Well, we had another very dry week. A few showers were predicted but nothing came of it. It has been over 90 degrees for weeks, highly unusual for these parts of the northern Rockies. Mom says we have never had more than a few days a summer that hot before. There is a smoky haze nearly every day.
Even up here in the foothills, the grass is dry and crackles underpaw.
The ground is cracking open. 
Yesterday there was a quick shower pass through, making the smells of the dry grass strong, like late summer. I hear everything west of here is on fire, mostly from lightening strikes.
We are desperate for hay. No one has any, and everyone is trying to find some. They are going hundreds of miles and it costs a lot. 
I personally am not sure the horses and cows are worth it, but mom says they are and they need to eat, too.
I kind of wish for winter, snow and feeding time again!
I wish I knew what to do, I don’t like troubles. But mom says “Trust in the Lord, and He will provide”. I’ve seen that to be true, over and over again, but it is hard not to get scared.
In facing the troubles that come, a man – or a dog – needs a guiding light, a steadfast set of rules to follow, a sure and strong code. Learn it, keep it in your heart, grasp the words in times of trouble, and this will make things go better. Everyone needs guidance – a ship has a lighthouse, a horse has reins, a cowdog has the whistle. A child has parents, and any person can have God.
All through time people have developed rules to live by. It is like a solid anchor, something to hang on to when to going gets tough. Probably the best set of guidelines is the 10 Commandments, and we’ll look at them later. Back when people learned these and followed them, the world was a better place – civility, decency, kindness, mercy and just plain manners were the norm.
As America expanded and pioneers explored the wide and wild west, there was an unwritten code in the new frontier, where there was no official law yet. Still worth following today.
- Never steal a horse.
- Look out for your own.
- Never pass on a trail without a howdy.
- Talk less, say more..
- Take care of your horse and dog before yourself. Feed them first [mom learned this one a long time ago – all the animals here eat before her and dad do!].
- Always help someone in need.
- Show respect for the land. If you find a gate open, leave it open. If you find it shut – shut it!
- Be honest, tell the truth – follow the golden rule.
- Live each day with courage.
- Take pride in your work.
- Do what has to be done.
- Ride for the brand.
There isn’t enough teaching of the code these days.
Listen, parents – kids cannot raise themselves!
It helps to have some reminders around. Mom has this neat sign;
While little Sprout looks at the cowboy there, she reads him the rules, and he is learning Cowboy Code. Just a tin sign, but words to teach right from wrong. You can find it here, and make a small investment in integrity: https://amzn.to/3feubkq
Little Sprout is too young to read, but I see him listening to a little box, and I listen too to the calming words. We don’t understand it all, but know there is peace and direction to be found here: https://amzn.to/3j9tjik
It is sad how fast the world has gone from knowing right from wrong, to accepting criminal behavior as normal. Who will stand up for right?
We cowdogs can do it, but are generally discouraged from nipping the heels of humans, even if they desperately need re-direction. 
So you must do it.
I am working on my own Cowdog Code poster. Of course it will feature relentlessly determined canines of integrity. 
I’ll put it up here for everyone to get, too. In the meantime, find a chance to tell the truth and do the decent and good thing.
Til next week, friend – I will be practicing the cowboy code and praying for rain. 
