The only thing short about this dog was his tail. In fact, Stump got his name from his little short tail that he was born with. I've read about how dogs need their tail for balance and how it serves as a type of rutter when they are running and making turns and such. And indeed I agree that there is a good deal of truth to that, as I have watched them in action many times and the tail is always going with every move. However, if the tail plays a very important role in the dog's movements, you couldn't tell it by asking Stump. He moved with the best of them and was likely on as many hogs in his lifetime as about any other dog that Lee ever took to the brush. (Except for maybe Jessie, but I'll let Lee tell all about that.)

Additional photo links below . . .