Cowboy Gabe finds a Slimy Friend

The long summer days were fast coming to an end. School had started. Rodeoing was over for a spell. As a matter of fact, even Cowboy Gabe’s practice horse, Honey, had thrown a shoe. Even his practicing was over, at least for a bit.  

What in the world was a cowboy to do on these still hot October afternoons?

Well, says Cowboy Gabe, catch lizards of course! Everybody knows Cowboys love lizards!

But to tell the truth, Cowboy Gabe was a “little” scared of lizards. Not like, scared of coyotes scared…just a “little” scared. Just don’t tell anyone. 

However, Cowboy Gabe’s aunt Rai-Rai wasn’t scared. Why, she’d pick up any kind of critter there was.  Lizards, tiny snakes, frogs!  She was about the bravest girl Cowboy Gabe knew.  And on this bright warm afternoon, Rai-Rai had come to visit. 

She and Cowboy Gabe were working on getting ole Honey back riding again when Rai-Rai let out a holler! 

“Look!! It’s a salamander!” 

Now, Cowboy Gabe was pretty smart. You know he had started school this year, so he gave Rai-Rai a look and said, “That’s just a baby lizard, Rai-Rai”

“Look here Cowboy Gabe,” Rai-Rai showed him what was in her hand. “This here is a salamander. It has 4 fingers and five toes! Lizards have five of each!”

“Also, salamanders have short legs and lizards are long.”

Cowboy Gabe peered into Rai-Rai’s hand. She was holding the salamander very gently.

“Don’t you want to touch him?  Lizards are scaly but salamanders are really slimy.  Here, see for yourself.”

Now, like I said before, Cowboy Gabe was a “little” scared of lizards, and even slimy salamanders. 

“It’s ok,” Rai-Rai said, “it’s very friendly.”

“Well,” Cowboy Gabe said, trying to be as brave as Rai-Rai, “maybe I can just touch his legs.” 

Rai-Rai slowly let the salamander touch Cowboy Gabe’s hand. 

“ Wow! That’s really slimy!” But he kind of liked how it felt.

“I think I will hold him now.” Cowboy Gabe said as he tried to grab the salamander.

“Whoa partner!” Rai-rai exclaimed. “You have to be very careful.” She laid the salamander in Cowboy Gabe’s outstretched hands.

“ I think we will be best friends now!” Cowboy Gabe yelled. “He can come live with me in my room!” 

“Ummm…” Rai–Rai said slowly, “Salamanders really like living outside. They love  living near the water, like your pond over there. I think your new friend would be much happier.”

Cowboy Gabe wrinkled his eyes and forehead up and  made a big frown on his face.

“No!!! He’s my new best friend and he is mine!!” 

He stomped back up to the front porch where his mom was sitting in her old rocking chair.  

“Hey Mom, you want to see my new friend?”

Before Cowboy Gabe could get up on the front porch to show his mom, he peeked in to check on the salamander. 

He closed his hand quick and ran back over to Rai-Rai.

“Hey Rai-Rai!” Big tears had formed in Cowboy Gabe’s eyes. “Will my salamander be ok if his guts is squished out?”

He opened his hand and sure enough, the salamander’s guts were squished out.

“Oh no!” Rai–Rai exclaimed softly as she took the lifeless salamander. “No, buddy, he won’t be ok. 

“Well, shoot…” Cowboy Gabe’s shoulders dropped, and he hung his head. “I didn’t mean to hold him so tight. I just didn’t want him to get away.”

“Some things aren’t meant to be pets. Sometimes its best to let them stay outside where they belong.  Do you see that now Cowboy Gabe?” Rai-Rai said as she gave him a hug. 

“I sure do!” Cowboy Gabe said as he sniffed and wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

“now, lets go bury him under the old pine tree out back!”

Rai-Rai smiled down at him and said, “Sure Cowboy Gabe, let’sgo.”

Today had started out as a pretty fun day for Cowboy Gabe but had ended kind of sad. Rai-Rai took him down to the pond and showed him there were tons more salamanders but they were very happy living down there in the mud. 

Sometimes, Cowboy Gabe says, just because you are brave enough to keep a salamander as a pet…doesn’t mean you should. Some friends, especially slimy ones, are better left outside.