It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since I came here to my forever home! It was on St Patrick’s Day, just last year, when I was surrounded by my own bunch of Saints. Unbeknownst to me, a plan was underway that would fly me 820 nautical miles, from my kind foster mom who found me in the Arizona desert, to my foothills ranch in the northern Rockies.
These Saints volunteer with Pilots N Paws. It took three pilots and a determined coordinator, to overcome weeks of nasty Spring weather and finally put together the three legs to get me here.
I’ll never forget Crystal, Tim, Stewart, Chris and Jerome, and many others behind the scenes, who made this miracle flight happen for me. And to think they, and hundreds more, do this every day for dogs and cats that just need to get to a good home!
My year has been busy and exciting. I’ve had a lot of learning and growing to do – My doctor estimates I’m only a little over 3 years old right now. 
Right away when I arrived, I found I had a well-stocked toy box all my own and several comfy beds.
I get big fresh bones and plenty of treats.
Before long, I took over any couch I liked too. 
I found there were two cats who also called this home, so I had to learn to respect them a little. They are OK until they start racing and running laps at 3 am, and need a cowdog to herd them. But I’m not allowed to stick my very competent Heeler nose in their business!
Once in awhile I still try, but I know what “NO CATS!” means.
There was snow when I got here, and a couple big blizzards after. I love the winter here, rolling in the snow, making snowdog angels, helping feed, and keeping an eye on the many wild critters who visit.
I love the Spring, and found more mud than there is in all of Arizona I think! There were so many new smells as I ran the creek bottoms. I help from up on the four-wheeler much of the time.
I love the summer here, it was not at all hot like my former world. I played in the pond every day with the little boys who call mom “Grandma”, and get cool drinks, lay in the shade, wade and swim in the creek when we are out working nearby too. 
I love the fall, when the hills explode in colors, the nights get cool, and the chickens go in earlier.
I put up with with the boys dressing me up, at least to celebrate freedom and Gotcha Day.
I was saddened at the end of this year, when my dad went home to heaven, and left me here to ramrod this place for him.
He always said he was glad I chose mom as my person, and I think it was because he knew that before long, she would need me a lot.
So I follow her closely, stare, practice my best coyote yip-yaps and howling, and give her every chance to play with me, pet me, hug me. There is nothing like a good dog to get a person through sorrow I say.
I ride along most of the time, and I know that this Sunday, after church, Mom and the little boy will take me out for a puppy cone, to celebrate my first year.
I think I’ll get a cake and a steak for dinner that night too!
So this St Patty’s Day, join me in celebrating my Gotcha Day too, and send out a prayer and a cheer to all those that make a day like that happen for all cats and dogs – shelters, fosters, volunteers, pilots, drivers, flight coordinators, adopters – you are all real saints!
You can read my Freedom Flight story here:https://cowdogsadvice.com/2023/03/introducing-redhawk-rose-the-flying-heeler/
