Sirius Major

    “Well, everything looks a-okay on my end, lil’ brother.” Hoss announced as he spotted Joe trotting up on Cochise. Chub nickered his own greeting to the little Indian pony.

“Same for me, Hoss,” Joe replied. “You wanna head back to the house? I can start us up some coffee.” Not one to pass up on fresh coffee, Hoss readily agreed with a nod and said “There might also be some apple pie from last night left over too. Let’s head home afore Pa and Adam finish it off.”

With that prospect on their minds, the two brothers turned toward home. Cochise recognized the route almost instantly. He bobbed his head and took off prancing down the trail. 

“Easy Cooch, easy.” Joe soothed, gently patting the sturdy gelding on the neck. “We have a passenger, remember?” 

Hoss raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Passenger? Joe.. don’t tell me. You brought her along with ya again, didn’t  ya?” He said, just as Little Joe’s satchel started  to wriggle. A sharp little yip and small, black nose peaked out. It got a chuckle from both Hoss and Joe. 

The owner of that little button nose poked her head fully out of Joe’s satchel to sniff the ricegrass on the breeze. Despite her short, squat puppy face and ears that were yet to stand up, her dark brown eyes and prominent Bentley star on her forehead promised the little Blue Heeler would grow into a handsome dog. 

“Joe…” Hoss began, trying to sound accusatory. Although he was doing a bang up job at hiding the twinkle in his blue eyes or the laugh in his voice. 

Joe had the same glint in his eye when he guffawed, “what? She needed to get an idea of the property she’ll be working on when she grows up.” 

Hoss sighed. “Awright. You do have a point there, lil’ brother. But couldn’t you have done it when that pup there is big enough to sit behind you on the saddle?” The puppy decided it was fine time to voice her opinion and let out a little yip from inside the satchel. 

“No, because she’d without a doubt drive Pa and Adam insane if I left her at the house. Besides, I wanted to start her training as soon as possible anyway. She already knows her herding commands!” Joe said proudly, scratching the puppy behind an ear with a proud smile.

Hoss rolled his eyes and chuckled. He had to admit, the little varmit peaking out of his little brother’s satchel was pretty dang cute. The little critter seemed to be enjoying the ride anyway. 

“Ho in the camp!” Joe called as they approached the front yard. It wasn’t a requirement. It was more of a force of habit if anything and it always got a laugh out of their Pa. And as expected, Joe and Hoss could hear their Pa’s deep baritone laugh. Followed by his own answer of “Howdy!” 

Pa was waiting on the porch as Joe and Hoss rode up to the hitching post. He was giving what looked like a telegram a thorough read through. 

“What’chya got there, Pa?” Hoss questioned. After he finished tying Chub to the hitching post he joined his father on the porch. Joe wasn’t far behind on his heels as he bounced up the porch steps, taking care to hold his precious cargo close. 

“Come on inside and I’ll explain. It’s a telegram from an S. Davis. He’s apparently in a dire strait and is asking for help. Two boys decided it would be great fun to pull a prank and open up one of his Jersey Giant coops and the chickens got out.” Ben explained as they walked into the living room. 

“S. Davis. Is that Seth Davis? Isn’t he that dandy from Ohio with all the chickens?” Joe asked, “why would he send for us when I’m certain he could get the coop back in order himself.”

That was when Ben saw a familiar sparkle in his youngest son’s intelligent green eyes. The sparkle that said Joseph Francis Cartwright had an idea only he could come up with. 

“How about we put that new stock dog puppy I got to work?” Joe suggested, “I’ve already been workin’ on herding commands with her.”  

Ben mulled over the idea. Joe really had been working with the pup and she responded well. But again, she was just a puppy. And a strong willed Blue Heeler at that. He eventually sighed and said: “Alright Joe, just be ready to herd chickens yourself.”

Joe smiled widely and nodded in agreement. “I would gladly do that Pa, but I’m certain I won’t need to because she’ll definitely get the job done.”

Ben chuckled and patted his boy on the shoulder. “Speaking of which. Where is that little rascal of yours, son?” 

Joe grinned before giving a short whistle. The occupant in his satchel wriggled about at the sound. A little black button nose on a small, elegant square muzzle popped out. 

“I thought taking her along would help her get to know the property better for the future.” Joe explained, scratching the little pup under her chin. 

“Does the little one have her name yet?” Ben asked, rubbing the prominent Bentley star on the little pup’s forehead. The puppy answered by giving Ben soft doggy kisses on his fingers. 

Joe nodded happily, looking down at the little critter like a proud Papa. “I decided on Maverick, like a calf.” He explained. 

Ben smiled and gave Maverick one more gentle pat. “Well then, good luck at your first job little Maverick.” 

“Thank goodness, she’s more than ready. Especially after tearing my slippers apart. She’s certainly living up to the glorious name of Heeler by nipping at my heels.” Adam said from the couch with an amused chuckle.

