For thousands of years, human beings have been asking dogs to get the sheep, and almost without fail, the sheep appear. For me, it is one of the cherished rituals of the farm, it tells me there are timeless rituals, and it reminds me that we desperately need rituals to give structure and balance to our lives.

I learned when I came to the farm that a life without ritual is somewhat empty, it drifts and frightens. I don’t even have to look at Red, I just open the gate and say “Red, get the sheep,” and a few minutes later the sheep appear. This is the way I start my day, and it grounds and comforts and inspires me

I am not given to morbidity, but I do know how much I will miss Red when he is gone. He is my dog.