R I P ... Nope, Not Rest In Peace

Growing up on a farm has so many facets associated with it. Tractors, cows, baby calves, pets, horses, fishin' and so much more. In order to keep everything in it's place, without someone 'lifting' it in the dead of night, required the work of a super farm dog. We had him!! The most gorgeous black and silver German Shepherd you would ever want to see.
Yes, he was a great, great grandson of the good 'ol Rin Tin Tin and yes, I grew up watching Rin Tin Tin go and save the world!! German Shepherds are faithful, protective and so powerful. The reason for Rip's existence on our farm came when my dad discovered someone was stealing gas from our farm gas tank. I had begged for years to have a GS and finally the request took care of itself.
Upon his arrival, he had to remain chained so he would know he was HOME! He was ten months old and was given to me by an old Bellmead friend who had raised him in a litter and sold him to a Baylor couple. Rip got too large, their time too short and they had returned him to Beverly. Daddy put him on a 30' chain connected to the garage out in the back yard. The chain was made from cow chains all connected. (Cow chains were individual chains with big numbers attached...each cow on the place wore her very own for identification)
There are many stories about Rip, but one particular came to mind this early morning. Mother and I were never expected to nor allowed to do any 'farm' work of any kind. The most I got to do was round up the cows prior to afternoon milking and I loved it, I saddled the horse and took off to bring them up from the bottom pasture, across the gravel road and into the 'lot'.
The vehicle of choice on the farm was a 1964 worn out baby blue Chevy pick-up. It hauled hay, pulled trailers, carried feed and gave me hours of fun riding in the back, on the hood and sometimes I sat on the roof. Back in those days...we just enjoyed life!
One, hot summer afternoon, I was 'under the weather', daddy was running late and he asked mother if she would come and take the pick-up and round up the 'girls'. She did and I watched the tailgate of the 'ol blue truck slink down below the hill into the bottom and head towards the slew (a long body of water) to begin the mighty round-up. I returned to the television set to continue my boring afternoon.
Several minutes passed and I began hearing the horn of the truck. That was nothing unusual...but it kept honking, honking, honking. Now, you can honk til the 'cows come home' but they are not going to get in a rush.
Finally, I walked out on the big front porch and wandered over to the side where I faced the barn and lot. As I cleared the front door, I thought I heard mother's voice...but couldn't imagine why. As I reached position on the porch and gazed toward the end of the driveway, I burst out in laughter. There came mother...the truck trudging very slowly towards the barn and there was Rip!! His head was hanging out of the driver's window! WHAT?!
Mother stopped the pick up and shoved the door open, yelling, "Pat call him and get him off me and out of this truck!!!" I called and quickly he bounded to the ground with a 'smile on his face'. There was no way I could control my laughter.
I jumped off the porch, running to find out what happened. One old cow refused to rise when she approached in the truck, so, mother opened the door, left it open, walked and kicked the cow in the behind to make her rise. When she turned to get back in the driver's seat, there stood Rip. He was claiming HIS TRUCK. You see, she never drove that truck, ever. So, all of this to Rip was out of the norm.
She told Rip to get out of the truck ... he lowered his head and starred. Since they were way down in the pasture and the temp was soaring, she had to oooch back in the seat, too hot to walk.
Picture this...she's in the seat, he's standing on the seat over her legs, his head bobbing out the window and her arms are up, over his back, hands gripping the wheel for dear life. She was fearful that he would bite her, but she had no choice. It was a comical site and finally, all said and done, she could laugh about it as well. That was a memory etched in stone!
That old german shepherd dog was our security blanket. He took care of the entire place and all of the family. Unconditional love carved his path and led him to 'duty' around the clock.
If people could have that depth of love, tireless service and endless work ethic, what a place this would be. What does this have to do with getting a round tuit? Nothing, really. But it brings to focus how we all worked together as a family unit to cover the bases each and every day. We were strong as a team and family. For the Freedman girls, there were no real 'jobs' but when there was need to 'fill in' the simple places, we did.
Lesson learned throughout childhood, stick to it. Stay after it till you 'git er done!!' Much of that learned 'stick with attitude' is what I rely on today. Focus, intellect and inner strength will see me through this monumental change I am facing. How's your self concept and desire for excellence? Could you crawl under a 90 pound dog who had claimed your seat? Dunno...