Red and Simon are not pals. Simon has tried to stomp, bite or kick Red more times than I can count. Red ignores or avoids him, but there have been a few close scrapes and I usually don’t let them near one another. This morning, we were out in the pasture and Simon came up to check Red out. Red, as always when he is working, is not distractable, even at the cost of his life. He just watched the sheep as Simon came up and sniffed him carefully, checking him out from head to toe. I don’t see a friendship here, but this is different. We’ll see. Animals never cease to surprise me. A number of people have suggested that Simon is grumpy lately because he isn’t getting enough attention.

To me, this is a human projection of human emotions. Simon gets plenty of attention every day, from me, from Maria and from his many admirers. I think this sniffing of Red might suggest a change in mood.