It’s a dog’s life, living on a ranch. Runnin’ down the road. Sniffing out known territory for intruders. This Border Collie, Gus, loves his ranch home in Central Washington. He is super thankful for Thanksgiving, wide-open spaces, sunsets, chilly air, family gatherings with other dogs and sharing toys—oops, not really; toy tug of war. Zoomies. Long naps on dog beds and day beds. Thanksgiving is pretty much a perfect gathering. Perfect unless you’re a cat or a turkey, or have a crazy relative visiting.
Wishing everyone in the community a Happy Thanksgiving with safe travels and joyous celebrations during an especially American holiday.
Fun Facts: Thanksgiving began in 1620 with the Pilgrims’ Mayflower arriving in the New World ready to create a new life. The passengers on that voyage drafted the Mayflower Compact to create “a civil Body Politick…(of) just and equal laws.” A unique document of self-reliant authority, it established equal rights of people living in community, laying a foundation for America’s governance. The Compact matured into Massachusetts’ Constitution, which later served as a model for the U.S. Constitution.
The Mayflower carried approximately 100 passengers and 25 crew; 50 passengers were Pilgrims and 50 were skilled “Strangers.” The ship turned back twice because its companion ship, Speedwell, leaked. Shoving off alone in September, it was 66 days at sea. The Compact was signed to avert mutiny and reconcile differences between Pilgrims and Strangers, pledging a civil and equal society. The Compact is less than 200 words. It cites planting a colony in “Northern Virginia,” but the ship was blown off course and landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts.
Border collies, like Gus in the photo with this column, are recognized as a smart breed with exceptional stamina, capable of learning over 500 words and running 30 miles. Border collies appear in the movies Babe and Mad Max: Fury Road, which grossed $254 million and $368 million, respectively.
The image makes me think of Running Down the Road, the album released in 1977 by Jackson Browne that sold almost 20 million copies. An iconic album, it showcased band life on the road. Tracks were recorded live on-stage, in back-stage jam sessions, in hotel rooms and even on the band bus. Other famous road songs on the album include “The Load-Out” and “Stay.” Russ Kunkel, the drummer, is credited with playing a cardboard box with his drum pedal on “Nothing But Time.”
