Rip’s Story

Rip is the son of champion cowdogs who excelled in trials as well as on the ranch. I purchased him from a Christian man, Merle Newton, who would become a good friend in the Lord and help introduce me to trialing cowdogs.  When I went to pick out a pup out of a litter that Merle had for sale, while testing the litter of puppies, Rip was the most aggressive pup when introduced to a flag and was chosen based on his confidence and curiosity.  He jumped at the flag and tried to rip it to pieces, so his name was earned at the age of 7 weeks old. Rip’s name reminds me that so many of us think we will “rest in peace” but that life is short and it brings the question to mind, where will you spend eternity? 

In 2023, at his 3rd cowdog trial, at the young age of 2 years and 3 months old, Rip and I won Rodear America’s National Finals in the Novice class.  In a field of finished professionally trained cowdogs and more experienced handlers, the Lord blessed us with a perfect score on the last run to win the finals.

It was in the sort pen of the finals that the Lord spoke to me.  Rip was in the way and I got frustrated and God showed me that I can be just like him and in the way when I need to move.  The Holy Spirit spoke to me about which cattle to select and where to move Rip and it was that run that won the finals for us. I had no idea then but the Lord was taking, what I thought would be a hobby, to a ministry to share Jesus and Biblical truth through a cowdog.