Him-a-lay-aManitou Springs, Colorado
Resting at the base of the mountains, Cutter Bill looks back from where he came. This is a good place to be. Border Collie in repose, he brings the odd mural to life.
Leica M6 TTL My Working Dog

I told Cutter that he was going on a great adventure. Best of all, he would have a job to do. A working dog needs a job.

I asked him to scout out all the good trails. I told him, don't wait for me, I'll be there soon enough and we'll have a big ol' time.

Then, I patted him on the head and said goodbye.

Cutter Bill died March 9, 2017

He was 15 or 16 years old.

One of a kind, he was my constant companion for nearly seven years. He was the best dog and a good worker at the gallery.

I lucked out when I walked into Teller County Animal Shelter (TCRAS) looking for a border collie. He was a regular there, he'd been in four different times, twice as a surrender, twice as a stray. They called him Nelson and said he was two or three years old.

I named him Cutter Bill and the vet said he was more like eight or nine. I wish I'd had him from day one, but it still wouldn't have been long enough. However, someday soon, we'll be together for an eternity...and it still won't be long enough. 

And, in case you're on the fence, dogs do go to heaven, (Ecclesiastes 3:19-21.) If they don't, I wouldn't want to go.