A Dog, a Whistle, and a Fold
Do you have a dog? What’s your favorite thing about having a dog? The breed, the companionship, the faithfulness? So many things endear us to our beloved dogs. Whether you have one or many, dogs are fabulous to have around.
The Magic of Working Dogs
Working dogs are a breed of their own, and if you’ve ever had the privilege of watching one work, you will be amazed at what they can do. We arrived at an ancient sheep farm to spend a few days in the English countryside. It was May, and everywhere we looked, it screamed out Spring!
We spent the day sightseeing in the area, and in the late afternoon, the farmer asked if we wanted to go with him to the back pasture to herd the sheep. We jumped into the blue Volvo Sedan along with the border collie and headed over stones and stumps faster than I would have dared to go. I bounced up and down in the back seat with the dog, who was not in the least phased by it.
Herding in Action
Once at our destination, the farmer dispatched the dog to gather the scattered herd and guided them towards the farmer standing at the entrance to the stone wall fold. The dog crouched and ran, crouched again, and ran to the left and right, all the while following the whistles and commands of his master.
Once the sheep were rounded up to the master, they began pushing and shoving their way into the fold for the night. The dog was brilliant at herding them. There were about a hundred sheep, and the farmer announced one was missing.
“How do you know?” I asked.
“I counted them,” he said.
I was utterly amazed. The farmer, the master, counted them, but they were squeezing and pushing, and I saw a blur of creamy bleating wool in my eyes!
The farmer left the sheep in the fold, looking for his lost sheep. We didn’t walk too far before he heard the bleating. The little lamb had slipped down a steep embankment about six feet below us. He climbed down, put him around his neck, and brought him safely to the fold. It was a sight I will never forget. The shepherd rescues and tenderly cares for his lost sheep.
A Dream of Sheep and Dogs
Since then, I’ve dreamed of having my sheep and border collies. I’m determined to make this happen. My area has several sheep farms, and I’ve had the privilege of watching collies herd and gather, drive, flank, and hold the sheep. I don’t think I would ever tire of watching this.
My little black poodle, Phoebe, though I adore her, will need to give room to the new puppies someday. She’s smart and the fastest dog I’ve ever seen, but she doesn’t have the instincts of a herding dog.
I want the dogs, and I’ll need a handler for them as well. Best find the farm first, build the fence, and then get the dogs and the sheep. I’ll be putting up a sheep and goat fence. It’s the perfect permanent fence for sheep. We sell a top-quality, Made in USA product. Check out our Sheep and Goat Fence.
Warm regards,
Debbie Page
CEO, Louis E. Page Inc – Woman-owned business and Family-owned since 1893. (It adds up to 131 years owned and run by our family. Think about it: Nobody stays around in business that long without really supporting customers so they want to come back!)
