Animal Encounters on the Steps of Heaven

The steps of heaven are all around us if we just take the time to look around and about; the lush green after a summer rainfall, or the reds and purples of a summer sunset are just a couple of those steps that can lead us to the magnificence of our Creator. The steps of heaven are no more apparent than in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Southeastern Colorado. Recently, my husband and I visited friends who have built a home near the town of LaVeta, which renders a spectacular view of these mountains. Sangre de Cristo means "blood of Christ," which I thought comes from the color these mountains take on with the setting sun. However, after some research, I discovered that in 1719 the Spanish explorer, Antonio Valverde y Cosio, was more impressed by the reddish hue at sunrise; and it's called alpenglow.

Besides a view of the Spanish Peaks (part of the Sangre de Cristo range) their home also affords another spectacular view of a butte arising from pine and scrub oak bushes with a series of random stone fences jutting out from the landscape. According to our friends these stone fences are a natural phenomenon that is are often visited by various geologists looking for an explanation for their occurrence. I will give my own explanation as the Creator working with His Lincoln logs to cause a more interesting variance in the landscape, or even a type of wind barrier to protect the early dwellers of this area. Our Father is a Provider and Protector as well as a Creator.

Amid all this beauty I also found creatures that caused me to smile at their antics: roaming horses, grazing cows, howling coyotes, buzzing hummingbirds, and one vigilant dog. His name is Leo and he so reminded me of the dog on the original Disney series, Corky and White Shadow.Corky was a pig-tailed, twelve year old girl who lived with her widowed father, the town sheriff. She and White Shadow would have adventure after adventure helping to capture bank robbers or horse rustlers, while learning life lessons. Didn't every pre-pubescent girl want a dog like White Shadow? One who would protect her from dangers like mountain lions, rattlesnakes, bears and the ever present "bad guys." It may have taken me about 50 years, but I finally found my White Shadow in Leo.

Before we arrived for our visit, our friends had several encounters with the local bear community. The bears were attracted to the compost that my friend had buried behind their house and also the bowl of fruit left on the kitchen counter next to an open window. The bears pulled the screen back and lifted the window up so they could help themselves to the fruit. When I heard about this, being the sissy city woman that I am, I worried about taking walks on their property. What would I do if I ran into a bear? Faint, scream or run? Either one of these seemed rather fruitless when encountering a large, wild animal(s). Enter Leo.

Leo is a neighbor's dog that is left outside during the day to freely roam the property. He visits our friends daily, looking for companionship from our friends' elderly dog, "Cinder." He loves attention, treats, and a quick rub behind the ears. As he visits, he patrols, looking and listening for something to chase. Isn't that what all dogs are ultimately about, the chase? With Leo around, all thoughts of encounters with dangerous animals dissipated. If there was a rustle in the brush, Leo sought it out and made it go away. He always returned wagging his tail and waiting for the treat that I so willingly provided. With Leo ever present I got to enjoy the mountain views with the knowledge that He had sent someone to watch my back. Thanks, Lord, you are truly a God of detail.

Here's a link if you want a background check of Corky and White Shadow

http://www.originalmmc.com/corky.html