Distinctly Montana Magazine

3:45 A.M. The dogs have just enough time for a quick bowl of food while their owners finish their cereal. Within minutes everyone arrives at the tack shed. 4:00 A.M. With anticipation thick in the frigid pre-dawn air, the dogs do their best to wait patiently for everyone to saddle up for the long cattle drive. 4:30 A.M. As a faint glow begins in the eastern sky, the dogs and riders arrive at the holding pastures to gather the herd. Miracu- lously, the dogs and riders manage to find the herd of Black Angus cattle in the pre-dawn light. Soon 1,000 black silhouettes begin moving in the same direction with a steady fluid-like motion. 5:30 A.M. The sky is now filled with a beautiful golden light and the dogs are hard at work pushing the cattle and nipping at their heels when necessary. 7:00 A.M. The day is heating up and the dogs are each showing their strengths and weak- nesses. The high-energy McNabs and younger dogs push the cattle tirelessly as the older ones begin to slow down. Leroy, the family Beagle, though not exactly built for speed, gets high marks for his determination, but is also falling behind. You can't help but wonder if Leroy, the family Beagle, wishes he were adopted by rabbit farmers instead of cattle ranchers. The bond between Jace and Roper is evident as Jace gives Roper a little scratch. The Martinell Ranch uses dogs and riders in favor of all-terrain vehicles to help reduce stress on the cattle when they are being moved. Darla riding back to the ranch after a hard days work. MUHLBRADT BY BRUCE Josie, the Blue Heeler, does his best to be patient while Kiley Martinell helps her daughter Taryn with her chaps. 1 Josie, a Blue Heeler, nips at the heels of a calf falling behind with Darla poised to help out. 44 DISTINCTLY MONTANA • FALL 2012 W 10 O R K I 11 N G A R O U 7 N D T H 8 E C L O C 9 K 6

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