Como se não bastasse o crescente número de Bulldogs adeptos à prática do skate,  agora um Bulldog chamado Tillman resolveu encarar o esporte também nos Games e pelo visto não deixou por menos!!!

E para provar que Tillman sabe o que faz, segue esse segundo vídeo onde o danado dá um verdadeiro Show tanto na terra quanto no mar!!!

Gilberto Medeiros

Colaborador do Bullblog e Criador de Bulldogs desde 2003

Canil Reserva do Rei

This is a video of Gus asleep on my lap. Hit play, turn up the volume, and wait a few seconds to hear the euphonic sounds to which I fall asleep every night. If only your lullaby could be so . . . soothing.

ORIGEN

El bulldog francés es considerado un moloso de pequeña talla.

Los orígenes del bulldog francés se remontan a la década de 1850. Sus inicios se hallan en Inglaterra, con el bulldog inglés, su pariente más cercano descendiente de las razas tipo mastiff. Como todos los dogos, su origen se remonta a los molosos de la región de Epiro enGrecia y del Imperio Romano.

Es probable que el bulldog francés sea el resultado de diversos cruces entre los toy bulldogs venidos de Gran Bretaña y diversos perros locales. Descendiente de los dogos franceses y el Bulldog inglés (mucho más pesado). Es resultado de sucesivos cruces que criadores de los barrios populares de París hicieron a finales del siglo XIX con objeto de conseguir una raza ágil y atlética que fuera buena en los combates de perros.

Su gracia y su caracter cautivaron rápidamente a la alta sociedad, algo que fomentó su popularidad enormemente.

Los cruces fueron realizados por los amantes de esta raza en los barrios populares de Paris en los años 1880.

Inicialmente el bulldog francés fue un perro del pueblo teniendo como amos los carniceros y cocheros, pero luego supo conquistar la alta sociedad y el mundo artístico, debido a su aspecto original y su singular carácter, propagándose rápidamente.

ASPECTO GENERAL

• Tipo moloso de talla pequeña, pelo corto, musculoso, fuerte y compacto
• Potente para su pequeña estatura, corto, compacto en todas sus proporciones, pelo raso, cara corta, nariz chata, orejas erectas y cola naturalmente corta. Debe tener aspecto de animal activo, inteligente, muy musculoso, de estructura compacta y sólida estructura ósea
• De cola pequeña, gruesa al principio y anudada al final.
• Otra característica son las “orejas de murciélago”, es la raza canina que más pabellón auricular muestra cuando mira al frente.
• La cabeza debe ser muy fuerte, ancha y cuadrada. La piel forma pliegues y arrugas casi simétricas. Se caracteriza por una contracción del complejo maxilo-facial: el cráneo ha ganado en anchura lo que ha perdido de largo.

TALLA Y PESO

Para un Bulldog en buena condición, el peso no debe ser menor de 8 kg, ni mayor de 14 kg, ya que el tamaño está en proporción con el peso.

Perro de interiores

Este perro es ideal para un piso pequeño, necesita ejercicio durante unos 15 minutos diarios. no es un perro ideal para grandes caminatas pero gozaras de un buen animal de compañía muy jugeton activo y defensor del dueño. Es un perro muy casero, le encanta estar en casa en compañía de sus dueños.

CARÁCTER

• Sociable, alegre y juguetón.
• Es un perro pequeño, cómico y afable, que sobresale como perro de compañía y que sólo busca afecto.
• Amistosos, excelentes con los niños, compatibles con otras mascotas.
• Es un perro muy dulce, afectuoso y paciente, afectuoso particularmente con los niños, y muy protector con ellos, especialmente las hembras.
• Esta raza ladra raramente, salvo cuando le hace falta: para llamar la atención, cuando necesita algo o cuando está contrariado.
• Es un buen guardian que ladrara cuando sienta un ruido, es protector con el hogar y con sus dueños, y estará siempre alerta.
• Es un perro inteligente, pero altamente testarudo por su remanente de perro de presa, por lo que conviene educarlos larga y concienzudamente.
• Es un perro muy tranquilo,al que le gusta dormir mucho.

