March 13, 2020

Her story with us starts during late summer of 2019 in Meeker. Prior to that, we don’t know much about where she came from, what her history was or who she belonged to.  Most agree that she’s close to 2 years old now and  that she’s of Border Collie and Terrier descent. She resembles a hybrid breed  called the “Idaho Shag” or a “fuzzy dog” known for their herding ability, stamina and scruffy appearance. She’s not big enough to descend  from  the Airedale, but definitely has the shaggy terrier locks.

She came to Meeker with no name, no owner that we know of – sporting an old collar and a chewed off leash – as if she’d escaped from somewhere.  The local Animal Control Officer, Laurel Haney, first learned of her in early August when someone reported they’d noticed a  black and white dog hanging around the fairgrounds with no apparent owner.   Laurel tracked the dog down, but wasn’t able to approach it.  Keeping her distance from folks, the dog made her presence known in Meeker – elusive but visible. She had no name, but we’ll call her Mae from here on out.

Laurel continued to see the dog around town but wasn’t able to catch her.   She’d put food out in places where she’d seen Mae and it would be gone the next day.  Mae managed to find food and trouble in unusual places.   She visited Meeker Mayor Regas Halandras’  chicken coop one day. Here Mae avoided  capture because Regas and Michele were more concerned about getting her out of the coop and away from the chickens.  Meanwhile, Gus and Christine Halandras had noticed a few odd things happening at their house just a few blocks away.  Christine had set some cookies out in their garage for some of her workers – only to find they had disappeared off of the plate. She’d left the extra cookies inside on the kitchen counter.  The mysterious culprit evidently saw the open door as an invitation to help itself to the cookies on the counter leaving a few powdered sugar crumbs and cookie wrappers behind.  Reflecting back on things, Christine did notice a black and white dog hanging outside of the house.

Others around town tried to befriend the dog and left food out for her.  She’d wait until dark to dine and disappear by morning. She clearly didn’t want to be caught. Meanwhile, September was approaching and with it would come sheep, Border Collies and a sheepdog trial. Having served on the Meeker Classic Board of Directors and volunteered for several years, Laurel knew that Mae might inadvertently cause some trouble during the competition. What a disaster to have an extra dog show up on the trial field during a run – she didn’t want this to happen on her watch.

As handlers and dogs began to show up at Ute Park for the Meeker Classic, Mae ceased her wandering about town feeling more comfortable with the border collies and sheep at the trial site. Many of the handlers that compete in Meeker park their RV’s at the trial site- during the week of the sheepdog trials, a small village pops up on the West edge of Meeker.  Handlers, dogs, tents, vendors and sheep call Ute Park home during the Meeker Classic.  It looked like a pretty good place to Mae as well.  Laurel visited with the handlers as they arrived asking them to keep an eye out for Mae.

Many handlers saw Mae checking out the surroundings and the dogs. She kept her distance when approached, refusing their hospitality yet remaining close by.  Ray Crabtree, Meeker Classic Announcer, and his wife Gladys were camped there at the trial site next to the sheep exhaust corrals. Mae struck up a friendship with one of their dogs  and they’d see the two romping in the tall grass behind their RV.

Ray noticed Mae in the mornings, maintaining a distance but hanging near. She’d found the garbage during the night and left a mess strewn around the announcers’ stand. Concerned that she might mistakenly cause more issues, Laurel brought a live trap to the trial site and set it at the announcer’s stand the second evening of the competition.

It just so happened that Ray and Gladys were outside eating dinner that night.  Mae emerged from underneath their trailer sitting down fairly close to Ray. Tossing her a piece of meat, Ray coaxed her closer as she ate a couple more bites.  Soon she was sitting next to him as he talked to her and gave her more food.  Feeling safe, she sort of “oozed up” into Ray’s lap as he quietly slipped a finger under her collar.  Trusting him, she didn’t try to break away and sat there with them as they finished dinner. Later she willingly loaded up  inside the RV – in the door and up she jumped on the couch. Ray and Gladys showed her a crate on the floor and in she went. It was as if she belonged there.

Putting complete trust in Ray, this little dog endeared herself to Ray and Gladys – to the  point that when Laurel showed up the next morning to take her to the pound it had been decided that Mae was staying with Ray.  Over the next few days Mae was Ray’s shadow – accompanying him each morning as he set up the speakers and made ready for the day. She lay quietly at his feet and gradually learned to trust the other humans that came by.  Her story and her trust in Ray touched the hearts of everyone at the trial.  Word spread that the elusive dog had decided it was time to trust, many had stories of her out and about in the handler camping area.  Her name came to Ray during those days – “Meeker Mae” was a real fit.

Emil Luedecke was one that spent a lot of time in Ray’s stand during those days, calling Mae  “Fuzzy Face”.  She trusted Emil and laid quietly there with him as they watched the runs. When folks stopped to say hi to Ray, they’d see  Mae sitting there taking it all in.

She still wasn’t completely sure about things so Ray kept her on a leash.  One of many visitors and admirers she had during those days was Mark Ryan, a volunteer veterinarian from Grand Junction.  He stopped by to give Mae a physical and  a clean bill of health.

One could almost sense the relief in Mae as she settled into a routine with Ray and Gladys. She’d found her “people” and was obviously comforted to be able to rest.  Slowly she learned to trust that  she was safe and in a good place.  She was given a nice new red collar and matching leash. Mae traveled with Gladys and Ray from Meeker to Carbondale, Colorado where Ray announced for the USBCHA National Sheepdog Finals. While there Mae’s confidence grew and she went off leash for the first time. Still wary of strangers,she’d try to hide when newcomers were around.

Imagine the process of learning to trust again, gaining confidence with new encounters  – Mae found good with each new day.  Traveling home with Ray and Gladys to Kuna, Idaho, Mae has embarked upon life with her new people. It’s slow, but she’s gaining trust with each new experience.

 

Ray and Gladys had a fright when they took her to  be spayed at a vet clinic in Boise. She’d been partially sedated and taken outside to relieve herself before surgery. Without Ray or Gladys around, she must have felt threatened  and proceeded to scale a six-foot chain link fence escaping into the metropolis of Boise. Craftily avoiding capture, a  pursuit ensued  until Ray  was called to the rescue a hour later.  Spotting her at the far end of a parking lot, he called to Mae as he got out of his vehicle. Recognizing the familiar voice she stopped and warily approached him. Mae was safe again. Ray took her home.  She has since been spayed and is a constant companion of Ray and Gladys. Spending the winter with them at Mackay Bar and Guest Ranch on the Salmon River, she explored the country and the trails while becoming part of their family. She has stock sense – a little bit rough on sheep, but can move a bunch of cattle pretty efficiently. Life is good now, she trusts  her people and knows they won’t let her down.

Mae’s fate was blessed by the goodness and kindness of so many people. All those who noticed her, who tried to  feed her and provide shelter. Those who’s cookies she tasted and chickens she pestered, those who fretted about her and checked in on her,  and those who took her in and became  “her people.”   Mae is a true testimony to the innate goodness in the world and speaks of the trust we must all have in the future.