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buck

Originally uploaded by piotter.

Our family’s dog, Buck, was found today, November 14, 2004 dead along Highway 22 south of Gaylord. He was apparently hit by a vehicle as he was trying to cross the road.

We had came to know this dog a few years ago, probably 1999, when we got him from the Turbett family that had some pups to give away. Buck was a male and the quiet one of the bunch, which was the reason we had picked him. (As well as our last few dogs) He was 3/4 Black Lab and 1/4 Saint Bernard. You could hardly tell the difference between him and a true Lab, unless you listened to his low bark or pleading groan.

He was a very smart dog and I had taught him many ‘tricks’ I had not really ever been able to with any of our other dogs. Buck had fully learned to sit, shake with both paws (depending on which side of his body you requested him to) and was in the process of ‘learning to dance’ at his untimely demise. He was an avid ‘highjumper’ and cleared some gates/fences most people would have to take a few minutes to crawl over.

As he was part Lab, Buck was always happy to jump into the water or go out on a hunting excursion. He always had a fascination with squirrels, even though they would be extremely tough to catch, even on the ground, let alone when they took to the trees. On two seperate occasions he had one within inches, but that has when they had found their home trees and Buck was left to stare up into the branches hoping they’d magically drop down.

He also had fun ripping apart numerous raccoons and a few skunks, although he realized skunks have a pretty powerful defense spray.

Once in a while Buck would take off on trips and unfortunately his last trip ended when he had met a vehicle on 22. He was a very good companion and I will sorely miss him.

I was heading through Arlington this afternoon I noticed a bunch o flashing lights up ahead. Police, I thought. Sure enough, they was two state patrol cars facing each other with lights in all directions.

It appears they were investigating an accident or something else that had happened earlier as there were no other vehicles or people other than two troopers in the immediate vicinity.

But lo and behold they had out a laser level and range pole out to measure the scene. I find it quite odd and disturbing that the State Patrol gets to basically put on a light show to draw attention to the troopers at this scene and protect their safety.

I just wish for once when I am out surveying that I could get that kind of fanfare and protection. It’s dangerous playing in traffic and even when you’re on a road that’s posted ‘Closed for Construction’, you’d be suprised the number of people that can drive 60 mph while you stand less than 10 feet from where they pass.

I’m sure these troopers could see how safe things really are when you aren’t afforded such protection. Heck, the county mounty thinks strolling through the job site every once and awhile without even stopping to ask how close the traffic comes is sufficient enough.

And to think they only ‘double’ fines in work zones. Crazy people like that should spend some time out on a job where their idiotic tendancies could kill a person.