Fire From the Sky: Trial by Fire

by N. C. Reed

  “No, it won't,” Riddner agreed. “You've got a big place,” she went on. “Lots of stock I imagine, spread out like.”

  “Yes ma'am,” Teri agreed. “Around two thousand acres of pasture. The rest is hay and grain crops.”

  “How many head are you running?”

  “Around a thousand or so,” Teri replied.

  “Got any other dogs?”

  “One German Shepherd and a pack of hunting hounds,” Teri nodded. “The hunting dogs are well away from the cattle and generally don't roam. The German Police dog doesn't roam at all as he is primarily concerned with protecting children.”

  Riddner seemed to take all that in as she continued to stand there looking at the two of them. Finally, she spoke again.

  “Kangals don't play well with others as a rule,” she told them. “Often times that includes other Kangals, even litter mates. Sometimes especially litter mates.”

  “Sounds like me and my sister,” Clay noted wryly. If Riddner heard him she didn't react.

  “You need more than two stock dogs to cover so much territory,” the older woman continued. “If it were normal times I would recommend at least five dogs for so much land. Once they acclimate to that land as their own, they would roam it and rarely stray, but protect that land and anything or anyone that they associated with it. How many people are living there?”

  “I…I don't really know to be honest,” Teri was caught unaware. “Let’s see-”

  “Seventy-six,” Clay replied for her. “That includes a teen girl and her two little sisters we took in a few days passed.”

  “That's too many for the dogs to assimilate,” Riddner said at once. “They'd never be able to tell who to protect.”

  “We just want them to protect and guard the cattle, ma'am,” Clay replied.

  “That's not how it works, Mister Sanders,” Riddner told him. “Kangals, actually any stock dog really, adopt the family as well as the stock they care for. It becomes, in essence, theirs. Thus, they protect everything that they claim as theirs. That's how LGDs work. It's the only way they work.”

  “A lot of the pasture land is remote, and only about a dozen people actually work the cattle,” Clay tried again. “Mostly my family, or someone like Teri. The others have their own responsibilities and don't really have much to do with the cattle. In fact, they live down and across the road from us, not quite a mile distant. While they would sometimes be at the farm proper, the times they would be around the cattle. . .well, they won't be, in all honesty.”

  “I'm afraid you're missing the point, Mister Sanders,” Riddner said. “Kangals are range dogs. They roam. Whatever they consider their territory, everything in that territory belongs to them. That includes you, your family, your chickens if you have them. They're independent thinkers and they study the land and what's on it. They are bred to protect. Placing them in an environment such as yours is expecting too much of them. I'm afraid I can't help you.”

  And with that Riddner appeared to dismiss the two of them, turning back to her home.

  “Wait a minute now!” Clay called and instantly the pack of dogs were on their feet, barking. Riddner stilled them with a wave and turned back to him.

  “See what I mean, Mister Sanders?” she challenged him. “You can't expect them to separate so many from strangers that you don't want around your cattle.”

  “Ma'am, I don't want them to protect the cattle from people,” Clay tried to clarify. “I can do that myself. I want them to guard the cattle against predators. To be there when I can't and keep possible predators run off.”

  “And I'm telling you that Kangals don't recognize the difference,” Riddner replied. “You can't place them in the pasture and expect them to simply guard against predators on four legs. For that matter, they won't restrict their protection to the cattle. They will roam far and wide around your property and adopt your homes and family into their own. Do you understand? Getting a livestock guardian dog isn't just about stock. When you live near your herd then you become part of what the LGD protects. That's just how they are.”

  “When herds and flocks were kept in isolated areas then dogs like mine were perfect for the job. Large enough and strong enough to handle any threat, be it lions, tigers or bears. They watched their flocks and herds and protected them from all threats, and that included protecting the shepherd.”

  “In modern times they still do well on large operations where there aren't many people, or individually as the protector of a large home place with children or small animals. But your situation is much different. Too different. The pack is too large.”

  “Huh?” Clay was lost at that.

  “Kangals as a rule are not overly belligerent toward people, even strangers,” Riddner explained. “They are especially good with children. But for Kangals, everything revolves around the pack. There must be a pack leader and it must be the human. In fact, every human around them must be higher in the pack hierarchy than they are. Otherwise they will become belligerent toward what they consider a weaker pack member. And they will almost without fail attack any stray dog that wanders into their territory. That includes your hunting dogs and even your German Police.”

  “If someone is afraid of dogs, then the Kangal will recognize that as weakness. And weakness invites attack. That's why your situation is not favorable for dogs such as mine. People read about LGDs and assume they can just run out and get one and that's that. Nothing could be further from the truth. Using dogs like mine is a lifelong commitment that requires work every day.”

  “Ma'am, all we have is work,” Clay shrugged. “The dogs will be more like family than dogs, to be honest. We need them as much as they need us. The reason there's so many people is because we gathered together to help one another. Our family stays in one place and the rest in another, kind of like a little town we made. It's all about survival, ma'am. Safety in numbers. Kinda like you and your pack here,” he waved, carefully, toward the many dogs surrounding the woman.

  Riddner actually seemed to consider that, though Clay couldn't tell for sure.

