I’m confused sometimes about what is the right thing to do when it comes to Red coming out to the sheep. He very much wants to come, and I see it as a matter of pride and dignity for him, working dogs very much need to feel like they are working.

So I bring Red out every morning. Liam, our wether (neutered ram) was always Reds nemesis. He alone challenged and butted Red, and they had epic staredowns.

Red always whipped him into line, usually with a nip on the nose, if necessary. Liam always backed off and gave in.

But sheep are sensitive to dogs, their lives depend on it, and Liam knows Red’s time is up and is no threat.

Red is almost totally blind and stiff, and when I wasn’t looking, Red got up and challenged Liam, he wanted to get him out of the barn, as he always did.

Liam can sense Red’s age and weakness, and when Red gets close, Liam charges, and sometimes butts.

This outrages Bud who charges at Liam and backs him down, but Bud was off chasing a chipmunk and didn’t notice. Liam is not afraid of Red any longer, and Reds eyes can no longer work to challenge him, nor can Red move fast enough to back away and then charge.

The two were in a standoff this morning, and I could see Liam wasn’t backing away. I believe dogs like Red know pride and shape, especially the working border collies. They are mortified when the sheep get away from them and proud when they do their work.

I believe it’s important for Red to come out with me in the pasture every morning, it supports his pride and dignity to so some work with me. That was his life in so many ways.

But the ethics of pride and dying are never easy or clear. One of these days, I won’t be close and Red will try to move the sheep, and Liam will butt him with power and possibly hurt him, wounding his body and his pride.

I’m very reluctant to just keep Red in the house for the rest of his life. His therapy work is over as well.

So I need to come up with some compromise activities. Maybe bring Red out for a few minutes and then have him lie down outside the fence.

I’m determined to honor his pride and sense of worth, but the last thing he needs now is to get into a brawl with a belligerent ram. I didn’t like what I saw today.

It’s my job to figure out what to do next, I want to respect his pride and his body.