I was awaken suddenly by some strange noise. A cackling type of noise. Like a hundred chickens all talking to each other at the same time, with no one being able to get in a word edgewise. I looked at the clock, 6:00am. Oh my gosh. I hadn’t been awaken that early in years. I looked around at my unfamiliar surroundings, and suddenly remembered where I was.

I had arrived at the Black Rose Ranch, late at night, after a invitation from its owner Sunnie to visit. Sunnie and I had known each other for a very short time, so this visit was a long time in coming. I kept putting it off because of business matters. But I found a break, and here I am, planning to spent the next three days, at a place where I’ve never been or known of before. A true to life ranch, full of chickens, horses, dogs, cats, and possibly some other kind of animals seeking refuge from the sometimes bitter and unfriendly outside world.

But this was not the ordinary and usual type of ranch. It was different. When I arrived last night, I didn’t have the opportunity to observe these animals. The horses were in their stalls. The chickens were in their coops. The dogs and cats, wherever they were, were asleep and in their own world.

But as I walked towards the main house from where I was staying as Sunnie guest., I was suddenly confronted by three dogs, one of which must have weigthed over 100 pounds. To say the least, I was frightened, but I didn’t have to be, as I later learned that the dogs were there to meet and welcome me, and to lead me to the breakfast table. I looked about as we were walking to the house. I saw horses. I saw cats, and I saw about 50 or so chickens just milling about minding their own business and doing what animals usual do

What suprised me was the mingling of all these animals. The dogs did not chase the cats. The cats did not chase or bother the chickens. The chickens just surrounded me, cackling away as to say, “hello stranger, welcome to the Black Rose Ranch”. The horses, now out of their stalls were either mingling with all the animals, or otherwise exploring the vast acreage of the ranch. It was a peaceful scene. Something that I had never experienced before. Approaching the main house, I was greeted by the delicious aroma of coffee brewing, the smells of bacon and eggs sizzling on the grill. It was a far cry from the usual fare that I was accustomed to. After breakfast, Sunnie wanted to show me the ranch. As we opened the door, I was met with a loud plop just in front of me. It was an egg, just layed and I believe intentionally dropped by a chicken and narrowly missing me, “Don’t worry,” said Sunnie, “It was her way of welcoming you. It won’t happen again.” “Huh,” I thought, “where in the world am I?”

As sunnie showed me the vast acreage of her property, I was amazed at the scenery all around us and the beautiful large lake, laden with fish. Some of the fish were jumping out of the water as if to greet us. All I know that if I had any plans to go fishing, I had none now. As much as I liked to fish, I didn’t have the heart to do it here. I had no proof nor did I feel justified in thinking that the fish knew my feelings, but I honestly felt that way.

Suddenly we had company, the three dogs, a 13 year old Golden Retriever named Ally and two 2 year old twin Catahoula’s, brother and sister, named Bear and Elizabeth (Lizzie for short.) The Catahoula is a rare breed, extremely intelligent, loyal, a hunter and once a male Catahoula takes to you, beware, he, not you are the owner for life, and he doesn’t let you or anyone else forget it. You are constantly protected by this huge, beautiful animal, and heaven help anyone who tries to do you harm. The catahoula will take to one person only. They are gentle, loving, extremely good with children, and would make the best baby sitters in the world. If you are gone for a few days, the Catahoula, will moan for you. He will cry and howl, until you return. In many cases, he will not eat or drink anything until your return.

I didn’t know if I had the fortune or misfortune to be selected by Bear, as to be the number 1 person in his life. I was honored, yet felt an extreme responsibility in allowing Bear to be responsible for me. Sunnie informed me that she had Bear since he was a puppy, and with all the many visitors to the ranch, he had never taken to anyone as he did to me. He was friendly with all, showed no animosity to anyone, even when teased by children. He just stood there patiently, withstanding any abuse that they may deliver. I really felt no joy at his selection of me knowing that I do not live at the ranch and could not visit very often, so what was I to do? Sunnie told me not to worry, that Bear will probably get over me. How wrong she was.

Bear first latched onto me as Sunnie and I were touring the ranch. Bear simply came between Sunnie and me, thus separating the both of us as we were walking. Lizzy and Ally tried to come between Sunnie, me and Bear, but Bear wouldn’t have any of that, and shoed both dogs away, with a gentle bark. Gentle, yes, but it carried a lot of authority. During the rest of my visit. Bear was my constant companion, seldom leaving my side or sight. He slept vigiliant, outside my quarters, and wouldn’t leave the area, until I left it. Bear and I were together practically all the time. We had conversations together. I would sit on one of the park benches. Bear would climb upon the table, lay down, and seemingly speak with me. I am sure that he understood everything I said to him. I really don’t know if I understood anything he said. But I had the feeling that he was expressing his feelings and love to me. I never have met a dog as intelligent as he was.

My visit to the Black Rose ranch went all to quickly. I was sorry to leave such peacful settings. I knew that I would miss all the animals, especially Bear. What I didn’t know at the time was how much Bear would miss me. As I drove away from the ranch, I could see Bear in my rear view mirror. I shut the motor of my car off and opened the door to get out. Bear immediately ran to me before I had a chance to get out of the vehicle to say goodbye to him once more. He was crying. Although there was no tears in his eyes, nor was there any change of expression on his face, he never the less was crying. He was whimpering, and was howling. I had never seen or heard a dog make these sounds before. Bear pressed his 100 pounds against me as if to hug me, and saying , “please don’t go, I don’t want you to go, stay with me.” I didn’t know what to do. I was so overwhelmed. There were tears in my eyes. It must have been quiet a sight. Bear hugging me and crying, and I was doing the same. I finally was able to detache myself from him, get in my car and drive away. I could see him just sitting there staring at my fading vehicle.

As I later learned from sunnie, after I left, Bear went straight to the place where I was staying. He looked all around the building, kept pacing in front of the entrance, possibly with the hopes that I had magically not left and would come out any minute now. Sunnie allowed him inside, where he immediately ran to where I had slept. He jumped upon the bed sniffing the pillows, the bed linen, and somehow realizing that I was no longer there, started howling, and whimpering, and ran outside to the driveway to await my return. Bear did not eat for several days, and any attempt at bribing him with such delicacies as chicken, steak, etc., did not work.

I visit the ranch as often as possible. Bear seemingly knowing that I was coming, was always waiting for me as I drove up to the ranch. Immediately seeing and recognizing me, he raced to where his food was, gulped it down as quickly as he could, knowing that I would not approve of his hunger strike. Before I could park my vehicle, Bear had completely eaten his dinner, and was waiting for me before I had a chance to leave my car.

I have never been owned by anyone in my life let alone a dog, and it is a very eerie feeling. I have never known that a dog could love a human being as much as Bear does. The goodbyes are still very sad, but Bear apparently is now aware that I cannot be there as he would like and is more or less accepting this fact. But the reunions are the happiest days in our lives, and is something to really look forward to.

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