Red is a precision sheepherding dog, he graciously pretends to be waiting for my orders, but he is more like a laser-guided missile, he knows what to do. He knows precisely where to lie, where to point, where to look, how wide to go on his outruns, he drops to the ground when told, we are in sync. We have done some work on pace and timing, but Red came very well trained, and with all the tools of the British-Isles border collie, birthplace of this amazing breed.

I know Red had his troubles in Ireland, but I’d love to meet his breeder, I’ve really never seen a dog better bred to this work, although I’m sure there are many. Sometimes, when we go to pasture, I see the way Red positions himself, and I think of those precision drill teams you see in some of those marching bands. What a wonderful gift Karen Thompson gave me.