My Angel Dogs
Across the Narrow Path
My husband and I own a guest ranch in Baja, California, Mexico. We take people on horseback rides and pack expeditions. People from all over the U.S. and Europe enjoy their stay with us.
This story brings us to the Spring of 2009. Two young English girls from London were spending their holiday in San Diego and decided to visit us at our ranch, which is very close to the San Diego border. One of the girls, Elizabeth, said they were excellent riders and wanted to ride. She emphasized the word ride, so my husband and I were curious to see how the English handled our mountainous trails and rocky terrain rather than riding over the soft green grass and the flatlands of England. I’d ride in England any time of the day, but allow me to continue without detouring from the topic.
Our group consisted of my husband Raul, his cousin Enrique (the trail guides), and the English girls. We decided to take the girls up to the highest peak on the ranch. Not as a test, but it was a good long ride.
We had a typical cowboy lunch on the trail. Cowboys who work cows sometimes stay out all day. They always pack coffee and burritos for lunch. After roasting over an open campfire, the flour tortillas get nice and crispy making them extra delicious.
The Beauty of the Wilderness
The winding path upwards to the top of the peak was breathtaking. Manzanita bushes surrounded the trails; sagebrush lit up the air with minty freshness. Ash trees provided constant greenery and oak groves that lay hidden in the canyons providing us with shade and shelter.
Brandy, my beautiful friend, trotted alongside me just under my horse’s shadow to avoid too much sun. Brandy and Minnie effortlessly bounced over the bushes and chased rabbits. Minnie did this more than Brandy. Smart girl. She knew we had a long trip ahead of us.
The ride up the mountain had its challenges, but I never doubted our horses. The English girls were excellent riders. Raul and his cousin watched them the first hour. Convinced the girls knew what they were doing they relaxed and enjoyed the ride.
Once we reached the top of the peak, we needed to cross a saddle (a slope connecting one mountain to the other) to get to the other side. Unfortunately, this saddle looked more like a thin trail with dangerous cliffs on each side. One slip of a hoof and down we’d go.
Where Things Get Tricky
Raul and his cousin Enrique decided it best to dismount and walk across. First, the horses. They had no problem, especially with a good slap on the rump. Then, one by one, we took turns walking across the saddle. Everyone did great until it was my turn.
I’ve always known I have excellent balance. And I do. That day I don’t know what happened, but my boot must have caught a loose rock which is why I slipped and fell in the middle of the saddle. I hung on with both arms, my legs flailing in space. Raul started to approach me when the strangest thing happened.
Both Minnie and Brandy ran to where I hung and sniffed my hair, whimpered, and licked my face as if to say, “Come on. You can do this.” Then they ran a short distance to the other side and came back to me in my efforts to pull myself back onto the narrow trail. They stayed with me while I continued to walk across until I reached the other side. Never have I felt so grateful for their encouragement. They were apprehensive, and it showed.
My horse is another story; he fell off the side of the saddle. He gave me a huge fright. I remember Raul and Enrique just closed their eyes. There was nothing they could do but, agile as he was, he must have shapeshifted into a mountain goat and climbed up the rocky mountain on the other side back to us.
Minnie and Brandy are no longer with us, but those two are forever my special Angel dogs. I’ll never forget them. That day among many days, was a highlight for me. Their antics and our adventures together are buried deep in my memories.
Originally published on Vocal Media
