livestock guardian dog

An injured guardian dog is an obvious sign of overnight trouble but other signs that trouble is afoot are more subtle. In this case the ewes are bedded down tight to one another when warm weather would make it less than desirable to do so. They are also bedded down in an unusual location at the top of our yard. The ewes would not have chosen this spot on their own.

Three guardian dogs are further afield. There are two other dogs right in the midst of the flock, and this girl resting just on the fringe, weary and worn.

One of the two dogs in the midst of the flock was Oakley, our sleepy senior.
It seems he is well aware of his increased fragility and knows where he is most useful. In his youth he would always be further afield from the flock but these days his role has shifted to being with the ewes. Moving when the flock moves, resting soundly when they rest. His actions are all vocal now, he’s no longer involved in physical confrontations or doing hard running. These days he spends as much or more time asleep than awake. His awareness of his abilities is likely what kept him out of the scree of trouble. His retirement is very near.

These dogs live a rich, purposeful life, fulfilling the role they are bred for – a life I set up for them by virtue of keeping a flock of sheep. I comprehend that injury is a risk and a hardship on the flip side of that purposeful life but a sense of responsibility and guilt for the hardship the dogs encounter always creeps in.

Confrontations are also a stark reminder that, despite what we wish, there is no control over what takes place in mother natures domain which is precisely where these dogs live and work.

There are some moments you don’t want to come to an end. That was the case on this particular afternoon when I spotted Birdie sitting so stately on a hilltop (and I was nearby enough with the camera). She sat there for some time, glancing around, watching the horizon. When she was satisfied she rose and made her way back toward the sheep. Who knows at what particular point a guardian dog is satisfied but when they decide they are, they get on with it and go.

I think I could spend a lifetime moving from moment to moment of being with dogs but not influencing them. Of observing what they’re up to rather than interacting with them all the time. Birdie knew I was there, but having been raised with sheep and not with me she makes decisions on the level of interaction and most times wants none. The Kelpies of course are so vastly different. I can rarely get a moment of being with them without influencing them. As a result of living together and of their bred-for purpose, they are tuned into what I do, and I to what they do.

I used to feel poorly that the guardian dogs did not get loads of attention and interaction with us but now I recognize that attention and life with people is not automatically a superior life. They have a life with a pack they can understand, they carry out their purpose daily. I could argue that the Kelpies are worse off with having to navigate my inconsistencies and misunderstandings and while my Kelpies have a work load they were bred for, they still only fulfill that purpose when I need it.

Yet when it comes full circle I wouldn’t wish for it be that much different. So maybe it just boils down to how extremely fortunate we are to have this life with dogs of such varying purpose and function. And so maybe I’ll stick to feeling grateful for both types of dogs because even though it’s been aggravatingly frustrating and brutally painful at times, my life is certainly richer with them in it and all I can hope for is that the reverse holds true for them.