HÁBITAT

Debido a su adaptabilidad, tranquilidad y a que es poco ladrador, el bulldog francés es una raza ideal para la vida en apartamento. Pero se adaptan bien a las casas. Prefieren los climas fríos ya que son bastante sensibles a las altas temperaturas. Es aconsejable evitar exponerlo al calor fuerte y tener cuidado con el sobrepeso, que podría causarle problemas respiratorios.

ESTÁNDAR DE LA RAZA

Aspecto general. Perro pequeño, robusto, compacto y sólido con una buena osamenta y una capa corta y lisa. Sin puntos exagerados. El equilibrio es esencial. Características.Típicamente un moloso de pqueño tamaño. Con fuerza proporcionada a su pequeño tamaño, de pelo corto, con las oregas erectas y con la cola naturalmente corta. Cabeza y cráneo Cabeza cuadrada, grande y ancha, aunque proporcionada respecto al tamaño del perro. Cráneo casi plano entre las orejas, con la frente abovedada y con la piel suelta formando plieges y arrugas simétricas. Hocico amplio, profundo y de implantación bastante trasera. Trufa y labios negros. Mandíbula profunda, cuadrada, ancha y con cierre ligeramente retrasado. Ojos. Preferiblemente oscuros y en concordancia con el colo de la capa, de tamaño moderado, redondeados y ni hundidos ni saltones. No mostraran la parte blanca del ojo cuando miren hacia delante. Orejas. llamadas de murciélago por los ingleses, de tamaño mediano, anchas en su base y redondeadas en la punta, de implantación alta y portadas tiesas y paralelas. Cuello. Corto, ligeramente curvado y sin papada. Extremidades anteriores. Patas separadas, con osamenta recta, fuertes musculosas y cortas. Cuerpo.La línea dorsal se elva progresivamente hasta el nivel del rinón para descender rápidamente hasta la cola. Dorso largo y musculoso. Pecho redondeado y amplio, costillas llamadas de tonel muy redondeadas. Vientre recogido. Extremidades posteriores. Patas traseras fuertes, musculosas y más largas que las delanteras, haciendo que el riñón quede más alto que la cruz.

They say that dogs are a man’s best friend. I don’t believe that.. how many of your friends have you neutered?

wut iz noodered?

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27 de outubro de 2009, uma chamada para a toda poderosa Telefunica, solicitando a transferência do serviço de conexão internética da Speerady, gera um dos maiores períodos de desconforto e desespero para minha pessoa e todos aqueles que trabalham comigo na Pãofraria da Panificação em JCity. A solicitação ocorreu por causa da mudança de nosso escritório para o mega super hyper condomínio empresarial JCity Plaza Networking Place.

Logo após a ligação, nossa funcionária voltou com a informação que o serviço de transferência demoraria em torno de 30 dias, mas como eramos clientes VIP (vale lembrar que toda vez que fui VIP eu tomei na cabeça) nosso serviço seria realizado dentro de 10 dias, pensamos rapidamente numa alternativa que pudesse amenizar nosso sofrimento, uma conexão via 3G da operadora MORTA, meu Deus do céu, que coisa horrível. Bem, passados os 10 dias recebemos uma ligação da Telefunica avisando que um técnico iria fazer o serviço da transferência, muito bem, passou um dia, dois dias, três dias, não percam as contas, passou o quarto dia…e nada…resolvemos ligar para a ANATIL e reclamar…para nossa deslumbre eles falaram que daríam a resposta em no máximo 5 dias úteis…porra já estava esperando a 4 dias…por sorte no quinto dia de espera o técnico resolveu aparecer e finalmente instalar a merda do Speerady.

Durante esse período muita coisa aconteceu por aí e sem dúvida duas chamaram a atenção, primeiramente o caso da loira da UNIBUNDA que conseguiu estratégicamente sua promoção, dando assim um baile nos mais consagrados e gabaritados marketeiros de plantão.

Ela só não conseguiu atingir o estrelato por causa do apagão, que apagou a loira e deixou uma boa parte dos brasileiros sem ver o próprio nariz por causa da escuridão, caus total, no país que possuí a maior reserva natural de coisas que podem virar energia, tudo bem que o apagão teve uma coisa boa…os argentinos devem ter ficado com o tango na mão ao saberem que o problema da energia do Brasuca era em Itaipum.

