Amongst Men and Bears, Follow the Dogs

TW: mention of dementia

The unincorporated town of Pray, Montana, lies within the Paradise Valley against the backdrop of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The town itself is a small collection of weathered buildings along Highway 89 that look like an old Western movie set where John Wayne might have downed a pint of lager as crisp as the mountain air. These days, the ranchers are dwindling, Airbnbs have taken over the adjacent towns of Gardiner and Livingston, and you're more likely to meet tourists and transient summer employees as opposed to any cowboys, but the town's aesthetic remains a testimony to the ruggedness of a distant time.

It was just after midnight on a chill night in June when Brenna Murphy, a woman grounded into the landscape, decided to throw a load of laundry into the washing machine. She stepped onto the back porch of her double wide manufactured home perched on 2 acres above town. Her German Shepherd pups shot past her, up to the chicken coop to sniff around.

This site had once been owned by a religious cult and still housed an underground bunker that the real estate agent had referred to as “unusable extra storage until an engineer can attest to its safety.” A makeshift shed of sun bleached and snow beaten wooden planks had been built on top of the bunker entrance and another structure known as a lean-to was built leaning upon the back of the shed. Weakened over time by the elements, neither structure could exist without the other for support. The lean-to housed the washing machine and dryer.

As she approached the precarious structure, the scent of pine was overtaken by an odor more pungent than the filthiest of wet dogs mixed with rich topsoil and a waft of decomposition. It was feral, musky, and unmistakably the scent of a bear in rutting season. Brenna was caught barefoot and without bear spray while holding a basket of laundry. Amateur move.

She yelled for the pups, “Ruckus! Junko! In the house, NOW!” They continued to sniff around the coop. That bad bear is after my chickens. I don't want the dogs getting hurt. “Leave it!” She commanded. To her relief, the dogs looked up and followed her back into the house. Throughout her life, Brenna had been diligent about training her dogs and in this instance, her discipline had paid off.

“LaMar,” she yelled for her twenty-two-year-old son. “Are you awake? Wake up!” She ran into his bedroom. “I'm awake,” he said through his sleep.

“There's a bear! So don't go outside and don't let the dogs out.“

“How can I let the dogs out if I'm sleeping?”

“Well, just don't. Okay, go back to sleep.”

At twenty-two, he was everything Brenna wasn't—tall, outgoing, impulsive, and popular amongst his peers. He had been born in the month of May when the mama bison in the LaMar Valley gave birth to their calves known as red dogs. He, too, had been born with a tousle of red hair, and such that is how he was given his name, LaMar. As the red dogs grew and their red hues gave way to shades of chestnut and mahogany, so too, did LaMar's hair deepen into a rich russet.

The following morning, Brenna sat on the back porch with a strong brew of pour-over coffee that her father would have called mud. She missed him and she missed the smell of his Marlboro cigarettes and thick mud cutting through the Montana morning air. Her gaze drifted towards the shed, lean-to, and the coop as she ruminated on the long list of repairs she had been mentally noting. She prided herself on her ability to handle anything life threw her way, but since her father's passing, the weight of responsibility felt heavier than usual.

"Mama!" LaMar's voice cut through Brenna's thoughts. He emerged from the house, full of enthusiasm. "Leo and Nolan's stepmom is taking us to Bozeman for lunch," he announced.

“I need help reinforcing the chicken coop. I don't think the bear got in there. I think he just rubbed against the shed. It stunk to high hell but none of the chickens are missing.”

He wore a flannel shirt, jeans, cowboy boots, and his tousled hair seemed immune to the Montana wind. "Mama, it'll be fine." LaMar reassured her. "We will be back early because Kendra’s band is playing at the Old Saloon tonight. We are going to town with her because she needs to do some shopping.”

“I wish Grandpa was here to help me with the coop.” It was a subtle guilt trip.

“I know, but it'll be fine.” He was off and running, leaving her wondering if he would ever have the same penchant for helping others or sense of responsibility that her father had possessed.

Leo and Nolan Marceau were LaMar's best friends. Their father, Émile, had once asked Brenna out on a date. She said yes, but stood him up. They hadn't spoken since then.

Not all cowboys waste time crying in their beer. Émile quickly moved on to Kendra O'Neil, one of the wealthiest self-made women in the valley. LaMar adored Kendra and was constantly praising her wealth and success, and complimenting her for being “cool AF.” Kendra lavished the boys with steak house dinners and all expense paid pub crawls. In addition to owning a profitable business, she was talented, kind, and generous. Émile could have definitely done worse for himself with Brenna.

Brenna appreciated that Kendra adored LaMar and that LaMar in turn had a great relationship with Leo and Nolan's family, but LaMar’s constant praise for Kendra’s success made Brenna feel that she had not achieved anything in her life. She had sacrificed her career goals to raise a family and now she was feeling the sting of lost opportunities. Brenna watched him go, her affection for him equaling her disappointment in herself.

