Here we are in March and, can you believe it, I’ve been here ramrodding this northern Rockies ranch, for nearly a year? More on that next week.
Looking out the window, today is sunny but there is still plenty of snow. It looks like Spring but – surprise! – it is only in the 20’s out there today. Our nights are near zero, and I tell you, I don’t linger long to sniff the night smells when it’s that cold! 
We had some of those cruel teasing warm days – that winter deception that lasts long enough to convince us all that winter is over. But even in the short time I’ve been here, I know we still have a couple of winters left before green grass!
I hear it’s supposed to get into the fifties next week. Springtime in the Rockies, I guess.
I remember back in the southwest desert, winter was pleasant, it could rain really hard or not rain for months, and the summer was hotter than the surface of the sun and the center of hell.
Right now, it is too hot, too cold, too wet, too dry, too brutal, or absolutely perfect – somewhere.
It all depends on our perspective, doesn’t it? 
Let’s take a look at the cowdog’s perspective. 
The view from here is honest, accurate, and uncompromising. It is loyal and solid, sometimes so stubborn as to irritate our people, but also the relentless determination that will alert you to evil and illness, stand in your way before danger, and defend you with our final breath. That unwavering allegiance swiftly turns us from annoyance to hero.
I hear “MOVE” a lot, after mom has tired of politely saying excuse me, but I don’t let that stop me from going ahead of her out the door, leaning into her when we’re walking, listening for sounds at night, and being her everything.
I know it is important I do that even more now that dad is gone; he was so glad that I was her dog, now I know why. I have an important job, beyond being the standard cute, funny, smart, alert herding dog extraordinaire.
I know you people have lots of things going on in your life.
We have you.
So the view from here is purely love and dedication. It is tenacity and grit.
I’d say the whole world could use the view from here.