Porém o apagão deixou sequelas e alguns perderam a luz e até agora continuam na escuridão, como é o caso do Palmeiras que conseguiu perder a luz da liderança e começou a correr para dentro do tunel escuro, deixando os Bambis e os Urubus decidirem o Campeonato Brasuqueiro.

Claro que na minha vida humana pessoal, algumas coisas aconteceram também, Joana minha querida bulldog está feliz com sua nova família, segundo o Carcaça ela está levando uma vida de rainha.

Fui convidado para escrever uma coluna numa revista de mulheres sem roupa, chamada Cassino Girls, agora o ZéJosé tá ficando metido, no bom sentido da palavra.

Do resto tudo continua na mesma fedentina, vamo que vamo, porque agora eu sou 130Kbps de Download.

Johnny Depp sick today Iz his stand-in

u wantz hotdogz?

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Okay, this is ridiculous. I can barely get my English Bulldogs to come when I call them.

We all know that the people of Georgia celebrate their traditions and heritage as much as they love their football.

Among those traditions is Uga, the bulldog mascot of the University of Georgia. All of these dogs have been AKC-type “English” bulldogs, the ones that often appear in critiques of purebred dogs, usually because these dogs have a plethora of health conditions that typically come from their unique conformation.

All of these facts came to a head when Uga VII died Thursday morning at the age of 4. He unexpectedly died of a heart condition, and his owner said the dog wasn’t all that active compared to other bulldogs. Gina Spadafori at Pet Connection correctly suggests that lots of reforms have to be made to make a “less extreme” bulldog that can live a good long life (and also links to a post of mine that has a video of David Hancock’s analysis of historical bulldog conformation).

I think those reforms should be made, but I have another proposal.

The bulldog mascots are all what are called English bulldogs, as in they were developed solely in the United Kingdom.

However, Georgia already has a native bulldog, and it is also a less extreme version that looks a lot like the old-strain of bulldogs in the video.

In the American South, the bulldog was able to exist almost exactly as it did in England. The large plantations and wilderness farms required good catch dogs for moving and controlling livestock.

Virtually every part of the South had its own peculiar form of this dog. Today, these animals have been standardized into several breeds, including the relatively well-known American bulldog.

However, in the Alapaha region of South Georgia, a unique strain of the old-type bulldog has been preserved. The Lane family of Rebecca, Georgia, collected preserved this strain of bulldog, which they were afraid was becoming extinct.

The breed has since been called the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog, and it is very clearly an example of the old bulldog strain.

They are apparently healthier than the typical English bulldog, even though they are larger.  According to the various sites I’ve looked at, the life expectancy is 12-15 years.  According the best analysis of English bulldog longevity, the average lifespan for that breed is a little over 6 years.

Now, an Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog is a larger animal than an English bulldog, and they do have a somewhat sharper edge that one can expect from these type of bulldogs.

But it would be a great statement if the University of Georgia would choose one of these dogs to be the next Uga.

Everybody loves a bulldog!  Just look at that face.  This Bulldog is a watercolor on paper and is matted and framed and is available for $195. 

I am taking orders for pet portraits for Christmas so if you would like to give pet lover the perfect gift just give me a call or email and I’ll get busy on it.

Thanks-

Idiot…
Moron…
Dotty and Rocky are currently in counseling trying to resolve their differences…

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Fonte: Zelda Wisdom

A obesidade dos bulldogs não é apenas um problema meramente estético já que traz altos riscos a saúde do cão. Podemos citar algumas alterações que o sobrepeso pode acarretar: dificuldade de locomoção, doença cardíaca e pulmonar, redução na fertilidade, predisposição a diabete, maior risco em cirurgias e queda na expectativa de vida. O estilo de vida e a saúde do cão dependem quase que exclusivamente do dono do animal, é ele que define o que seu pet vai ingerir e quanta atividade física vai fazer. O cão não tem consciência que está gordinho ou que deveria fazer mais exercícios.

