When it comes to my definition of what a happy dog is, Blade comes to mind.A big “smile” on his face as he works sheep or poultry here at home or in training for sheepdog trials. That smile is there when he is on the job with goose control. That smile is there when he bounds around fields and woods enjoying his life. At six and a half years he still plays with his favorite toy, a hard rubber bone, and chases and grabs his tale. He is a bit more “talkative” than many Border Collies. I like a communicative dog, it brightens my day and makes for a good partnership.
Blade arrived at our house as a weaned pup all the way from western Ontario. The sheep farmer who is his breeder came highly recommended. Mary breeds healthy dogs and ones that make good working farm dogs. It was just getting to be winter when he arrived. One of our sons, Caleb, had driven the long trip to get him and back. Blade sat in the big wing back “dog chare” in our kitchen as the snow came gently down outside. He was a little pup with big eyes and a worried look. He had my heart. As Blade grew, we found him to be an energetic and silly and lively pup. He never really upset the other dogs in our household, all older of course, and at times no-nonsense Border Collies. He really befriended our mix-breed Nash, who was still adjusting to our home, having relocated from NYC.
As Blade grew into a mature dog his personality grew and so did his skills. As a farm dog who herds our sheep, chickens and ducks to and from pasture ,he can always be counted on. And as a goose control dog Blade’s work is always effective and appropiate. The fact that he listens,biddablity,and works very closly with me is pricless. As a sheep dog trial dog his ablity has grown to where he has “placed” sevearl times since 2019 and even won “a trial” here in the North East. As of this writing,I expect to compeate with him in The National Sheep Dog Trials this Fall.
And Blade does this all with a great big “smile” on his face. I know it might well not be a “smile” but I think so. He makes the other dogs in our pack/family comfortable, I think they know they can count on him as much as I do. He is not really a “leader” but just a guy who really wants to get to work and get the job done. I think that is a thing with working line Border Collies, most of them. It is what movivates them to be so keen and have this amazing bond with their people,handelers. It is what what makes them such an important part of any farm that has them. And it is what makes Border Collies great at goose control. The perseption and drive and team work that Border Collies can grow into as mature dogs is a wonder and a huge asset.
In a modern world where dogs are called “pup pups” and “fur babies” the dogs farmers, ranchers, officers, military ,resuce workers team with in indispensiple ways,shows an age old bond that should not be discarded. It brings us closer to nature, our nature and our bonds with the heitage that most have forgotten. These bonds are not a mystery not some sort of majic that most can most not achieve. A dog like Blade and the others for sure in our pack family,Jim,Skye,Nash,Tara and Moses have shown me. They can show you too.