One happy boy...

Actually, make that two happy boys. Sam and I missed our favorite girl while she was out getting all "national parkerized" over the past couple of weeks, and we've both been barely able to contain ourselves ever since she got home.

And the stories she came back with! Most interesting to me was her first-hand reporting of the fact that, "yes, he most certainly does..."

Working Vacation

I have returned from my two week training session at the Grand Canyon. If you haven't been here, I recommend it for your next vacation. It was simply beautiful! If you take your fur-friend with, please note that they are not allowed below the rim. The reason they do this is because of the heat. It may be 90 degrees on the rim, but the canyon can reach 115 degrees! Most people cannot carry the necessary amount of water needed for both their dogs and themselves. There are still plenty of trails and areas you can take them with. If you really must hike, there are kennels (eep!) available for day use.





I rode the mules down to the Point. This was a great way to get down the cliff and back up. I only took the day trip which totaled 12 miles. Aaron and I plan to return together and do the overnight ride to Phantom Ranch.

These are California Condors. They are on the endangered species list. The number on their wings helps track them. You can learn more about #23 here - NPS Condor Tracking.


I found this really pretty sunflower:


I missed Sam and Aaron terribly. Sam was so happy to see me he tried to single-pawedly drag my duffel bag in the house. I got him this great Ranger hat:

Daydreaming

First, Sam gets elected to Congress based on his "Tough on Crime, Tougher on Rabbits" platform (see campaign poster on the sidebar). While there, he sponsors legislation providing tax breaks to every American household with a Golden. He rides the popularity of that law to victory in the presidential race of 2012. It's just a matter of time until the love of the people demands that his likeness be placed....

Daydreaming

Sam watched the Wizard of Oz last night and for some reason identified with Dorothy, rather than Toto. And he's certain that the flying monkies are somehow related to the Yorkie...

The Yorkie Yapped at Midnight: A Sam Scoop Mystery
Chapter 2

Sam is asleep, and his dream continues...

Mr. Tibbets – Mayor and first goat of the Yard. He’s not been right in the head since the love of his life migrated south last winter with the rest of her flock…and he was no sharper than a bowling ball before that. But as the Mayor he’s out poking into everybody’s business all day long, so if you want the latest buzz, he’s your man. I found him standing on his overturned feed dish, staring out towards the southern horizon. His beard was dusty and ill kept and a low moaning sound came from his sad, ridiculous face.

“Hey Tibbets!” I barked. “Quit keening over that duck and c’mere, I want to talk to you.” It startled him so badly that he began to dance, his hooves flailing wildly on the plastic surface before falling off butt first, landing with his tail on the ground, all four legs still on the feeder. I watched in wry amusement as he scrambled to his feet and shuffled towards me. He was still looking southwards as he muttered rapidly, “Hiya Sam, wasn’t keening, baaa, just humming to myself, thinking of things, baaa, whatcha’ doin’ back, haven’t seen you in a coon’s age, baaa …”

"Button it and just listen for a minute." I told him I wanted to hear the latest scoop in the yard.


“Baaa, that’s funny, Scoop wants the scoop, baaa…” He looked at me with one ear cocked, and a weak grin on his hairy mug.


I stared at him from under my brows. “Can it, you daft little duck lover. Tell me what the Yorkie has been up to.”


He suddenly appeared agitated, looking anywhere but my eyes. “Up to? Baaa, don’t know anything myself but Blind Sister Cisco was out in the yard this morning, baaa, said that the Yorkie raised a ruckus in the big-house last night, that what you mean?”

“Ruckus? What kind of ruckus?”

“Don’t know, don’t care, baaa. Not my business, no way now how,” he said, as he scrambled away quickly. I watched him as he went and I could’ve sworn he was scared…if I didn’t know that he was too stupid to feel fear, that is.

And claiming it wasn’t his business? That goat was into other peoples business so often he could qualify for a payroll deduction. Something just didn’t add up.

But at least I now had a lead …I went to find Blind Sister Cisco.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

With Sam's Momma still on her training trip (or vacation, judging from the reports we've been getting), it's been up to Sam and me to make sure the horses are all fed and watered each day.


Usually Sam stays home and prods me to get busy, but it seemed somewhat cooler this morning so I took him along. He inspected the entire area, chased the cat, marked a few spots he had neglected the last time, and generally enjoyed himself immensely just doing the dog thing.


Even though it was still hot for that time of the day, we decided to play a little catch before it hit three digit temps; which happens about 9:00am these days.

"Quit teasing, and throw it!"


"I'll get it!"


"Huff, huff, huff..."


"Hoo-boy, I gotta get in better shape..."


"Lemme just rest here for a minute."


"Are you kidding? Again?"


"OK, one more time!"


"C'mon, hurry up! I want to get back in the truck!"


"Oh yeah, that feels good...crank the AC alllll the way up."

The Yorkie Yapped at Midnight: A Sam Scoop Mystery


Sam asleep on the floor, dreaming...


There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot, dry Santa Ana’s that come down through the mountain passes and curl your fur and make your nerves jump and your skin itch. On nights like that every booze party ends in a fight. Meek little wives feel the edge of the carving knife and study their husbands' necks. Anything can happen. You might even get a goat to squeal like a fat monk in an earthquake if you lean on him just right…


Dammit, I can’t believe I’m back. Back where I grew up, the yard I left so long ago. A hot and rocky place I never wanted to see again this side of the veil. I’m Sam Scoop – hard-boiled doggie detective. My breed is Golden, and so is my heart…as long as you don’t get on my “ruff” side, anyway. Tread there brother and you’ll find that not even your owners can save you. But fate has pulled me back to this burg, with me clawing and growling in protest the whole way.

Did I say fate? Not unless Fate’s earthly form is six pounds of rhinestone studded smarminess. I’m here because of the Yorkie.


The Yorkie…now there’s one feisty femme fatale. Sure, on the outside she’s all sugar and spice. But on the inside? Not so nice. She has a taste for expensive collars and other dog’s dinners. Ten minutes alone with her and even a Cardinal would be tempted to “kicka’ dat tiny backside.” She has to be the reason I’ve been sent back…I’m sure of it.

But that’s all I’m sure of. I need to get to the gist behind this; who hired me, what do they expect, what’s the payoff? And who do I gotta lick up to in order to get back home?

I’m walking into this without a scent to follow. And unless I want to find my nose rubbed in someone else’s stink, I think I’d better pay a visit to the Mayor.