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Last week I told you about my summer company, in the form of an aunt with a traveling rescue. There are a few dogs and many cats. I thought you may want to know more about these dogs, even if they are not cow dogs. They are still brave old soldiers who endured hard times before they reached St Francis Rescue. I know how that is – I endured my own struggles before coming here, too. 
Profiles of the summer visitors
Beau – This is a short-legged but big, mostly white hound. I’m told his official name is Beauregard Stringbean Barkington III, although I have no idea why. He is an official Certified Reading Dog, and spent his career going into classrooms and helping kids learn to read. He knows at least 11 tricks, one of them is to start howling like the hound that he is and getting all the other dogs to join in. I think they scare the coyotes away with all that noise, and that is OK by me. Beau is 14 and mostly retired. I admit, I accidentally bit his tail when they first arrived as our guests, but I only meant to bark and threaten – I misjudged his speed and my own.
Elfie – This poor little bugger was found in a dumpster at 8 weeks of age. He is also 14 and is still scared of many things. When he barks at things, and I mean he barks A LOT – I wonder – “What’s it all about, Elfie?” 
McDuff – This old boy is 17 and was rescued from a puppy mill. MacDuff and his brother were 8 months old, and had never out of their small wire cage [only 2 feet square], in a barn in all Wisconsin weathers. Never groomed, never handled, scared of everyone and cringed when they were touched for months. I am sad about that, but in the kindness of the rescue, I see they turned into joyous and content canines. 
They was supposed to go to a DOG AUCTION! Who could do that? Anyway, he was to be groomed first, but because his Chinese Crested – Poodle coat was in such bad condition, grooming took more than one day. Day after day, much like Scheherazade’s “A Thousand and One Nights” – and ultimately saved him from that awful outcome. McDuff also had a brother then, Scotty, who has since passed on.
Buddy – This little spitfire was saved by Saddles of Joy, a therapeutic riding program in Arizona, from a mean and abusive neighbor. He is about 12, kind of a scrapper I hear. Out of superior hostessing skills, I keep my distance from him. His best accomplishment to date is to not snap at others. He is getting along and relishes every day. Also, I think his superpower is catching grasshoppers, a great skill this year with our drought. 
There was another, called Paddy O’rally, who was a handsome old Parson Jack Russell. He had been through the shelter seven times, and was dropped off at the rescue one weekend. Sadly, Paddy passed away and is buried up on Dog Hill with my other friends. He did get to enjoy many days of warm sun, laying in the new green grass after they came here to visit. Except for that rough beginning, he enjoyed nearly 17 years of contentment.
I share my natural health items with them, as a good hostess should. Mom makes many of them, but we also gets some here. I thought the travel sickness remedy might help these travelers; I like the calming potion, too:
https://www.homeoanimal.com/?rfsn=5647725.fc8afd
And Cats
Everyone is staying in the old house across the field. I see cats in the windows, and there are quite a few I think. Most are very old but look pleased and happy sunning on the wide windowsills. I am impressed that the cats travel well, but being cats, I suppose a road-trip is no big deal.
I see through the windows, a little black streak – she is on the move continuously! Her name is Jet and she is beyond joyous in her play.
And the rains came
In other news from the ranch, it was 93 degrees on Monday and dropped like a stone to the 50’s by Wednesday. We finally have rain – days now, and it keeps coming. We thank God for what He sends.
We are getting a load of hay this week, all the way from Minnesota I hear. 
It has been a severe drought here and there is little hay, and we have to prepare for the horses and cows to eat next winter. It is costly and very hard to find. I worry about others finding feed and what animals will eat when the weather is cold. Of course, it comes the one week we have slick muddy roads. Jess will ramrod plans for delivery and unloading, which may mean unloading the semi down the road a few miles, then ferrying it up to the ranch in smaller loads. One of the pleasures of a remote mountain foothills ranch! 
I believe God has a sense of humor, sending rain at the same time as hay! Both things we want and need – just not together!
Troubles
There are so many fearful things going on right now. I’m a cowdog with singular focus and don’t have to think on those things, but I can see a lot of people do. But worry is never worthwhile and does not resolve one single problem.
Yes, prices are rising because they’re printing too much money and inflation is taking away the value of it, shelves are empty, and a place called Afghanistan has exploded in a unfathomable disaster. It seems the whole world is falling apart. Tough times had better make us tougher.
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you, not as the world gives… do not let your heart be troubled”
Phill. 4:7
All we can do is carry on, enduring trouble, persevering in what is good and right, and depend on a little bit of that peace to get us through.
I will enjoy the smell of the rain, practice stellar hostess skills – to the best of this cowdogs ability that is. I will herd hay trucks, oversee stacking, ensure they’re tarped against the rain. I get work done, and lay down in peace at night.