Hi good morning I talk to my son's dad and 4 o'clock is that work for you? We can leave from here together he will stay at my place with my son Let me know what you think

It was a text from Dariya, her neighbor who moved to the United States from Bulgaria. They had made plans to go to the Old Saloon in Emigrant the next night that Dariya's ex, Greg, took their 10-year-old son, Stefan. They had been waiting for months. Of course, the one night Kendra’s band was going to play would be the night Dariya could go out.

Brenna texted back: That sounds awesome! The Cosmic Embers are playing tonight. They go on at 5. It should be good. I'll pick you up at 4.

She wanted Dariya to have a great night and didn't want to bring down the mood with the insecurities she felt around Kendra, feelings she had never disclosed to anyone. Dariya had as many stories about bar fights in Bulgaria as Brenna had in Montana. They were two peas in a pod who always had each other's backs.

Dressing up for a night out in Emigrant meant putting on her good pair of cowboy boots instead of her hiking boots and pairing her jeans with a slightly nicer top instead of a thermal henley or a t-shirt. Brenna chose a vintage floral embroidered peasant blouse that had been a gift from Dariya. Dariya chose cowboy boots and a denim dress.

The bar was dimly lit and smelled like onion rings and mushroom burgers. There was only one available booth so Dariya took it while Brenna ordered two Diet Cokes and French fries. As they waited for The Cosmic Embers to arrive, a commotion erupted near the entrance.

A middle-aged man in a panic yelled "Did my dad come in here? His name is Craig. I left him in the car while I ran in to pick up our food and he's not in the car! He has dementia.” The next words hit Brenna like daggers in her heart. “I can't believe this is happening. My dad is gone.” She remembered the first time she spoke those words and the helplessness one feels in that moment. She wanted to help this stranger.

Brenna approached the man. “My dogs do some scent work. Do you have anything your father might have been wearing or even a water bottle he might have been holding?”

“Yes, his coffee cup is in the car. I'll go get it.” Charlie turned to sprint back to the car before Brenna stopped him.

“No, don't! Don't touch it! I don't want your scent on it.” She turned to the bartender, Megan. “Can you get me a clean pair of tongs and a one-gallon plastic bag from the kitchen?”

“Absolutely, I'm on it.” Megan headed to the kitchen.

“I'll go get my dogs and you keep looking for your dad. By the time I get back, you'll have probably found him.”

Dariya intervened. “Hey, girl, LaMar is on his way with your dogs. I was able to catch him before he left house.”

“That was really smart. Thank you.” Brenna wasn't surprised at all that Dariya would come through in a pinch.

Charlie remarked, “Hopefully he stays in the road, away from the animals. I noticed a lot of elk on the way here. I was told they can charge or kick.”

“Okay, you're not from here. The animals go in the road. A lot. They're basically always in the road.”

“He's probably just walking in circles.” Charlie said.

Let's hope not because that makes it harder for the dogs. When the trail crosses itself, they don't know which way to go. She kept this thought to herself.

“I am going to call 911,” he said. They are in Livingston and we will probably find him before they get here. She kept this thought to herself as well.

“The good news is that there isn't any snow on the ground. My pups are young and following a scent over snow is hard for them, but it's a nice clear day without any wind, so that is working in our favor.” Megan handed Brenna the tongs and the plastic bag. They retrieved Craig's coffee cup as Émile's truck pulled into the parking lot with LaMar, Leo, Nolan, Ruckus and Junko.

“I'm only taking Junko.” Brenna let Junko smell the coffee cup and specifically the scent Craig's hand had left on it. Junko immediately started sniffing behind the car and then went behind the parked cars away from the Old Saloon. “This is good. We already know which way he went.”

“No, Mom, I'll take Junko. You and Dariya go have fun.”

“Who are you supposed to be?”

“Grandpa would want me to step up. Let me do this.”

She leaned in and whispered. “You don't know what you might find. You don't know if he's hurt or worse. Do you have bear spray on you? We've got that bad bear roaming around.”

“Yeah, I'm good.” LaMar whispered back.

Dariya pulled Brenna aside. “Let him go.”

At twenty-two, he was a man according to society but he was reckless and oblivious at times. How many times did she have to yell at him to slam on the brakes before hitting an elk that he hadn't been watching for? How many times had he fed the dogs double? Or not put the chickens in the coop until after dark?

“Okay, yeah, take Junko and the bear spray.”

“Bear spray?! Are there bears here?!” Charlie had overheard her.

“No, no, no. It's just a saying in Montana, like, break a leg.” Brenna lied to calm the worried tourist. The crowd that had formed outside of the Old Saloon laughed which was a good thing. It broke the tension. Of course, there are bears in Montana.

Brenna watched as LaMar, Leo, Nolan, Junko, and Charlie the tourist continued following the trail that Craig had left as he wandered off.

Émile pulled her aside. “You did a good job, Bren. He knows what he's doing. Come on, let's go inside.”

