Found them!

Finally! I am very organized, just slightly scattered. Which disk has everything on it?? For some reason CK was in my work/dog/flower files. I don't believe in networking computers. I know, that's an oxymoron:) I don't network MY computers. Not geeky enough to fix them, when they start arguing. They all have different ages on them. Makes a difference, eh? Duh<

When MB first got CK, and Sam was still alive, I'd have to send CK home. With just my voice, CK would head home. MB asked me one day, "How did you do that?"
I said "I'm smarter than her". I really meant I was smarter than MB. MB's idea of training CK to come, was to lure her with Cheesies, and then smack her, and tie her up.
Yeah. Brilliant. I TrieD talking to MB, I did try, many times. Like talking to a very slow rock.

CK, pictured in her second last spring. May, 2003. The only toy CK understood was the horse-size "jolly-ball", which I hope you horse people have seen before:) A ball with a handle. Flip went upside-down the first time she tried it, having grown up on basket-balls.

CK, having natural instincts that are honed on hours of boredom and self-inflicted pain, loved her jolly ball. If she managed to get loose, and I wasn't home, CK had lots of things she could think of to do. She NeveR wandered, though.

Except that one time, CK following her owner MB & lame horse back to her barn, after I'd saved CK from death by hanging. (doesn't even really count as wandering, CK was following/herding.) I couldn't catch her, CK had a score to settle with the horse. CK herded them all the way, and never got hit by a car. I was so relieved when they both got back. It was the weirdest mixed feelings I had. IF I hadn't been home, CK would have died. Her miserable life would have shortened.

Watching the horse and "human" and dog leaving for the "barn" MB kept the horse at, was also terribly upsetting. What if CK got hurt on the road? I'd be responsible, but, I'd saved her, but... MB had not been, um, appreciative or helpful.
Gah. Strange days in the country.

MB wasn't vigilant on keeping CK's "kennel" (very kind word for it) clean, of course. As MB lives to my north, prevailing winds... I'd surreptitiously muck her kennel out in disgust with the idiot. MB had a live-in "male human" friend for a while. He mucked, thank gawd. Yeah, the guy that threatened to kill my husband, one sunny Monday morning. Why? The water was off.

MB called the police on me one night. I'd left tracks in the snow, to her dog's kennel. Yup, I'm a criminal. It was -30 Celsius that night. I gave her extra food.

CK always made me laugh, when she'd come over. Mach 3 speed, she'd roar over, and roar around, playing and spinning and laughing her joy with me. I HateD sending her home, but I just couldn't keep her. I'd always give her extra yummy treats back at her kennel, but CK would always drop her tail and her head, as I left.

ANYway. As my darlin' old red dog aged, and grew ill with various problems related to over-vaccination, she became very fussy about what she'd eat. Whatever old red dog didn't eat, CK ate. CK was finally gaining weight in those pictures, from all her yummies. Red dog died in my arms at work, Oct. 18, 2004. Second worst day of my life. Oh, she was a wonder dog, my wee red lass...

CK, two weeks later, as related by MB, started screaming in the night. MB took her to the SPCA, to be PTS. MB didn't want to be bothered finding out what was wrong. I knew CK was mourning the loss of her only canine friend. A week after that I got Flip. My heart was fairly frozen. It took a year at least, before Flip and I started really communicating.

I was, of course, relieved for CK. Poor thing, living in that wire cage in winter, with next to no padding or insulation. Her paws must have been half frozen off, with each winter she suffered. CK could probably see her future. And screamed in misery at the thought.

Flip helped with MB's next attempt at a dog, but that's another story. Poor little thing. So far, knock wood, everyBODY, MB hasn't gotten another. Please, not again, Please.

To Black Bear Dog, CK.

Rest in Peace, dear old girl. Run, as you were born to run, with joy and love..