Devil dogs of Mt. Diablo

here we were under the shadow of the mountain, driving home to my father's house. Sun was setting in. Darkness was near. Tell us, Uncle Pete. Tell us. While around 200 years ago, when Spanish army troops tried to round up Native Californians, those Indians disappeared up to

the slopes of this mountain and were protected by large, powerful creatures devil dogs that chased the Spaniards away. We all know these devil dogs still roam the mountain at night hunting Spaniards. What uncle could stop himself from the chance to entertain nieces and nephews about Mount

Diablo, the devil's mountain? That was 20 years ago. And my 10 year old nephew, Scott, was rapt with attention. I knew I had him. Well, Scott, you know the smell of Spanish blood makes them ferocious. Wait a minute, Scott. Were you born in Spain? Yes. Oh,

no. That means here in Concord, right at the base of this mountain. They will smell your Spanish blood when they come out hunting at night. Scott was old enough to know better, but I could tell I was making him nervous. Can we talk about something else,

Uncle Peak? All those siblings laughed. My brother's kids grew up Navy brats and were born all around the world, including Scott in Spain. And this mythical tale became a story about Devil Dogs because it was the first thing that popped into my mind. Understand? I was

a seventies era Marine pilot and my dad a World War two Marine, So the term Devil dog brought a smile to our faces. As my tale unfolded, we both chuckled. The term Devil Dog is a familiar term given to Marines by German troops in World War

One at the Battle of Belleau Woods, The battle that saved Paris today. My nephew Scotus, our family's third generation of Marine with two tours in the Middle East and a 2.5 year old son of his own. It won't be long until his son, Aaron, will hear

stories of the fierce creatures called Devil Dogs, who still roam Mount Diablo at night.