  “So, you gathered people together from around you?” she finally asked.

  “Yes ma'am,” Clay nodded. “People with skills that we need to make it now that the lights are out. People that can help us learn how to get along in a world without all the things that made our culture what it was.”

  Riddner was again silent, considering what Clay had told her.

  “Only about half of that number actually live on the farm proper,” Teri Hartwell spoke into the silence. “And they are divided between the Sanders' original ranch and the one next door. What if we had multiple Kangals and split them between the two? Would they get along with each other well enough not to fight?”

  “Possibly,” Riddner nodded slowly. “Even probably, so long as the people involved were strong enough to impress the dogs. Again, it's about the pack. And Kangals are especially good with children, as I said.” She paused, again apparently considering what she was about to say.

  “Without seeing your operation, I can only guess, but I would estimate you need five dogs at a minimum. As it is, I have seven pups from three different mothers and two fathers who are approaching six months old. They're healthy and ready to go. If you take one you take them all,” she decreed. “It's becoming more and more difficult to care for them, and soon I won't be able to feed them all. At that point I don't know what I will do,” she admitted.

  Clay thought about that as Teri spoke to Mrs. Riddner about something he didn't hear. When Teri fell silent, Clay spoke again.

  “Ma'am, if I could ask, what happened to Mister Riddner?”

  “Mister Riddner had an internal defib that stopped working when the CME hit,” she told him simply. “He's buried in the back yard. Along with his favorite dog, who grieved itself to death when he died.”

  “I'm sorry, ma'am,” Clay offered. “I…the reason I asked was. . .well, would you like to move your operation to the ranch, ma'am? Lock, stock an
d dogs? There 'll be a demand for good dogs as things level out, ma'am. And well, you could teach us how to be a good pack, as you put it. Every cow we lose to a predator is one that's not feeding people. At this point, that matters. We're helping everyone we can, but there's only so much we can manage.”

  “I've lived here a long time Mister Sanders,” Riddner smiled sadly. “My husband of thirty-two years is lying in this earth. Hopefully when I die, someone will lay me beside him. If not, my spirit will at least be here with his.”

  “Well, ma'am, we aren't asking you to give that up,” Clay said. “I just thought if you wanted to be part of our little community, you would be welcome. The accommodations wouldn't be as spacious as this,” he indicated her home, “but it would be warm in the winter and there's plenty of food. It was just a thought.”

  “And I appreciate that thought, Mister Sanders,” she nodded. “Now, how were you planning on paying me for the pups?”

  “Well, we figured money was no good, so we brought some trading material,” Clay answered. “Including food stuffs. And there's some grain and dried beef that might serve to keep your dogs fed and happy for a while.”

  “Then let us barter a bit, Mister Sanders,” Riddner gave another of her small, sad smiles.

  -

  One hour later the small convoy was on the way home, with seven 'pups' that already weighed at least fifty pounds on average. Three males and four females, all in good health. Teri had their records and the papers that traced their heritage.

  “We can let them throw pups once they're of age,” Teri told Clay. “Raise dogs for trade or for our own use. With the blood line spread so far over that many dams and sires, it will take a long time for it to become a problem. Eventually I can mix in other blood if I have to to keep it going.”

  “I 'll leave that to you, 'doc',” Clay grinned. “That's all yours, now.” He looked to where Samantha Walters was giggling as a particularly feisty puppy was trying to get into her lap. Gordy looked on with mild amusement as Samantha played with the happy dog.

  “Don't get too wrapped up in him,” Clay laughed. “Remember they're supposed to be protecting the herd once they're grown!”

  “Don't worry,” Gordy laughed back. “There's no way mom would let him in the house. He 'll have to settle for visiting.”

  “We 'll have to build him a dog house,” Samantha said, ruffing the dog's head.

  “He can sleep in the barn with the rest of them,” Gordy laughed. “They need to be out there where they can know when something is stalking the cattle.”

  “Sleep in the barn?” Samantha looked aghast. “That's horrible!”

  “Remember that Lancelot is one of the cows he and the others will be looking after,” Gordy reminded her.

  “Oh,” her attitude changed. “Well, that is true,” she looked down at the puppy. “Have to depend on you to protect my Lancie, don't I Gawain?”

  Gordy just shook his head and resumed his watching out the window.

  -

  The return trip from the Riddner kennel had seen the convoy stop in three places where horses or other equine animals were visible. The first stop had been uninterested in parting with any animals, thank you very much, but had pointed out another place that might have stock for trade. Another place was a bad scene with a middle-aged couple dead in their home and stock starving in a small pasture behind the home.

  While some stood guard, others buried the couple in the back yard, covering them with stones and then the group bowed over them for a small prayer. Afterward, nine horses and two jacks were led onto the stock trailer after being given a small amount of feed. The group had reluctantly went through the place, removing tools or equipment that might prove useful to them, including an anvil, several sets of tack and four good saddles. Two shotguns, a deer rifle, two revolvers and a decent amount of ammunition for them were also taken, along with a well-stocked tool box and a supply of oil, antifreeze and other automotive supplies taken from the garage.

