Canine Heroes

9/11, a day burned into the memories of Americans everywhere, happened a long time ago, as time goes for us all now in the electronic age. We're so used to instant reports, the event of the day, rewritten history, and sound bites instead of real news. Sometimes it's good to slow down and look behind us, take time to examine history in the fuller context.

We  continue to salute the military and contracted personnel who are serving overseas in the conflicts that began after 9/11, as well as the first reponders who gave everything they had to save others during that horrible day, but not so much attention has been given to the canine component. Nearly 100 dogs, many who had been retired for years, and their civilian handlers, came from all over the country to assist with the rescue and recovery work.

Ten years later, in 2011, just 12 of these heroic canines survived. They have been commemorated in a touching series of portraits entitled 'Retrieved'. View the complete article and photo of the four footed heroes here.

Michael Hingson was at work that day, with his guide dog, Roselle. In an article he commented, "I would not be alive today if it weren't for Roselle. On Sept. 11, 2001 Roselle and I were in our office on the 78th floor of Tower One of the World Trade Center when it was struck by American Airlines Flight 11, hijacked and under terrorist control. Our escape from that tower moments before its collapse is story that has been told around the world and is still an inspiration to many. This amazing story is the subject of my new book called “Thunder Dog” co-authored with Susy Flory." The book is available on his website and on Amazon.


The yellow lab calmly guided her blind charge 1,463 steps out of the building and, as debris fell and dust billowed, found a subway station and led them both underground to safety. Michael commented, "Roselle’s service on 9/11 was a testimony not only to the Sterns and the others who raised her, but to her trainer, Todd Jurek, the entire Guide Dogs for the Blind training staff, and all the people who make up that wonderful organization. Most of all, what Roselle did that day and in fact every day she and I were together is nothing less than the most powerful evidence I can provide of the enduring value of trust and teamwork.

Roselle died in June at the age 13, but her heroism lives on. At a star-studded red carpet event in L.A. last year the yellow lab was was honored posthumously as the American Hero Dog of the Year.

As time goes by our memory dims and we tend to forget the horror and tragedy of that day, but I think it is important that we remember. Only in remembering events such as 9/11 can we truly appreciate the valor displayed by all the rescuers, both human and canine. Only in remembering can we as a nation continue to work to prevent another such event.

Escape from Orange County

Like a rabbit out of the chute with the hounds in hot pursuit we loaded up the rig and headed east, then north, toward the back side of the Sierras.

'Seems like we've spent more time in Southern California this year than at home or on the road, and we are anxious to get back in the traveling mode. We spent a week helping Steve's mother and visiting family, so now the traveling begins.

If it seems we've been "away" for awhile - from the blog that is, we have. First with the commitments in California, and then my computer decided to go toes-up and Steve's spent the last week trying to get it back in working order. 'My own stupid fault that I lost some data, nothing too critical thank heavens, but it was a major inconvenience. The fact that we travel with three computers may seem a little odd to some, but they all have their purpose, and keeping them up and running is a major part of the Trailmaster's job. Things always seem to break when you are out in the boonies too. It's a law! At any rate, we'll try to get caught up on our travels, so the posts will be a bit longer than usual.  

From Southern California we headed for Gardnerville, Nevada, which necessitates a long stretch through the desert, so where to stop that's both comfortable and picturesque? Our first thought was the Alabama Hills, near Lone Pine, as it's right on the way and one of our favorite places. The area was the filming location for many of the old cowboy movies, and is very picturesque. The temp was 104 when we arrived there however, and so we kept on going, up, as altitude usually equals degrees cooler.

We landed at Gray's Meadow campground, on Independence Creek, just outside Independence on Hwy.395. On the map below you can trace the creek as it flows from the mountains down into Independence.


View Larger Map

The campground has two sections, upper and lower, and the lower one looks a bit cramped for our equipment, so we took an outside space in the upper campground. Though the campground description says a 22 ft. maximum we unhitched so fit quite nicely.

