Hound Dog

On the way back to St. George with his motley crew who all needed baths badly, Dad stopped in Cedar City to get gas. We had taken with us our dog Pluto, a Bloodhound.

LaVerna and I lay there out of sight within sound of Dad's voice. We could not believe the tall story our father was telling some stranger who had commented on the Bloodhound. It was all we could do to not let our giggles be heard as Dad bragged about what a good hunting dog old Pluto was.

Why that hound could track and chase a Cougar up a tree and hold him there until Dad could get a shot off. Yes Sir, that dog had saved his life many a time. he had been offered $500 for him but would not dream of parting with good old Pluto for any amount.

LaVerna and I both knew good old Pluto had not left our home since Dad brought him to us when a tiny pup. The only thing Pluto was good for was for was to let the younger kids ride him and roll with him all over the front yard.

Elvin has read this portion of story and told me Pluto was a natural big cat hound. dad had brought him home from Pine Valley where Claude and Elva Bracken, (Mom's cousin) lived.

Claude feared for the young pup;s life. The mother hound would trail a cougar and corner it for the hunter. Little Pluto would continue the chase and get in harm's way. That was why Dad had been given the half grown hound to take home.

However, that does not alter the fact of the tall tale told that night while pumping gas.

Elvin also told me a story I had not been aware of concerning that trip and the pine nuts gathered then sold in individual bags.

A man who had bought one of the bags came to Dad and asked where he had found those pine nuts. I was great surprise to this man when he found a good sized gold nugget mixed in with the nuts. Elvin said Dad went back to that area on the border of Utah and Nevada many time over the following years hoping to find his illusive gold mine.  Of course he never did. he dd get a few good deer for the family's meet supply.