  “This is too much like stealing,” Samantha had remarked sadly.

  “Rather leave the horses to starve? Gordy asked.

  “I didn't say it was stealing,” she reminded him. “And no, that would never do. I've left enough animals to starve, I think.”

  “You didn't just walk away and leave them, Sam,” Gordy objected. “And neither did these folks. They passed on, that's all. We took proper care of them, and that's all we can do.”

  “I know.”

  Their work done, the convoy continued on, stopping in one final place where a older man had agreed to trade his one stallion and two mares for a supply of dried beef and canned vegetables along with one of the shotguns and a box of shells. The stallion was a large, big boned brute that needed to be fattened up, while the two mares were only just coming into adulthood.

  Their new stock loaded and the day waning, the convoy headed for home after that, making no more stops.

  -

  The puppies were a big hit at the ranch. Leanne immediately claimed one, only to be told that she could raise one so long as he remained outside and learned his or her trade in protecting the cattle. The same thing happened at the Troy farm as children fell on the puppies. Though older than a few weeks, the pups nevertheless responded well to children making a huge fuss over them with petting and rubbing and playing, and of course with bites of food smuggled to them.

  “We 'll be lucky if two of them make it to the cattle,” Gordy snorted as he watched.

  “According to Misses Riddner, they won't hang around as they get older,” Clay replied. “They like to roam and they have a natural instinct to protect livestock. Ideally, they would learn from an older dog, but that just wasn't in the cards. We fortunate to get these. She almost didn't let us have them.”

  “Well, it will be a year or so before they 'll actually be of any real use, you know,” Gordy pointed out. “I think I 'll spend a few nights in a stand out in the pasture and see what I see. It might be dogs or it might be a cougar, maybe even a black bear, who knows?”

  “I don't think it was a bear,” Clay told him. “If I had to pick one I'd say it was a small dog pack, but the sign was so muddied that there's no way to be sure. I am pretty certain it was more than one animal, though, so that leans toward dogs. Or maybe coyotes.”

  “Well, either way, maybe I can whittle them down,” Gordy shrugged. “I've got a coyote call. Can you loan me that rifle with the night vision scope on it? Maybe that pair of binoculars?”

  “Sure,” Clay nodded. “Come by the house sometime and I 'll get them for you. You planning on going tonight?”

  “I doubt it,” the teen admitted. “Truth is, I'd like to sleep one whole night, and I'm not on watch this evening.”

  “Been there.”

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  -

  The new dynamic seemed to be working. Instead of everyone running around doing their own thing, more and more those individual efforts were aimed at doing what was best for the whole. Organized efforts that saw more work getting done and more goals being accomplished. Ten days after the fire, it rained. Fortunately, it was a slow, steady and soaking rain that washed away the ash and stench of the fire without destroying the land it had ravaged.

  The rain lasted three days and nights, filling ponds and creeks to overflowing but doing it slowly so that little flooding would occur. Grateful for the respite as well as the water, most of the people on the ranch took the time to rest. The guard rotation was the only thing that stayed the same, with the patrol using the cab covered ATV to make rounds on the ranch.

  This was seen as the perfect time to play with the new pups of course, and Building Two became an impromptu playground with puppies chasing toys and children alike. Bruce watched all this with a wary eye while staying right by Katie's side. He didn't sense any ill intent from these small newcomers but he decided he wouldn't take any chances.

  Leanne and Samantha had steadfastly insisted on keeping the puppies they had 'selected', a
nd refused to part with them. Alicia had agreed to allow the dog to stay in the carport but not come in the house. Patricia had shocked Gordy to the core by telling Samantha 'of course he can come inside' when the younger woman had presented her with 'Gawain'.

  “Wipe that frown away, Gordon,” Patricia had told him quietly later on. “That girl has been through a terrible ordeal. That puppy will be good for her.”

  “I wasn't frowning,” Gordy defended himself. “At least, I didn't think I was. I was just shocked that you let a dog in the house, that's all.”

  “Times change, son,” Patricia shrugged. “Times change, and so do people.”

  Gordy's brief experience in the world had taught him that people did not change, at least for the most part. He sensed another reason for his mother's treatment of Samantha, but for the life of him couldn't figure it out.

  He had to admit that watching Samantha with the pup was definitely cute. She deserved some happiness if she could find it, and the puppy was adorable with his frolicking around.

  It would probably be therapeutic.

  -

  Samantha wasn't the only one receiving therapy.

  “Olivia, how are you doing?” Beverly asked as the two sat together in a random corner of the clinic.

  “I'm okay,” the teen replied, obviously nervous.

  “Olivia, please be honest with me,” Beverly soothed. “You've been through a terrible ordeal over the winter. One that would have left a lesser woman in a frightful mess, assuming she survived. That you did so well speaks to the strength in you.”

  “I just did what I had to do,” Olivia made a shrugging motion. “My sisters were depending on me.”

  “Yes, they were,” Beverly agreed. “And that's a lot of pressure for a seventeen-year-old girl. How did you manage that?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean what did you do to cope with the pressures of taking care of not only yourself but your sisters after everything that happened,” Beverly said.