HEARTBREAKING NEWS

It is a sad day here at Superstition Farm. We lost our old friend and companion, Redbone this morning.

Redbone has been a Stechnij Family fixture for 17 years. Redbone, like many of our animals here at Superstition Farm was a "rescue" animal. We didn't find Redbone, he found us. He and his sister were dumped out in our desert and they found their way here to the farm. He was a skinny young dog. His sister had been hit by a car and needed medical attention. We found a home for her and we decided to keep the red male dog. He had his red coat and was very thin. Hector named him Redbone and his name always fit him.

Redbone was not the smartest young dog and often mischievous . One day he disappeared. We couldn't find him anywhere. Alison was so upset. She made a cardboard sign writing "Lost-red pup-we miss him a lot". She left our address and phone number and hung it on a telephone pole on Elliot Road. A short time later a nice young man came walking up to our front door with this big red bundle in his arms. Countless times over the years we would find him with cuts and bruises from fights with the local coyotes.

Redbone always thought he needed to be "working" when we were around him. We would come outside and he would be sleeping under the old shade tree. When he saw us, he would jump up and grab the first thing he found on the ground and carry it in his mouth. It might be a stick, a leaf, a piece of paper..one time it was a Bic pen another time it was a cigarette butt..he just felt he needed to act busy for us.

As the years passed, his red coat was replaced with white hair. He loved going to our cabin in Lakeside each summer. I think he appreciated getting away from the heat and reuniting with his youth. I loved seeing this old man running through the forest sniffing at new smells and rolling in the leaves.

When we opened up the farm for tours Redbone was always there to greet the guests. The thousands of children that have visited us got to see the cows, horses, chickens, turkey, donkey, bunnies and goats on the farm. Many times as the children were leaving I would ask, "Which was your favorite farm animal today?" I cannot count the times that the response was, "The DOG!" He loved the children and we never had to worry about him biting or snipping at them. He had a special way of making you pet him. When your hands were at your side, he would walk up and put his head under your hands. Many times I would see a group of children squatting on the ground..in the middle of the huddle was Redbone enjoying all the attention.

I think he had a good life here at Superstition Farm. He certainly showed us that the term 'Rescue Animal" does not pertain to the animal itself. He was the animal that rescued us and became a vital part of our family. He was a devoted friend and showed us unconditional love.

He will be missed.