Ryan Snell is one of the first Big Men In Trucks I met up here, he’s come twice to pump out my septic tank, usually with his father, and always with two or three Corgis.

I’m always happy to see him, and not just for the obvious reasons.

The dogs ride around with him all day, and he practically bursts with love and pride when he talks about them. While he’s pumping, they are sleeping, curled up on the front seat.

One of the dogs is 14 years old, he is, like Bud, a rat and mouse killer.

Ryan was one of the several inspirations for my getting a small dog, and now I have become one of these men, only without the know-how or the big truck. I do have a ride-a-long and feisty little dog.

This was a big day Septic- wise for me. I actually leaned over Ryan’s shoulder and watched every step of the septic pumping, and took some deep breaths. Ryan came just in the nick of time.

I started hearing gurgling from the bathroom toilet and sink, sure signs our 60-year-0ld septic system was filling up. I foolishly waited a few days to call.

Ryan said the tanks were full right to the top, and the drain pipe was starting to fill, a few more days and it would have been quite the drama.

We have two 100 gallon tanks, I should have them pumped every year, two at the most, but I forgot last year.  One day, Ryan says we should get a 1,000-gallon tank. But it costs $4,000. It can wait.

We have two risers on top of the tanks, so all Ryan has to do is unscrew the top and put his hose in. I got good and close, it was time I looked and learned just how the process works.

Ryan says he’s used to the smell, and it wasn’t as bad as I thought. He refers to the sewage itself as the “cake,” a genteel term. He explained in great detail how the system works, I understood some of what he said.

Ryan is nicer than I might imagine any septic pumper who pumps sewage all day might be. He is cheerful and eager to talk about his work, which he clearly loves.

We had a good time talking about dogs. His company, Snell Septic, was founded by his grandfather, taken over by his father, and one day, by him. Usually, father and son ride together, with their dogs, sometimes more than two of them.

Ryan clear loves the work, he says, he gets to drive around with his two Corgi’s six days a week and finds the septic work important and interesting.  He smiles when he points out that when people need him, they really need him.

Up here, there is no town sewage and very little 911. I just have to learn stuff and be prepared.

Without the risers, Ryan would have to dig up the yard with a  tractor to get to the tanks.  That could cost up to $600.

This way, it costs $230 to have both of them pumped out, and it takes just a few minutes, plus time for dog chatter.

When you call  Snell, his grandmother answers (a family business all the way) and she is tough and not to be messed with. She is courteous but has a take-no-prisoners air.

If you say it’s an emergency, a Snell will arrive quickly, no matter the day or time. I was close to being an emergency.

From now on, I told Ryan to come once a year, every October. The gurgling is gone.

I gave him a copy of one of my books.  I am proud to join this exclusive community.