Bob Carnes discusses his memoir The Least of These, sharing stories centered on dogs that entered his life despite his insistence he’s “not a dog person.” After buying a family farm in Northwest Wilson County and helping his brother Mike as Alzheimer’s set in, Bob begins feeding a shy pregnant stray, Blackie, rescues her six puppies using a hog trap, and later regrets not paying for Blackie’s heartworm treatment. He recounts Blondie’s arrival and how the pack’s dynamic shifts when the well-bred, independent Wolf appears, ranges widely, and is ultimately shot after killing two small dogs. Bob compares Wolf to ShakaZulu, a roaming boxer-Doberman from South Africa, and adds lighter anecdotes about a golf-course fetcher, his daughter’s clever blue heeler Freckles, and a border collie that rode an Austin bus to campus, before closing with memories of his grandmother’s biscuits and two career eagles at Lions Golf Club.
00:00 Memoir Setup
00:23 Wolf Arrives
01:47 Feeding Blackie
03:31 Puppies and Hog Trap
05:10 Heartworm Regret
06:17 Blondie Joins In
07:45 Wolf Leads Pack
09:18 Shaka Zulu Flashback
14:07 Wolf's Fate
15:03 Other Memorable Dogs
17:21 Bus Riding Collie
19:57 Not a Dog Person
22:00 Grandma's Cooking
23:15 Feral Hogs in Texas
24:09 Shaka Name Explained
25:50 Cats and Independence
28:33 Golf Shot of Life
30:08 Closing Banter

Bob Carnes discusses his memoir The Least of These, sharing stories centered on dogs that entered his life despite his insistence he&rsquo;s &ldquo;not a dog person.&rdquo; After buying a family farm in Northwest Wilson County and helping his brother Mike as Alzheimer&rsquo;s set in, Bob begins feeding a shy pregnant stray, Blackie, rescues her six puppies using a hog trap, and later regrets not paying for Blackie&rsquo;s heartworm treatment. He recounts Blondie&rsquo;s arrival and how the pack&rsquo;s dynamic shifts when the well-bred, independent Wolf appears, ranges widely, and is ultimately shot after killing two small dogs. Bob compares Wolf to ShakaZulu, a roaming boxer-Doberman from South Africa, and adds lighter anecdotes about a golf-course fetcher, his daughter&rsquo;s clever blue heeler Freckles, and a border collie that rode an Austin bus to campus, before closing with memories of his grandmother&rsquo;s biscuits and two career eagles at Lions Golf Club.
<ul>
<li>00:00 Memoir Setup</li>
<li>00:23 Wolf Arrives</li>
<li>01:47 Feeding Blackie</li>
<li>03:31 Puppies and Hog Trap</li>
<li>05:10 Heartworm Regret</li>
<li>06:17 Blondie Joins In</li>
<li>07:45 Wolf Leads Pack</li>
<li>09:18 Shaka Zulu Flashback</li>
<li>14:07 Wolf's Fate</li>
<li>15:03 Other Memorable Dogs</li>
<li>17:21 Bus Riding Collie</li>
<li>19:57 Not a Dog Person</li>
<li>22:00 Grandma's Cooking</li>
<li>23:15 Feral Hogs in Texas</li>
<li>24:09 Shaka Name Explained</li>
<li>25:50 Cats and Independence</li>
<li>28:33 Golf Shot of Life</li>
<li>30:08 Closing Banter</li>
</ul>

In The Least of These, Bob Carnes reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and gratitude. From his early days as a Navy veteran and engineer to his years as a journalist, oilman, and photographer, Bob has worn many hats—but through them all, he’s remained a keen observer of people and purpose. With warmth and humility, he honors the teachers, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, mentors, and his beloved wife Silvia, who shaped his journey. This memoir is both a personal testament and a tribute to the everyday heroes who quietly make life meaningful.

In The Least of These, Bob Carnes reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and gratitude. From his early days as a Navy veteran and engineer to his years as a journalist, oilman, and photographer, Bob has worn many hats&mdash;but through them all, he&rsquo;s remained a keen observer of people and purpose. With warmth and humility, he honors the teachers, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, mentors, and his beloved wife Silvia, who shaped his journey. This memoir is both a personal testament and a tribute to the everyday heroes who quietly make life meaningful.

The Least of These - A Memoir by Bob Carnes

The Least of These
by Bob Carnes

In The Least of These, Bob Carnes reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and gratitude. From his early days as a Navy veteran and engineer to his years as a journalist, oilman, and photographer, Bob has worn many hats—but through them all, he’s remained a keen observer of people and purpose. With warmth and humility, he honors the teachers, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, mentors, and his beloved wife Silvia who shaped his journey. This memoir is both a personal testament and a tribute to the everyday heroes who quietly make life meaningful.

The Least of These by Bob Carnes
In The Least of These, Bob Carnes reflects on a life shaped by curiosity, service, and gratitude. From his early days as a Navy veteran and engineer to his years as a journalist, oilman, and photographer, Bob has worn many hats&mdash;but through them all, he&rsquo;s remained a keen observer of people and purpose. With warmth and humility, he honors the teachers, neighbors, relatives, coworkers, mentors, and his beloved wife Silvia who shaped his journey. This memoir is both a personal testament and a tribute to the everyday heroes who quietly make life meaningful.