Distinctly Montana Magazine

12 Roper, an Australian Shepherd, and Pokey, a McNab, work together to return a stubborn stray calf back to the herd. By the look on their faces you can tell these dogs love their work! Mabel, an Australian Shepherd, enjoys the coffee break after the cattle drive. While the other dogs ride home in trucks, Roper is happy to ride on his master's motorbike. 9:00 A.M. One of the calves, likely fed up with the dust and crowd, bolts from the herd. A high-speed chase ensues with Pokey, a McNab, and Roper, the young Australian Shepherd, in hot pursuit. Once the calf is back in the herd, the dogs trot proudly back to their owners. Their eyes meet and receive a look of "job well done" and then the dogs go right back to work. 10:30 A.M. The temperature rises along with the clouds of dust as the morning wears on. As the large string of cattle pass a spring, both canine and bovine take a quick drink. Before the cattle get too far ahead, the dogs sneak a muddy dip to cool off. 12:00 p.M. With the cattle now in their evening holding pasture, trucks arrive with horse trailers to take everyone back to the ranch. But before the eight-mile drive back to ranch headquarters, it's time for a break. The horses graze on fresh grass, the riders enjoy coffee & cookies, and the dogs retreat to the shade offered by the trucks and trailers. 12:30 p.M. The dogs all hop in the back of the trucks and settle in for the ride home. The older dogs curl up in whatever shade they can find, while others ride with their face to the wind enjoying the free ride. 1:00 p.M. After lunch at the ranch there are chores and Jace Poulsen and Roper watch as the herd enters the Centennial Valley in southwest Montana. www.distinctlymontana.com fences to fix. A few of the dogs will tag along but for most it's time for a well- deserved nap in the shade. The rest will be important for these working cattle dogs as the next day's 3:45 A.M. start of another eight-mile cattle drive will soon be upon these dedicated ranch hands. 45 L I K E A 2 D O G : P U S 4 H I N G C 5 A T T L E 1 6 3

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