SHERRY RICHARDSON Bella, my Aussie trail dog, goes just about everywhere with me. She guards me when we ride alone, and chases those dangerous animals known as squirrels away before they can eat her/us. She loves playing in the streams we cross and watching out for other riders we en- counter. She loves to visit with each of them we meet. I always feel safe with her around. She even holds my horse for me when we have to make a bathroom stop.
Q
JUDE SAMUEL Timber was a Border Collie who lived in the neighborhood next to the stable where we kept our horses. We had over 700 acres of woods and trails, and Timber came with us every day. He would be waiting at the barn for us aſt er school. In time, we learned to put Timber’s herding instincts to good use. T e horses were out on pasture and if I said, “Timber, round ‘em up!” he would go herd my horse back to the barn. My friend would then say the same, and Timber would go get her horse. When we rode the trails, he was right there. One day, he went aſt er a rabbit. Fearing the car- nage, we called to him and he immediately gave up the chase and returned to our side. My mother worked, so I was always the last kid to be picked up at night. Timber would sit with me until my mom came, then he would go home. Timber was very much loved and well cared for by his family. I will forever be grateful that they shared him with us and for all of the fun and companionship he gave us.
Q
SAR H MUNDELL We have a coyote/red heeler cross named Doc. While out trailing horses one day in Montana he disappeared on 80,000 acres. Eighteen days later, when we’d almost given up hope, he comes trot- ting down the road just happier than happy. He’d lost a lot of his fat and his nose was sunburned, but he looked good. A week later he disappeared again, this time for 10 days before he trot ed back into camp. He still tries to sneak off every once in a while
but we’ve got our eye on him. He’ll duck off behind a log & just sit and watch and wait till he thinks you can’t see him, but those pointy ears of his stick up too far.
Q
SAR OLLMAN Patch is a Border Collie mix and loves to come along when I’m rid- ing. One North Dakota winter I decided to go snowshoeing in a clearing next to our house during a storm (strong winds and 20-30 degree temperatures). Even though there were strong north winds I would be protected by trees. A fun part of our clearing is that the winter winds create “snow cliff s.” Patch came along with me that day. We got to the part where I could turn to go back to our yard. But there were still some cliff s I hadn’t been on so I decided to keep going, do the cliff s and come back to that spot. Patch started barking at me as I set off like she didn’t want me to go. I told her “I’ll be right back.” Patch kept barking and stayed where we should have gone back to the yard. At the point of turnaround, I “fell” into the cliff ! I was stuck! T ankfully I also had poles with me. It took quite a bit of doing, but I fi nally managed to climb out of the hole to start back. As I turned, I was met with the ice and snow crusted face of Patch. She had bounded through the deep snow to come to my aid. T e look on her face was priceless and it said, “I told you not to go!”
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JANIE LENT-AXNESS My dog Lucy is not your typical trail dog. She is a 5 lb Pomeranian who rides with me on my Clydesdale-Paint cross. She sits in a special pack in front of me. She gets so excited when she sees her pack that she starts jumping up and down trying to get in it.
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JANET COSGROVE I had never taken my dog Chocka, an English Springer spaniel, along on a trail ride but one day decided to try it. She got along with my horse very well. All was going well as we went on the trail and
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WWW.TRAILBLAZERMAGAZINE.US • November 2012 | 11
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