When I looked outside yesterday morning I could barely see the red rocks on my trails. They seemed to be covered in some kind of fog.
But we rarely get fog here. And especially not in June.
A heavy cloud has covered the land.
And not just your ordinary fleecy cloud that fades away when the sun gets hot.
This seems like a cloud of doom. A cloud of destruction.
And that’s what it is.
It’s weighing over me so I’m going to take a break from being funny, or silly, or adventurous today.
Because what is covering up my rocks is the smoke drifting over from the Yarnell Fire.
This fire has made national news due to the loss of nineteen hotshot firefighters. These young men were husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers. They left families and friends behind who are in deep grief over their loss.
This fire has destroyed about two hundred houses and other buildings in Yarnell, and has caused the evacuation of hundreds of residents in the towns of Yarnell and Peeple’s Valley.
And the fire is still running wild and is nowhere near being contained.
So today, rather than telling you about one of my adventures I’m going to ask for prayer instead.
Please pray for all of those who lost a loved one.
Please pray for all those who have lost a home, and for all those who have been evacuated from their homes.
Shelters have been set up for evacuated animals. Please pray for the animals too.
Please pray for the safety of the many people who continue to fight this fire.
And please pray for rain. Lots of it. We haven’t had rain in so long and it’s so dry here. Our rainy season should start in a few days. Please pray that it starts right away- at least over that fire.
Did I do okay, person?
I hope they put that fire out right away because I’m ready for another adventure.
bongodogblog 
Genevieve Petrillo
July 2, 2013 at 10:48 am
You did real well, B. We see that fire on the news every day, and always say prayers and send happy thoughts to the people and pets who are suffering. It’s sad and scary, and we want it to go away, now.
Love and licks,
Cupcake
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 5:52 pm
Cupcake, we got some rain a little while ago here – finally. I sure hope the storm dropped some rain over the fire too.
Glenda White
July 2, 2013 at 11:14 am
What a beautiful post. Prayers continue to go your way.
Glenda and Maggie
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 5:54 pm
Thanks Glenda and Maggie. Those people fighting the fire, the families of those who were lost, and those who lost their homes can really use your prayers. We did get a little rain here today. I hope they got some over the fire. And thanks for stopping by and commenting.
jaxart4animals
July 2, 2013 at 11:21 am
Praying for Arizona & doing a rain dance… Stay safe!
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Thanks Jackie. We got a little rain today. I sure hope they got some where the fire is.
marina kanavaki
July 2, 2013 at 11:27 am
Oh, Bongo, not only you did well but you overcame your fear of thunder and prayed for rain! That is an altruistic and brave act. We heard about it here too and were saddened by this. You have our prayers from across the ocean too… and may it rain soon!!
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 5:58 pm
Marina, it was really hard to pray for rain because I knew that that would mean thunder too. We got some rain today – and lots of thunder. I got to go in the car with my person because she didn’t want to leave me home alone in the thunder. I sure hope some of the rain landed on the fire.
marina kanavaki
July 3, 2013 at 6:37 am
YEY!!!! See what prayer can do?!!! Well done, Bongo!!
🙂
Traveling Cats
July 2, 2013 at 11:56 am
Those pictures are so very beautiful. Never knew dogs could be good photographers 🙂
By the way, I started following you on Bloglovin.
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:07 pm
Thanks Cats. I have to take my person along to help me with the pictures. Sometimes she gets really irritating because she keeps making me stop and takes way too many pictures. Thanks for following. I added you too.
angelswhisper2011
July 2, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Aww, sweet Bongo. You look so sad and compassionate. We have seen this terrible news on the television and we were in shock. Our purrayers and thoughts will be with all of the people and animals and for rain. I wish I could send you lots of our rain…it’s so divided unfairly…Take care!
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Little Binky, we finally got a little rain today. Of course bunches of thunder came with it. I sure hope some of the rain fell on that fire. Thanks for your thoughts and purrayers.
Two French Bulldogs
July 2, 2013 at 1:12 pm
We have our paws crossed for all those peoples
Snorts,
Benny & Lily
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:08 pm
Thanks Benny & Lily. They sure need it right now.
onebluedog
July 2, 2013 at 1:19 pm
You’re a very kind pup, Bongo. We have been saying many prayers about this fire and all the people and animals that have been hurt by it. We really hope it will not hurt anymore…
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:11 pm
Thanks Remy. Everyone there can use all the prayers they can get right now. We got a little rain at my house today. I hope the storm dumped lots of rain on that fire. That might help the firefighters get it contained.
