sorry for the hiatus

hi all! we're still here. in fact, i'm not here. i'm here in Cleveland which is why I haven't posted anything in awhile. i flew to Columbus, then to Dayton for Grandma's 80th birthday party, then home to Cleveland before flying back to AZ. Tour of Ohio.

i've had a great trip so far, but unfortunately life in Kayenta since I've been gone has not been so good. In addition to several inconvenient mishaps all coincidentally occuring within a few days...Cowboy seems to be gone from our lives. : (

Many of you have heard, but for those who haven't, here's the recap: He was around when I left last Monday morning, but Ryan didn't see him for a few days after that. Then a neighbor apparently saw him mid-week with a rope tied to his collar that had been chewed through, evidence someone had tried to take him, but he got loose and made it back home. But that was the last anyone has seen of him. Upon asking around, word is that Heeler mixes are sought after around town for rounding up cattle and sheep. (Cowboy is smart and seems to be built for that.) A local guy said that he has even had two of his dogs that were Heeler types stolen. Also, there is past evidence around here that people also steal dogs, and wait for postings in hopes of getting a reward....! Neither of these two possibilities offer us much hope, especially the first because that could mean he's way out in the country somewhere herding sheep. and this is wide open country. At least with the second possibility, there's a slight chance we'll be able to pay a ransom to get Cowboy back. But what a sad state of affairs when people turn to such things for money!

The saddest part of all is that there are zillions of strays around town that would love to have a home and be fed, but someone chose to kidnap Cowboy instead. : ( Ryan and I even admitted that we would have probably been less upset if he had been hit by a car or something. I mean, accidents happen and he is a dog. But that a person could be so hateful or so desperate....

Sorry for not posting something more uplifiting after such a long absence. Send some vibes to Northern Arizona for us that he will find his way home.

we love you, Cowboy!