“What do you feel like having for lunch today Axe?

” asked Ryan as he prepares their lunch cooler for

the day. Axe is his four-year-old dog. His typically trusty companion who follows him like a shadow
everywhere he goes on the ranch.
“Leftovers from last night versus nothing? Leftovers it is.”
It’s just after six o’clock in the morning as he gets ready for the day’s work on the 2000-acre ranch.
The fence on the Eastern side needs to be fixed after four cows of the neighbouring ranch’s herd
broke through two days ago after being frightened by a small fire in the fields. Fortunately, the fire was
put out quickly and the only real damage was a single broken fence post. It’s not a too difficult task,
but it is hardly accessible with his pick-up truck. Since he does not need a lot of tools, he decided that
he will take his horse out for a ride, stretch its legs a bit. It will take them about 2 hours to get there.
“Good morning. You’re up early.” asks Emily.
Professor Emily Selby, PHD, is an anthropologist and Ryan’s mother. Emily works at the Museum of
Human Origins as a lead scientist on studying human evolution.
“Morning. I want to ride Blitz to the east fence. It will be easier to get there by horse, and besides, I
think he will appreciate the chance to get out further than Cripple Creek. Its gonna take a while to get
there and back, so I want to get out early.” he replies while filling a flask with fresh coffee.
“Be careful out there and make sure that you take some extra water with you. And please pass by the
coup. I have an early meeting with a student so I will appreciate it if you can feed the chicks for me.”
“Sure.”
“Thanks. And while you’re out there, see if you can round those stray cows up and bring them back to
the rest of the herd nine. Damn bastards were missing again last night.”