executive in Silicon Valley. |
| |
| |
Copyright © 2009 All rights reserved. The above article is the property of the Author and may not be duplicated or redistributed in any way without permission. |
| |
| |
 |
| |
Reader comments for this article |
|
Name: Kim Time: 2009-05-07 22:05:24
Comment: Wonderful story. Thank you for sharing! Your "cubs" will probably turn out to be great dogs. I have had some wonderful Border/Aussie dogs before.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