The campground wasn't at all crowded, and what a gorgeous view! What looks on the satellite map (above) like a soft sandy surface around the creek is actually the steep gravel and boulder strewn foothills of the Sierras.

The steep, craggy Sierras tower at the back, while the valley stretches wide and slopes up on the far side to the White and Inyo Mountain ranges.

Toss in a few billowy thunderheads, A few pine and cottonwoods around the creek, and you have a vista to remember! The creek bubbling along the side of the campground made a lovely cooling sound too. We liked it so well we stayed two nights, enough to recharge our mental batteries a bit.

Shiner enjoyed her first real taste of sagebrush country, and appreciated the opportunity to dig around the bushes and sniff around the creek. She's done very little camping so far, so has no idea of what awaits her on down the road. This trip will be a real education for her!

Goodby to a friend

She came to us as a tiny little ball of black and white fur. Tossed over someone's front yard fence, barely 8 weeks old, she was the only stray brought into the police department that Steve was ever tempted to bring home. Kendra and I had been in a minor car accident the day before and, feeling slightly battered, this tiny little puppy was the perfect cure.

Molly, as we named her grew quickly into a loving dog, protective of her family and a great explorer. Her favorite perch when she was young was a planter wheelbarrow, where she'd relax and survey "her" yard as she watched for invaders.

She got along with pretty much everybody, including the cat Murphy that was her best friend for years. Any cat that didn't run was her friend too, but if they ran, look out! The cattle dog instinct took over and when she was "inspired" she was fast!

Molly never really liked riding in a vehicle, but happily hopped in when a camping trip was at the other end. As soon as she saw us packing the rig she was ready to go.

She attended every Duck training camp too, but was a bit too shy of strangers to make it to the tailgate parties at games.

We logged many miles on back trails, and the only time I ever saw her startled was when an owl swooped out, low and very large, as it crossed the trail in front of us. She slowed down a bit in her later years, but her heart was always ready to go.

Molly has been staying with our daughter and her husband while we're in California, and yesterday she suddenly became quite ill. Kendra took her to the vet yesterday and this morning we got the diagnosis - a fast growing liver tumor. No treatment was really possible, so the tough decision was made to put her to sleep.

We'll miss her so much - she hasn't missed a camping trip in 16 years! Molly has convinced me. .  I truly believe, all dogs go to heaven.... I can't imagine it without them.

More photos in Molly's Album.

Across Arizona

As we expected we bucked a headwind all across Arizona. The saguaro and teddy bear cholla cactus sprout here and there between the blooming palo verde - what a beautiful landscape. I love the mountains in the distance too. In this part of Arizona they form interesting peaks and crags, and with the changing shadows there's real variety in the landscape. We're a little short on real mountains in our part of Texas, so it's a nice contrast to our rolling "hills".

All too soon we were thrown into the race of the big city.... plowing through traffic and dodging cars. We finally reached our destination, the Elk's Lodge in Garden Grove in early afternoon on Sunday.

We've stayed here before, and though the actual parking spots aren't exactly luxurious - they're just blacktop - our space is larger than the one we had at the state park on the beach a few years ago.

A real benefit of stay here is their nice little park where we can take Shiner for walks.

Off to one side of the park the lodge members are constructing a memorial to members of the military. It's still under construction, but so far nicely done.

memorial in the Elks Lodge park

We're close to Steve's parents here, another bonus, and there are always a few Elk members around to chat with. This is an active club, with events scheduled almost every night.


As much as we prefer the rural life, we don't have too much trouble shifting gears, and we looked as this trip as an opportunity to introduce Shiner to a wide variety of experiences. She's met more new people, new dogs, and new sounds in the last couple of days, and who knows  how many new aromas her sensitive little nose has picked up. We needed to find a place where she could run off leash, so we checked out Arbor dog park, just a short drive from Leisure World (where the folks live). The park is pretty nice! It was a bit of a challenge to find, just off Lampson behind the Department of Fish and Wildlife offices. On the first visit Shiner was the classic new kid on the playground, head down, tail between her legs, when two young huskies ran over and greeted her politely, then helped her chase her ball. Though she didn't do a lot of mingling with the other dogs, she did relax and had a great time playing fetch.

