Editor's note: The following was submitted by Robert Butler of Lometa, who has lived on the Green Fly Ranch with his wife, Kathryn, since 1950. Explains Butler: "You might say this is a story about a grandfather, a grandson, a dog named Speck and a porcupine (no name)."

His account follows.

"The story begins with my grandson Jason Terry, who lives in Lampasas with his wife, Kristi, and their three children, Braden, Katelyn and Jackson. Jason teaches Texas history in Leander, and Kristi teaches first grade in Lampasas.

"Jason's mother and father, Debora and Tom Terry, also live in Lampasas, having recently moved there from Austin. Tom was reared in Lampasas; Debora was reared on the Green Fly Ranch, where we found a porcupine recently. (Jason's other grandfather was the late Dudley Terry, former mayor of Lampasas.)

"Jason wanted me to show him some prehistoric burnt rock mounds or middens -- put into place by ancient people. We proceeded to a particular area and walked to the first mound, not far from a creek and on a rise.

"We examined the mound but did not find much of interest, so I said, 'Follow me,' and we headed for another mound close by. We descended into a deep feeder draw for easy walking when all of a sudden Speck came rushing back to me, frantically brushing his face with his paws.

"I immediately saw an almost white head, face, mouth and tongue. I caught him and attempted to pull some of the quills from his face, but he wouldn't sit still for it. I said to my grandson, 'Let's go to San Saba!' Speck followed us, jumped in the pickup, and we lost no time getting to the vet's office there, 19 miles away.

"The vet immediately lifted Speck up onto the operating table. It was a quick diagnosis. 'I'll have to put him to sleep, leave him, and he'll be ready tomorrow,' the vet said.

"The next day, I hauled some calves to San Saba, and we stopped back by and picked up Speck. He was really happy to see us -- minus all the quills in his face and head.

"I don't know if dogs learn lessons from their experiences, but I have been told they do not. I believe this, from having the same dog, Speck, bitten by rattlesnakes several times.

"I will say this for Mr. Porcupine: 'You are lucky, because Jason was carrying a rifle.' But Jason did not want to kill the porcupine, because he was just in his own territory, protecting himself with his defense mechanism.

"What a mechanism!"