Ah, Badger–tis spring, glorious spring, even if it is still snowing in Montana. I can almost sense your frothy delight as you anticipate digging up more of Nicky’s freshly planted bulbs. But today was special. You were special. You got to spend your hard-earned weekend in the back of the truck with Rooster and Spud,…
Tag: dogs
Remembering Dick LaFrance, or the Early Years of a Cowboy Veterinarian
In the spring of 2014, many people are making their way back from Hardin, Montana, where they were paying tribute to Dick LaFrance. Dick was a good veterinarian, an opinionated old cuss, a good man, and a good friend to many. I have heard my father use the word “hero” to describe very few people, but…
Leftovers Are Overrated, or Every Good Dog Has Its Holiday
What happens when your dogs eat all of the leftover Christmas turkey…
All Good Dogs Go to Heaven, Except Muddy, Who Is Likely Still in Purgatory (If She’s Lucky)
While driving home this morning from seeing a friend, I noticed several nativity scenes on front lawns as preparation for the upcoming Christmas holiday. There were rustic versions, plastic versions, versions with lights, and even an inflatable nativity. (I must apologize to the planet Earth for the U.S. starting that whole horrible inflatable craze. That…
Where Do I Sit, or Just How Many Dogs Can Fit into the Kubota
I returned from my usual Turkey Creek hike last evening with Eleanor and Beatrice to find this photo from Megan. While Doc Randall and mum, better known as my parents, are traversing Tanzania and sending me elephant photos at every opportunity, their third-child-in-everything-but-genetics child Megan stays at the house. She feeds the dogs, feeds the horses, makes…
Snowbound Badger, or Why It Pays to Have a Cute Nose
It has been far too long since we’ve checked in with the cheeky Badger, so here he is in all his snowy glory! Nicky was a bit worried that he wasn’t showing off his impish side, but I think he’s just biding his time here with the snow, dreaming of the springtime daffodils that he’ll…
Indoor Days with Outdoor Dogs, or What I Miss Up North
Ode to winter hiking, mountain sunsets, and dogs underfoot…
Holy Muttrimony, or What We Do for Fun in Small Towns
A note from Erin: This piece was written by my good friend and occasional partner in crime Hilda Thomas. It was originally published in the Dubois (pronounced dew-boyz) Frontier, and I ran across it again in some old files. I couldn’t help but share the laugh… On August 28, 2010, in the dwindling dog days of…
Will the God of Jacob, Abraham, and Isaac Smite Muddy and Reba?
Two dogs take Erev Rosh Hashanah a little too seriously by eating sin…
Cheeky Badger and the Toothy Grin
When we last checked in with Badger, he was rather pitiful, even sporting the cone of shame. No more! Badger has made a full recovery, even if his hoped-for sex life has not. I know, I know–looking at this photo you might not be certain if this is so much cheeky grin or “thatsa…
Pitiful Badger and the Cone of Shame
Pity the poor Badger. Not only did Dr. Noland neuter him on Tuesday (see this Oatmeal post as we ponder what Badger will now make sparkle), but then he was forced to don the cone of shame. I’m hoping that one day he’ll forgive us all for these many indignities, but I’m betting that it…
Sharing, or Things Our Dogs Do Not Do Well
Our house is littered with dog toys. Balls. Squeaky bones. Squeaky cows. Decapitated reindeer. Dolls suffering intestinal distress because they’ve had their stuffing ripped out. Dragons that no longer honk and are missing wings. Stuffed bears missing eyes and nose. Toys abandoned, toys lost. We’re like the Isle of Misfit Dog Toys, and it somehow…
Strayhounds 