Hopped up to answer the phone today and wouldn’t you know, it was a telemarketer who hung up on me before I could even say hello. However, when I put down the phone I noticed a cow on the lawn.
Not my favorite picture.
I called Mike, grabbed a sorting stick off the porch and hurried out to take care of the situation. Mike saw ol’ bossy the minute he was out the door and dropped into a crouch as he slowly crept in her direction.
I like to work him without commands sometimes, just to watch him use his wonderful mind to sort out a task, and I did this day. He knew where the cow belonged and so did she, so there was no confusion despite my silence. As soon as she spotted the dog, the cow raised her head and sauntered off toward the barnyard where she is supposed to be succoring her newborn calf.
However when she came to the parked horse trailer she stopped to commune with the heifers on the other side of the fence. She kept stealing glances at the dog, waiting to see what he was going to do.
Mike looked back at me wondering what I wished of him.
Run in and bite her, circle around and turn her, just hold her where she was?
I didn’t really want him to do any of those things. He is getting pretty old and slow and she is a nasty character, much given to fighting and kicking. I called him off for a second and released Nick from the kennel where he was spending the afternoon.
Ah, what a difference. One diffident old dog does not a posse make. However, one old dog who knows the ways of cattle, backed up by an impetuous youth with clean, sharp teeth, and a heart full of desire, and it's like the James Gang rides again.
Stubborn old mama cow lit a shuck for the barnyard and didn’t some back.
I called the dogs back with much praise and let them graze on the lawn for a while. Border collies sure do love green grass.
And I sure do like to watch them do the work they are born for.
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8 comments:
Wow, I love this post. Working dogs are so amazing. Mine are porch warmers so it's nice to hear about dogs that actually know how to do stuff.
Thanks, I love to watch them work, whether my own or at a trial where the "Big Hats" compete. Their instinct is phenomenal and their will to work a joy.
Good dogs!
I grew up with working BCs, in Scotland, it is just incredible watching them work.
Rottweilers are one of only a couple of non-herding breeds eligible for AKC herding titles. I tried one of mine on sheep, but he just wanted to make friends with them and eat sheep poop.
I wonder if my neighbor will buy me one of those, so they'll run his cattle back to his place!
How lucky your dogs are to be able to do something they have been bred to do. Good story.
Rurality, won't Jasmine give them an escort on home? I hate roaming cows....we get them here sometimes too. Of course, sometimes OURS take to the highroad when we don't want them to.
Jan, thanks, there is nothing worse than a bored border collie; they get into awful trouble, but they are the greatest when they have work.
Hello! And thanks for stopping by Meltwater. Torrents. Meanderings. Delta. earlier today and leaving your comment. I really appreciate your kind words and hope you will enjoy perusing my archives.
As this post is about sheep dogs, I would recommend that you start with my MTMD Classic Post: Year of the Dog, which can be found linked in the sidebar under the heading: MTMD Classic Posts.
Your Sheepdog post is a great post, btw...I love all kinds of dog stories and anecdotes. I'll look at more of your blog later as well.
Again, thank you very much for your kind words. Have an awesome day!
Meltwater. Torrents. Meanderings. Delta.
http://michiganrafter.blogspot.com
Carina thanks for the kind words
Matthew, ditto, and I really enjoyed your blog and will be back for another look, and to read the dog stories as soon as I can.
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