Maria suggested this morning that Fate would make a great children’s book – “The Border Collie Who Won’t Herd Sheep.” I’m not looking to do another children’s book right now, my plate is pretty full. But it is pretty cool the way Fate, the Joy Dog, has evolved. Here line is from Wales, she is a beautiful dog, incredibly well-bred, and loaded with instinct.

But she just doesn’t want to push the sheep around. She loves them, she hangs out with them, lies next to them, races in circles around them. She doesn’t to give them the evil eye, push them back, punish them for ignoring here. They are not the least bit afraid of her, and seem content now to just let her hang around.

For months, I took Fate out every morning and worked with her, practicing commands. Recently, I realized she is a different kind of dog, she loves to work and explore and hang out, but she has absolutely no interested in telling the sheep what to do.

She is absolutely keen to get out there and do her version of work, which is to race back and forth and eventually, sit down and visit the sheep.

So be it, a border collie that loves sheep, a first for me, and to tell you the truth, I couldn’t be happier. Fate is a riot, the perfect dog for Maria and for me. I have no interested in breaking her spirit or putting intense pressure on her to do something she doesn’t want to do, and isn’t her nature.

So I have a border collie that loves sheep, and somehow, that is both fitting and appropriate. We have a very good time out there. She is intent and responsive, as long as she doesn’t have to bite anybody on the nose.