Another Coyote Kind of Day

I haven't been posting much as I've been busy writing another book, The Slickrock Cafe, another mystery starring rural Sheriff Bud Shumway. If you've read my other mystery, The Ghost Rock Cafe, you'll be familiar with him. I finally finished it a few days ago and hope to have it available soon. Lots of fun.

In the meantime, I took a break on Thanksgiving and went up into the slickrock, my favorite place, to just hike with the dogs and enjoy doing nothing, my favorite pastime.

We wandered around a bit, then up a wide wash that was kind of down in the bottom of the countryside (where washes tend to be). I sat down on a small ledge, and the dogs were up behind me about 10 feet, higher on the ledge.

I turned around to check on them, and instead of four, there were five! I caught a glimpse of #5, and it didn't quite seem right...it was a coyote! Kind of sitting right by the dogs. They looked surprised but accepting.

I don't think it had noticed me when it came up or smelled my scent, because it looked as surprised as I was. It took off at a trot, and Spanky and Cassie decided that would be a good opportunity to count coup (brave dogs that they are, wait until its back is turned), so they growled and chased it a bit.

It went over on a nearby fin and curled up and lay down, watching us, but unconcerned.

At that time, I decided maybe I'd misconstrued what I'd seen and it was someone's lost dog. Maybe I'd better get another look. I began walking towards it, whereupon it came trotting right over, stopping a mere 30 feet away.

Yup, a coyote. I called to it, but it didn't want to come any closer. The coyotes in this area are in a non-hunting zone, so they get pretty tame. I've even had them visit my tent when out camping.

Anyway, it made me realize all I have to be thankful for—coyotes, dogs, a bluebird sky, and slickrock. What more could one want?

Oh, and we did have a nice dinner later.

I hope your Thanksgiving was a good one for you, too.