Estima-se que entre 25% e 35% da população dos cães que vivem em apartamentos no Brasil são obesos. Naturalmente existem diferenças inerentes a cada raça, o bull é bonachão, gosta de ficar em casa e não requer muita atividade. Por outro lado temos exemplos como o border collie, uma raça com muita energia e que necessita de bastante exercício físico. Assim como os humanos os cães ganham peso pelo excesso de consumo calórico em comparação às calorias gastas. A solidão, a carência afetiva e o tédio também podem agravar o problema, fazendo com que o animal venha a comer mais do que deveria. Muitos donos pra compensar a ausência acabam por exagerar nos petiscos e agradinhos ao chegar em casa, quando o ideal seria um passeio bem divertido ou uma boa brincadeira.

Temos abaixo uma tabela que pode auxiliar na avaliação do bull:

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Fonte: Livro Cachorro Magro, Rachel Rubin, Editora Panda Books, 2005.

.

A dieta ideal para o cão é constituída basicamente de ração, tentando evitar qualquer tipo de comida caseira ou doces. Os biscoitos caninos podem ser dados sem problema, desde que na quantidade adequada. As rações indicadas são as de qualidade super Premium e variam de acordo com a indicação do veterinário. Alguns bulls requerem rações light para controle de peso, enquanto outros necessitam de rações especificas para determinadas patologias (problemas urinários, hepáticos, entre outros).

Então deixamos algumas dicas para auxiliar no controle de peso de seu bull:

1. Pese a quantidade de ração que deve ser administrada diariamente e divida em 2 ou 3 doses;
2. Oriente a família que o animal deve fazer controle de peso, assim todos ficam cientes da necessidade;
3. Evite exagerar nos petiscos e agradinhos;
4. Não forneça alimentos humanos para o cão;
5. Leve o bull para passear cerca de 2 vezes ao dia (de preferência nos horários mais frescos do dia);
6. Estimule brincadeiras, como jogar a bolinha para que traga de volta;
7. Se necessário passe para a ração light;
8. Pese o animal a cada 15 dias fazendo uma tabela controle (lembre-se que eles perdem peso muito lentamente);
9. Estimule interação com outros cães, isso desestressa o animal e o ajuda na perda de peso;
10. Procure avaliação veterinária para garantir a saúde e determinar o peso ideal para seu bulldog.

.

Dra. Viviane Dubal – CRMV/RS 8844

Formada pela Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) e proprietária da Clinica Veterinária Saúde Animal em Porto Alegre. Contato: vivianesd@bol.com.br

ALLGEMEINES ERSCHEINUNGSBILD : Kurzhaarig, untersetzt, eher tief gestellt, breit gebaut, kraftvoll und kompakt. Kopf im Verhältnis zum Körper recht gross, jedoch darf kein Merkmal so übermäßig ausgeprägt sein, dass die Ausgewogenheit insgesamt gestört ist oder der Hund missgebildet erscheint oder in seiner Bewegungsfähigkeit beeinträchtigt ist. Gesicht kurz, Fang breit, stumpf und nach oben gerichtet. Hunde mit erkennbarer Atemnot sind höchst unerwünscht. Körper kurz, gut zusammengefügt, ohne jegliche Neigung zur Fettleibigkeit. Gliedmassen stämmig, gut bemuskelt und in starker Kondition. Hinterhand hoch und kräftig, aber im Vergleich zur schweren Vorderhand etwas leichter. Hündinnen nicht so mächtig und stark entwickelt wie Rüden.

VERHALTEN / CHARAKTER (WESEN) : Vermittelt den Eindruck von Entschlossenheit, Kraft und Aktivität. Aufmerksam, kühn, loyal, zuverlässig, mutig, grimmig im Aussehen, aber liebenswürdig im Wesen.

via Hunderassen Infos Bulldog.

Oi, quero apresentar pra vocês o meu filho muito amado. Esse é o Lord Yoshi Toranagá, Tatá para os íntimos. Meu marido e eu somos apaixonados pela raça e saímos a procura de um para comprar, quando o vimos ele já tinha quatro meses e estava todo cheio de buraquinhos no pelo causado por fungos, ficamos em dúvida quanto a comprá-lo mas já era tarde, estávamos encantados com ele, não pensamos muito e o trouxemos para casa. Cuidamos dos machucadinhos com muito carinho e em pouco tempo ele estava de pelo renovado e aprontando poucas e boas. Hoje com dois anos, ele é a nossa alegria, todo atrapalhado, medroso, não controla a força para brincar e acaba sempre nos machucando, nós o mimamos muito e é claro que ele sabe e se aproveita disso. Ter um cão é muito bom mas ter um buldog é diferente, o modo como nos olham e como agem no dia-a-dia os torna realmente como membros da família, para mim o Tatá é um filho e não consigo me separar dele por muito tempo.
Parabéns pelo blog!

