Red Dog’s Last Ride

In a word, the ride was rough. Red Dog, my trusty and well used 1998 Ford F-150 had lately been getting harder and harder start, it took more effort to turn over. I feared the end of the line. I managed to get her to Andy’s Transmission in Moose Jaw, a trusty mechanic who previously fixed a sensor issue that had stumped the local Ford dealer. I got “the call” they had tried new spark plugs, new fuel filter, but reported that the engine was pretty much shot, it needed major work on the valves. When I got to the shop, it took three of the workers there to get it started, one at the wheel, one spraying fluid into the engine, and one to point and send orders. We drove back to our acreage on the gravel back roads, so I could go slow. Mostly she moved along, but as I headed up a very slight rise half a mile from home I could feel the power fading. I just hoped she had enough to get in the driveway, but we did, and parked it there November 12, 2025. The last odometer reading was 212,718…