We first met Lop, so named because of the damage to her ear, during the fall and winter of 2007-2008. She munched merrily away on the geraniums and other plants Susan had planted for Eli and Carley’s wedding. She then discovered our feeding routine with the wild turkeys and decided she deserved a place at the table. In short order she started charging at the turkeys to push them off the cracked corn. Lop was never bashful.

Our Last Lop Photo

Lop was a regular for the next few years, especially when feed was scarce. Dogs have always been a part of Elk Creek and the Ridgways, a situation that led to some confrontations, always interesting and sometimes downright humorous, with Lop. She took no prisoners. She would charge quickly and paw at the offending pooch with her front feet. But time is always on the move, and Sunlight—with severe cold, snowpack, wolves, and mountain lions—takes a toll on even the boldest critters. This is our last photo of Lop from the fall of 2010.

Lop’s Children

We have not seen Lop this summer or fall, and fear that the odds have caught up with her. We take some comfort in the idea that her children are still with us.  While identifying most deer is well beyond us, we do notice that some deer seem to gravitate more closely to the ranch especially when we might be feeding turkeys or when the woodpile or cabin might provide shelter from our infamous winds. We believe this young one is the buck that has been around the place the last two or three years.

Lop Would Be Proud

The buck is unimpressed with the dogs. He has had two winters of entertaining confrontations with Belle and Prudoe, our winter canines. Belle has learned that it is best to put a fence between the buck and her. Prudoe has opted to bow out of all confrontations as gracefully as a fierce Heeler can. During the summer the buck made the acquaintance of Gunner who took little time learning his place in the pecking order. The buck just has to be Lop’s son! The circle will be unbroken