by Caleb Jones cjones@amec.coop
There ain’t nothing better than a good dog. For me, that dog was Tuffy. He might’ve been a mutt, but the majority of his breed was “best friend.”
Tuffy could round up cattle, chase off snakes and bark at any truck he didn’t recognize. But more than anything, he was my companion – loyal, protective and always by my side.
So when my wife and I started our family, there was never a question that a dog would be part of it. Fifteen years later, we’ve got two hounds roaming the farm.
A couple of weeks ago, our dog Gus decided to bring us a “gift.” Normally his gifts are sticks or old bones, but this time he showed up on the porch proudly holding a possum – one that was still very much alive.
My wife, who is about as close to a saint as it gets, said some words I had never heard from her before. Somehow, it was my fault.
Gus, of course, thought he was doing us a favor. After all, he spends his days keeping coyotes, raccoons, snakes and possums out of our yard. There’s a cost to that kind of dedication – and sometimes that cost shows up right on your front porch.
Your local electric cooperative has a job even more important than keeping critters out of your house. They’re responsible for the lifeblood that keeps your home running. When your co-op has to raise rates, clear right of way or build new power lines, it’s not because they want to. They do it for one reason – to make sure the lights come on when you flip that switch.
Sometimes doing the right thing isn’t the most enjoyable thing. But just like Gus, your co-op’s focus is always on one goal: providing affordable, reliable electricity to the people they serve.
After my wife calmed down (and after I took care of Gus’ possum problem), she admitted she was glad we had a dog that looked out for us. Gus got a treat for his hard work – and I got another story to tell.
At the end of the day, everything worked out like it should. This holiday season, I hope you get many wonderful gifts (not in the form of a possum). Merry Christmas from me, Lindsey, Max and Charlie.
Caleb Jones is the executive vice president and CEO of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. He is a member of Boone Electric Cooperative.