11 February

The Ballet: Dogs Running In Snow

by Jon Katz
Dogs Running In Snow
Dogs Running In Snow
In the snow and ice, sheepherding is dangerous and difficult, so we take some time off from our lessons and our work.  Twice a day, I take the border collies out into the side pasture and I let them run. The tear around the pasture for ten to fifteen minutes, I let them run until I see some long tongues. The gives them focus, keeps them fit and strong, strengthens their running and breathing capacity, helps them handle the sheep with speed and stamina.

It is a ballet, a beautiful thing, it lifts my heart to see them running so joyously and quickly, it is their natural selves unleashed, a kind of ballet for me. The snow gives the ballet a depth and timelessness, a stage setting that is beautiful and uplifting. When they come in, panting, they drink some water and then settled down to sleep.

Red sleeps for an hour or so, Fate is up and at the door if five minutes, ready to go. She loves the ballet. It is not sheepherding, but she loves it anyway.

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