Red has a new routine for work, I send him out on some outruns and then he settles at the top of his hill, where he can keep an eye on his sheep and his responsibilities – his kingdom. Red is running very well these days, he is doing his usual good work for us, but I see it is time to slow him down, to protect his arthritis and sometimes sore legs.

The regimen of laser treatment and massage is working beautifully, I think, I’ll keep that up. Our new system is good for him, he loves to sit up on his hill, and I love to sit up there with him. I believe we can prolong his work life by a number of years and his other life for even longer. Sitting on that hill with him is good for me as well, a kind of meditation.

I can learn a lot from Red, and I feel his calm and affection.