One of Shiner's new friends at the park was a Brittany Spaniel named Toby. . . Toby Tornado actually. His owner filled us in on Toby's story. Toby was already scheduled to be adopted by the gentleman we were talking with, and was living with a foster family in Oklahoma when a tornado struck, pulling him out of the house through a skylight. He wandered loose for several days and all concerned had given him up for lost when he was found and taken to a rescue shelter in Dallas, TX. Once all the connections were made with his adoptive parent, Toby was scheduled to be crated and shipped to him out here in California, but a stewardess who had worked with the adoption agency heard about the situation and decided to improve on the travel plans. She went back to Dallas, put a service jacket on Toby, and he flew all the way to his new home in the cabin with the passengers. After all he'd been through I think he deserved a relaxing trip! He's about three years old and seems to be adjusting well to his new home, in spite of his adventure in Oklahoma. Dogs are amazingly resilient creatures, and the gentleman who adopted him has had several Brittanies and seems very attuned to his needs, so I think he went to the perfect home.

Tuesday afternoon we picked Kendra and Jaxen up at the airport. Her bag had gotten lost somewhere along the way, but they managed to find it and deliver it in a couple of hours so the crisis was minor. We spent the evening with family, then tucked the sleepy little guy in for what we hoped would be a long night's rest.

A new friend

 The following day we headed for the dog park again. This time with Kendra and Jax. He loves dogs, spent an hour in his stroller watching the show as dogs ran and played chase. One of Jax's new friends was a four month old puppy wo is being trained as a service dog for a lady who uses a wheel chair, and he seemed to take quite a shine to the stroller as it is so similar to the wheelchair he's used to.

The dog park has turned out to be best entertainment for Shiner and Jax too!

Today we're off again, this time for two days in Palm Desert.

Puppy notes

Dr. Jordan gave me this Halloween scarf

Shiner is growing like a weed, as they say. When we brought her home she was wearing a collar that measured  10 inches. Kendra gave her one of her custom, U of O Duck collars (so she'd be properly attired for football season). It's now at its full extension,  a little over 12 inches, and she's about to grow out of it! She gained two and a half pounds in the first ten days we had her. We haven't weighed her since, but I'm sure she's gained another 3 or 4 at least. She weathered her first vet trip with little strain. There will be several more to get all the puppy shots finished up, so it's a good thing it wasn't too traumatic for her.

She's become quite the little helper with ranch chores, showing a particular affinity for anything with a long handle. She rode Steve's shovel all the way around the house one day, and then "helped" me rake mesquite pods the next day.
Now, when we have similar work to do, she gets to watch from the dog run. She seems to like the little fenced yard, and watches happily while chewing on whatever is handy while we work.

It's so much fun to watch any young animal explore and learn about the world around them, and Shiner is no exception.

She doesn't seem to be afraid of anything, but is sensible enough to sit and watch a new situation until she's figured it out.... except when Ryloo, Kendra's 60 pound German Shepherd arrives with a blast. That sends Shiner bailing through the dog door for the safety of the house, at least until she's sorted it all out, then she comes back out and happily attacks Ryloo as they dash around the yard. 'Quite a pair they are!

She also loves to play tug-o-war with Glory. Shiner can hold her own now, so it won't be long before she's dragging Glory around.

She spends quite a bit of time just sitting out in the yard, watching the neighbor's goats, and the birds (which she has to take a run at ever so often, so she can see them fly), and the squirrels. She likes to follow the scent trails of the little critters too, munching wildflowers as she goes.... the purple ones are her favorites! (Yes, we have a few fall wildflowers, thanks to the rain we got last month.) Shiner's tracking instincts are apparently quite strong. If one of us disappears, to go do a chore or pick up the mail, as soon as she notices she sticks her little nose to the ground and off she goes, following our every step until she finds us.

Molly is accepting the little nuisance with more grace than we actually expected. It helps that she's not especially protective of food and space, so she shares readily. She isn't too fond of a barking pup in her face though, and has mentioned that to Shiner a time or two. I think Shiner will eventually get the message.

