I was on the train to New York City yesterday to see my granddaughter Robin and my daughter Emma when a man came up to me and asked if I wasn’t Jon Katz, the author. I cant say this happens all the time, but it does happen some of the time.

“I’ve read  your books,” he said, and I smiled back, but “I wanted to tel you how much I love your blog Gus, your Boston Terrier, especially when he sits on the donkeys. What a great way to start my day, I wanted to thank you for me. Something about that little guy inspires me.”

I wasn’t expecting that on Amtrak, but Jerry is a faithful blog reader, he lives in New York City and has a political job in Albany. He says his mother, who lives in South Carolina is also a blog reader who adores Gus. Often, I am the last to know when something about the farm touches people.

Gus touches people, especially when he sits up on Lulu or Fanny’s back.

We wanted Gut to be a farm dog, not a toy dog, and that is what he is, he is no furbaby.

Gus seems to have no limits in his head about his ability to navigate the farm, hang out with donkeys, stand down a flock of sheep. So we’re not going to put any limits in his head either.

Small dogs do not have to have small lives. Gus loves to sit in our laps, but he loves even more to run with Fate and Red as they work with the sheep. I try to be practical, but I don’t want me or my dogs to live in fear.

I remember every morning putting up a video of Simon the donkeys “Call To Life,” it inspired people as they got up in the morning and went off to work. I think Gus is having the same affect, so I want to keep at it, inspiring people is the point for me, and also sometimes making them laugh or think.

This morning, Lulu and Fanny took up their positions astride the hill overlooking the farm. We hoisted Gus up there – he can’t jump quite that high yet – and he and the donkeys looked quite regal there, soaking up the sun and taking in the sights and sounds.

Good morning from Gus.