Living in Season:

Today was Sam’s first venture fishing. Granted, he didn’t do much except sleep in his insect-protected carrier, but it was a wonderful outing nonetheless. We traveled south of Ulmto fish backwater on the Missouri River attempting to land carp, brown trout or even a wiley walleye.

The temperature and conditions were perfect – high overcast with a very slight breeze. There are a myriad of wildflowers blooming and it still smells like chokecherry blossoms even though most are finished for the season. It’s one of those times when you sit and inhale the day.

We noticed splashing in the shallows. At first I thought it was ducks gone wild, but Grant said the carp were spawning. Their spawning is dictated by water temperature, which was obviously was ideal. Hundreds of bodies swam just below the surface along the edge periodically splashing. The eggs will hatch within four days, spend approximately a month in the area then head to the river.

Since the carp were preoccupied, we didn’t think we’d have much luck so concentrated on the browns with a variety of spinners. No luck on that account, but it was enjoyable being out and we plan to return for carp when they are less busy.

I was delighted to find a substantial amount of wild licorice, also called jealous woman because the burrs stick to you like a wife to her man. I need to find out if it’s the same variety I chewed when I had a sore throat as a child. The thick, woody root smells the same, but I’m not sure of the species.

Fay Schaller, the interpretive ranger at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center here in Great Falls told me it was used by the Native Americans in a tea, and was a valuable trade item. Natural sweeteners are hard to find so I can understand why.

You might think a sanctuary for disabled animals is a place of sadness. Dogs and horses with a history of abuse or narrow escapes from death due to inhumane, or simply ignorant, people taken in to live the rest of their lives the best they can. While these stories are there, unless you are told of these circumstances you’d never know. The dogs, cats and horses at Rolling Dog Ranch are the epitome of joy.

I can’t remember how I found out about Rolling Dog Ranch, but when I discovered they are located in Ovando, only a couple of hours from Great Falls, I immediately wanted to write about them. Yesterday Grant, Sam and I headed over to visit with Steve and Alayne for an article I’m writing.

The first one we noticed was a large, white dog sporting a pastel blanket. As we passed the fenced in area where he ran to greet us, I told Grant, “Look, that dog is smiling.” During the tour of the ranch with Steve and Alayne I learned his name is Travis. His mouth is fused shut due to a rare jaw muscle disease. Even though Travis can’t open his mouth to bark or lick or play with other dogs, it doesn’t slow him down. He’s friendly and vivacious, and he “smiles” when he’s panting from all of the play.

Of course, not being able to eat normally is a challenge for Travis. When he first arrived at the sanctuary he was fed through a stomach tube, which is why he wears the blanket, but Steve and Alayne discovered he can slurp up his special liquefied food through the side of his mouth. They feed him four times a day to make sure he has adequate nutrition, and from his appearance, it doesn’t look like the boy misses any meals.

All of the dogs were like this. Steve and Alayne have five dachshunds with neurological disorders, but the little wiener dogs don’t know they have issues. They’re still the typical small dogs with the great big attitudes bossing everybody around.

Then there’s Evelyn, the blind lab, who still plays fetch like a champ. She strikes the classic pose of the labs as they’re ready to catch the ball – ears erect, intent look on her face, backing up ready to go – but she plays the game with her ears, not her eyes. Watching her, it’s almost as if she can hear the ball in the air after it bounces.

At one point, a soft, fuzzy pup crawled into my lap. I looked down and his eyes were sewed shut with blue thread. This was little Nevada who is an absolute cuddle bug. I’ve always been partial to big dogs, but I wanted to scoop him up and bring him home.

The personalities of these dogs are striking. They might have a common denominator of having some sort of disability, but it doesn’t damper their individual natures. Actually, maybe it enhances it.

As we headed to the pasture, Steve and Alayne discussed the myths surrounding blind horses since they are a flight animal and depend on their sight. I can testify that these myths are shattered.

Folks think blind horses can’t have a good quality of life. The horses at Rolling Dog Ranch are doing what all horses love to do – eat, roll and enjoy the freedom of the pasture. Yes, I said pasture. With careful fencing – namely using flat wire instead of barbed wire or electric – their blind horses enjoy large areas to graze. And as Steve mentioned, they actually have less problems with the blind horses because they don’t test the fence, pick the gate locks or cause trouble with neighboring horses as sighted horses might do. Blind horses are easy.

As any horse owner knows, it seems some horses have a knack for injuring themselves. But blind horses tend to be more cautious thereby resulting in less problems. They also are often more trusting because they have to be. Alayne told me about walking across the ice with one of their blind horses. It was treacherous, but the gelding took his time. She said it almost looked like he was thinking through the situation. He stuck close to her and everything was fine. I know many “normal” horses that would have had legs flying in every direction in the same situation.

Many people think having a blind horse is a waste of time because you can’t ride it. Toss that misconception out the door. Nikki, a three-year old bay mare, is being trained to ride under saddle. She was almost donated for medical research at a vet training hospital, but thankfully through the help of the Best Friends and Last Chance Ranch, equine rescue groups, she found her way to Rolling Dog Ranch. She was a mere four-months old, and had a traumatic time of being weaned, put into a trailer for the first time and hauled from Pennsylvania to Montana. It might have been a tough start, but she is doing exceptionally well.

I’m sure I will have more stories from Rolling Dog Ranch. It’s an incredible place filled with joy and true compassion, and I’m looking forward to becoming better acquainted with all of the residents.

They are open for visits by appointment if you’re in the area.