June 2009 Story Contest

My Hero by HorseyKisses4
(a.k.a. Sarah)

Missy was a happy dog. She was the apple of Farmer Jack’s eye. Missy was a sheepdog, and helped around the farm. She kept an eye on the sheep and cows, while Farmer Jack fed the horses. None of the horses really paid attention to Missy, until one night.

It was raining. Thunder clapped. Even brave Missy jumped and whined. She waited outside the barn door. Farmer Jack was inside a horse named Pansy’s stable. The lantern on the barn door’s post swung violently in the cold wind. Missy shivered as a lightning bolt shone the night sky. Finally the barn door opened. Missy ran in. Farmer Jack led Missy into Pansy’s stall.

“He’s here,” Farmer Jack said.

Missy saw him. A tiny precious colt. He was all wet. His mom licked him all over. Missy looked up at Farmer Jack. Farmer Jack looked back at Missy, his eyes glittering. Missy yelped. She heard a rustle, the little colt started to get up. His big legs wobbled. He was brown with dark legs a little star was placed perfectly on his nose. His soft brown eyes looked at Missy carefully. He squealed a little. Missy woofed. She jumped back. The colt was frightened and fell over.

“Oh, I’ve offended it!” thought Missy. She trotted toward the colt. Pansy snorted a warning and Missy backed off. The colt burred and started back up. Farmer Jack sat on a bale of hay and watched this touching moment.

The colt earned the name, Pal. Missy always kept an eye on Pal, but the growing colt didn’t really care much. He just wanted to play with the other mares and their foals. Missy felt a little discouraged. She really loved Pal, but she wasn’t sure Pal felt the same. But that didn’t stop her from trying.

As the years went by, Pal got bigger and bigger. He had his own stall and a new attitude. He demanded food first and refused to be ridden to the river. Missy often mothered him. Missy was now an older dog. She still took care of the two year old, though. Pal soon accepted her a little. He now liked her, but more things were in front of her in his list.

When Pal turned five, Missy was nine years old. Pal was now a “cow pony”. Cow ponies are horses that are used for herding cows; they stay with the cattle most of the time.

Pal’s attitude had stopped and he was calmer. Missy and Pal worked together side by side in the pastures. They were great friends.

One hot afternoon, a big truck with a trailer pulled into the driveway of the farm. Pal whinnied and cantered over to the fence. Missy trotted behind him. Farmer Jack and another tall man opened the trailer and led a big bull out. His horns looked really sharp. Pal burred and swished his tail. Missy panted and wagged her tail. The big bull named Great Granddaddy was lead carefully into the pasture. Farmer Jack clipped a lead onto Pal’s halter and led him into the other corral neighboring the big pasture. Missy followed. Curiously, the two looked at what was happening. Great Granddaddy was introduced to the herd.

Great Granddaddy was to become a “guard bull” who watched over the cows at night while Missy and Pal were sleeping. Missy used to guard the cows at night, but now she was too old and slept in the barn with Pal.
Pal was restless and galloped all over the corral. He wanted to meet Great Granddaddy and see his cows.  Missy barked at the cows.

Pal didn’t get to spend as much time in the pasture due to Great Granddaddy’s protective manner. Missy was getting weaker and couldn’t keep up with Pal so much anymore.

One night, Missy wasn’t brought into the house by accident, and was left outside. It was time for a cow to have a baby. Missy loved seeing baby cows being born. She slipped through the corral gate and into the pasture. She trotted to the cow. She was licking her newborn calf. Missy barked and nipped happily. But Great Granddaddy wasn’t familiar to Missy. He charged. He mooed loudly. Missy couldn’t see in the dark night the black dangerous bull running toward her. Suddenly, she was trampled. She gave a loud yelp and then got quiet.

Pal heard the yelp and neighed franticly when he didn’t see Missy. Missy woke up partially. She felt a horrible pain in her leg and chest. She yelped and whimpered. Pal heard her cry and pawed the ground anxiously. He burred and huffed. He galloped toward the gate and jumped. He landed a little wobbly, but found his hurt friend. He smelt blood and muzzled her. Pal didn’t like the smell of blood. He neighed loudly. Even when there was nobody to call to at this hour, he never gave up.

Farmer Jack woke up to Pal’s cry for help and called for Missy. When she didn’t come, he realized that he forgot to let Missy in! He hopped out of bed, slipped on overalls and boots. He threw the door open and grabbed a lantern from the barn. It started to thunder. Rain started to pour. Farmer Jack quickly saddled up a retired cow pony and they galloped toward the pasture.

Pal neighed again and again. He just wouldn’t stop. The other cow pony answered. Farmer Jack saw Pal and Missy. He leapt off the cow pony and picked up his old, hurt dog. You couldn’t really tell he was crying because of the rain. He wrapped a sweater around Missy and put her on Pal. Farmer Jack clipped a lead onto Pal and tied the lead to the saddle horn. He ponied Pal and Missy back to the barn.

Once there, Farmer Jack set Missy on a pile of straw and put Pal and the cow pony back in their stalls. He reached the first aid kit out of the hay loft and wrapped Missy in bandages. He dried her off and warmed her up.
Pal was still anxious and glued his eyes to Missy. Missy’s eyes were staring back at Pal’s eyes. Those gentle, brown eyes. Farmer John called the vet and Dr. Reed was there in no time.

“You sure are a lucky one, old girl.” Dr. Reed said and patted Missy on the head. Missy licked her nose.

“Will she be okay? How bad did my bull hurt her?” Farmer Jack asked.

“She’ll be fine, but you’ll have to watch that big gash. I’ve got some ointment for it that you should rub on it once a day. If it looks worse, give me a call.” Dr. Reed said.

“Thanks, Doc,” Farmer Jack said in relief.

After a couple weeks, Missy and Pal were back on the job. Great Granddaddy was fired and transported to a ranch far away. Pal and Missy lived a happy life. And they were together for as long as they lived. 

The End