I like to think of Bedlam Farm as a Peaceable Kingdom. The animals here get along, they do not hurt one another. I love how the sheep have adapted so quickly to the presence of dogs that are, to say the least, odd and unconventional. I can only imagine what the border collie snobs are thinking when they see photos of Gus and Fate carrying out their version of sheep herding.

Actually, I don’t have to imagine it, I know quite well what they think. They think I am a demon. The sheep here, on the other hand, are fat and happy.

They rarely pay any attention to Fate, who likes to herd them into a tight circle and keep them there. This, I see, over time, works and it is her contribution.

Gus is not a herding dog, he just wants to do what the herding dogs do. Once in awhile, he challenges the sheep and tries to do what Red does. Sometimes, he tries to do what Fate does, but he can’t keep up with her for long.  Mostly, he comes up to the sheep and licks them on the nose.

He has made friends with a number of them, and they no longer bother to chase him away or worry about him. Red keeps his distance from this foolishness and watches over things, intervening when there’s trouble. If the sheep are butting Fate or bothering her, Red will move in behind her and quiet them down. Fate thinks she’s tough.

As far as Red is concerned, Gus is on his own. He does not intervene to protect him although Gus will often run and stand behind Red, the safest place to be in a pasture.

The Peaceable Kingdom reigns here, a feeling of harmony and contentment.