In praise of a gentle dog - 09/29/14
This is Tarna, the same little heeler/sheepdog mutt in my avatar, that pic being at least ten years old as she's twelve now. Found as a sickly, worm-infested pup in a roadside stand in South Texas and purchased for $15 (and that was the White guy price). The best dog I will ever own.
A dog which quietly studies any given situation and figures out her role in it. I can bring her into the woods all day and never have to say a word (she responds to hand signals) while she goes out on point and quietly alerts me to all manner of critters. Sleep out in the woods and she'll sit up and keep watch. Run into a feral hog and she'll put herself between you and it. Only thing is better leash her when coyotes lurk around the campsite or she'll charge 'em if they come too close.
Of late another of her roles has been to graciously accept the attentions of all manner of little kids at the playground who come over and pet her. I'd not trust too many dogs at the other end of a leash from a four year-old and of course our grandchild loves her (doesn't hurt any that leashes are redundant when it comes to this dog).
One of those dogs that will leave a big hole when she passes on.
Birdwatcher
A dog which quietly studies any given situation and figures out her role in it. I can bring her into the woods all day and never have to say a word (she responds to hand signals) while she goes out on point and quietly alerts me to all manner of critters. Sleep out in the woods and she'll sit up and keep watch. Run into a feral hog and she'll put herself between you and it. Only thing is better leash her when coyotes lurk around the campsite or she'll charge 'em if they come too close.
Of late another of her roles has been to graciously accept the attentions of all manner of little kids at the playground who come over and pet her. I'd not trust too many dogs at the other end of a leash from a four year-old and of course our grandchild loves her (doesn't hurt any that leashes are redundant when it comes to this dog).
One of those dogs that will leave a big hole when she passes on.
Birdwatcher