Tyrell sits down with John R. Erickson, author of the beloved Hank the Cowdog book series, for a meandering and insightful conversation about the animals we live and work with, recovering after wildfires and educating the public about livestock agriculture. 

While the expressed purpose of hosting a weekly auction is buying and selling livestock, we all know that a good portion of the folks making themselves comfortable in those worn-out bleachers show up with no intention of letting go of a single penny.

Cow dogs. Too smart for their own good.

Dogs have been helping humans take care of livestock for thousands of years. Although dogs often perform the essential task of protecting livestock from predators, they have also developed the specialized skills necessary for herding – putting the cattle where they need to be. Several breeds have developed strong instincts related to herding.

There are numerous challenges to successfully raising livestock, including depredation by carnivores. Carnivores can kill, injure and stress livestock. Fortunately, there are several ways to reduce the risk of losing livestock to carnivores. 

Your trusty ranch dog – always by your side and often your only companion for long hours at a time. Besides the friendship and loyalty these dogs give, they also have important jobs to do: protection, varmint control and herding.

Cowboy humorist Baxter Black once quipped, “Working dogs is like manipulating a screwdriver with chopsticks, like doing calligraphy with a plastic whip, like bobbing for apples, like threading a needle with no hands, like playing pool on the kitchen table.”