The joys of training a good student
When Lani was a 10 pound puppy, I would carry her through the Divide to the next-door neighborhood for our daily walks. Now, she is a two year old mature DOG, weighing 22 pounds, and carrying her has become a problem. So I walk her on a short leash through the bushes and brambles, on a narrow meandering trail that I made, ducking underneath a tree that had fallen across our path last fall, past the loops of barbed wire that are sticking out of the ground here and there, along the little stream, around a tree trunk and onto the pavement. I’m always hoping that any snakes will stay off our trail, because they are beautiful and I would hate to accidentally step on them, or worse, for Lani to attack them. I believe that snakes will leave you alone if you don’t threaten them.
This is the picture of a baby Copperhead that I found on the sidewalk (the Copperhead, not the picture) during my early morning walk around the campus two years ago. I did not know what kind of snake it was, so I put my cellphone really close to take this picture. The little snake did not move. A neighbor later informed me that it was a dangerous Copperhead and that babies have even more venom than the adults. Ignorance is bliss!
For a few weeks I have ordered from Amazon aids to get Lani into the car. She hates the car in the first place, and I would have to lift her in and out, but she is too heavy now. A ramp did not work because the door opening to the back seat was too narrow. Stair steps did not work either for the same reason. But then I found a plastic sloping platform with a carpeted top that I could put in front of the door opening. Eureka! Two days in a row Lani stepped onto the platform and onto the back seat and then jumped out again without any help. Several times! For several treats! But now, if she really gets the hang of it, I can take her to the Vet, the Groomer, and to other trails in the neighborhood without fear of ruining my back. I hope she will even get to like rides in the car.
The Navajo Code Talkers
420 Navajo Marine Code Talkers developed an unbreakable code in their native language and were instrumental in ending World War Two in the Pacific. The last of the original 29 Navajo Code Talkers who developed the code, Chester Nez, died on June 4, 2014. Four of the last nine Navajo Code Talkers used in the military died in 2019: Alfred K. Newman died on January 13, 2019, at the age of 94.
In 2012 we visited Navajo Nation and went to see the Monument at the Navajo Code Talkers Veterans Memorial Park in Window Rock. You can read about that in my book Survivors of WWII in the Pacific
We also got a tour of the hospital by one of the nurses and saw all the old photographs of the reservation and the people hanging on the walls, heard stories about them. More importantly, a friend, traveling through the country in 2009, talked to one of the last Code Talkers and shared this fascinating, interesting video. It is timeless. In the early forties we fought against the Japanese, in 2020 we are fighting against Covid-19, an enemy equally dangerous and deadly. If we stand united, we will win. And it may take a long time, but hopefully less than four years!
Let me know if you found this video interesting!
It’s a Wonderful Life!
Until next time,
Ronny
P.S.
This is the picture of a Krait snake, common in southeast Asia, that Carol Thomas is talking about in her comment to this post. I could not get it into my reply so I posted it here. 🙂 🙂
Ronny,
As always, a well-written and enjoyable post. I so look forward to your messages. The Code Talkers video has gone out to lots of friends. We need to keep WWII history alive – and thanks to you, we do!
Your snake story reminds me of the story my husband Terry’s mother used to tell about going for a walk in the then Malaya (now Malaysia) not long after her arrival there on a rubber plantation as a new bride. The snake she encountered was a Krait , highly venomous; fortunately, she was walking with her husband, who jerked her back and away from the creature! Pretty scary!!!
Carol,
Thank you for your comment. Wonderful that you shared the Code Talkers video. I thought it was very informative.
I looked up the Krait snake Terry’s mother encountered in Malaya, because I had never heard of one. I could not get its picture in this comment, but added it at the bottom of my Blog post. How beautiful it is, and how different from my Copperhead! Thank you for sharing that with us.
That was an interesting video and did know about the message. Thanks for sharing Ronnie. Trust you both are well. Glad Lani learned to get into the car and eventually loves the ride. Be well
I would like to change my email address to ied1941@gmail.com. If you from now on can use this email. Thanks
OOPS I meant to say :” Did not know about the message”