Day: June 26, 2012

Red’s acclimation period more or less ended today. He had a big and full and varied day and I decided to chronicle it in words and photos. I’ll put an album up on  Facebook shortly, 14 photos that captured a working dog’s new life. The day began at dawn with me and Red herding sheep out in the big meadow across from the farmhouse. We showed Maria our progress and worked together quietly and successfully. Then I took Red with me to see Mary Muncil, my spiritual counselor.

He had trouble getting up the stairs – he bounds up three or four at a time – but greeted Mary, then sat quietly with me, and at my feet. He hopped up in my chair for a photo. After that, we went to Stannard’s Farms to get strawberries and snap peas and blueberries. He greeted his friend Tracy in the shop then waited by the flowers for me.

We drove up to the New Bedlam Farm where I had some chores to do and I brought him out to the pasture to meet Rocky. Rocky leaned over and sniffed him, and then the two ignored one another. Red was alert, but not anxious. He has obviously been around equines. Then to Sheldon’s Farm for bread, asparagus and some lunch food. In the summer, we do not go to groceries for food around here, and I love shopping eating and cooking.Red already has some girlfriends there and he runs back behind the counter quickly, this time to see Becky.

Then back home and some rest. One of Maria’s ewes appeared to be limping so we took Red up to corral the sheep and get them into the training pen. They are not yet dog broke but Red did a great job moving them to the pen and chasing them around it until we could put pressure on them and get them into the pen so we could take a look at their feet.

That was enough for three dogs. Red went all of these places off-lede, never moving more than a few feet from my side, staying with me wherever I was. He is adaptable, responsive, obedient and appropriate. It was a great day for both of us just one week after his coming here, and I am happy to put up a photo album of all of these stops a bit later this evening. Come and see.

Red responding to the “steady” command this morning  – walk up slowly to the sheep, in a calm and even way. He does that beautifully. “Steady” slows him down. I like to think this is how I approach my work.

Red is an impressive working dog, but there is no greater working dog than Lenore, in continuous pursuit of her goal to love every living thing and get them to loosen up. As she did with Frieda and Izzy, she is going to work on Red to get him to play. She comes with us when we herd the sheep – she grazes herself and visits the sheep when they pause –  and when Red was done, Lenore put her paws to the ground and challenged him to play. He did, and the two raced around in circles for 10 minutes or so.

Watching Lenore at the art show, I was struck by her instinct to greet every single person walking up the driveway, every person in the art gallery.  She wagged her tail and cuddled for two days, She welcomed everyone, was loved by everyone and it is wonderful to see her great spirit going to work on Red, a serious, sometimes anxious-to-please dog. Lenore’s work – love – may be the most powerful of all, and she will lighten him up.

Hey Karen. I know you check in sometimes to see how I am going. Things are good. I get to work the sheep two or three times a day. I’ve been to market’s, friend’s houses, spiritual counseling. This weekend there were tons of people – lots of women here – and you know I like that. A lot of girlfriends already.

Jon is coming along well. He was a little nervous at first, but he’s calmed down quite a bit. We are in sync, we understand each other. I think Jon and I think alike, just like you and me did. And Maria. What a lovebug. She is very keen on her work, but she also loves cuddling. 24/7 if you know what I mean.

Jon needs some work. His commands are a little fast sometimes, or sometimes slow. He sometimes (heh-heh) talks too much, or too loud, but he is getting it. This morning, he barely whispered the commands and we had a beautiful time. I wanted to end on a high note, and he finally is getting his directionals clear. He seems a bit autistic to me sometimes, you know bright, but I think he thinks in images sometimes rather than words.

I am rarely in the crate these days. I sleep there at night but we are out running around a lot. I see what you mean about a fuller life. There is work, but I also like people and am curious. Frieda is really a pussycat once you get over her big mouth. Lenore wants to play and I think I might. There is the dignity thing.

Jon has just attached himself to me like a shadow. He goes and gets the sheep when I want and hops in the car on command. He is very responsive and obedient. He gives me some treats (wow!). And he brings me just about every place. I love that. More later. He’s taking me to the farm stand. Gina and Sarah and Stacy are there and Stacy has biscuits for me in her pocket. She says I am her new boyfriend, and a lot nicer than the old one. Later.