 

II

“You’ll be big enough to ride on ole Cooch’s back soon enough, Maverick.” Joe said to the little puppy sitting happily with her front paws on the saddle horn. But he was certain she was just as happy sitting up front with him. 

It was pretty obvious when they arrived on the Davis property. If the multiple chicken coops weren’t a dead giveaway. Or the large flock of black Jersey Giants milling about. Joe was definitely in the right place. 

Seth Davis, an older wide set man with  thinning white hair and spectacles stood on his front porch. “Ahoy there! Thank goodness you’ve come!” He shouted, scurrying down the porch steps to meet Joe and Maverick. 

Joe helped Maverick onto the ground after sliding out of the saddle. The puppy looked like she really wanted to explore her new surroundings. But she dutifully followed after her Papa. 

“Oh thank you for coming by Mr. Cartwright.” Seth exclaimed, tripping over his own two feet in his haste to meet Maverick and Joe. Joe closed the gap between them and shook Seth’s hand. 

“Please Mister Davis, call me Joe.” Joe said with a smile. Seth returned it with his own relieved grin. 

“As long as you call me Seth, m’boy.” Seth replied. “And who do you have with you?” He cooed, bending down to pat Maverick on the head. The little Heeler was happy to receive yet even more attention and licked Seth’s hand in thanks. 

“Maverick.” Joe said proudly, “she’s going to help me get your chickens back in order. It’s for her future career as a Ponderosa stock dog.” As if in agreement, Maverick wagged her tail and yipped. 

Seth nodded, “well thank you both for coming over to help. I’m more than happy to help take part in getting Maverick’s career started. Shall we head to the problem coop now?” 

Joe nodded and patted the side of his leg. That little gesture caught Maverick’s attention and she scampered over to Joe’s side. 

The loose coop was a well built green shed with a large run. The occupying flock was milling about and scratching in the dirt. Among the group of six docile looking hens a rather large black rooster strutted about. If you asked Joe, the head rooster looked rather ornery. 

Joe picked up Maverick to place her close to the flock. “Alright Maverick, away to me.” Quick as a flash the pup started running counter clockwise to the flock and coop.

The rather ornery black rooster took offense to being told where to go and fluffed his hackles up. Joe responded by giving the command: “hold.” causing  Maverick to freeze in place. He followed this by saying “speak up.” 

Maverick looked directly at the rooster and gave a sharp little yap. This caused the rooster to give an indignant squawk and scamper back into the coop. With the scary looking rooster away, Joe could focus on the rest of the flock. 

“A few of the hens flew into that sagebrush over there.” Seth explained, pointing over at a nearby thicket.

A quick command of “Find” from Joe sent Maverick off to look for the missing flock. A barrage of yips sent the missing poultry out of the brush clucking and flapping. Maverick wasn’t far behind. She looked like she quite enjoyed chasing hens about. 

“Steady Maverick. Steady.” Joe said, causing the pup to slow down in her pursuit. He quickly followed this by commanding: “Come by.”

Maverick scampered clockwise around the coop. This got any stragglers to scramble inside. With a dazzling smile full of pride Joe said “lie down”. Maverick dropped to the ground and flopped over almost instantly. 

Joe jogged over and closed the coop door shut. He locked it for good measure. Maverick watched intently from close by. When he was certain everything was shut tight, Joe looked over at Maverick and said “that’ll do.” 

Released from her duties, Maverick bounced up and ran toward Joe. Her tail was wagging a mile a minute as she was quickly scooped up by her beaming Papa. 

“You did such a good job Maverick! Just wait until Granpa hears about how good you did. You’re definitely getting jerky when we get home, you good girl.” Joe cooed, scratching the pup under her chin.

Even from far off Seth could hear the cacaphony as he jogged up. Soon enough, his own praises joined in. “Oh my word Joe, I can’t thank you and little Maverick enough!”

“It’s nothing Seth! I think Maverick thoroughly enjoyed herself too.” Joe said, chuckling when Maverick started to nibble on his chin. If possible, the pup’s tail started to wag even harder. 

“There must be a way for me to pay you two back for all your help.” Seth offered, gently scratching Maverick behind one ear. 

Joe pondered the question for a few seconds. But it didn’t take too long before he asked: “Would you mind providing farm fresh eggs? In return I can bring Maverick over if those boys ever let your flock out again.” 

***

“Pa! Joe and Maverick are back!” Hoss called out from the porch. Joe slid out of his saddle with Maverick under his right arm. He put the little dog down before retrieving a box from inside his saddle bag.

“What’d you got there Joe?” Adam asked as he and Pa came outside. Joe smiled and opened the box. Inside were a dozen light tan eggs. 

“I hope you’re good with eggs for breakfast for the rest of our lives. Because Seth had more than he could eat himself or know what he could do with. And Maverick as of now has a permanent job as a poultry herder.” Joe said with a laugh and a sparkle in his eyes.

The End