Juan slowly ascended the stairs to his cabin porch, kicking dried mud off of his boots with each step. He stopped at the top, knelt, let out a big sigh, and said to no one, “As Mom would say, ‘Thank you, Jesus, for another…breathtaking day.’”
The day had been the most difficult and frightening day of his life, and he was rethinking going out alone into the high country ever again. But had he known what was yet to come he would long for another day in the woods. Even one like today.
He sat down on the porch and looked out at the view below him. The cabin sat on the side of a small hill, overseeing a wide, flat valley. It was pristine until 3 years ago when an airfield was put in. This morning, when Juan and his dog Max had left the cabin in the gray hour before sunrise, the landing strip had been empty. Now a large jet sat there, looking up at Juan, as if it was expecting him.
A sturdy five feet and six inches tall, with dark hair and brown eyes, Juan was small for his age, but strong. Spending the last eight years on the ranch had been good for him, with hard work and regular mountain adventures sharpening his eyes and hardening his muscles.
Max trotted over to sit next to Juan on the porch steps.
“Max,” Juan said as he scratched the dog’s ears, “are you glad we’re home?”
Max said nothing but leaned into Juan for more scratching.
“Me, too,” Juan continued. “You were a good boy today. You saved my life. Did you know that? What will Dad say when he finds out? You know Mom would have made you a giant meatball for your heroism. But Dad? Maybe not a meatball, but he’ll give you something delicious, I’m sure.”
Max licked his lips in anticipation. Juan kept scratching his ears.
After a thoughtful pause, Juan continued, “If you hadn’t barked nonstop and run circles around that hungry bear, I wouldn’t have had time to climb the tree. I’m sure it was your barking and running around that finally scared him off, too. No sir, Max, he was no match for your barking. It’s a good thing you practice every chance you get.”
Max’s eyes rolled back in satisfaction with each ear scratch. He leaned harder into Juan as if to say, “don’t ever stop scratchin’.”
But Juan did stop. He turned his attention to his feet and began unlacing his mud-caked boots. Juan continued talking though, and Max continued listening.
“Of course, as Dad always reminds us, even the best intentions can have unintended consequences. I’m sure it was the barking that attracted the wolves. They knew something was wrong and came to see if we’d make an easy meal. I was just as surprised as you to see those wolves. And I’m sure you agree they are a lot bigger and scarier in person. No doubt about that - those were big wolves. But don’t worry, I won’t tell Dad about you leaping into my arms so I would carry you. Anyway, it’s good you were in my arms when I jumped off the cliff into the river. How else could we have escaped those wolves? How else, Max?”
Like an attentive student, Max sat silent, considering the alternatives.
“Well, it’s over now, we’re back safe and sound. Whoa boy, that river was cold. You don’t know, but any longer in that cold water, and we’d be in real trouble. It’s a good thing I had those waterproof matches to build a fire so we could warm up and dry off. I’m not sure we would have made it home otherwise.”
Juan finished removing his boots, stood up, and turned to the cabin.
“Yep, let’s have no more excitement today, thank you. I don’t think my nerves could handle it. Let’s go inside, eat a snack, and rest on the couch until Dad comes home with dinner. Sound good to you, Max? Max?”