What's so special about Border Collies...?
Posted by Cleo on April 20, 2008, 11:10 pmWell, it's that time again. Dad said it was OK for me to continue with my griping....so here I am again. I told you how my humans got into the BC fostering business, but now I think it seems to be an ongoing thing. They've even put in a special enclosure in the kitchen for them, so that they feel secure I suppose. Does this mean I will periodically need to share my place with gorgeous, (YUK), black and white Border Collies? The only bright spot to this is that it seems that, (so far at least), they all like to herd cats....poor Meggie....LOL. Not that they threaten her, she's not at all scared....they just like to herd her around the house. Must be some inbred weakness with Border Collies I suppose....they gotta HERD.
Anyway, about a week after they took Willie to Martin's place they got another call from Sally. Would they be prepared to help save another dog, Zephyr, from a "shelter" in the U.S. somewhere. Another sad case where inhumane humans had dropped a dog off, and simply walked away on him without even leaving his name. Again he only had three days before it was time to cross over the Bridge. They showed me his picture and, O.K.....he looked quite cute. A long-haired fellow with perky ears. Mum and Dad, (suckers), said "Yes, of course". So, on a Sunday evening, off they drove in my van to pick up "Zephyr". But I snickered as they drove off, "Zephyr"...whoever called a boy dog a name like that? Later, Mum, Dad and Sally came to an agreement and called him "Gentle Ben" because...alright, I admit it....he was a very gentle and gentlemanly dog. He was a bit smelly when he arrived and I appreciated that, a bit of fresh air in the house, but, as usual, humans don't like that honest doggie stink, and the next day they took him for a thorough grooming. After a couple of attempts to mark his territory in the house, he took the hint from Dad and agreed not to try it any more. He was either a very quick learner or had been house trained before being abandonded. Boy, was he different from Willie. When Dad took us for ouir daily walks he never once pulled on his leash.....he just loped along looking beautiful. After a week or so Sally 'phoned and said would Mum and Dad take Ben to FourUFarms where Faye, the owner, would try Ben out for sheep herding capabilities. When they came home they could not stop talking about it. Ben, it appeared, had enormous potential to be a really good sheep dog. Not that I'm jealous you understand, but it really gripes a dog to know that they carry on so much about another dog being gorgeous AND talented.
Back tomorrow for part two on Gentle Ben.
As ever, Cleo