Elaine (Florianópolis – SC)

Bulldog Frances

Pequeño y compacto, el Bulldog Francés, que según Luis Benshimol Dance también ha sido llamado Frenchie, se caracteriza por la piel arrugada de su cabeza y sus orejas de murciélago. No te dejes engañar por su carita de malvado: es una mascota reconocida como excelente compañía, de temperamento muy dócil y agradable.

Su origen deriva del bulldog inglés, pero tuvo la influencia de criadores franceses y norteamericanos que lograron obtener una raza diferente. De baja estatura, sólida estructura ósea y muy musculoso, el Bulldog Francés alcanza unos 35 centímetros, y pesa entre 8 y 14 kg.

Les encanta ser el centro de todas las atenciones y la mayoría de los ejemplares de esta raza siente una verdadera adoración por los niños. Luis Benshimol Dance lo menciona como un perro muy seguro de sí mismo, adaptable, no ladra demasiado, le encanta jugar y salir a pasear. Puede vivir bien tanto en una gran casa como en un apartamento. Inteligente y sociable, tiene un extremo apego por sus dueños.

Los Bulldogs Franceses no son buenos nadadores, quizá debido a ser perros pesados. Prefieren actividades como caminatas, pero cuida que no esté rayo del sol de forma excesiva, porque no tiene buena resistencia al calor.

Today’s session with Hughie, the English Bulldog puppy.  Our Boxer, Pete, helped to tire the little fella out so we could get a few shots in.  Quite a bundle of energy!

Lista de temas:

01 – Inmortalizar mi canto
02 – Sueños de libertad
03 – El secreto
04 – El tiempo y las circunstancias
05 – Vivir en paz
06 – Mi lugar
07 – Todo me sale mal
08 – Mi razon y mi existir
09 – Magico interior
10 – Triste corazon
11 – Tarde para recapacitar
12 – El artista
13 – Momentos
14 – Un final feliz
15 – Voy a Incendiarlo
16 – El secreto (Piano)

Link de descarga en comentario

Source

Check out his tail. I’ve never seen a bulldog with a terrier’s tail before.

Notícia do G1

Animal fez treinos na terça-feira na cidade de Los Angeles.
Bulldog ‘Tillman’ se prepara para evento que acontece em janeiro.

Famoso por praticar skate, o cão da raça bulldog chamado ‘Tillman’ também mostrou talento durante treinos de snowboard, na terça-feira (10), em Los Angeles (EUA). O cachorro está treinando para participar de um evento no dia 1º de janeiro em Pasadena (EUA). (Foto: Damian Dovarganes/AP)

Cão 'Tillman' anda de skate durante evento em 23 de outubro, em San Antonio (EUA). (Foto: AP)

Leia também:

Cão radical! Se cuida Sandro Dias

Academia de Cães no GNT

Cães disputam competição de surfe na Califórnia

Cães também precisam se exercitar

Cão motorista

Supercães treinados russos

Cão que sabe jogar bilhar!

Meu bicho é um show!

TWO

Rusty never talked to anyone about his parents. That part of life was too painful to even think about. He had done his best to muzzle those memories but they were always shouting for his attention. He was afraid if he told Diana, she would think he was some kind of mental case.

Diana held her breath and kept her eyes on the highway. She wondered why she was listening to this down and out hitchhiker, her grandpa could be out on the hill dying, She wanted to turn around and fly back up the road but something inside of her needed to hear what Rusty had to say.

She could see his chest expand as he sucked in a deep breath then exhale slowly and stare out the window. Rusty wanted to jump out of the truck and disappear but now that he had started his story there was nothing else to do but get it over with. He kept his eyes straight ahead and started talking.

“I didn’t think my parents were unusual, in fact, I didn’t think much at all about my parents, because I almost never saw them. When I did see my mom she would just glare at me and tell me to get out of her sight before something bad happened. When I saw my dad he would stare right through me, I always wanted to turn around to see what he was looking at. I guess I thought all parents were like that. But my sister was different.”

