Day: June 18, 2015

It is especially poignant for me to see Red offering himself to Fate as such a patient and protective big brother. I have a big brother, and our relationship as always been a source of sadness for me. He moved out of the house when I was very young, and I never saw much of him after that. One time in each of our lives we managed to be there for each other, but it never took.

I gave up on having a big brother recently, I came to understand there were many good reasons why our relationship could not work, I decided to let it go, as he had done many years ago. It was too painful.  My sister told me I was just too dumb and slow to get it, she and I have often gone our separate ways but never given up on each other. She has no patience for my sentimentality and magical thinking, big sisters roll their eyes at little brothers.

Red is a faithful big brother to Fate, at least in my distorted eyes. He never resents sharing the sheepherding with her, he is happy to be in the background. I loved this morning’s lesson. Red was back in the yard, Fate was trying to push the sheep our of their corner, they were having none of it.

I let Red in, he came running up behind her, dropped to the ground and fixed his powerful eye on the sheep. Fate puffed up like a blowfish and stared at the sheep. Red stood up, the sheep stood back. Clearly, Fate thought she had done this herself, she was quite full of  herself. This gives her confidence, and without risk. With Red sitting there, the sheep were on their very best behavior.

I am glad that Fate has a big brother, I can see how important it is, even to a dog.

It is a good way to start the morning. Maria opens the pasture gate and Lulu and Fanny and Chloe come running up. They get a carrot, an apple, or a piece of stale bread. They all chew softly and then wait to get brushed and combed. This sets the intention and the tone of the day. The day begins with love and connection, not their idea of the news.  I see it all as a morning meet, a chat, a way f two species learning to love and communicate with one another. I shudder to think of starting a day in any different way.

This morning’s lesson was about calm and comfort. I let Fate in and she lay down next to the sheep. I want to make sure she doesn’t come to think of herding as a mad chase around a pasture. So far, so good. I also don’t want to force her into any confrontations with the sheep, who are aware of her but defiant around her. I don’t want her to start any confrontations that could result in her getting stomped and losing her confidence. So when the sheep cluster up and refuse to move I bring Red in, he makes her feel safe and gives her the confidence to approach the sheep and learn to use her eyes, not just her mouth.

Like Red, she is very appropriate around the sheep, no mouth on them or aggression of any kind. The two of them together are a sight. The sheep get the message and keep their eyes on Red, they back away from Fate, which boost her confidence in itself. Once they move, I take Red out of the pasture and let Fate figure out how to move around them, with as much help as I can offer to her. I loved the sight of these two herding compadres.