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A hundred ways to slip and slide
This time of year, our weather has a cruel sense of humor. It has warmed and the snow is melting fast. But nights are frosty and there is still plenty of snow from hillside to creek-bottom; it is hard walking when I explore. As I tell you about slippery slopes and skunks, you’ll see 
you better watch your step in other places, too. In our new house, mom spent a lot of time choosing the perfect flooring, one that matched my gently blended cowdog colors very well.
She ordered one with a subtle sheen, less slippery because she was thinking of me.
But as I’ve gotten older, sometimes I still slip, when I get excited and dance. Sometimes it is hard to get up and I skitter around, even limping in pain and walking like Frankenstein until I get limbered up. In all fairness, however, she and dad walk that way when they get up too.
But we use this great stuff that is sprayed on the floor and takes away all slipperiness. It is amazing to me. I can’t see anything on the floor, but I get some magical traction from it. Rustoleum Anti-slip works for this Heeler!
She has also added these tough mats in strategic places. They are kind of soft under my paws and can be cut to fit any space. Mom can use them indoors and out. They may interfere with my exuberance at times, but do prevent wipe-outs and face plants for me. https://amzn.to/37ALETk
The cowdog’s enlightenment, slippery and skunky
But back to the slippery slopes. It looks like the world has gone over the precipice and is willing to hurtle headlong down to doom. Individuals needs to get a healthy dose of discernment going and act accordingly. When did the human race give up all sense of right and decency? I’ll tell you a story about my own lack of discernment and how it corrected my path.
When I was a young, impetuous pup, I went outside one night, to a new scent on the air. I don’t like interlopers on my ranch, so I followed it and chased the intruder.
It turns out the intruder was armed, with chemical warfare like I had never experienced before. He escaped, I smelled ghastly, and had to return to the house in humility to face mom’s wrath.
I’m a smart dog and could tell right away she did not want to wash a dog at midnight with a bunch of assorted juices and soaps. I was ashamed already, yet she continued her diatribe throughout the baths about all the places in the house I had contaminated in my vain attempt to rub off the skunk! I believe a good Heeler is never wrong, but I’d have to admit that she was right. A lady like me does not want to stink. Shoulda learned my lesson! Discernment should have kept me off those slippery trails. 
And yet, another Spring, I again went out and smelled that enticing intruder. Flirting with the idea that I could take him and come out unscathed, I ignore the smelly warning signs, right in front of my nose. I did reconsider my chase but, too late! I didn’t get sprayed as bad, but “not as bad” in skunk encounters is meaningless. Mom sure reminded me of this, again, in the bathtub at midnight. 
It seemed like teasing evil was OK and I was still in charge, but it turned out I found that slippery slope, and hit hard at a stinking bottom. I have become much more discerning after those youthful experiences. Look back and act wisely. 
I smell skunks sometimes but practice good judgement and do not go after them. Why should I invite evil and chaos into my life?
Back up the slope
When everyone does what is right in their own eyes, chaos will ensue. That looks like the slippery slopes people are on right now, picking up speed in their headlong rush to utter depravity. Grab hold of an anchor and stop slip-sliding away!
Can you tell when something just stinks? Stand up, don’t go along with crazy corruption. Get a bit of insight, practice discernment. There is right and wrong, good and evil, truth and lies. Take a stand. I say don’t be so open-minded that your brains fall out. At least I learned and didn’t keep seeking trouble. Never met with a midnight skunk again!
I still patrol the ranch and keep intruders away
