Went running the other day with my "new" dog.  I felt that having her with me is a safety thing.  We live on a dirt  road leading to the Beartooth Mountains.  So we have wildlife in abundance.  The greater Yellowstone area is just 3 miles up the road.  My husband was concerned about bears and wolves.  The first fall here, I ran into a black bear.  He was no more interested in seeing me that I was him.  We went opposite ways and have never run into each other again.  I  heard that you are supposed to make lots of noise when out in the woods.  I figured all my heavy breathing and big feet clomping on the road should do it.  Anyway, we heard wolves the other night, so the dog was supposed to at least warn me of any dangers.  

       We started out at 6:30 am like usual.  We get about a mile up the road, when an Elk crosses the road in front of us.  I am simply thrilled.  Elk are pretty elusive.  To get to see one this close was exciting.  I look down to talk to the dog and she is gone.  I look down the road.  She is high tailing it home.  No good bye, no bark, nothing.  Just gone.  I am on my own.  She never came back, never even looked when I called her.  Let me explain the irony of this situation.. She is a cross between a border collie and austalian kelpie.   They are herding animals.  They are bred for this purpose.   She herded herself home, is what she did.  

           The kids were concerned when she came home without me.  They were so concerned, they let her in and went back to bed.   I continued on and returned home at about 8 am.  I had to wake the kids up to let them know I was home.  My daughter said that the dog had been home for awhile.  Good thing she warned them.  Good thing they didn't go looking for me.  I would have been so angry to see them out there.  It's dangerous after all.   Wouldn't want them to risk their lives climbing into the pick up and driving down the road.  

           Turns out the dog has a backbone after all.   She keeps all the Robins out of the yard and all those mean mallards out of the pond.   I ever run into a prairie chicken, I'm good.  She will protect me.