Gus sees himself as the King Of The Pasture, I think, the dog has a keen sense of entitlement. One of his new and favorite vantage points is on Fanny’s back, where he can survey the kingdom and stay out of the way of stampeding sheep. We are realizing that Gus could have a whole new career as a circus dog, but we are going to work with him a bit – treats and reinforcement – to ride around up there.

Fanny loves Gus and has no issues with him sitting on her back, donkeys love it when chickens and birds sit on them, they scratch them and eat bugs and insects. I was quite astonished when I first saw Maria place Gus up there, but he and Fanny are getting pretty comfortable with the arrangement.

I thought I saw Fate giving them both a look of disgust, but of course I can’t be sure. I think Gus will be ready to perform by the October Open House. The smart dogs know how to fit in up here.