"On July 14th I received word that there had been a flooding incident in the small town of Export, Pennsylvania and decided to do something about it. So I began to mobilize the Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency,” said Stegosaurus.
While preparing my raft and packing in my cave, I was surprised by a visit from my friend and distant cousin Ankylosaurus." “Hail, Stegosaurus !!” said Ankylosaurus. “Are you at home?”
“Yes I am,” confirmed Stegosaurus. “How nice to see you! What brings you to Colorado, Ankylosaurus?”
“I woke up a few days ago and felt like going for a walk. I had no real plan when I set out, but I let my feet lead the way, and here I am, in Colorado, visiting you. I hope you are not too bsuy. You look like you are preparing to travel.”
“I am, indeed, but I always have time for a friend, especially when they stomp slowly but surely all the way from Montana.”
“You are so kind.” said Ankylosaurus. “I have no troubles and seek no advice. I simply wanted to drop by and pay a visit to you my distant, ornithischian cousin.”
“How are things going with the partially discovered dinosaur group that you've founded? I know it helps so many.”
“The support group for partially discovered dinosaurs is my greatest accomplishment, but I say this without vanity, because the glory and honor is not mine. I am merely a servant.”
“Humility is a worthy trait which takes some time to develop,” observed Stegosaurus. “Do you know how many partially discovered dinosaurs there are, and how many are in your group presently?”
“This varies,” rejoined Ankylosaurus, also I know of some partially discovered dinosaurs that are not in our group, the most notable of these is Spinosaurus, who was initially discovered reasonably complete, but lost much of himself in the little known Battle of Humboldt Museum during World War II. I am among this number of partially discovered dinosaurs myself, and I can give you an account of my own history, which inspired me to begin this group and help my fellow dinosaurs.”
“I was discovered in the State of Montana, specifically in the Hell creek formation near Gilbert Creek by Barnum Brown in 1906, and he was the same mammal who discovered Tyrannosaurus Rex in 1901.
I was one of the last surviving non avian dinosaurs,my timeline being about 66 – 68 million years ago. I am monotypic, which means that my group is made up of only one immediate taxon. I have cousins more fully discovered than I, but nonetheless I am considered the archetype of the Ankylosaur family. On average, I weigh about 8.8 short tons, and my name means fused or short lizard, specifically, great belly”.
“You know, a walking tank such as yourself would be a great asset to the Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency, if you have the time to take off from your duties with the Partially Discovered Dinosaurs Support Group.” suggested Stegosaurus hopefully.
“It would not interfere, particularly as I am on vacation at this time, and I am delighted that you have asked, replied Ankylosaurus.
“When you arrived, I was getting ready to travel to Western Pennsylvania. So you are saying that you are willing to come along and join us?” asked Stegosaurus.
“Yes, I am,” replied Ankylosaurus. “Where do I sign up?”
“Excellent! I will pack extra trees for you, as it is a long trip. To the tiny town of Export, Pennsylvania we go, for the mammals have a brewery which has recently been flooded, and they need help washing their beer.”
“I am very definitely in,” said Ankylosaurus. “Remind me again, who is part of the Stegosaurus Disaster Relief Agency?”
“Let me see,” said Stegosaurus pensively. “We have Rhedosaurus and his wife Lady Rhedosaurus; the sauropods Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus, and Nigersaurus. We have our nomen dubium friends Trachodon and Agathaumas; the megafauna Upland Moa birds; Woolly Rhino, and the relatively recently extinct Western Black Rhino. Sometimes others join us, as they are available such as yourself. Welcome. We are delighted to have you.”
“How fortunate I am here to visit now,” said Ankylosaurus, “...so I can be of service to mammal and fellow dinosaurs alike.” rejoined Ankylosaurus.
“I understand that Pennsylvania has an abundance of trees.”
“It does,” said Stegosaurus. “That's one of the best things about it.”
So it was that the two friends worked together to prepare, as two claws together make quick work, they were on their way in no time at all, setting off for Pennsylvania on July 15th.