We finally have work started on our new deck, which is giving Shiner a whole new world to explore. They drilled holes for the cement piers yesterday, which involved mud (a favorite puppy environment), hand tools, colored string, and leather gloves. A veritable wonderland for Shiner! We're trying to keep her out of the activity, but it's not easy! Being a puppy parent is a full-time job!

A new project on the ranch

Shiner, at about 6 weeks of age

We've been plenty busy since landing back home. There are all kinds of chores to attend to when we first get back, plus the additional things we wanted to take care of because of the increased fire danger. Just to make things a little more interesting we decided it was time to adopt a puppy.

Molly has pretty much retired from the strenuous activity of hiking and patrolling the property, so we figured we'd better get a new dog trained up while she's still around to help with the project.

After checking all the local adoption agencies we decided on this little sweetheart. She was about 6 weeks old when this photo was taken, and weighed about 8 pounds. She's just barely 8 weeks old now, and weighs 14 pounds!

Her name at the agency was Amber, but we promptly changed it to Shiner. . . . our favorite Texas beer! And her coloring is perfect as it matches their packaging! There are billboards all over made just for her.


After filling out extensive paperwork and an interview with an "adoption counselor" we picked Shiner up from her foster home Saturday evening. The days since then have been spent keeping a close watch on her. She's just barely 8 weeks old, so not really housebroken yet, though she's good at staying in her little crate all night and for naps.

She's a brave little thing too. We had a horrendous lightening and thunder storm her first night with us, and she didn't show a bit of fear. She played around out in the shop with Steve while the storm was crashing and banging and didn't blink an eye. She's having a great time exploring the property and testing just about everything with her little sharp teeth. She's figured out the dog door too, but I'm waiting for her to discover the squirrels. Maybe with Shiner to keep them busy they'll eat less of my birdseed.

We took Shiner in for her spay surgery Tuesday, which slowed her down a bit that evening but by the next day she was back in high gear. Molly has finally figured out that the little creature is staying, so is starting to communicate with her in slightly more civil terms. She's not used to having a young upstart in her way. By about the fourth day Molly had started showing some mothering behaviors, and is getting a little more tolerant, but also correcting her when she needs it. Gotta teach these young'uns some manners!

You'll notice I haven't mentioned what breed Shiner is. Until we read the adoption posting we'd never heard of it. She's a Blackmouth Cur. They are a popular breed in the southern states, being skilled at both hunting and herding. Some, like the type that sort of originated in Texas, are on the large side as they were bred to herd cattle. They have an interesting history, dating back as far as the Celts who selected breeding pairs based on behavior traits they needed for stock management. (More on their history here)

Shiner's mother was abandoned, probably when her owners discovered she was pregnant, as she was found walking down the side of the road with her ten scrawny puppies in tow. A woman rescued the and took them all to the Austin Pets Alive shelter. One family fostered them until the pups could be weaned to a bottle and then they were distributed to several different foster families. Because of her history we'll never know what breed Shiner's father is, but judging by photos of other BMC pups, she may not be a mix. The puppy photo on the wikipedia page looks just like her, and you can get an idea of what she'll probably look like when she's an adult.

The shelter does a wonderful job of preparing the dogs for their new owners, as do the foster parents. They have inoculations, treatments for parasites, and their spay/neuter surgery all included in the adoption fee, which is less than the $250 they calculate each dog costs them. At that rate, the ten pups and mother that were abandoned cost the shelter $2750. I hope the person who dumped her feels good about his decision.  Fortunately, most of the pups and the mom have been adopted. We met some of the other foster families when we picked her up after her surgery and got caught up. Unfortunately many dogs aren't so lucky, and the pens and kennels at the agency are full of sad looking little animals in need of a home.

Shiner seems to like it here. Enjoying all the space, the variety of things to chew on, and the birds and squirrels to chase. I'll add pictures to the Shiner album as she grows, so you can see the progress. The way she eats she'll be growing fast I'm sure!