This is Sheriff Peanut Butter Brickle. First things first and not second. Welcome to this Montana place!

Montana is state #45 on the Adventure Of A Lifetime. It is hard to believe I know. But do you know what else is hard to believe? That I haven’t made an arrest in awhile. But that all changed yesterday in this Montana place. First day in Montana. First arrest. And let me tell you, it is one that I was proud to make and proud to tell you about. Because I am mad. Real mad. And I don’t get mad every day. Actually, I do. But I am madder than usual.

Here is goes. Stay with me here. Many people have heard of Yellowstone National Park.

As furkids, we really don’t know about it. So when we drove thru there yesterday, the persons were excited. We saw what the persons told us were Grizzly Bears. We saw many different animals, and some especially large ones called Bison.

But, as dogs, we were not allowed to get out at many places the persons were. We weren’t allowed on any trails. And generally, we could only go where a car could go according to the Rangers. I wasn’t happy about it, but I still got to see many cool things from the car.

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And the persons definitely took note of what they were allowed to do too.

This all worked for us. Why? Because we follow the rules where we go. We want other people to be able to bring their furkids, and not ruin it for everyone. But what we saw made me get out my Sheriff badge, my Sheriff hat, and my Sheriff attitude. All. At. Once.

First, let me give you some background. A lot of times we post videos and you see us in our harnesses and on a leash. Some people will inevitably ask, “why are your dogs on a leash? Let them run free.”

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First of all, no. And second of all, no. And third. They must have missed the blog about Deputy Digby running away. And they must not know when you travel, and you are supposed to give rescue dogs a good name, that you have to be an example. You have to read the signs. Or as Deputy Digby does, pee on the signs.

You have to be on a leash to be respectful, not only to the campground, but to other campers too and their dogs. So I was already irritated when this arrest occurred. Because I knew. Persons just weren’t getting it! Am I being blunt? That is all I know how to be.

As we were driving thru the National Park, we were looking out for animals. We all of a sudden saw a herd of those bison big boys. And we were admiring them, and Deputy Digby was smelling them and wishing he smelled that bad. Then. All of a sudden, another animal came into view, running across the field at the herd of bison. The herd of bison were probably at least fifty in number, and they were a majestic sight to behold. I was actually kind of jealous for a moment at their beauty, but then I remembered my morning stare at myself in the mirror. I also remembered that I smelled better. But then, my thoughts were interrupted. Boy Person asked Girl Person what kind of animal that was running at the bison. And Girl Person all of a sudden said, “that’s a dog!!!. We were all speechless and barkless. What. Was. Happening. What should we do?  Girl Person was about to jump out of the car and save the dog.  But then…

As we drove closer, we not only saw a dog, but we saw his persons…taking pictures and filming their dog running at the bison. At the herd of bison! In the National Park! In Yellowstone National Park, the first National Park.

This is a place of refuge for animals. It is one of safety, of beauty, of peace and of balance. And all of this was very disrespectfully being ignored, all for a moment on camera. This was a moment of disrespect we were appalled at. Not only were the bison in danger, but the dog was in danger, passerby vehicles were in danger, and the disrespectful tourists were in danger. My badge was out. And I knew, THIS was the reason that dogs were not allowed in many places here. Disrespectful people? YOU. ARE. ARRESTED.

As the dog ran towards the bison, the bison ran.  They panicked and went into a commotion that I would never wish to see again.  As we stopped helpless, and in shock, the tourist persons decided to call their dog back.  They realized others were watching them, and surprisingly, the dog came back.  Was it the dogs fault? You know it was not.  As animals, we have instincts.  As animals, we are placed in situations that we normally would not be in to live in a world with persons.  Do we want to be on leashes all the time? No. We do not, and I will be the first to tell you that.  But.  To be allowed in a National Park that other animals call home and that we are guests in, the least we can do is follow the rules.  Not just dogs, but persons.  What we witnessed was the reason that dogs are not allowed in many places.  And it is my job to tell you tourists.  YOU. ARE. ARRESTED.

If persons would like their dogs to be with them all the time, that is understandable.  But we have to remember a few things.  And as a dog, I am telling you this, so do not be offended.  I am also a Sheriff as well, so listen.

1.  Follow the rules! Use a leash. Pick up after your dog. Why do I even have to tell you this?
2. Obviously, don’t let your dog chase a herd of bison.
3.  Don’t assume every dog wants to say hello to your dog.  Ask. Keep a distance. Have respect. Would YOU want to say hello to everyone you passed?
4. When you get to a place that says your dog can come, still ask questions. Make sure where you are allowed to go.  Show that you respect the rules, and it will make it easier for the next furkids.
5. As persons, don’t put your dogs in situations that he or she should not be in. Know your dog’s personality and comfort level.  And again. Don’t take off the leash and let it run after bison.

I am so exhausted from being shocked at this whole occurrence that I can only say, Montana? Thanks for the welcome and the wake up!  As Sheriff, I am back on duty. We are ready for a great week, and today we will be heading towards West Glacier, Montana.  Then Wednesday, we will be visiting Glacier National Park.  Stay tuned!  I am ready to make more arrests, but I hope I don’t have to.

-Sheriff Peanut Butter Brickle

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