“She was the one who always took care of me. I loved Rachel like she was my mom even though she was only 12 years older than me. I remember how her long wavy red hair would fall around my face when she held me in her lap and read stories to me. I can still hear her sweet melodic voice and the sound of her laugh filling my bedroom. It’s funny, but every time I think of her voice I can smell a sweet bouquet of flowers”

Rusty pulled a blue pack of Bugler out of his pocket and started rolling a cigarette. Tobacco spilled out of the thin white paper onto the seat. He kept his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

“ My favorite book was about this kid named Homer and a machine that made doughnuts. The stories were great and pictures were even better. I can still see Homer standing next to that machine eating a doughnut. I asked her to read it over and over again, she never got tired of reading it to me.”

“I wished she would stay with me forever but she never did.  Rachel would leave the house and lock me in my bedroom. I was left to stare at the walls and wish she was there, the stories were dull and depressing without her.”

Rusty stared out straight ahead as he rolled up the cigarette between his thumbs and two fingers.

“One day after she locked the door I heard her arguing with mom out in the hall. Mom was screaming at her ‘You just keep that little maggot out of my way, or I’ll put him through the fire and take care of you and your big mouth.’ I heard a loud smack and then Rachel started crying. The next time I saw her she had a black eye and a swollen lip. When I asked her about it she just held her finger to her lips and hugged me.”

“On the weekends we would sneak out of the house like a couple of ghosts. I felt a weight lift off my chest as we burst into the bright sunlight and jumped into her GTO. I loved the way that engine roared to life. We would tear down Pacific Coast Highway with the top  down and the ocean breeze washing us clean.”

“I could feel the that engine throb right through my chest causing my heart pound in its’ sacred rhythm. I wanted to push that car to the limit and leave our world behind, howling with joy as we ripped up the highway. I coaxed her to go faster and faster because I knew nothing could touch us as when that shiny black four wheeled rocket was in flight.”

“I never worried about where we were going or how we would get there. I knew that Rachel was flying that machine and we would get wherever we needed to go, I didn’t matter anyway as long as we were moving.

Diana pulled the truck off the road and killed the headlights. Rusty closed his eyes and continued his story.

“Those were the best times, but they never lasted long. I always ended up locked down in that dreary room.”

“Sometimes I had nightmares.  I would dream that I was falling into a huge burning furnace, the smoke would choke me and I could feel the flames singeing my body. Strange voices murmured things I couldn’t understand as clawed hands snatched at me from the darkness. Down and down I would drop; the claws ripping my clothes and tearing into my skin as the flames got hotter and hotter. I would retch at the smell of my burning flesh as I tumbled helplessly towards the waiting flames. The nightmare always ended with me waking up in the middle of a scream.  Rachel must have heard my cries because she was always there to hold me and wipe my tears until I stopped crying. She would coo softly and tell me everything was all right until I drifted back to sleep”

“At night my parents would hold some kind of meetings in our den. Rachel would put me to bed when everyone started arriving. One night I could hear everyone murmuring expectantly in the hall. I could feel the tension and subdued excitement.”

“Rachel came into my room and hugged me tighter and longer than usual. There were tears in her eyes as she smiled at me. ‘Be a good boy tonight. I have to go to the meeting with the grownups’. She hugged me again and just smiled at me for a long time. ‘ I love your Rusty’. She let me go and slowly headed for the door. She turned and smiled one more time as she shut out the light and closed the door.”

Rusty paused to lick the thin paper and roll the cigarette between his fingers.

“I knew something was wrong. I lay in the darkness for a long time, unable to sleep. I had to know what was going on downstairs. I tried the door; Rachel had forgotten to lock it.”

“I snuck downstairs to the den where they were having their meeting. It was dark, the room was filled with glowing, smoky candles and I could smell the burning wax. Everyone was standing in a circle around a low stone table, their faces hidden in the darkness. Someone was laying face down on the table and everyone else was chanting, I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but it sounded like the voices in my nightmares. I was terrified and wanted to find Rachel, but was too scared to say anything. I knew I wasn’t supposed to be there.

