06/08/07 Festus II

Festus wasn't the smartest cow dog we ever had, but he was smart enough to work the system. I'm Jeff Keane; I'll be back in one minute with the details Festus was a Blue Heeler that worked cattle with the usual attitude of his breed which was Katie-bar-the-door because these cows are going to move somewhere and it's up to you to put them in the right place. In other aspects of ranch life Festus was a little more of a thinker  like training me to let him ride in the cab of the pickup so he could take full advantage of the heater in the winter and air conditioner in the summer. Even though he was a hardheaded Blue Heeler, he could get his feelings hurt. One night at the old ranch house where Festus and I were batching it, he forgot his good manners and got into the garbage. I invited him outside to think about it a while. He must have thought I treated him without proper respect because about fifteen minutes later my brother called to tell me Festus had scratched on his door and wanted in. When my sister-in-law wouldn't let him stay on the couch he went to the door and asked to be let out  they obliged. Later that night Mom called and said Festus was at her house on the couch with a pillow. He was so upset with me, my brother and sister-in-law he traveled the five miles to Mom and Dad's, told them his sad story and they bought it. After that, Festus would do some day work but he let it be known he would spend his nights on Mom and Dad's couch catching a few movies and that's how Festus semi-retired. I'm Jeff Keane.