The day was meant to be a farewell to Bedlam Farm, and it was that and more. Well over a thousand people came yesterday and today – we lost count this afternoon – and it was so wonderful to share our goodbye to Bedlam Farm with the many good people who came to share it, coming from Chicago, Florida, Oregon, Canada, Michigan, Ohio, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Connecticut, Arizona and a dozen other states, including New York, Massachusetts,  Maine and Vermont.

People came to see Maria and her gifted artists and to buy their work, and to see the farm. And Simon. Many came to see Lenore and looked for Mother and Minnie (who hid). Strut walked among the crowd puffing up his chest. Some people came to see me. But the rock star of the day was Red, who has touched the hearts and imaginations of so many people. He was mobbed all day, put on a stellar herding demonstration (I will do more of those).  I was very proud to do the demo with him, we have been working hard all week and has convinced the sheep to do his bidding and showed off his spectacular outruns and razor-shop response to commands. I can do almost anything in the world with this dog. We have fused.

Red loves work, but he seems to love people all much. I think he needs to be a therapy dog.

Red was great with all kinds of people – kids, adults, men and women. There were big lines of people waiting for Red and for Simon and Lenore seemed to greet every single person, tail wagging. What a loving creature. She is exhausted, as it Red.

Red loves people and he draws them out in much the way Izzy did. I was shocked at people’s response to him. They just love him. He is already a famous dog, and this was surprising to me to see.

Rose loved work but disdained much cuddling, and Red loves work and he loves to be with people. Very powerful thing to see. He was with hundreds of people all weekend. I’ll write more about this weekend, which touched my soul and heart.  There were many points of connection. George Forss and Donny Wyndbrandt (whose work was in the show) hung around all weekend and I love watching George work and love his company as well.

And I’ll put a photo up on Facebook and some photos on the blog as well..