“I stared at the person lying on the table and recognized my sisters’ long red hair, it was draped over the top of her head and hung down to the floor. She was wearing a smooth brown cotton robe that was pulled down over her shoulders to reveal her back. Blood was dripping down on to the table and I could see a circle and star carved into her skin.”

“I recognized my mom; she was holding a small cup and a bloody curved knife with a fancy silver handle. Her eyes were locked straight ahead in a cold, blank expression.”

“I saw my dad sit my sister up and mom put the cup in her hand. Rachel held the cup under her robe for a little while then lifted it up and took a sip. When my mom raised the knife I screamed and ran into the circle. I knocked the cup out of my sister’s hand and it spilled all over me. My face was covered with blood and urine, I’ll never forget the smell.”

“There was a lot of confusion and everyone started shouting. I called to Rachel but she didn’t answer, she didn’t even turn her head or acknowledge me in any way. I called her again and again but she didn’t respond. I ended up just standing there crying. ”

Rusty turned and looked right at Diana.

“That was the last time I saw my sister, I was six years old.”

“After that my mom started yelling at me. She called me a stupid worthless little brat. ‘You’ll pay for this you little puke,’ she told me. Her face was twisted up into a vicious snarl.”

Then she started yelling at my dad. ‘I should have aborted him when I wanted to. But no, you had to have your precious son. Well, there’s your little prize, I hope you’re proud of him.’ I didn’t know what she was talking about at the time, but I knew she didn’t want me around. She told my dad to take me upstairs and whip me while everyone else placed a curse on me.”

“My dad picked me up without a word and carried me upstairs. He took off his belt and spanked me. I barely felt the spanking; all I could think of was Rachel. I was really confused and hurt. I was crushed that she didn’t seem to care what happened to me. I wanted her to pick me up and tell me everything was all right. I couldn’t understand why she didn’t answer me.”

“My dad left and didn’t say a word. I can still see his back as he left me alone in my bedroom and locked the door. I knew that my mom was right, I was worthless and stupid, and nobody wanted me around. I stopped crying and haven’t cried since.”

“The next morning the police came and took me to juvenile hall. They said my parents were gone. I asked about Rachel and they said she was gone too.”

Rusty’s hands were shaking as he put the cigarette in his mouth and flicked his lighter open with a loud metallic clink. Diana spoke up quickly. “What do you think you are doing? You are not going to stink up my truck with that nasty thing.”

Rusty sighed slowly “Okay, I’ll take it outside, C’mon Eleanor.” He picked up the little bulldog and stepped out of the truck. He put her down gently, lit his smoke and took a long slow drag. He would have preferred a joint, but a cigarette would have to do. Eleanor sat at his feet and watched him closely.

Diana stepped out of the truck and stood next to him. Her heart went out to the rejected, frightened little boy locked up in his bedroom.  She waved the smoke away with her hand. “I’m really sorry about your sister; I can’t imagine what that must have been like.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Do you have to smoke? I really hate the smell.”

Rusty took another slow drag on his cigarette and looked up at the sky. The bright full moon wasn’t able to extinguish the endless stars. Rusty thought each star seemed to have a life of its own, he wondered just how many there could be.  He momentarily forgot about his problems as his mind stretched out across the universe. It was one of those nights that made him feel really small.

Diana’s voice brought him back down to earth. “What happened after that? Did you ever see your parents again?”

Rusty took a long drag on his cigarette and stared down at Eleanor. The little dog gave him a sad look. She seemed to know all the anguish he was going through. Rusty reached down and she softly licked his hand. “No, I was placed in a foster home and stayed there until I ran away at 16. No one spoke about my parents.”

Rusty took a last drag, ground the cigarette out under his boot and exhaled the last of the smoke.

“I found out the rest after I ran away.”

“Found out what?”

Rusty picked up Eleanor and got back in the truck. He shut the door, unwrapped a stick of gum and stared out at the highway. He wanted to run from his memories and anything that brought them back. Instead he was heading right for them.

“Let’s go, we’ve got to get back to your grandpa.”

Diana needed to know more, but knew this was not the time. She swallowed her questions, slid back into the seat and started the truck.

“Turn the truck around and turn off the headlights.”

“Okay boss.” Diana made a u-turn and drove slowly up the highway. She kept thinking about the sad friendless little boy, locked in his room.

