Gus is a farm dog, it’s no longer really in question. We bring him into the pasture every day and let him fend for  himself. If she sheep run towards him, he gets out of the way. He is totally at ease with the donkeys and has become a great pal of Fanny’s, he and Lulu are easy with one another.

Gus has also struck up a deepening friendship – and an unlikely one – with Zelda, our most rebellious and independent Chariot ewe. Today in the Pole Barn, Zelda came  up to check Gus out and Gus did not retreat, he held his ground. Then he leaned forward and kissed Zelda on the nose, and she seemed to respond, I see that they trust one another.

One animal at a time, the diplomatic and patience – and very affectionate – Gus is making himself an accepted presence on the farm. He seems to know where to start and how to wind friends. Some people thought we were crazy letting this small dog run around with such large animals, and I would be lying if I didn’t admit there was some risk to it, especially at first.

But you can’t teach a dog to solve problems if you don’t let them have any problems – a lesson Boomer parents are often slow to learn – and you can’t solve all of their problems for them. So we chose to let Gus be a dog, and permit him to integrate himself into our lives, not keep him away from our lives.

A great dog enters the lives of human and is a partner, not a piteous and dependent thing. Gus has the makings of a great dog, in a very small package.