Now here are two worthwhile virtues for a cowdog.
But for us, it is a delicate balance, often becoming a one-sided avalanche, of course destroying the positive character trait!
Let me tell you about discretion and valor, Heeler version. 
Every Spring, all manner of wild critters come around, tempting the vigilant, ranch-protecting, people-guarding security officer [me!] into defense or over-reaction.
Mostly, I’m aware of their visit only through scent. They pass through my territory in the night and politely move on. Once in awhile, I see them and must chase them away, with lots of barking, chasing and carrying on.
Sometimes, they fight back, and none is better at this than the skunk.
Let’s examine discretion and valor.
If discretion wins, I return when the boss calls, leave them be, only burning my nose lightly with the general musky smell on the wind.
If valor carries the day, I ignore orders, even loud, persistent orders, and determine I will handle the stinker my way.
So far, discretion has, indeed, been the better part of valor for me, but let me tell you another story.
This is what happened, according to Ladysmith:
“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 a little 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?
Can you tell when something just stinks? Stand up, 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!”
Ladysmith learned about discretion and valor. 
I am too, so far listening to the boss or to that tiny voice of reason we all have. Sometimes it is very hard to resist temptation, but then I remember Lady’s story. And I don’t chase that scent down into the dark underbrush.
So far.
But I’m always on patrol and Heeler in charge.
Do I practice discretion? 
Or will I be a Heeler of valor?