The task at hand took her mind off of the story. She was worried about driving without headlights and anxious to get back to her grandpa. She came to the narrow road without a sign and turned in. Rusty stuck his head out the window and used the moonlight to follow the winding road.

He soon found what he was looking for. “Stop here.” He jumped out of the truck and helped Diana pull into a small clearing. He opened the door and Diana slipped out. He picked up Eleanor and quietly closed the door. He didn’t feel like talking. He had to get started up the hill before he lost his nerve.

“C’mon Eleanor, let’s go, it’s a long walk.” He put her down and headed up the road. The night was finally cooling down as they trudged wordlessly up the hill. Eleanor’s grunts and panting broke the silence. Rusty heard cracking and rustling as she waddled through the leaves and pine needles. An occasional mosquito would buzz by.

Rusty stopped suddenly. “Listen, there’s a car coming down the hill. Get off the road it might be trouble.”

They rushed off the road and listened as the car rumbled toward them. Rusty squatted down and scratched Eleanor between her ears; she tilted her head up closed her eyes and licked her nose. He heard Diana slapping mosquitoes from behind another tree.

She gasped when Rusty pulled a nasty looking hunting knife out of his pocket and locked the blade in place.

“What’s with the knife Dundee? Do you really know how to use that thing?”

“I never have before, but there is always a first time.”

The knife made Diana nervous. “Put that away before you hurt yourself.”

Rusty gripped the knife, blew a bubble with his gum and stared up the road.

An old station wagon came into sight as it eased around a curve. Diana recognized the car. “It’s grandpa’s Chevy,” she whispered.

Eleanor ran out on the road and stood barking at the car. Brake shoes squealed as the old Chevy came to a halt. “Eleanor, is that you?” The voice was deep and worn, like an old leather chair. Eleanor barked once more and ran to the car.

“It’s him.” Diana burst onto the road. “Grandpa, are you all right?”

The car door opened and her grandfather stepped out. Diana ran into his open arms as they closed around her. “Grandpa, where were you? We were really worried.”

Her grandpa chuckled quietly. “Hi Diana, it’s good to see you too.”

Rusty put his knife away and stepped timidly into the glare of the headlights. The old man grinned over Diana’s shoulder at Rusty. “Who’s this Diana?”

She stepped towards Rusty for the introduction and held up her hand like she was displaying the grand prize in a game show. “Grandpa this is Rusty. I picked him up hitchhiking back in Pahrump. He was scared you were involved in some sort of cult.”

Duane studied Rusty with an appraising stare; the close scrutiny was accompanied by a friendly, comforting face. Rusty could see where Diana got her large brown eyes.

Duane put his hand on Rusty’s shoulder. “I can see there is more to you than meets the eye Rusty.” Then turned and looked at Diana.  “If it is a cult, they didn’t invite me to their meetings. I’m not sure what’s going on but somebody is up to something really ugly up there. I have to get to the Sheriff’s office right now.  Get in, I’ll tell you on the way. And maybe Rusty can fill in the blanks.”

Diana slid into the front seat next to her grandpa and Rusty got in the back with Eleanor.

The old man turned around and held out his hand to Rusty. You could see most of his dark brown scalp through the thin wispy hair that covered his head. Bushy grey eyebrows matched his sideburns. The wide smile seemed at home between the dimples on his face. Huge hands protruded from sleeves that were too short to cover his long arms. His handshake was gentle but accompanied by a firm warm grip. He placed his left hand on Rusty’s shoulder and gave it a friendly squeeze. “The name’s Duane Gonzales, I’m glad to meet you sir.”

Duane shifted his gaze to Eleanor. “And who’s this mangy mutt sitting next to you?” Eleanor barked softly as Duane laughed and affectionately rubbed her head. “If Eleanor likes you, then you must be a good man, she’s the best judge of character I know.” Rusty could hear her short tail thumping against the seat.

Duane smiled warmly at Rusty, turned around and started driving down the road. Rusty was relieved that Duane wasn’t shooing him away from his granddaughter; the friendly old guy actually seemed to like him. There was something about him that made Rusty feel warm and accepted, he hoped Duane wouldn’t change his mind and tell him to get lost.