I am fascinated to see Red evolves as he works. Every afternoon now, we grain the sheep – four of them are bred and due this month. If we grain the sheep, we need to grain the donkeys as well, that would be a bit of mayhem. So we have to separate them, to keep a riot from breaking out or pregnant ewes getting kicked. It isn’t simple, as farm animals get excited around grain.

We put the donkeys in the Pole Barn, close the gates. The sheep charged the gates at first trying to get to the grain, but Red has figured out how to get around and hold them off to the command “hold them.” We give the donkeys grain and one of us guards the gate, then I bring a bucket of grain out to the sheep feeder, they gather there quickly and feed, Red comes in close and puts himself between the sheep and the barn gate.

Over the past couple of weeks, Red, the donkeys and the sheep have figured out the drill. Maria goes into the barn, opens a garbage can where the grain is – the sound brings the very smart donkeys trotting into the barn briskly, then I close the gate while Red holds the sheep off.

As the donkeys settle, Red moves the sheep out towards the feeder, he watches me and now gets the idea. It is getting quieter and more orderly by the day. This is important, it is easy to get hurt around livestock and grain, also easy for pregnant ewes to get injured. Working animals are invaluable to my life, my world, Red is wonderful dog, I am grateful for him every day. He understands commands, but like Rose and the great border collies, he also grasps the idea behind the work. No training can do that.