Fargo in submissive post

 Fargo with her bright blue eyes

Fargo posing with her pwner Shaundy

 

Fargo

     Deep in the valleys of the Motherlode are nature created caverns.. As I turned left off Volcano Pioneer road onto the fenced property the road changed from blacktop to gravel. The dust floated into the air as I made my way to the visitor center  at Black Chasm landmark.. When I parked the car there is a special greeter, Fargo a 12 year old Australian Shepherd collie mix. 

    Fargo because of his age may have slowed down a little bit but still makes sure everyone who comes into his life gets a greeting, especially children who are more likely to give him people food. Unlike mother nature’s coloring of camouflage for her animals Fargo stands out for his silver color and bright blue eyes (an Australian Shepherd trait). He is usually laying in front of the gift shop making sure he doesn’t miss any of the daily activities.

    Fargo’s owner is Shaundy Farley is an employee of the park. Fargo was rescued by Shaundy and her husband as a search and rescue dog. Fargo because of the Australian Shepherd in him made a good tracker. Shaundys ex husband was a member of search and rescue and wanted a companion to go into the forest with him. Fargo loved the work and would go everywhere he went but then Shaundy split from him taking Fargo with her.

    Fargo initially was moping around the house but as time passed he became attached to Shaundy. Today he has free roaming of Black Chasm’s grounds. Fargo will follow Shaundy as she gives tours of the Cavern which requires his 12 year old legs to climb down and back up over a hundred stairs. That is the equivalent in human years of an 84 year old. I am only in my 60’s and wouldn’t attempt that feat..

   But Fargo loves it and he is always following Shaundy on her treks not only into the cavern but into the far reaches of the park. He loves looking for new things to sniff out. For all dog owners know this can sometimes lead to trouble as what we consider smelly dogs love. Thus skunks offer no deterrence to dogs and Fargo has his run ins with them.

    One treatment for Fargo after a skunk encounter was to be placed in a crate allowing for the odor to diminish. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent (Shaundy says he can understand 250 words) and Fargo quickly figured out how to release the latch and would come running to Shaundy. All further treatments required a bath and chemicals to eliminate the odors.

   Fargo has also had an encounter with a porcupine and was curious about this strange creature. Porcupines have no time for such inquisitors and Fargo was quickly on his way to the vet to get the quills removed. He has also had his encounters with mountain lions but has an arrangement with the big cats in that if they leave him alone he leaves them alone.

  His days now of chasing the animals of the forest mostly lie behind him but he now uses his instincts to herd children visiting the park away from dangers and following Shaundy everywhere she goes.

   As I watched him lie on the ground beside us as we concluded this interview I could sense he has had a good life and has many good years ahead of him. The years may have slowed him down but have not stopped him, His eyes still sparkle as bright as they ever have.