See how they nip at the heels of the cattle? This is what my blind guy was doing to me when we first got him. He would also jump up very high and nip at the backs of my arms. We've had to work very hard with him on these behaviours so he's much better now, although he does tend to get a bit over-excited when we have outdoor play.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
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This reminds me of when I was a little girl and would visit my great aunt and uncle on their cattle ranch in Alberta. They always have a Border Collie named Lassie. If it dies for whatever reason they buy themselves another and it is once again named Lassie. When I was about 9 or 10 I remember watching their current Lassie round up a large bull in the bull pen. She knew exactly what to do and was so fearless! It was brilliant! These dogs, whether cow dogs or lap dogs are such wonderful animals. We're certainly lucky to be able to share our lives with them, don't you think? :)
ReplyDeleteI have a real soft spot in my heart for my dogs, both of which are rescue dogs. I grew up with a beautiful collie named Laddie. He was such a wonderful family dog and we were six (!) kids.
ReplyDeleteAwwww, what would life be without them? One of mine was terribly sick last weekend. Was so frightened. She's much better now. But she's almost 13 so I just want to say to her, "hold on, hold, we'll take care of you the way you take care of us.
ReplyDeleteOur pets are more like our babies. The thought of saying 'goodbye' is unthinkable, yet inevitable, but the reality is that we will outlive them. All the more reason to get another one, not as a replacement but just for the richness they bring into our lives.
ReplyDeleteTish, your little 'bubba' (as I call my guys) could very well be around for a few more years. Here's hoping.
Hi There, was just browsing and popped by. Stopped when I saw your ACD video.
ReplyDeleteAs a (much) younger man I was for a time a ranch hand on a 2400 acre cattle ranch in California. There were 3 types of herding dogs we used. The border collies, Australian Shepherds and the dogs we called Queensland Healers. The healers I knew were so intense and focused on work that sometimes it was hard to get them to stop working and they were fearless! They'd go after an angry bull - no questions asked!
I have an Australian shepherd dog now. (I have to remind her that she IS a dog.) She's incredible, just as sweet as can be.
And a friend (moving to PEI) raises and trains border collies to sheep.
But I've never seen anything quite like a working ACD.
I'm fascinated by the 'working' dog, they are so impressive and intelligent.
ReplyDeleteI can tell you our blind guy is one tough dog. He knows his way around the yard but will run into things on occasion whereby he becomes this big baby, running to me for comfort, then off he goes like nothing happened.
He suffered some minor cuts when he went off in the back field and ran into some haying equipment but after getting checked over, held in my arms and cleaned up, he was back to 'work' having fun with his squeak ball (that he can chase by listening for the ball to land) or chasing bees which he hates. He's also very happy to let us know if ANY creature has been on his turf. His nose knows!
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, Michelle.
ReplyDelete