Moonlight Magic at the Ridgeback Ranch
The time of the full moon is a special time at the Ridgeback Ranch. When my day starts at 4 AM and all is bathed in a glow of silver as a daylight not of this world, but of a place of magic and wonder. For at the ranch there are no streetlights or glow of neon sign to mask the magic rendered by the hand of nature’s monthly wonder. Far to the south and west the rim of the Salt Creek Valley is outlined by lights of bright silver, blue gold and amber, the ever present evidence of civilization close at hand. Throughout the floor of the valley the lonesome glow of the occasional farm house or barn light denote an even closer presence. On the front porch of the kennel however, there is naught but that of nature’s hand, the light that bathed this land before the trespass of man.
The dogs awake without the usual din of shouted greetings. Even Roscoe, the official time keeper, the one whose job it is to wake the pack for each morning’s meal is silent. He and the others of the pack stretch and look about then proceed into the wood to address the business of the early morn. In the distance the song of a coyote breaks the silence with a call to others of his kind. And closer, but still distant, the call is answered. The hounds have taken note and after a moment of absolute silence there is a call, an answer to all that the big dogs are in the woods. The eerie song is led by little Meesa and joined as if on cue, by the baritone of Cody and the bass tones of Roscoe and Goobier. Just as suddenly the tableau ends and the silence is absolute once more. No answer from the coyotes, as they know that in the war of moonlight song, they are no match for the Ridgebacks of the ranch!
High in the western sky the moon looks down in equal silence and for all the world appears to smile on that which is below. A glow of crimson has crept from behind the eastern rim and soon I shall make my way into the world of man and the trivial pursuits of the working day. However, there is solace in the absolute that should I be so fortunate as to return at day’s end, the silver orb now descending in the western sky will greet me, ascending above the eastern wood renewed and drawing closer still, bathing the ranch in a new glow of gold and orange the eternal cycle shall repeat once more.
Life is good at the Ridgeback Ranch and there is magic in the moonlight for all who take the time to see what nature offers us each day. This is a truth known to all dogs and when we take the time to know and appreciate our dogs, we to see a little of the world as they see it, our lives are enriched and the magic in simply being alive!
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