This is a standout story about George that I would like to relate.  I had only had Amos, my mule, for about six weeks when George mentioned that it was time that we went on a trail ride.  We decided to go on the Bar U Charity Ride with 40 or so other riders.  I had the only mule.  We were about two thirds of the way back travelling down a fairly steep cut out on the side of a big hill.  The trail was quite narrow.  George asked me if there were any of the horses on the ride that I would trade Amos for.  After some thought I said no, I was very pleased with him.  All of a sudden there was a commotion in front of us.  The horses in front of us started bucking and rearing up.  Then Amos snorted and turned around very quickly and walked up the hill like a freight train.  Then he let out an incredible loud sound like I have never heard before or since.  Then everything went quiet and calm.

Several people dismounted to check their animals.  Dolly had several hornet bites on her face, neck and chest.  Amos had 2 bites about the size of a tennis ball cut in half.  George and I were talking over what we should do and he said we should mount up and Amos would lead us out.  I suggested that he take Amos and I ride Dolly.  George said "He's your mount and there is no reason for you not to lead us out".  I was scared stiff, but we mounted up and I aimed Amos down the trail.  We were about 40 - 60 feet from the bush where things happened when Amos went off the path and headed up the steep hill on an angle.  He kept an eye on the bush and walked slowly and purposely well away from the bush.  We re-entered the trail at a spot where there was a bit of a ramp.  I was too focused to turn around as I thought it might throw Amos's balance off.  George and Dolly were close behind me with the rest of the group following us.  It was quite an uneventful trip back.  George said that Amos did a pretty good job.  As we were taking the tack off and brushing the animals down, some people came over to meet Amos and told us how glad they were that Amos was where he was in the group.

I was on other rides where people were relating (with some embellishment) what George, Dolly, Amos and I had done.  Amos had taken it all in stride with George and Dolly being the real heroes.  We had several very memorable trips with George and Dolly that were wonderful adventures, but this is one that I re-live in my mind often.  George is my hero and I will never forget the times we shared together.