Liam is a wether, a neutered ram, gentle as far as rams go. For years, he’s been Red’s nemesis, challenging him, butting him on occasion. It was always amazing to see Red handle Liam, Red is always restrained, doing what he had to do to maintain order, but no more.

He would approach Liam sideways, move back and forth to rattle him, then if necessary, nip him on the nose to get him moving. The only way a properly trained border collie is permitted to nip or bite a sheep is on the nose, one of their few sensitive and open places.

If Liam persisted, Red would lunge forward, nip hip on the nose. Liam would surrender and move away. Liam, like the other sheep, has sensed that Red is weakening. He can’t see clearly enough to nip Liam on the nose and doesn’t have the energy.

This has all made Liam a little more aggressive. In the sun, he simply lies down and leans against the wooden gate. Red used to get him up quickly, not he doesn’t get up at all unless I come close and poke him with a stick.

And this is beyond the power of Bud, the Little King, who can move a herd, but not a ram. Life on the farm is always changing, and Red’s decline alters the balance of life. As of now, I’m not expecting to replace Red with a herding dog, or perhaps any dog at all.

But I also know that dogs have a habit of showing up in my life when I needed them. There will not be another Red, for sure, but then, a couple of years ago, I never thought of getting a Boston Terrier.