My FIL is a huge fan of the “Hank, the Cowdog” series of books.  They are actually a children’s series but are kind of like the old Bugs Bunny cartoons-something for the kids and something for the adults.

Poor “Hank, the Cowdog” is always getting into mischief while solving mysteries on the ranch. He favorite thing to do, though, is to roll in the septic tank overflow.  The rancher’s wife hates that and then forces him to have a bath.  Poor Hank. They really are very funny books.

Today, on this mornings run, I was running pass the cattle.  The baby cattle are still easy to spook.  I run by and say something inane like, “Good morning, cows!” or “Mooo!” and the babies scatter like bugs.  They run away while their Mamas look at me and reply back, “Mooo!”  They are used to me.

Well, I was “Mooing” at the cattle this morning when a real live, honest to God, “Hank, the Cowdog” came at me from behind some of those sedate cattle.”Bow, Wow!  Wow!  Wow!  Wow!”

I jumped a mile!  This was something new!  I had never seen this dog before!

He was a largish, red dog.  He did not leave the field.  He stopped at the barbed wire fence.  He just wanted me to know that he knew that I was there.  Fair enough.

So, now on my morning runs, when I run this route, I will have a new dog, “Hank,” to greet.  Sure hope he is friendly because we will be seeing a lot of each other!