Fate was not thrilled when Zinnia came into our lives. She has never been fond of other dogs, except for Red, who she loved.

She did everything to get Zinnia out of the house but pack her in a crate and ship her to California. She snarls and nips at her, steals her food and treats if we’re not looking and ignores or avoids her whenever possible.

But slowly and visibly, their relationship is changing. Zinnia adores Fate, follows her around, runs with her, kisses her on the nose, watches her closely and in recent days I’ve noticed that Fate has been teaching her how to be a dog in the country.

Zinna sees that Fate keeps her distance from the donkeys and sheep when they are eating. She has learned to be cautious.

On our walks, if Zinnia wanders too far away, Fate circles around her and guides her back to us (our border collies have never run away from the people who bring them to work).

Now, Zinnia turns and waits for us, just as Fate does if we fall behind.

Zinnia is learning how to run longer and faster by watching Fate. Fate is showing her how to climb into the pond, and cool off, and even swim a bit (border collies are not big swimmers, Labs are). Today, Zinnia swam a bit.

She watches Fate when the coyotes howl at night, and pays them no mind, as Fate pays them no mind. Fate is teaching her how to chase balls in the yard and bring them back to the thrower.

When the ball is thrown, Fate rushes in and steals it from Bud. Zinnia is doing the same.

 

Fate used to bark or growl Zinnia away when she tried to run with her. Now she doesn’t object at all. These are two very different animals, they have little in common but us and the farm, but they communicate all the time and are working things out, unlike so many people.

It is a beautiful thing to see this beautiful, aloof and very bright dog take her biological opposite – Zinnia is easy, friendly, forgiving and sweet – under her wing, even though she still wishes she might go away and stop bothering her.

But there is no nipping and snarling, no more growling. Fate is accepting Zinnia day by day, and consciously or not – how can I know? – she is teaching her how to be a dog on Bedlam Farm and in the country.