24 April

The Little Dog That Could. Helping Red

by Jon Katz

Jean, a Boston Terrier owner from Michigan, offered me some advice this morning. “I’ve been watching Bud with the sheep on your blog,” she said, “he’s just getting started, bring your camera.”

I will, I said, I always do.

Today, another chapter in the adventures of Bud, a dog who evolves like a hardy wildflower every day. This afternoon, we went out to close the gate to the far pasture, where Maria’s fence has done a beautiful job of keeping the sheep where they belong.

I sent Red out to get the sheep – I probably shouldn’t have – and I saw that his Centurion Bud went running out there with him. From a considerable distance, I saw Red struggling, slowing, unable to keep pace with the sheep or drive them out of the pasture and back to us.

I started to yell louder at Red, then stopped. This was irresponsible. I risked re-injuring his spine, it is hard for me to deny him the chance to move the sheep, to see him work. But I know the truth, he can’t really move fast, and  can’t see far.

I saw him slow down and was frightened I had caused the spinal trouble to flare.

But the sheep kept racing towards me even though I yelled for Red to lie down, and he did.

He was far behind the flock, too far to move them.

I saw  Fate doing her Fate thing – running in wide circles around the sheep with great speed and enthusiasm, but the sheep pay her no mind at all. and then I saw a brown blur just behind the sheep and to the right.

Bud At Rest

Unless you believe in paranormal sheep herding, Bud had picked up where Red left off and was driving the sheep – you can see him on the right. And the sheep were moving, they came running right into the main paddock where we wanted them to go.

Bud came racing up right behind them, and when I called him to me, he came, panting a big, obviously tired. His little legs cannot run too far or for too long, sheep are fast.

We came into the house, and he conked out on his favorite chair, the one with the sheepskin, on which he is not allowed to go. He was tired.

Had he gone out to the far pasture to help his pal Red, to get the sheep?  I don’t know, I only know what the camera saw, and for me, cameras do not lie.

13 Comments

  1. Perhaps the sheep had no idea that Bud had replaced Red, and kept on going because they knew a dog was pushing them ? I have no idea — it’s either that Bud can control them, or it’s that they didn’t realize the difference — perhaps. It’s just astounding. And poor Red — there is that danger that anything with the sheep will do final damage to his spine…..I suspect he has earned retirement — other than to perhaps lie down near them.

  2. General Phil Sheridan was only 5’5″ tall. He was thought too small and slight to be an effective commander, esp. of cavalry. He whipped the enemy all the way from the Shenandoah Valley to Appomattox – always leading the charge, on his war horse Rienzi. When Grant told him Lee had agreed to surrender, Sheridan cursed: “Those ——-! If they’d held out an hour longer, I’d have whipped them like never before!” Perhaps Bud’s real name is Phil.

    1. Susie Boyko, Then there’s that guy named “Napoleon”. Better “Phil” than “Leon” though. I have a “Bud” also. My senior cat (RIP) brought him home and permitted him to stay. One afternoon I asked Boots where his buddy was, and Boots just looked around my ankles. Bingo. Hence, “Buddy”

  3. A good story and Bud is something else, but please be careful with Red. (sorry to insert my two cents)

    1. I appreciate your concern, Jim, truly but it is insulting to me to be reminded by people to be careful with Red. You have no idea.

  4. Because of their short noses, Boston Terriers can die more easily from getting overheated. I’m sure you know this, being an expert. But I worry about Bud. My daughter’s bt died while outside during 85 degree weather.

  5. I would think if Red has heart problems in addition to spinal problems, he will not be able to run to herd the sheep.

    1. I would think if Red has heart problems, I would talk to my vet about it, which I do, not strangers online..

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