Klip Joint Dog Grooming
July 2, 2013 at 1:43 pm
It’s even looking smoky all the way over here in Texas. So sad. Praying for all the brave ones fighting fires in AZ and NM.
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:15 pm
Thanks Klip Joint. Last I heard there are about 500 people working on the Yarnell fire and there are several other fires burning. They sure all need prayer.
What's Going on at Mumsy's
July 2, 2013 at 3:54 pm
Oh, sweet Bongo yes, you did good. We have been hearing about the fire and the loss of the firemen. We have been praying for all touched by this horrible tragedy and we will continue to pray. Hope that fire does not come to your trails. Hugs and nose kisses
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:18 pm
Thanks Chancy and Mumsy. The whole area around here is devastated by the loss of those firefighters and some of my person’s friends are over there helping with various things. It’s pretty far from here though so my trails should be safe. We got a little rain today. I hope a lot of rain fell on that fire.
To Shea
July 2, 2013 at 4:08 pm
We heard and read about those dangerous fires…We feel so saddened for those firemen who lost their lives. Their families must be devastated..:-(
PLEASE be Very Careful out there Bongo!
We will say a prayer for the families and all the nearby animals…Including You and your family…:-)
We Love you Bongo!
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Thanks Alex, Trish, and Penny. The whole town of Prescott, where those firefighters are from, is devastated by the loss and also many people from where I am. Some of my person’s friends went over to where the fire is to help with various things. I’ll be careful too, but at least we got a little rain today.
philosophermouseofthehedge
July 2, 2013 at 4:16 pm
WIll do that, Bongo. A tragic situation. And still not controlled. The smoke is gloomy. Bless all the animals and let them all find safe haven. May people find a place of stillness and calm and be given strength to endure.
Take care Bongo.
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:22 pm
Thanks Karen. Everyone around that fire needs lots of prayer right now. Some of my person’s friends are over there helping too.
Patricia
July 2, 2013 at 5:10 pm
You have a good heart, Bongo. Praying here for all the people and animals and for rain.
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 6:22 pm
Thanks Patricia. We got a little rain here today. I hope they got a lot of rain on that fire.
eripanwkevin
July 2, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Very sad….Bongo….I feel so sorry for people who lost their loved ones, who fighted against the fire, who had to leave their houses and also lost their homes… animals, too….I hope
they can stay with their owners…I send lots
lots of prayers for them…and for rain.
Bongo
July 2, 2013 at 8:12 pm
Thanks Kevin for all the prayers. We got a little rain here today. I sure hope they got a bunch of rain on top of that fire. They have a shelter set up for large animals like horses and another one for small animals like dogs and cats. The one for dogs and cats is in the same place as the shelter for people, so even if they can’t sleep with their people, at least they’re close by. Most people and pets probably found friends or family to stay with because only a small number of all the people who were evacuated are staying in the shelters.
Dalton
July 3, 2013 at 2:29 am
Well done you! Such sad news – my thoughts are with everyone affected!
Bongo
July 3, 2013 at 11:42 am
Thanks Dalton. It’s been a hard time for everyone – especially for those in Yarnell where the fire is and Prescott where the lost firefighters are from.
tylersat99
July 3, 2013 at 12:42 pm
We are praying for all those things and that they start getting a lot of the fire contained. We do not want to lose any more firefighters or people’s homes. Hope your rain comes soon .
Bongo
July 3, 2013 at 11:38 pm
Lexie and Mice, I heard they got a tiny bit of rain yesterday and it helped. They mostly have the fire contained in the area of the towns now. Earlier today they only had 8% contained, but I just checked the web and it’s up to 45% contained.
Misty Shores Chesapeakes
July 9, 2013 at 8:18 pm
You did great Bongo, we will surely be praying for everyone, such a tragedy 😦
Bongo
July 12, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Thanks Misty Shores.
colliesofthemeadow
July 14, 2013 at 6:32 am
WE have been watching and praying about that fire…. so sad….
Bongo
July 14, 2013 at 4:14 pm
Collies, it’s one of the saddest things that has happened near us in a long time.