Hardtack vs. coyote

Grandpa Joe and grandma Alice were enjoying a few days with their grandchildren, Carie and Max, while the youngsters’ parents finished Christmas shopping. On this particular day grandpa Joe was in the barn cleaning the stalls.

He heard Max calling, “Grandpa Joe, grandpa Joe,” and answered, “I’m in the barn, Max.” He mumbled to himself, “I betcha Max and Carie want a sleigh ride.”

The kids were at the barn door before he could say, “You want a ride in the snow? Jump aboard.” Both Max and Carie said at the same time, “Yes, grandpa, yes!”

Grandpa Joe reminded the kids, “You have to watch my old dog, Hardtack, while you’re in the sled. He’s apt to move around.” Both the kids again promised to guard the dog. “We’ll do it.” Grandpa Joe said, “Here we go.”

He patted his horse and started the sled on a half-mile ride over the snow to the mailbox. The kids began to giggle and laugh at wearing grandpa and grandma’s old wool clothes to keep warm.

Max said, “Look grandpa Joe, I’m wearing a big wool coat just like yours.”

Grandpa Joe said, “Of course your are. It’s mine!”

Suddenly Hardtack growled and pushed against the side of the sleigh.

Carie complained, “What’s the matter? The dog is shoving me around.”

Grandpa Joe looked behind them and saw the problem.

“It’s a big coyote right behind the sled,” he said. “He’s trying to fight with Hardtack. We’re almost to the mailbox. You’ve got to keep Hardtack in the sleigh.”

The kids tried hard to control the dog, but he was too strong for them. In an instant Hardtack jumped out of the sleigh and began an ear-splitting noise with the coyote. Carie started to cry, “Grandpa Joe, Hardtack is hurt. He’s bleeding. Please help him, grandpa.”

Grandpa Joe reached for Hardtack. The dog was already fighting the big coyote and both were growling, filling the air with screams. Grandpa Joe finally managed to pull the dog into the sleigh again.

“Look Carie, Hardtack isn’t wounded. The blood was on the coyote. He scratched his neck on a sharp rock trying to fight. See, he’s rolling around trying to get away from Hardtack. Now he’s running away,” grandpa Joe said. He turned to Hardtack, saying “Slow down boy, slow down. That old coyote ain’t comin’ to eat you.”

The sleigh slid to a stop. Grandpa Joe reached for the newspaper from the mailbox and patted Hardtack, “Goin’ home, boy. We’re goin’ home.”

Turning to the kids, grandpa Joe asked, “Hey kids, how much cookies and cocoa do you want when we get home?”

Carie and Max yelled together, “Lots! Thanks, grandpa Joe!”

Luella Dow is a Cheney-area author. She can be reached at [email protected].