There has sure been a lot going on, and a lot of changes around. This year has been a tough one. And busy, so busy, can I say chaotic? I’d say way beyond wild Heeler chaotic! 
Maybe it is the time of year. Everyone is rushing to get things done ahead of winter. Summer stretches out long and generous, then suddenly it is over and there is still so much to do! 
It has been deceptively warm and still mostly green. But this weekend marks the official end of summer and start of fall. 
I heard the first winter storm warnings of the season, for snow in some high mountains, but mercifully none here yet.
Here it is time to build Reddie’s Ark I think! It started raining hard yesterday afternoon and is still.
That is a lot of water for us, but makes this former desert dog a little giddy!
Actually, I mostly stay inside and sleep on the couch. It’s a bit chilly, we’re working on inside chores today. But the many trees I helped plant are happy; it is a good way to go into fall.
But back to that end of season rush. We finished 2 big estate sales, have gravel coming for the road, plan to go pick up a pallet of wood pellets soon and are doing some canning. Even though the garden was a disappointment, we optimistically hope for a lot of green tomatoes and peppers to ripen.
There are apples to harvest later, too. Since I’m in charge of the place, I sniff around the orchard and wait anxiously, not wanting them to go to bears and coons.
Obviously, all this calls for a cowdog in charge. I’m proud to say I’ve taken it on, often yipping and howling at the boss, who seems to be slower this year. Maybe like all people, she just needs to remember she is back-up; I am the lean, mean ranch management machine; I will take over now.
I have aged a little – matured and mellowed, I’d like to think like a fine aged steak, or a good cheese.
I’ve perfected running livestock and recalling immediately when called off. I bark to alert if someone’s coming up our road, but know when it is OK and change to official, smiling, tail-wagging greeter. 
This week someone came with a big truck at sunset. I didn’t like it one bit, but quickly understood they were to be welcomed. We were out way after dark, making deals, finding stuff in the barn, loading their trailer. I stuck close to the boss, stayed out of the way of vehicles, and generally handled it all while the folks chatted on into the night.
I keep watch on the boys when they visit, I run the creek-bottoms of a morning to see what critters have visited my territory and I even help herd the chickens in at night. I quietly keep an eye on those cats too.
Can you believe I was once thought to be a cat killer, and untrustworthy with chickens, kids, cows and horses ?
Oh, I’m still learning, still aging, growing wiser, kinder, relentlessly devoted to my people and my place. Don’t give up on us wild dingoes. When He has tested me, I will come forth as gold!
