Today I decided to take Andy for a walk in the pastures behind our home and let him get a better view of the cattle. Until now he has been behind a fence where he could see and smell the cattle but he didn't have full access to them. Andys sister, Amy, is doing well in her new home that has goats and chickens and showing her herding instincts, so I wanted to see if Andy would take an interest in the cattle.
Andy was accompanied by his father, Rumor, my husband, one of my daughters and myself for a little walk.
We were quiet pleased with Andys lack of fear and his willingness to help Rumor move the cattle! With some training, I think he would make a really fine herder. He went to the head, he went to the heels, but what he really enjoyed was making one cow follow him. A cow turned on him and he started bouncing backwards, butt in air and front down lower..and the cow followed. He turned one direction and the cow followed. It was as if we were watching this pup figure out how to make this cow move the direction he wanted it to go. He bounced backwards too far too fast and the cow stopped. So he went back to her, got her attention and then began his bouncing backwards again. This time he didn't move back as fast, as if he was making sure he gave the cow time to follow. You could almost see him smiling. He was too far away for my digital camera to get a decent picture, but my mind will never forget it! This pup was in heaven. So here are a couple of pages of pictures of Andy and of Rumor, Andys father.. |