They took Ruckus in the saloon with them. He ran around greeting everyone while Brenna ordered a burger. Kendra was setting up on the tiny stage. She was wearing highly crafted boots, a suede dress covered in suede fringe, and long layers of chunky turquoise jewelry. She was older than Brenna but in impeccable physical shape. Her hair and makeup were on par with a morning TV show hostess.

Émile had taken a seat next to Dariya in the booth. Brenna sat down and commented, “My God, her outfit costs more than my truck.”

“That's because you need a new truck.” Émile laughed.

“It's bad. It's so bad.” Dariya laughed.

Brenna nodded in agreement while nomming on French fries.

Changing the subject, Émile said, “You did an incredible job with LaMar and you've done an incredible job with those dogs.”

“I don't know that I've ever done an incredible job at anything. I'm definitely not Kendra. I mean, I wish I had done things differently and had her success. She's really awesome.”

“You know, she is really awesome, but hey, there's a man out there who is about to get his father brought safely back to him and a young man who you raised to make that happen. That's awesome, too. That's on you.”

“We have great boys. We really do. God willing, they will find that guy soon.” God willing, they don't encounter that bear.

They didn't find Craig as soon as they had hoped. Old Craig had been a college basketball player and a marathon runner. For an 85-year-old man, he was in stellar physical shape and he went the distance. Luckily, as a former marathon runner, his training led him to continue forward and follow clear cut trails, never going in a circle, never having his scent double back on itself.

Junko started barking excitedly. She was indicating that she had found the scent she was trailing. Craig was not yet in LaMar's sightline and his heart sank for a moment with the realization that this man may be on the ground, injured or worse. He looked at Leo and Nolan. They looked uncharacteristically pensive. LaMar knew they were having the same concerns.

Junko leaped and danced next to a tree. There, they found Craig sitting with his head in his hands looking despondent but otherwise okay. Tremendous relief flowed through the three young men and Charlie.

“Dad! Dad!” Charlie yelled.

Craig looked up and said, “I can't find the mile marker.”

“You finished the race, buddy.” LaMar joked.

“I finished?!” Craig exclaimed excitedly.

“Yeah, my guy, you won!” Leo joined in.

“And I won?! Well, what do you know?!”

“Let's go celebrate.” Nolan added. “I'm going to text my dad to come pick us up. It's a long walk back.”

Charlie embraced Craig. Craig told his son, “I won.”

“I know. I heard. That's great news, dad.” Charlie congratulated his father.

Nolan looked at Charlie. “You didn't tell us your dad is The Flash.”

“Facts.” Leo confirmed.

“And you had to put him in those running shoes?” LaMar pointed to Craig's shoes. “Next time, you gotta bring him out in some shower shoes.”

Charlie laughed a laugh that was filled with relief. “He's pretty good. He's still got it.”

LaMar took a water bottle and some dog toys out of his backpack. He gave the water to Craig and rewarded Junko for her good work by playing with her.

Émile retrieved the weary travelers, the young men, and Junko, returning them to the Old Saloon. Brenna and Ruckus met them in the parking lot.

“Mama!” LaMar shouted. “Junko did it.”

“You both did it. All of you guys did it.”

They hugged each other tight and then she gave Junko pets and accolades. She turned and hugged Leo and Nolan. “I'm so proud of all of you guys. Thank you for helping.”

These usually extroverted young men became shy and humbly accepted compliments from the people filing out of the saloon to congratulate them.

Charlie continued to thank LaMar, Leo, and Nolan, giving them half hugs with hard pats on the back. Craig was excited because everyone had come out of the saloon to congratulate him on winning the race. Émile hugged his sons and brought them inside to treat them to burgers and pints. Dariya decided to stay with Émile and Kendra. They had offered to pick up her tab.

“I gotta get these doggos home but you can stay and have fun with your friends.” Brenna told LaMar.

“No, Mama, I have to get up early and work on the chicken coop. I'll go with you.”

“Who are you supposed to be?” She laughed. “You know, Grandpa would be really proud right now.”

“Ya think?”

“Yeah, I know," she smiled.

“He’d be really proud of how you trained Junko.”

“Ya think?”

“Yeah, I know," he smiled.

“Let's do this. You stay with your friends and have a good time. I'll make you the thickest cup of coffee you ever had in the morning. Grandpa style. Okay?”

“Okay, maybe not that tough.” He laughed. “I'll hard pass on the Marlboros.”

“Yeah, no. No cigarettes. Maybe some eggs? If that bad bear hasn't eaten our chickens by now.”

“Okay, I'll be ready for those eggs in the morning. Gotta fix the coop so that bear can't do any egg nabbing.”

“Exactly.”

Brenna took Ruckus and Junko home. She was proud of her son, his friends, her dogs, the people she knew, and herself for the discipline she had passed on to her son and her dogs. She looked at Junko and Ruckus and told them, “I don't know where the road is taking me next, so we are going to stick together, follow the scent, and trust ourselves.” They wagged their tails and she accepted this as their acceptance to the offer.