Co-Pilot Fips

Like all dogs, both Fips and Rosco enjoy a good wind-rush. They also like to stare out the window watching all the blurs go by. Once the Doggie Lounger was installed, they now take turns sitting up and staring down the road. But for the most part, there being nothing to do, they do nothing and go to sleep.

Like all dogs, Fips and Rosco are equipped with an Automatic Sensor that triggers an Alert State whenever there is a change in atmospherics. Modern cars supposedly have similar sensors that trigger motor-responses to air intake, load conditions, gear changing and so on. These sensors enable the engine to make a proper and smooth response to ever changing circumstances. The auto sensor in doggies enables them to detect a slowing down, which triggers an alert state and the expectation of something to do.

The amazing thing is how much program information the doggie Auto-Sensor is capable of storing. It was during our trip to Mexico that Fips discovered topes or speed bumps. The toll booths on the highway are preceded by two or three strips of corrugated concrete that produce an even rumbling as the car rolls over them -- BrrrrBrrrrBrrrrBrrrr ...swoooshhh

Fips immediately sat up and gave me an inquisitive and decidedly annoyed look.

Something is different. Something is wrong. I don't like it.

Topes, Fips, they're called topes.

Fips programmed the information and after a brief while, he classified this particular rumble as nothing to worry about. Mexico has many many topes and by the end of the trip Fips could sleep through any rumble with a Plus ça change.... attitude. Rosco of course can sleep through anything.

As he was now as we began our climb into the Tehama mountains. It was bright and pre-warm as we ascended steadily on gentle grades winding through pine covered hills, Mt Shasta looming in the near background. As we wove along on the level trestle that spans Shasta Lake I took note how severely low the water level was but such a thing was of no concern to the dogs who were back to snoozing.

The road swung to the left and we began the climb to Mt Siskiyou Pass (4,00o ft). I kept the Ranger at a steady 50-55 with an even deep hum. But just as we were nearing the summit, the engine missed and gave a short start and stutter before surging again.

Fips immediately sat up and looked up at me with inquisitive and worried eyes. I looked down at his fuzzy face looking up at me and there was no doubt in mind that he detected the difference between topes on the road and topes in the engine. And there was no doubt that Fips also new the difference between cause-for-expectation and cause-for-anxiety.

And as I looked into his eyes, there was also no doubt that Fips had appointed himself as co-pilot. He had not really been sleeping but was monitoring things with invisible head phones that only looked like Floppies (ears). And he was now reporting an Alert State to me.

Damn. I hope not Fips.

As Fips looked on, I worked the accelerator hoping that this resurgent phenomenon, that had supposedly been fixed, was just a passing hiccup at 4,000.00 feet. We crested the summit and began our descent into automotive hell.

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