“Brutus!”
But the dog was already out and running laps around us and Ruby as we walked down the steep hill.They sniffed each other and Brutus hopped back and forth, urging Ruby to play. Behind them, a scruffy man walked out from a tent. The entire hill was covered in campsites overlooking the Rocky Mountains. Although this particular tent and its tarp extension, held down by rocks, gave off the impression that it was more the man’s home than an occasional getaway.
“Aw, he’s harmless.” said the man, a warm grin on his face.
“No worries, he seems sweet.” I said.
“Yea, he’s got a big bark but he won’t hurt anyone. He’s a quadriplegic.”
I looked up at Jon to see that his face mirrored my confusion. Brutus continued to do laps around Ruby, mixing in an occasional back flip.
“Huh” I nodded politely.
The man crossed his arms and excitedly told us the story. “Yep. I bought her for ten cigarettes. Off an ex-skinhead down in Mexico. He went down there to marry a Mexican woman. I was passing by his front yard and he had a whole litter of puppies. But the whole time I was standing there looking at them, this bitchy neighbor just keeps yelling to everyone that she wants some cigarettes. I mean, on and on and on. And she’s yelling at the guy asking for some and he keeps yelling back that he doesn’t smoke. So finally the guy says to me, ‘If you give her some cigarettes and shut her the fuck up, I’ll give you a puppy.’ So I did. Aw, and she’s just the best.”
“And I got four cats here too. I trained them to travel with us.” He smiled and glanced back at his tent house.
“That’s pretty impressive, I don’t think we know anyone who has been able to train cats like that!” Jon said.
“Well, it was great talking to you guys.” he yelled as we continued down the hill, “ You know, I wish everyone around here was more friendly, more community. You know, like in the 50’s when everyone had a cool hat, expect minus all the bad parts!”